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By Jinho Jung-Wikimedia

Top 5 Bridges to see in Seoul

Seoul city is characterized by modern skyscrapers, K-pop culture, high-tech subways, Buddhist temples, palaces and busy street markets packed with autonomous shops.

Famous attractions in the city include futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a convention hall with curving architecture and a rooftop park; Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jogyesa Temple the site of ancient locust and pine trees.

The bridges in this city are quite spectacular and here are the top 5 bridges to see in Seoul.

1. Incheon Bridge, cable-stayed bridge

Incheon Bridge By Cameron Henderson – Wikimedia

The Incheon Bridge connects the Incheon International Airport that is on Yongjing island to the international business district of New Songdo City.

This bridge allows easy to access to Gyeongin Expressway No. 2 and 3, and Seohaean Expressway to Incheon International Airport.

The construction of the bridge took 4 years and was completed in 2009, it stretches for 12 kilometres. This bridge is among the 7 longest bridges in the world. It is fifth in the world ranking for its 800m gap between two main towers.

The construction of the cable-stayed section over the sea, which is 1.3-kilometre-long, was the most technical with the main tower being 230 metres tall. The other section of the bridge is a combination of box girder bridge and viaduct bridge.

There are six lanes on the bridge with three on either side. Electronic and manual toll booths are on the island side.

The foundations of Incheon bridge were drilled cast in place piles while the bridge pylons are Y-shaped concrete structures. The main bridge span is considered for the safe passage of sea vessels under the bridge.

2. Yeongdodaegyo Bridge – bascule bridge

Yeongdodaegyo Bridge By Minseong Kim – Wikimedia

Yeongdodaegyo Bridge is a bascule bridge in Yeongdo, Busan. It was built in 1934 to allow connection of mainland Busan with the island district of Yeongdo.

This is Korea’s first-ever drawbridge where one can walk across and watch as it opens to let boats pass through, it takes approximately 15 minutes to open and close. Yeongdodaegyo Bridge is very important to Busan’s maritime activities.

This Bridge provides passage for pedestrians and vehicles between the southern tip of Busan’s Jung District and Yeongdo District.

During the Korean War, the bridge was a meeting place for separated families to reunite. With time the traffic congestion led to the closure of the bridge in 1966. It was later reopened in 2013 but with the drawbridge opening once a day.

While walking across the bridge one can see the rooftops of Jung District and spot notable city landmarks such as Busan Tower.

One will also notice paintings of seagulls on the raised sections of the bridge. On the boardwalk, you will also find a sculpture exhibition with signs giving historical information about the landmark.

Close to the bridge is Samjin Fish Cake History Museum in Yeongdo district, it has been producing fish cakes, locally known as eomuk, since 1953. You can go ahead and try the samples as you watch the experts make these delicacies. Also, check out the free National Maritime Museum.

On the other section of Jung District, the bridge is a short walking distance to Jagalchi Fish Market and the Gwangbokro Culture and Fashion Street.

3. Woryeonggyo Bridge- Wooden Bridge

By Christian Bolz – Wikipedia

Woryeonggyo Bridge is 387 m long and 3.6 m wide and was opened in 2003. It is the longest footbridge made of wood in Korea.

This Bridge is said to have been built following a sad yet beautiful legend about a wife who made a pair of hemp shoes out of her hair in earnest condolence for her late husband.

To commemorate her pure and noble love, the bridge was designed in the style of the hemp shoes, while having the Woryeongjeong Pavilion at the centre of the bridge.

It’s a really beautiful bridge where one can take long relaxing walks while enjoying spectacular views. It’s best if you go here just before sunrise on a clear day, the view is breath-taking.

Evening strolls on the bridge are also nice because it gets lit up.

4. Banpo Bridge- girder bridge

Banpo Bridge By Bryan Dorrough – Wikimedia

Banpo Bridge remains one of the most iconic bridges in Seoul. This is because there is a Rainbow Fountain attached to both edges, it is the longest bridge fountain in the entire world.

This girder bridge was completed in 1982. The rainbow fountain is made up of 380 nozzles and runs for 570 metres on both sides shooting more than 190 tons of water per minute.

The water in the fountain is pumped directly from the river and is recycled back, talk of being eco-friendly!

5. Gwangandaegyo Bridge- suspension bridge

Gwangandaegyo bridge By Jinho Jung-Wikimedia

Gwangandaegyo Bridge connects Haeundae-gu to Suyeong-gu. Its road surface is about 6.5 kilometres long and the entire length of the bridge 7.4 kilometres.

This is the second-longest bridge in South Korea after the Incheon Bridge.

The construction began in 1994 and was completed in 2002, with a total cost of 789.9 billion won.

It was temporarily opened in September and October 2002 for the 2002 Asian Games but was officially opened in 2003.

In 2019, the bridge hit international headlines after a Russian cargo ship crashed into the bridge leaving a 5-metre-wide hole on the lower section of the bi-level bridge. Luckily there were no causalities reported.

In addition to providing a quick way to and from the districts, the bridge gives breath-taking views of nearby attractions such as the endless ocean, Oryukdo Island, Hwangnyeongsan Mountain, Gwangalli Beach, Dongbaekseom Island, and Dalmaji Hill.

The bridge is a beautiful sight at night with thousands of LED lights that make it a pretty sight at night and this changes with the seasons.