Have you ever wondered about why the Han River is not just a representative landmark in Seoul but a symbol of Korea as a whole? While its breathtaking scenery certainly plays a role, the river’s deep-rooted history is what truly sets it apart.

The Han River History Tours will offer you an immersive experience into the culture, history and legends surrounding the iconic waterway.

From April 4 until Nov. 30, Seoul City will operate 16 courses of History Travel Program, with fun and easy-to-understand commentary offered by commentators on many different parts of Han River. Two sessions will be held for each course daily — from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Best of all, participation is completely free.

The tours will be led by 22 trained experts who have undergone training to provide in-dept insights.

What’s New This year?

A highlight of this year’s tour is the newly added Seobinggo-ro course, which offers a fascinating look into the ice storage and distribution system of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Participants will explore the 3.8-kilometer stretch of Ichon Han River Park, visiting cultural heritage sites near Seobinggo Station while tracing the historical and modern significance of the Ichon area.

Other major courses include Gwangnaru-gil, Gyeomjae Jeong Seon-gil, Gosanja-gil, following the legacy of geographer Kim Jung-ho, and Maponaru-gil.

Earn Stamps

To make the experience even more engaging, a stamp certification program has been introduced. Each course completion earns participants a stamp featuring a symbol of the Han River, issued by a commentator.

The first 2,000 participatns who take part will receive a physical stamp book for free, while others download a digital version online.

Participants who collect 15 stamps out of 16 will be eligible to receive a small gift.

Tour Participation Guidelines

A minimum of two people is required per session, except for foreigners and persons with disabilities, who can take the tour individually.

Each tour accommodates up to 15 people, except for the Yanghwanaru-gil, however, which has a maximum of seven participants.

Locations that require an entry fee will not have guided commentary, but participants may enter at their own expense.

How to Register

Registration began on March 28 via this website and each tour is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations must be made at least five days in advance of the desired tour date.