In Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, a city with a population of 1 million, located near Seoul, there is Goyangnuri Street with 14 sections including Peace Nuri Street, Lake Nuri Street, and North Korea Nuri Street.

For today’s journey, I decided to walk the 7th course of Goyangnuri Street, where I can easily go to other places including the center of Ilsan by taking public transportations.

The guide for 7th course recommends walking around the lake park starting from the Cactus Exhibition Center, which is the end of course #6. But, to conveniently use the public transportation, I planned the course starting in Jeongbalsan subway station, passing through Lafesta, around the lakeside promenade in the direction of Waterfall Square, ending at the Culture Park Square.

[Goyang Independence Movement Memorial Tower]

When you walk out of exit 2 of Jeongbalsan station, there is a large Ilsan Cultural Park and the Goyang Independence Movement Memorial Tower stands tall in front of the park.

The Goayng Independence Movement Memorial Tower was built in July 2019 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the March 1st Movement in Goyang City. It honors the achievements of 74 independence activists from Goyang.

When I pass by the tower, It makes me automatically bow for people who sacrificed for the state.

[Lafesta Street]

I crossed to the Metasequoia road next to the cultural park to head to the next destination, Lafesta.

While walking the Metasequoia road next to the square, I was able to see Lafesta Street where I have to cross the road with a sign guiding to the right side.

Lafesta Culture Street is a wide and long pedestrian zone. It was planned from the beginning as a cultural street that combines commercial and cultural facilities, like Santa Monica Street in the United States and Shinjuku Street in Japan.

It is not only a shopping mall or restaurant street, but also a dynamic cultural street was created by installing a pavilion to watch street performances, performance systems such as stage, and appropriate shopping facilities for the cultural street.

Free performances were held throughout the year, catching the eyes of tourists, but the area was quiet since no one can watch performances in person due to COVID 19. However, restaurants and stores were guarding the area and taking care of meals and cultural life of the town residents.

[View of HueHwa Park]

When you walk along Lafesta, as the downtown streets come to an end, you are able to see the apartments of Ilsan New Town.

On the path between apartments, trees sway by the wind, and the leaves create shade under the sun, making my walk delightful.

I thought it was a playground since children were playing in the large field, but I saw a sign attached with the name of “HueHwa Park”.

[HueHwa Park Overpass]

[Singing Fountain]

Finally, to enter the Lake Park, I have to cross over the overpass installed over the driveway.

Singing fountain that I can immediately see after crossing the overpass was created to play an international-level musical fountain performance along with the era of 21st century cultural tourism.

Along with the Goyang-si’s landmark Lake Park, it is playing a role as a center of tourism in connection with facilities like KINTEX, aquarium, and sports mall.

To confirm that you were here, stamp with the stamps inside the box located below the left side of the fountain square.

[Cactus Exhibition Center]

I arrived at the Cactus Exhibition Center after crossing the Metasequoia Road. It is run by the Goyang Agricultural Technology Center, exhibiting almost 750 types of rare cacti from around the world. Visitors can directly experience while viewing and it also operates a flower cafe.

Due to COVID-19, I was only allowed in the flower cafe. So, I decided to take a rest on the nearby bench with a cup of coffee.

[Under the Lake Bridge]

After taking enough rest, I went to the Lake Bridge through Jayou-ro Janghang IC.

Under the Lake Bridge was the coolest place in the park, so many people visiting the park were taking a break on the benches and picnic chairs.

There are stairs going up on either side of the bridge, and it is worth going up at least once to look down at the park.

[View of Waterfall Square]

[Waterfall Square Capstone]

[Janghang Overpass]

After enjoying the shades and breeze for enough time under the lake bridge, we headed to the final destination, Waterfall Square.

When I was able to see the artificial waterfall, I realized that I had arrived at the waterfall square.

It is a short section compared to other squares with the large stone with the word ‘Waterfall Square’ hidden under the trees, but you can sit on a bench and enjoy the Ilsan Lake view and exercise with equipment installed on the side road going up to the square.

I wanted to take a look around the square, but I headed to Nakmin Park crossing the Janghang Overpass on the right side of the square as the sun went down.

[Nakmin Park Capstone]

[Nakmin Park Overpass]

[Western Dom]

Unlike the crowds at Lake Park, three were not a lot of people in Nakmin Park, so I was able to walk in a tranquil environment.

If I go straight in the direction I was walking, I was able to go to exit 3 of Madu Station, and if I turn right, I can go to the Western Dom passing by the Court Library.

I usually choose the route that I can easily go back home, but I chose the direction to Western Dom to complete the 7th course.

When I walk after making a right turn, I encounter an overpass to cross a wide road.

As I climbed up the overpass stairs, I began to see the Western Dom shopping center, which is symmetrical to the La Festa shopping center.

[Rodeo Street]

If I pass through the shops inside the Western Dom building with a covered ceiling, I come to the last stop on the path to the Cultural Park, which is Rodeo Street.

People were crowded because there were multifarious stores and Baekma subway station. After enjoying the shops and arriving at the Culture Park Square, I turned right and I found exit 2 of Jeongbalsan station, which is today’s destination and the end point of Goyangnuri Street’s 7th course.

In the cool autumn weather, let’s take a walk through a tranquil park promenade with neither uphill nor downhill, look around Goyang’s tourist attractions, and find your own favorite place in the city.

Ilsan Lake Park

1. Hours of Operation : Everyday 08:00 ~ 20:00

2. Entrance Fee : Free

3. Parking : (*) 80 KRW for 5 mins

4. Contact : 033-909-9000

5. Address : 906, Janghang-dong, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do

Ilsan Cultural Park

1. Hours of Operation : 24 Hours

2. Entrance Fee : Free

3. Parking : 600 KRW for 30 mins / 200 KRW for 10 mins / 1,200 KRW for an hour

4. Contact : 031-905-8396

5. Address : Janghang-dong, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do