Scenic lighting to extend to Mangwu History and Culture Park; project aims to draw visitors into traditional markets and alley commercial districts
The Yongmasan Skywalk in Seoul's Jungnang-gu has been selected as a site for the Seoul Metropolitan Government's 2026 Seoul Starlight Landmark Development Project.
Jungnang-gu said it will channel the full 1 billion won ($736,000) in special adjustment grants secured through the city's competitive grant program into building tourism infrastructure around the skywalk, with the project now set to move forward in earnest.
The centerpiece of the initiative is to enhance the skywalk's nighttime scenery and extend the tourist route to Mangwu History and Culture Park.
The district plans to install landscape lighting around the Yongmasan Skywalk, which offers panoramic views of Seoul's city skyline at night, and connect pedestrian lighting along the path toward Mangwu History and Culture Park. Night photo zones and rest areas where visitors can linger while taking in sunset and nighttime views will also be created.
The district is also focused on channeling tourist foot traffic into local commercial areas. It plans to link the routes descending from the skywalk and Mangwu History and Culture Park to traditional markets — including Sagajeong Market, Myeonmok Market and Urim Market — as well as alley shopping districts such as Sangbong Food Alley and Sagajeong Food Alley.
To support that goal, the district will run a range of programs including a stamp tour, post-visit review events, nighttime busking and cultural arts performances. The aim is to move beyond simple sightseeing and develop the area into a destination where visitors stay to dine and shop, bringing new energy to the alley commercial districts.
"The Yongmasan Skywalk and Mangwu History and Culture Park are the defining landmarks of Jungnang-gu," Jungnang-gu District Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said. "We will develop the Yongmasan Skywalk into a premier nighttime tourism hub and pursue this project so that the flow of tourists extends into the alley commercial districts, benefiting local merchants as well."
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