Nowon Book Festival
Getting Started
On the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail, dyed in autumn light, pages flutter like the wind. Sit on the lawn and slowly savor a single sentence, and even the city’s noise slips quietly away. Books, people, and scenery meet, and a day completes itself like a story in one volume.
Contents
- Guide
- Program Guide
- Where to Stay
- Restaurants & Cafés
- Nearby Sights
- Getting There
- In Closing
- Photo Snapshots
- Videos
- Related News
Guide
- Dates: 2025.10.17 ~ 2025.11.02
- Hours: 15:00–20:00 (Weekends 12:00–20:00)
- Venue: Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail area in front of Hagye 2-dong Community Center (Address: 88, Gongneung-ro 55-gil, Nowon-gu, Seoul (Hagye-dong))
- Admission: Free
- Host/Organizer: Nowon-gu Office, Nowon-gu Public Libraries
- Inquiries: 02-2116-0701
- 12:00 Enter the trail at weekend opening time and grab a comfortable spot with a beanbag or picnic mat.
- 14:00 Stroll through the activity booths and bookstore market, browsing goods and exhibits at leisure.
- 16:00 Move to the space for the upcoming book talk/lecture and wait with time to spare.
- 17:30 Relax on the lawn with reading and photos.
- 18:30 Enjoy the ‘몽비어시네마’ outdoor screening and soak in the evening vibe.
- 19:50 Wrap up with a short walk and check your route home.
Check the program schedule in advance
Festival is free—expect crowds
Public transportation recommended
The Nowon Book Festival presents an outdoor library where books, performances, and scenery mingle under the theme of “Romance Guaranteed.” Running every Friday–Sunday from October 17 to November 2, it offers a special reading experience where the rails of the past meet today’s citizens on the symbolic Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail.
“Nowon Mong:ttang Outdoor Library” is composed of “Romantic Reading · Romantic Travel · Youth Romance,” featuring book talks, exhibitions, performances, and more. Designed as a cultural festival that extends books into everyday life and connects the community and its people, it is open to all free of charge.
Program Guide
A book-concert style talk to share the excitement of opening night through a conversation with the author.
Enjoy signature musical numbers on an outdoor stage in a gala performance.
An outdoor movie screening program.
A tasting and humanities talk with Manager Park Se-young of ‘기차가 있는 풍경’.
A program with author Park So-young to share the sentiments of walking and travel.
A travel talk with PD Kim Garam and YouTuber Lee So-yeon comparing different perspectives.
A commentary-style concert themed around famous paintings.
Performances and activity booths for children and families.
As it’s an outdoor event, check the weather and bring a hat and sunscreen or an umbrella for sun protection.
The venue is spacious and programs are varied—check the schedule for your interests in advance and plan your route.
The festival is free, but crowds are likely—public transportation is convenient.
Optimize your route by checking the schedule in advance
Public transportation recommended
Where to Stay
We focused on accommodations in Guri, Dongdaemun, and Jongno, 7–9 km from the venue. With easy access to the subway and major roads, it’s manageable even for a one-day plan.
148, Cheyukgwan-ro, Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do (Gyomun-dong)
About 7.2 km to the venue, Gyomun-dong, Guri
[Distance: 7.2 km]
22, Wangsan-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul (Sinseol-dong)
About 7.2 km to the venue, Sinseol-dong, Dongdaemun-gu
[Distance: 7.2 km]
81-7, Angol-ro, Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do (Sutaek-dong)
About 7.5 km to the venue, Sutaek-dong, Guri
[Distance: 7.5 km]
47, Muhak-ro 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Doseon-dong)
About 8.2 km to the venue, Doseon-dong, Seongdong-gu
[Distance: 8.2 km]
33, Nangye-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Hwanghak-dong)
About 8.3 km to the venue, Hwanghak-dong, Jung-gu
[Distance: 8.3 km]
334, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Gwanghui-dong 2-ga)
About 9.2 km to the venue, Gwanghui-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu
[Distance: 9.2 km]
238, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Euljiro 6-ga)
About 9.2 km to the venue, Euljiro 6-ga, Jung-gu
[Distance: 9.2 km]
89, Donhwamun-ro 11ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Unni-dong, City Park)
About 9.3 km to the venue, Unni-dong, Jongno
[Distance: 9.3 km]
Plan lodging–venue routes after checking the schedule
Restaurants & Cafés
We gathered easily accessible spots around Gongneung-dong near the venue, plus the Seongbuk and Seongdong areas. Considering travel distance, they’re easy to slot in for breaks or meals between programs.
608, Hwarang-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul (Gongneung-dong)
Near the venue in Gongneung-dong—nice for a restful stop
[Distance: 2.4 km]
36, Dobong-ro 68-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul (Mia-dong)
Near Mia-dong—easy to visit between programs
[Distance: 3.7 km]
87, Bomun-ro 34-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul (Dongseon-dong 3-ga)
In Dongseon-dong 3-ga—good for a quiet break
[Distance: 6.2 km]
24, Dongsomun-ro 20na-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul (Dongseon-dong 1-ga)
In Dongseon-dong 1-ga—easy to add to your route
[Distance: 6.3 km]
30, Dongsomun-ro 20da-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul (Dongseon-dong 1-ga)
In Dongseon-dong 1-ga—good for a light snack
[Distance: 6.3 km]
2, Dongsomun-ro 20da-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul (Dongseon-dong 1-ga)
In Dongseon-dong 1-ga—reliable meal between programs
[Distance: 6.4 km]
30-8, Nangye-ro 27-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Sungin-dong)
In Sungin-dong—good for a quick stop
[Distance: 7.7 km]
22, Muhak-ro 6-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Doseon-dong)
In Doseon-dong, Seongdong—nice for a final stop
[Distance: 8.1 km]
Public transportation recommended
Nearby Sights
Add gentle walking courses along trails and forest paths to enrich your day. Choose nearby routes before or after the event for an easy loop without overexertion.
![[서울둘레길 3코스] 불암산코스](http://tong.visitkorea.or.kr/cms/resource/22/3526122_image2_1.jpg "Nowon Book Festival 20")
Sangye-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul
A trekking route following forested mountain slopes
[Distance: 4.3 km]
13, Sirubong-ro 15ma-gil, Dobong-gu, Seoul (Banghak-dong)
Experience a unique neighborhood cultural space at a local theater
[Distance: 5.1 km]
![[서울둘레길 20코스] 북한산 강북코스](http://tong.visitkorea.or.kr/cms/resource/67/3526267_image2_1.jpg "Nowon Book Festival 22")
117, Hwagyesa-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul (Suyu-dong)
A forest walk skirting the foothills of Bukhansan
[Distance: 5.4 km]
108, Deokneung-ro 145-gil, Nowon-gu, Seoul (Sangye-dong)
A nature retreat on the slopes of Suraksan
[Distance: 5.8 km]
![[서울둘레길 21코스] 북한산 도봉코스](http://tong.visitkorea.or.kr/cms/resource/93/3526293_image2_1.jpg "Nowon Book Festival 24")
Underground 676, Samyang-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul (Ui-dong)
A walk connecting rocky ridges and forest paths
[Distance: 6.0 km]
Yongdap-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
A streetscape perfect for an in-city stroll
[Distance: 7.8 km]
![[서울둘레길 19코스] 북한산 성북코스](http://tong.visitkorea.or.kr/cms/resource/71/3526271_image2_1.jpg "Nowon Book Festival 26")
Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
A stroll with views along the foothills of Bukhansan
[Distance: 7.9 km]
Jangam-dong, Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do
A forest walking course close to the city
[Distance: 9.8 km]
Leave buffer time for moving between programs
Getting There
Public transport — About 500 m from Exit 4 of Hagye Station on Line 7.
By car — You can use the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail Visitor Center or public parking near 88, Gongneung-ro 55-gil (Hagye 2-dong Community Center). On-site parking may be limited, so public transportation is recommended.
Outdoor event—check the weather
Confirm routes and schedule in advance
In Closing
The calm of a car-free street, the soft sound of turning pages, and rest on the grass linger long after. Bring comfortable shoes and sun protection, and take a slow loop around the site before the performances to gently slow your pace.
Photo Snapshots
Videos
Related News
Sources & References
This article is based on on-site experience, official materials, and news coverage.
Author
Aemong Travel — documenting local festivals and simple travel routes.
Visitor Notes
- Information may change. Please check official updates before you go.
- Weekends/holidays can be crowded. We recommend early hours or sunset.
- On rainy days, consider indoor exhibits or nearby cafés.
