‘2026 Yongsan National Heritage Night’ to Light Up Hyochang Park

Yongsan-gu, Seoul, will host the ‘2026 Yongsan National Heritage Night’ for two days starting September 11th. Under the slogan ‘Night at Hyochang Park, Walking Through Memories,’ this event commemorates the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, inviting visitors to reflect on the historical significance of the site while enjoying illuminated landscapes and various cultural programs.

A Night of History and Culture at Hyochang Park

Yongsan-gu announced that it will host the ‘2026 Yongsan National Heritage Night’ for two days, from Friday, September 11, to Saturday, September 12, in the vicinity of Hyochang Park.

The National Heritage Night, designated by the Korea Heritage Service, is a program that utilizes areas dense with cultural heritage to provide specialized night-time activities, thereby enhancing the utility and preservation value of these sites. Since its inception in 2016 with nine local governments, the program has gained significant popularity, expanding to 47 cities, counties, and districts nationwide by 2026.

This year’s event is organized under the slogan ‘Night at Hyochang Park, Walking Through Memories,’ allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the night views and history of Hyochang Park. In particular, it adds depth as a historical and cultural festival commemorating the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation and the spirit of the independence movement.

The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first day and from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the second day.

Diverse Night Programs and Citizen Participation

Visitors will be greeted by beautiful night-time scenery created with traditional ‘cheongsachorong’ lanterns and decorative lighting.

The program features guided tours that share the deep history of Hyochang Park and the stories of independence patriots, as well as mission tours and stamp tours designed for families and individuals.

Interactive activities for citizens include lantern making, stone rubbings, traditional knot craft, LED mood light creation, and Dongnip sinmun (The Independent) making, providing a special experience for all who attend.

Opening Events and Supplemental Programs with Film and Music

On the first day, September 11, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., a citizen parade will take place for pre-registered participants. They will carry homemade lanterns and walk through Hyochang Park to mark the beginning of the festival.

The opening ceremony follows from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the full-scale mission and commentary tours beginning at 7 p.m.

Exhibitions, interactive programs, and tours will continue on the second day, September 12, with additional performances and spectacles starting at 2 p.m.

In addition, the ‘Our Neighborhood Moonlight Cinema’ will screen ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ on the 11th at 7:30 p.m. and ‘Wicked’ on the 12th at 5 p.m. Busking performances under the ‘Our Neighborhood Music Walk’ program will also be held to provide residents with a richer cultural experience.

The Historical Significance of Hyochang Park, a Holy Site of the Independence Movement

Several partner organizations, including Seoul Regional Office of Patriots & Veterans Affairs, the Jungbu Waterworks Office, Yongsan Foundation for Art &Culture, Yongsan Cultural Center, and the Yongsan-gu Volunteer Center, are participating to make the event more vibrant.

These organizations will manage various experience zones, including opportunities to wear Liberation Army uniforms, an Arisu truck, traditional family motto calligraphy, and the creation of cultural wish-pouches.

Hyochang Park was originally ‘Hyochangwon,’ the tomb site of Crown Prince Munhyo, the eldest son of King Jeongjo of Joseon, and his birth mother, Lady Seong of the Uibin clan. It was designated as Hyochang Park in 1940 during the Japanese colonial period.

Following liberation, it became a sacred site for the independence movement, as it houses the remains of figures from the Korean Provisional Government, including Baekbeom Kim Gu, and the three patriots Lee Bong-chang, Yun Bong-gil, and Baek Jeong-gi, as well as Lee Dong-nyeong, Jo Seong-hwan, and Cha I-seok.

Currently, Hyochang Park includes the Baekbeom Kim Gu Memorial Hall and remains a place of immense historical importance, with ongoing discussions about designating the site—centered on the independence activists' tombs—as a national-level memorial park.

Hyochang Park is well-connected by public transportation, located adjacent to hyochang park Station (served by Seoul Subway Line 6 and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line) and approximately 10 minutes by subway from Seoul Station.

Kim Kyung-dae, the Head of Yongsan-gu, stated, “We have prepared various programs so that residents and visitors can more easily experience the history and culture of Hyochang Park. I hope everyone enjoys a meaningful time walking through the night of Hyochang with family and neighbors.”

Detailed information regarding the event can be found on the official website for the 2026 Yongsan National Heritage Night (https://shnesquetour.com/Yongsan_Festival).