The “Chimaek Night Tour,” which features one of Korea’s signature food culture, chimaek (a compound word from chicken and maekju [beer]), is a fantastic way to enjoy a night at the Hangang River Park in front of Banpodaegyo Bridge. Here, you can watch the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain Show while letting the river breeze sweep away all the stress from the day. The combination of crispy chicken and cold beer, along with a beautiful fountain show, makes for one of the best outdoor dining experiences you’ll ever have.

The meeting point for the Chimaek Night Tour is in front of the sculpture “SPRING” in Cheonggye Plaza near Gwanghwamun Station Exit 5 at 18:00. After meeting the guide, you will receive a traditional fan prepared by the D&G Tour as a gift, then hop in the van to begin your tour.

En route to your destination, the Hangang River, your guide will provide comprehensive commentary about Seoul in fluent English. Seoul is one of the world’s leading metropolitan cities, renowned for its expansive city center and the natural beauty of its surroundings with Hangang River that runs through its core. As the tour takes you through Jongno, Namsan Mountain, Itaewon, and other famous locations in Seoul, your guide will explain the city’s history and culture in a fun and informative way.

• 
• 

When you arrive at the Banpodaegyo parking lot along the Hangang River, you will grab a bottle of water and a mat from the car and sit on your mats in a place to get a good view of the fountain show, which starts at 19:30. Participants can buy chicken and beer if they want. There are more than 90,000 chicken restaurants in Seoul, so you can order your favorite chicken based on the guide’s recommendations and buy beer at a nearby convenience store. While you wait for the fountain show, you can also watch the sunset over Banpodaegyo Bridge turn red, an excellent experience.

As you savor delicious chicken, sip on a cold beer, and raise a toast, you’ll start to hear people exclaiming in delight. Before you know it, the moonlight rainbow fountain springs to life, spouting brilliantly over the Banpodaegyo Bridge. Accompanied by exciting music, the fountain show becomes even more captivating to watch.

• 
• 

Banpodaegyo Rainbow Fountain was established in 2007 as a key part of the Hangang Renaissance Project. The serene sight of the Hangang River flowing through the city center, coupled with the dynamic water flow of the fountain under colorful lighting, leaves a dramatic impression.

Using the 700-meter-wide river width of the Hangang River Bay in Seoul and employing falling water pumps in the upper and lower sections of the1,140 m Banpodaegyo Bridge, the fountain sprays water in sync with the music. The background music and the vibrant fountain display seamlessly combine to convey the feeling of a beautiful “riverside reverie.” There are four 20-minute shows at 19:30, 20:00, 20:30, and 21:00 from April to October, and six 20-minute shows with additional time of 12:00 and 21:30 from July to August.

On the way to the drop-off point after the chimaek tour, you can enjoy a bonus tour: a drive along the Hangang River. Up ahead, you’ll see the glittering night view of Yeouido and a cruise on the Hangang River. The Hangang River boasts 31 bridges, each with unique shapes and functions. Your guide will provide interesting and useful explanations of the features of the bridges.

The recently inaugurated World Cup Bridge served as the backdrop for BTS’ world-famous performance of “Butter,” garnering significant attention from across the world. The night tour concludes with a drive through the colorful lights of the World Cup Bridge, where you can enjoy the K-Pop filming locations featured in music videos.

Launched in May 2023, the Night Tour is especially popular with older participants and families, who appreciate the convenience of relying on D&G Tours for safe pickup and drop-off during the evening hours.

At the end of the Hangang driving tour, drop-off points for participants are arranged at Gwanghwamun Square, the Dongdaemun night market, or their accommodations, within possible range. The participants all wear joyful smiles on their faces, as they have indeed confirmed that Seoul’s nighttime is more beautiful than the day.

* This column was written in September 2023. Please check the information before the trip, as it is subject to change.