Stroll across Han River in car-free Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival

Popular 'space-out competition' to take place on May 11 at 4 p.m.

People stroll along Jamsu Bridge during the 2024 Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival in Seoul, June 2024. (Seoul Metropolitan Government)

The annual Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival returns this month, inviting Seoulites to unplug from their routines and enjoy car-free strolls across the Han River.

Organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the festival will run every Sunday from May 4 to July 22 near Jamsu Bridge and Banpo Hangang Park, both in Seoul.

Each Sunday, approximately 1.1 kilometers of Jamsu Bridge -- the submersible bridge spanning the Han River -- will be closed to traffic from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., transforming the space into a pedestrian-friendly zone.

This year’s theme, “Painting a romantic walk with two feet," encourages visitors to enjoy the lush riverside scenery and embrace slow living through leisurely walks and curated activities.

A crowd favorite, the “space-out competition,” will return on May 11 at 4 p.m. Participants will compete to see who can stay most relaxed and idle -- a playful challenge in doing absolutely nothing.

On June 1, Jamsu Bridge will host its first-ever sports match above the Han River, as the fencing team under the Seoul City Hall holds an exhibition game on the bridge -- shaped uncannily like a fencing piste.

Additional highlights include a meditation session set to gugak, or traditional Korean music, and a sunset yoga class, scheduled for second and third Sundays of June, respectively, on Jamsu Bridge.

More information is available on the official website of the Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival.