Less than an hour from central Seoul, Gwangmyeong City is home to the second Y-shaped suspension bridge ever built in South Korea. The Dodoksan Suspension Bridge sits inside Dodoksan Natural Park, and though it may not appear on most tourist maps, once you step onto it the sway is far more thrilling than you might expect.
Why Y-Shaped — the Structure Is the Attraction
Most suspension bridges connect two points in a straight line. The Dodoksan Suspension Bridge is different. It was designed in a Y configuration, linking three points at once: the top of an artificial waterfall and two separate hiking trail entrances. The first Y-shaped suspension bridge in Korea opened in Geochang County, South Gyeongsang Province; Dodoksan is the second. The bridge stands 20 m high, stretches 82 m in length, and is 1.5 m wide. Total construction cost was ₩3.19 billion, funded through a combination of national and municipal budgets.
Standing at the central junction where the three arms meet, you can take in the artificial waterfall, a rocky cliff face, and the Gwangmyeong city skyline all at once. The spot is photogenic, but the view is equally rewarding if you simply stand and look. Note that sections of the floor are open steel grating, so you can see straight down — keep a firm hold on your phone and any loose belongings.
Why September Is a Good Time to Visit
September marks the tail end of the Korean summer, when the worst of the heat begins to ease. Dodoksan rises to roughly 183 m above sea level, making it an undemanding climb well suited to an early-autumn outing. Instead of pushing through midsummer sun, you walk shaded forest paths in a cool breeze and arrive at the bridge without much effort. The park trails are gently graded and maintained, so visitors with young children can manage the route comfortably.
Admission and How to Get There
Entry to the suspension bridge is free. It is open year-round with no reservation required. From the main plaza, the bridge is roughly 300 m away — a gentle uphill walk of about 10–15 minutes. A round trip to the bridge and back takes approximately one hour, making it an easy half-day excursion.
**By public transit:** Take Seoul Subway Line 7 to Gwangmyeongsageori Station and exit through Gate 4. From the Hanjin Apartment bus stop, board Bus 11-1 or Bus 12 and alight at the Jungang Heights Apartment stop; the entrance to Dodoksan Neighborhood Park is nearby.
**By car:** A public car park is available, but it fills quickly. Even on weekday afternoons spaces are scarce; on weekends it is heavily congested. Parking is free for the first hour after entry, ₩500 for up to 2 hours 30 minutes, then ₩500 for each additional 30 minutes. If you are visiting on a weekend, arriving early is strongly advised.
Nearby Attractions Worth Combining
The Dodoksan Suspension Bridge is now one of two signature attractions that Gwangmyeong City is known for, alongside Gwangmyeong Cave. The two sites are within roughly 10 minutes of each other by car, so a natural itinerary is to walk the bridge in the morning and explore the cave in the afternoon. Gwangmyeong Cave is closed every Monday and open 09:00–18:00 on all other days. There is also a café at the Dodoksan Shelter near the park entrance, a convenient place to rest with a coffee after your walk.
For enquiries, contact the Gwangmyeong City Hall Garden City Division at 02-2680-6462.
