The floor fountain at Seoul Plaza springs to life in front of City Hall, serving as one of 212 free aquatic cooling facilities activated across the capital to provide residents and tourists with relief from the summer heat. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
The Seoul Metropolitan Government opened 212 free aquatic cooling facilities in parks and green spaces across the capital Friday to help residents beat increasingly prolonged summer heat waves.
The seasonal rollout features 142 splash pads and 70 dedicated water playgrounds that will remain operational through August.
To guide families looking for urban retreats, the city’s Parks and Landscape Bureau highlighted 10 premier destinations categorized by their distinct setups.
For standard splash pads, the city recommended Seoul Forest, which is currently hosting the 2026 Seoul International Garden Exposition. Other top spots include Seoul Plaza directly in front of City Hall, World Cup Park in Mapo District, featuring a nearby adventure playground and the sandy "Nanji Beach," and Buramsan Healing Park in Nowon District, which is popular for its large live butterfly conservatory.
