Children play in the sand during the 2026 Seoul Summer Beach festival at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, July 20. Yonhap
As a relentless heat wave continues to blanket the nation, Seoul residents are seeking refuge in urban heat escapes to cool down without traveling far from home.
From downtown streams, city plazas and air-conditioned department stores to subterranean caves, people are flocking to local spots to escape the 33-degree Celsius heat wave.
Gwanghwamun turns into giant water park
In the heart of the capital, Gwanghwamun Square has transformed into a massive seaside-style resort for the ongoing 2026 Seoul Summer Beach festival, which kicked off on July 20 and runs through Aug. 9.
