Foreign visitors are joining running crews along the Hangang River in Seoul to combine fitness with city sightseeing [1].
This shift in tourism reflects a growing preference for active, slow-paced exploration over traditional sightseeing methods. By moving through the city on foot, visitors can engage more deeply with the local environment and build social connections with residents and other travelers.
These running groups provide an alternative to the standard tour bus experience. Participants explore the city step-by-step, allowing them to see landmarks and neighborhoods from a different perspective while maintaining their physical health [1].
Park Chae-ryeong is among those involved in these activities, which emphasize the intersection of friendship and fitness [1]. The groups utilize the expansive paths along the Hangang River, a central geographical feature of Seoul that offers a scenic backdrop for both exercise and urban discovery.
For many participants, the appeal lies in the community aspect of the crews. The shared activity of running creates an immediate bond among foreigners and locals, transforming a solitary exercise into a social event [1]. This approach to tourism prioritizes authentic interaction, and physical well-being over the checklist-style itinerary of conventional travel.
“Foreign visitors are swapping tour buses for running groups”
The rise of 'active tourism' in Seoul suggests a broader trend where travelers seek wellness-oriented experiences and organic social integration. By leveraging the city's existing infrastructure, such as the Hangang River paths, Seoul is positioning itself as a destination for those who value health and community over passive observation.
