SEOULDAL, a moon-shaped helium balloon ride, operates at dusk in Yeouido, southwestern Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
By Jung Da-hyun
A moon-shaped helium balloon ride in southwestern Seoul’s Yeouido officially took off Friday, offering passengers panoramic views of the city from an altitude of 130 meters, city officials said Monday.
SEOULDAL, a helium balloon ride, runs every Tuesday to Sunday from noon to 10 p.m., welcoming both domestic and international visitors, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
The ride is a gas balloon tethered to the ground by cables. It is located in the grassy area of Yeouido Park, where visitors can take in views of the Han River and the city’s skyline, including its nighttime illumination.
The first passengers of SEOULDAL pose in front of the ride in southwestern Seoul’s Yeouido, Friday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
The first passengers on SEOULDAL’s first official ride included a family from Russia, who expressed their excitement about being the first to experience the attraction. They said the view from the ride was superior to any other observation deck in the city.
A Taiwanese visitor, who rode with the family, traveled from Incheon specifically to experience SEOULDAL.
“I was initially nervous about the height, but once aboard, I felt completely at ease,” he said. “I plan to return with friends to enjoy the ride again.”
The ride accommodates up to 20 passengers at a time. Tickets are priced at 25,000 won ($18.76) for adults and 20,000 won for children and teenagers, with a 10 percent discount for holders of the Climate Card, the city’s unlimited transit pass.
Reservations allow up to four tickets per person for each boarding session. Those who make reservations can purchase tickets through an automated machine after confirming their reservation on-site.
The city government is also working on implementing an online reservation system.
The ride’s operating hours may be adjusted based on weather conditions. The latest updates on operation status will be provided through @seouldal_official on Instagram and bit.ly/seouldal-official-info.
“We aim to establish SEOULDAL as a premier tourist attraction in Seoul, offering stunning views of landmarks such as Mount Nam, the Han River and the National Assembly,” said Kil Ki-yon, head of the Seoul Tourism Organization, which operates the ride.
“Our goal is to make the ride a key tourist landmark for the city. We are committed to ensuring the ride operates safely and provides a memorable experience for all visitors,” said Kim Young-hwan, the director general of the city government’s tourism and sports bureau.
