Tongil Water Park Open-Run Guide | Fees, Seats & Must-Bring Items
Have you heard the news that Jamwon Hangang Swimming Pool won’t be operating this year? For swimmers who’d been waiting all year for summer, it came as quite a shock.
For those of us who love swimming outdoors for hours without even noticing the sun, then grilling pork belly and finishing off with ramen and tteokbokki when hunger kicks in, I wanted to introduce 고양 통일워터파크 (an outdoor swimming park in Goyang) today!
🏃 With Early Open-Run Crowds for the Best Seats
Tongil Water Park is famous for people lining up as early as 4 a.m. on peak-season weekends.
Since it was still late June, we assumed it was off-season and arrived at 6:50 a.m. on a Sunday. To our surprise, the place was already packed.
The legendary open-run crowd was absolutely real.
Seeing that turnout, I figured July and August would only get busier. Then again, considering how many people regularly go swimming at dawn, it probably made perfect sense.
Ticket sales started at 7 a.m., and we got in around 7:20 a.m. Swimming didn’t begin until 9 a.m., though. Between carrying our gear, claiming a spot, and setting everything up, the time passed quickly.
One good thing was that the entire group didn’t have to show up at dawn. One or two people could come ahead and lock down a good spot. The advance team could buy multiple tickets, or friends arriving later could purchase their own tickets separately and come in afterward.
🪑 With Smart Ticketing Tips and Great Seating Spots
Tongil Water Park seating map
We had eight people and planned to spread out comfortably with one bungalow and one floor platform.
Our original target was Bungalow Ra-2 and Platform 37 in front of it, but we ended up getting Bungalow Ra-3 and Platform 39.
Inside the platform and bungalow
We used the bungalow for resting and napping, while the platform became our grilling and dining area. Splitting things up this way felt spacious and comfortable. If you look closely, our platform had a smooth marble-like surface added to the floor, making it even nicer than many of the others. It was a small but unexpected bonus.
During peak season, it’s apparently difficult to secure two spaces at once. In that case, splitting into two groups of three or four people and booking a bungalow and platform separately could work.
The large bungalow cost 40,000 KRW, and the platform cost 20,000 KRW. Adult admission on a June weekend was listed as 14,000 KRW, but because we entered as a group during the open run, we received a 1,000 KRW discount and paid 13,000 KRW each.
We also heard that Tongil Cafe, the bathhouse, the butcher shop, and several nearby facilities were all run by the same owner. Someone mentioned the land had been passed down through six or seven generations. I couldn’t help feeling a little jealous.
🏊 Diving into the Crystal-Clear Tongil Water Park Pool
The water was incredibly clear.
The main pool was 1.5 meters deep and measured 25 meters by 50 meters. Clearly marked lanes made it easy for swimmers to enjoy proper training and lap swimming.
Fins and snorkels were allowed, and tubes were available for rent, so even non-swimmers could join in comfortably. There was also a separate mini pool for children with a depth of 0.8 meters.
When I visited, several swimming lesson groups had come together. Most visitors appeared to be in their 30s to 50s, and there seemed to be far more groups of swimmers than families.
And judging by all the people enjoying grilled meat and beer from midday onward, swimmers really are the same regardless of age or gender.
🍖 With the Real Joy of a Cook-Friendly Swimming Pool
Absolutely mouthwatering.
Anyone who swims mainly for the food? That would’ve been me.
It’s almost impossible not to cook here. We picked up plenty of pork belly and pork neck from Costco, and the quality was excellent. Watching the meat turn beautifully golden made swimming feel secondary for a moment.
The simple charm of grilling meat over newspaper-covered tables
The ticket office handed out newspapers, so we spread them out before grilling. Even if you forgot your burner, meat, or cooking pot, you could order supplies on-site or simply use a delivery app. One thing to note: bottled drinks weren’t allowed, so bring cans or plastic bottles instead.
😅 With One Small Drawback
Hot shower water became available starting at 4 p.m. Before entering the pool in the morning, we had to wash with cold water, which was the only downside of the visit.
If you’re staying all day, you can simply shower after 4 p.m. If you’re heading home earlier, it’s good to know in advance.
🎒 With Handy Items Worth Packing
I recommend bringing a thick mat. Since the ground is mostly stone or wood, having extra cushioning made sitting, eating, drinking, and even napping much more comfortable.
You might also spend more time out of the water than expected, so bringing a light jacket or blanket is a good idea. Sitting in the shade for long periods could feel surprisingly cool.
It was summer.
💡 Who Should Come Here?
1. Swimmers looking for an outdoor pool with lanes — fins, snorkels, paddles, and other equipment were allowed, and the pool was large enough for serious swimming.
2. People who want both water fun and a summer barbecue — it’s not easy to find a cook-friendly outdoor swimming pool this good near Seoul.
3. Anyone bringing friends who can’t swim — tube rentals and a separate mini pool made it enjoyable for everyone.
💬 Wrapping Up After a Great Day
When it comes to outdoor pools, Bukhansan Cheonyeonok Water Park is also well known, but I’ve heard it doesn’t have lane markings on the bottom. If I had to compare the two, Tongil Water Park felt better suited for people who wanted both proper swimming and outdoor cooking.
With Jamwon Hangang Swimming Pool closed this summer, the fact that I was already thinking about coming back around September after peak season says a lot about how satisfying the day was.
At a glance:
📍 Location: 25 Daeyang-ro, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (surprisingly, the address isn’t actually on Tongil-ro)
⏰ Operating season: June–September
💰 Admission: Adults 14,000 KRW on June weekends (1,000 KRW discount for group entry)
🪑 Seating: Large bungalow 40,000 KRW / Platform 20,000 KRW / Table 10,000 KRW
🚗 Getting There With Ease
Search for “Tongil Water Park” or “Tongil-ro Swimming Pool” on Naver Map or KakaoMap, and it’ll show up immediately. Driving is much more convenient than public transportation, and there was plenty of parking available.
Tongil Water Park
25 Daeyang-ro, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
Tongil-ro Swimming Pool
25 Daeyang-ro, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Tongil Water Park
🔗 With Another Story Swimmers Might Want to Read
The day before visiting Tongil Water Park, I was supposed to participate in the Hangang Cross Swimming competition. However, we arrived on the event day only to learn that it had been canceled on-site, and it even looked like refunds might not be issued.
If you’re planning a Hangang swimming event, you might find that information helpful. The related post also included useful details about swimming in the Hangang River for free.
2026 Hangang Cross Swimming Lawsuit Situation | Canceled While Waiting On-Site + How to Swim in the Hangang for Free
2026 Hangang Cross Swimming Competition! A race famous for repeated delays, cancellations, and all kinds of challenges whenever event day arrives…
m.blog.naver.com
