Songtan Mural Walk: A Colorful Scavenger Hunt for All Ages

Sarah Symbalisty
Jul 1
5 min read

Map display on a brown board showing a green neighborhood layout. Below are circular images with Korean text and a quietness request.

Explore the Songtan Mural Walk: Street Art Adventure for All Ages

One of my favorite things to do in South Korea is simply to walk. There’s something magical about wandering through alleyways and uncovering little treasures tucked away around town. If you live near Osan Air Base, you’ve probably seen the colorful wall murals in the SED by the train tracks—they’re hard to miss. But did you know there are at least eight other themed murals scattered throughout Songtan? These playful pieces are hidden in plain sight across the neighborhood, just waiting to be discovered. It’s like a mini art adventure right in our own backyard. Lace up your comfiest shoes and join me on the Songtan mural walk—a colorful, family-friendly adventure through the city’s hidden street art gems. I like to kick things off at Songtan Station and wind my way through town, ending up closer to the SED Gate of Osan Air Base.

Start Your Songtan Street Art Journey Near Osan Air Base

The mural numbers follow the official map, but I’ve rearranged them a bit to make the walk smoother and more enjoyable.

Colorful mural on a wall depicting China, USA, and South Korea themes, with maps, flags, and symbols. A tree and buildings in the background.

1. WORLD TOUR MURAL (세계여행 벽화)

Just one street over from Songsin Elementary School (송신초등학교), you’ll find the vibrant World Tour mural. This colorful display showcases 14 countries from around the globe, with each one labeled in both English and Hangul, along with fun facts such as population and size. Each section highlights something iconic, like the Statue of Liberty for the United States or a moose for Canada. It’s a great way to spark curiosity and conversations with kids while exploring the neighborhood. How many of these countries have you visited—and which ones would you like to see in the future?

A painted swing and cherry blossoms on a pink wall create a serene and artistic scene. No text visible.

2. GAROSU-GIL MURAL (가로수길 벽화)

Continue walking past the Vietnam section of the World Tour mural, and you’ll notice a pink painted line winding its way along the houses. “Garosu-gil” means “tree-lined street” in Korean, and this mural lives up to the name with paintings of cherry blossoms, ginkgo trees, and dreamy, nature-filled scenes. Some parts are painted at kid-height, making it an interactive stop, perfect for a quick photo or a pretend swing on a painted tree.

Mario-themed mural on a gray wall depicts Mario and other characters in a vibrant landscape. Buildings and wires are visible in the background.

8. THEME VILLAGE MURAL (테마마을 벽화)

Woven into the center of the Garosu-gil mural is a colorful surprise—mural #8, the newest addition to Songtan’s mural trail: the Theme Village Mural. And hidden within it? Mario! In fact, there are four Marios scattered throughout this section—can you find them all? Another fun photo opportunity for kids—several fold-down benches are built onto the walls, allowing you to sit right in the middle of the artwork for a unique and interactive picture.

Follow the gray-painted brick path through the middle of the mural block to the main road, then cross the street to find even more painted walls, including bright pink backdrops and whimsical animals.

Though out of order, visiting mural #8 now makes logistical sense, as it sits conveniently between murals #1 and #2. From here, follow the road in the direction of 송탄제일교회 (Songtan First Church), easily spotted by its yellow cross on the hill.

Brick wall with a wooden sign featuring pink flowers and Korean text. Sunny street background with a red sidewalk and power lines.

3. FLOWER MURAL (꽃길 벽화)

Just before you reach the church, keep an eye out for a small pink floral sign marking the entrance to mural #3, tucked away in a narrow alleyway. It’s easy to miss—but worth the turn. The alley is filled with painted cherry blossoms and floral designs stretching along the walls, adding bursts of pink to the brick surroundings. Keep your eyes peeled for a fun hidden detail: a bouquet of balloons tucked into the mural.

Unexpected Finds on the Songtan Mural Walk: Personal Connections and Surprises

Sunflower mural on a concrete wall with a backdrop of bare trees and a building. The road in front adds an urban feel.

7. SUNFLOWER MURAL (해바라기길 벽화)

Again, instead of continuing in numerical order, we’re jumping to mural #7, just up the street. The sunflower mural was actually the first one I discovered—completely by accident—a few years ago. My oldest sister passed away years ago, and sunflowers were always her favorite flowers. Seeing them felt like a sign from her, like she was reminding me that I can still find her, even when I’m far from home.

One long wall of sunflowers lines the left side of the road, each one in varying sizes. Depending on the time of year, real vines creep over parts of the mural, and in spring, yellow wildflowers bloom on top of the wall, spilling petals over the painted sunflowers below. It’s a beautiful blend of reality and imagination.

At the top of the steep hill, you’ll reach an intersection of streets. Turn around and head back downhill; stay on the road to the right to reach your next stop.

6. ART MUSEUM MURAL (미술관거리 벽화)

This stretch of road feels like an open-air art gallery, with each piece framed and carefully labeled with its title, the artist’s name, and the century in which it was created. Several of the artworks featured here come from the Pungsokdo album by Sin Yun-bok (혜원 신윤복), a renowned Korean painter from the Joseon period known for his vivid and detailed depictions of everyday life.

Street with a painted wall featuring various text and colorful designs. Buildings with windows and a fence are in the background. Bright and calm setting.

4. BOOK PLAYGROUND MURAL (책 눌이터 벽화)

At the bottom of the hill, turn left and walk uphill once again. On your left, you’ll find painted stacks of books along the wall, accompanied by inspiring Hangul quotes about the joy of reading. At the top of the hill, the Book Playground Mural awaits a single wall painted to resemble a giant bookshelf, with book titles displayed along its spines in both English and Hangul. It’s a charming tribute to literature and imagination.

Wrap Up the Songtan Mural Walk with Timeless Art

5. FAMOUS PAINTING MURAL (명화거리 벽화)

Just past the book mural, you’ll reach the final stop on the mural walk: mural #5 – the Famous Painting Mural. This section features iconic works from renowned artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Alfred Sisley, and Vincent van Gogh. Each painting is labeled in both English and Hangul, except for one. Can you find Van Gogh? This vibrant, art-filled finale wraps up your art walk with a touch of classical beauty.

Family-Friendly Fun in Songtan: Make the Mural Walk a Scavenger Hunt

If you’re looking for a free, fun, and semi-educational way to spend a summer day with your kids, Songtan’s mural trail is the perfect adventure. Turn it into a creative scavenger hunt, practice reading signs in Hangul and English, or simply enjoy the colorful scenes together. With surprises tucked around every corner, it’s an easy way to keep kids engaged and learning while enjoying the sunshine.

Help Keep Songtan’s Street Art Beautiful: Be a Respectful Explorer

As you explore Songtan’s mural trail, remember to be respectful of the local community. Keep loud noises to a minimum, as these are all residential areas, and always be considerate of the people who live nearby. Please be mindful not to litter or damage any of the beautiful artwork. Let’s all do our part to keep these murals vibrant and enjoyable for everyone! Happy exploring!

This Naver pin will bring you to the intersection of murals #1, 2, and 8.

Gyeonggi-do Pyeongtaek-si Sinjang-dong 269-271

https://naver.me/5EUj6qUJ

You can download the free scavenger hunt checklist for the Songtan Mural Walk

here: