“Iron and art don’t belong together”? With Pohang’s reputation as a steelmaking city shaped by POSCO, it may be tempting to think of the city as far removed from the arts.
Yet Pohang is, in fact, a city with a remarkably rich cultural sensibility.
Today, I’m sharing my experience of SpaceWalk, Pohang’s newest landmark and Korea’s largest interactive steel art installation.
1. Check These Details Before You Go: SpaceWalk Essentials
SpaceWalk offers both beautiful views of Pohang and an exhilarating sense of adventure. Here’s what you need to know before your visit.
Location: Hwanho Park, Buk-gu, Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Parking: Hwanho Park Parking Lot 3 is the closest option. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk uphill along a beautiful trail.
Admission: Free
Operating Hours:
Summer (March–November): Weekdays 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. / Weekends and public holidays 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Winter (December–February): Weekdays 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. / Weekends and public holidays 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Important: SpaceWalk may be closed for safety reasons during severe weather, including strong winds and heavy rain. Be sure to check whether it is operating before you visit.
Restriction: Children 120 cm (approximately 47 inches) or shorter may not use the facility.
2. An Artwork That Embodies Pohang, the “City of Iron and Light”
Designed by German artists Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth to represent Pohang—the “city of iron and light”—SpaceWalk is Korea’s largest interactive steel art installation.
Its significance feels even greater knowing that POSCO built it entirely from its own steel and donated the finished work to the city of Pohang.
The roller-coaster-like structure twists and curves across approximately 333 meters, rises about 25 meters high, and includes 717 steps.
The 360-degree loop cannot be climbed for safety reasons, but it remains an integral part of the artwork itself.
3. Heart-Pounding Thrills and Breathtaking Views
Once you begin climbing SpaceWalk, its sheer scale is astonishing all over again.
Looking up at the seemingly endless staircase can make you hesitate for a moment. But if you keep your eyes on the steps and take one careful stride at a time, you’ll find yourself at the top before you know it.
The view from the summit is truly spectacular, stretching across downtown Pohang, Yeongildae Beach, and the POSCO steelworks.
The expansive scenery, especially when paired with the sunset, is so beautiful that it makes you forget the effort of the climb and the vertigo-inducing thrills along the way. The subtle movement of the structure in the wind adds another layer of excitement.
4. A Place for Philosophical Reflection
SpaceWalk means more than a simple observation deck. The heaviness you feel while climbing and the sense of achievement when you reach the top echo the ups and downs of life itself.
When you arrive at the summit and take in the open views, unexpected emotions begin to surface: gratitude for life, a wistful look back at the days gone by,
and even the resolve to “live a kinder, better life from here on.” SpaceWalk is a special place that encourages you to pause and reflect on who you are.
A Landmark You Shouldn’t Miss in Pohang
By elevating Pohang’s cultural and artistic profile, SpaceWalk offers an experience that goes far beyond a typical tourist attraction.
There are dizzying thrills, beautiful views, and time for deep reflection.
If you’re visiting Pohang, I highly recommend stopping by its new landmark, SpaceWalk, and creating memories you won’t soon forget.
Travel Recommendation in Miryang – Yeongsanjeongsa Temple
