Korean Famous Garden Spot

Gyerim Grove and Anapji Pond The Gyeongju Historic Areas, included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, contains relics of gardens from the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935). Situated around Wolseong, the site of the Silla royal palace from 101 to 935, are Gyerim Grove and Anapji, the pond of Silla's East Palace. During the Silla period, the pond was known as Wolji or "Moon Pond," and it was not until the Joseon era that poets and men of letters started to call it Anapji, "Wild Goose and Duck Pond, for its abundant growth of reeds and duckweed that made it a popular rest stop for wild geese and ducks. It is also home to the oldest trees of all Korea's ancient gardens, this grove is steeped in legend. Again, the Anapji pond was dug within the palace grounds, where artificial mountains were constructed, and flowers, rare birds, and deer brought."

Changdeokgung Huwon Garden The most significant palace garden remains of the Joseon era (1392-1910) is the Huwon garden of the Changdeokgung Palace, commonly known as "Rear Garden." Built in 1405, Changdeokgung served as a royal palace through 1910 for successive kings of the Joseon Dynasty and the Emperor of the Daehan Empire (1897-1910). In 1997, Changdeokgung and its Huwon garden was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage properties, making this world-acclaimed garden a must-see attraction for sightseers in Seoul.

The Huwon garden covers an area of about 300,000 square meters, with its highest point reaching 98 meters above sea level. Arranged in harmony with the landscape, and not unduly dominating the hillside, are 17 pavilions, including Buyongjeong, Aeryeonjeong, Huiujeong, Jondeokjeong, Taegeukjeong, and Cheongsimjeong. Nearby buildings include Juhamnu, Yeongyeongdang, Yeonghwadang, and Seonhyangjae. The ponds, mostly round in shape, include Buyongji, Aeryeonji, Jondeokji, Banwolji, Eosutaekji, and Gwallamjeongji.

The area is home to several extraordinary trees, including a 700-year-old darae namu (Actinidia arguta), 600-year-old Chinese juniper, and zelkova tree several hundred years old, along with various dolbae namu (Rosaceae Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm.) Nakai), mulberry, chestnut, yew, pagoda tree, white oak, and overcup oak. There are also shrubs and bushes under 3 meters in height: about 300 species of plants in all. Among them, these darae namu and Chinese juniper have been designated natural monuments. Distinctively shaped rocks are arranged around the pavilions, walls, and flowerbeds, together with landscaping along the sloping banks. Attractive stone bridges cross a little stream. There are fruit trees, mulberry trees for silk worms, apricots, Japanese apricots, cherries, and peonies, while taller trees such as zelkova and pagoda trees form lush woodland. Although Huwon is a man-made garden, its natural beauty is magnificent. Walking the 2-kilometer path through the garden, people can feel that they have become one with nature. In fact, Korean kings would often visit the garden to consult with their confidants and contemplate weighty matters.

Soswaewon garden The garden is located in Jigok-ri Village, Nam-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do province, was created by the scholar Yang San-bo during the reign of Joseon's King Jungjong (r. 1506-1544). Within a 9,900-square-meter area surrounded by boulders, Gwangpunggak Pavilion, Jewoldang Hall, flowerbeds, ponds, a single-log bridge, and a water wheel create a picturesque landscape.

The garden is imbued with the philosophy of scholars who enjoyed a self-sufficient lifestyle while immersed in nature and scholarly pursuits. Soswaewon clearly reflects its creator's desire to abide by the principles of nature.

In particular, the garden makes extensive use of natural features, whose original state is maintained as much as possible. The garden is a representation of the ideal world that scholars sought to find when they retreated from public life to the solitude of the countryside.