Every November, the expansive field of reeds at Suncheonman Bay takes on a golden hue. Suncheonman Bay Wetland Reserve is home to the largest colony of reeds in Korea, and it is yet another perfect way to enjoy autumn and early winter by taking leisurely romantic strolls around the park. In addition, Korea’s first national garden, Suncheonman Bay National Garden is nearby, drawing in an overwhelming number of tourists. With an epithet “garden from heaven,” experience the unique nature and beauty of Korea’s most outstanding eco-system and protected wetland – Suncheonman Bay!
Gardens from around the world gathered as one, Suncheon Bay National Garden
Suncheon Bay National Garden, opened for the international Suncheon Bay Garden Expo, is the first National Garden in Korea. A wide variety of themed gardens can be found meticulously lined up at the garden. Autumn in particular is lively, with thousands of chrysanthemums in every shade, mirroring the field of reeds in the bay.
There are two entrances found at the east and west sides of the garden. The East Gate leads to Suncheon Lake Garden, World Garden and Metasequoia Path while the West Gate brings visitors to the Korean Traditional Garden, Suncheonman Bay International Wetland Center and other nearby attractions. Visitors may choose to start their excursion from either entrance. As the park is fairly large and spacious, visitors can board the sightseeing bus (adults 3,000 won) that operates around the park.
Suncheon Bay National Garden – Suncheon Lake Garden
Suncheon Lake Garden was designed by world famous landscape designer Charles Jencks during his stay in Suncheon. This garden displays the city in miniature size, including replicas of the mountains surrounding the city made into smaller hills. In a reversal of elements, the lake in the center of these hills serves as the city of Suncheon, while the wooden deck above represents Dongcheon Stream winding its way through the city. Visitors can stroll along the boardwalk or climb up the hills; the view of Suncheon Lake Garden from the hill peaks is quite stunning.
Suncheon Bay National Garden – World Garden
The World Garden is made up of garden styles from various countries, including Thailand, Japan, Great Britain, Italy, Turkey, Spain, the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and China. It is an interesting experience to compare and appreciate different aesthetics presented by each nation. The Chinese Garden features a pond and pavilions, while the Turkey Garden represents the culture of the Middle East. The Dutch Garden and French Garden have models of their famous windmills and Palace of Versailles, respectively. Walking through each garden will offer visitors a chance to experience the visual differences in cultures from around the world.
Suncheon Bay National Garden – Metasequoia Path & Participation Garden
The Metasequoia Path is the most popular trail at the garden among couples. The trees were originally slated to be cut down in order to expand the highway system, but were moved to the garden to live out the rest of their lives.
The Participation Garden displays artworks designed and created by various cities, companies, and individuals in Korea, creating a feeling of visiting an art gallery. The recycling garden features aluminum cans hanging on a fence, being repurposed to hold flowers instead of drinks. The seed bank also showcases many plants, symbolic of the International Seed Bank, where seeds of every type are saved in order to replant the world should an extreme disaster take place.
Dream Bridge
The Dream Bridge, designed by installation artist Kang Ik-joong, was created by reusing 30 container boxes. The walls of the bridge are decorated with more than 140,000 vivid paintings created by children from around the world. All those who cross the bridge can feel a strong desire to protect Suncheonman Bay and the world’s natural environment.
Korean Traditional Garden
Korean Traditional Garden’s palace garden reproduces the elegant and beautiful Huwon areas of Changdeokgung Palace and Gyeongbokgung Palace. The noblemen’s garden shows a glimpse of the atmosphere in which ancient noblemen relaxed and studied with nature by their side. Lastly, the garden of hope focuses on a motif of folk beliefs. One can see many stone towers, created with the tradition of stacking a stone while making a wish in order for the wish to come true.
Lungs of the Earth – Suncheonman Bay Wetland Reserve
Suncheonman Bay is one of the world’s top five coastal wetlands, and is by far Korea’s most beautiful natural landscape. The seemingly endless field of reeds surrounded on three sides by mountains and open to the sea on the fourth is something not easily seen in the world. Moreover, Suncheonman Bay was registered with the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in January 2006. The wetland serves as home to an array of migratory birds including species like hooded crane, Saunders’s gull and more.
Enjoying Suncheonman Bay in autumn
The Suncheon Literature Hall features the works of authors Kim Seungok and Jeong Chae-bong, both from Suncheon. Handwritten manuscripts, books, and daily living items from both writers are on display. The building was constructed as a traditional thatch-roofed house, harmonizing with the nature of Suncheonman Bay.
As soon as you enter the main gate of Suncheonman Bay Wetland Reserve, green lawns and ponds greet you before reaching the reed fields. As soon as you cross Mujingyo Bridge, your journey through the dancing fields of reeds begins. It takes approximately 40 minutes to walk along the path until you reach Yongsan Observatory. Relaxing views of vast fields and picturesque landscapes accompany you throughout your journey.
Visitors can comfortably stay above the mudflat where the reeds grow by walking on the wooden deck that threads its way across and around the bay. The field of reeds are beautiful in the day time but be sure to head up to the observatory before the sun sets, as you won’t want to miss out on the spectacular view over the plain’s horizon.
* This column was last updated in November 2017, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details from the official websites before visiting.
The above article is courtesy of VisitKorea, the official website of the Korea Tourism Organization (www.visitkorea.or.kr)
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