Under the Hinoki Cypress Forest Cultivated Over 5 Years, Seasonal Flowers and Fruits Bloom... 'Let's Take a Break'... Eunpyeong-gu Provides Forest and Flower Path Videos on Facebook, Blog, and YouTube
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) announced that it is providing various sights by planting a variety of flowers and fruits by season in Bongsan Hinoki Cypress Forest, which was created over five years on a 120,000㎡ scale from a simple acacia tree forest.
Bongsan Hinoki Cypress Forest began development as Seoul’s first 'Hinoki Cypress Healing Forest' after Eunpyeong-gu proposed the idea to Seoul City in 2014. The effort to secure the budget, led by Kim Mi-kyung, then Chairperson of the Seoul City Council Urban Planning Committee and current Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, bore fruit. By 2018, about 12,400 Hinoki cypress trees had been planted, making it a model case for successful hinoki forest creation.
Starting in 2018, flower moss was planted under the hinoki cypress trees on a trial basis, and in 2019, with expert consultation, 13 species of herbaceous plants such as Styrax japonicus, daylilies, Shasta daisies, and yarrow were planted. Seeds of four flower species including cosmos were sown to allow visitors to enjoy flowers of various colors by season.
In 2020, nine species of shrubs including azaleas, mountain azaleas, forsythia, and spiraea, as well as 12 species of herbaceous plants such as flower moss, Styrax japonicus, Lilium lancifolium, and clematis were planted.
Especially this spring, the various flowers planted so far harmonize with the green leaves of the hinoki cypress trees to provide a beautiful sight.
Additionally, around the hinoki cypress forest, visitors can enjoy existing trees such as wild cherry, Korean mountain ash, and forsythia, as well as native wildflowers like garlic mustard, violets, and celandine. In summer, plants like fleabane, cosmos, and acacia begin to bloom; in autumn, cosmos flowers bloom, and hinoki cypress and Korean mountain ash bear fruit while maple trees decorate the surroundings with autumn foliage. In winter, the brown bark of trees preparing for next spring and the yellowish soil blend with the white snow, showcasing the charm of winter.
Visitors slowly walk through the hinoki cypress forest, savoring the phytoncide scent, and at the resting area at the forest’s summit, they can enjoy views of Seoul’s mountains such as Bukhansan, Baekryeonsan, and Ansan, as well as the surrounding scenery, healing their body and mind.
A district official stated, “We will continuously manage the area to allow visitors to experience various plants throughout the four seasons, and plan to create various convenience facilities such as barrier-free walking paths, observatories, photo zones, information boards, and lighting. When the hinoki cypress trees grow tens of meters tall and form a dense forest, we expect it to become a healing space within Seoul that tourists from across the country as well as local residents can enjoy.”
With social distancing extended until the 5th, the district is providing a video titled ‘Spring in Bongsan Hinoki Cypress Forest’ on Eunpyeong-gu’s Facebook, blog, and YouTube channels for residents who find it difficult to visit in person.
Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, said, “Hinoki cypress is known for its excellent effects in relaxing the body and mind. I hope people can forget their tired hearts and exhausting daily lives for a while by enjoying the hinoki cypress forest along with the colorful flower beds. We will continue to gather diverse opinions from experts and users to develop the hinoki cypress forest area into a wonderful space for healing and rest.”
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