Pocheon 'Hantan River Garden Festa'... Emerging as the Largest Flower Scenic Spot in the Seoul Metropolitan Area

Hantan River at a Glance: Korea's Longest Hantan River Y-Shaped Suspension Bridge
Open Until the 13th of Next Month... 150,000 to 180,000 Visitors Expected
80,000-Pyeong Ecological Landscape Complex... Various Attractions Including Flower Gardens

Topiary Garden.

Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Baek Young-hyun) is drawing attention as the largest ecological landscape attraction in the metropolitan area, with the 'Hantan River Garden Festa' created in the Hantan River Ecological Landscape Complex, the largest ecological resource in the metropolitan area, bustling with tourists every weekend.

Since the 7th until the Chuseok holiday, the number of visitors to the Hantan River Garden Festa has reached 65,000, showing explosive popularity among family-centered visitors. The event is scheduled to run until October 13, and it is expected that 150,000 to 180,000 visitors will attend over the six weeks.

Dapsari Garden.

At the Hantan River Garden Festa, visitors can enjoy various flower gardens that decorate the autumn landscape. There are rose gardens in the European style, a silver grass maze garden made of native silver grass from the Hantan River, a green and refreshing Kochia garden, and a cosmos garden blooming widely with cosmos flowers, allowing visitors to fully enjoy autumn.

In addition to the flower gardens, there are artist gardens decorated by local artists representing peace and the beauty of the Hantan River, including a statue of a woman and a Korean Peninsula-shaped garden. There is also a stone tower garden made of large sculptures from stones sourced from the Hantan River, and a topiary garden with animal models perfect for photography, all themed to let visitors savor the autumn atmosphere.

Rose Garden.

The longest Y-shaped suspension bridge over the Hantan River in Korea opened simultaneously, offering a panoramic view of the vast landscape complex and the beautiful scenery of the Hantan River.

Various street (busking) performances are held on weekends during the event. Special events include a performance by the Pocheon City Folk Art Troupe on the 21st, a senior model fashion show on October 5, and a dog agility competition on October 12.

There are also various experiential programs popular with children and families. These include an ‘Instant Garden Photographer’ who prints photos on the spot, ‘I am also a Gardener’ where participants can experience horticulture by growing plants, coffee hand drip experience, making eco-friendly pots from coffee grounds, and resin art.

Dog Playground. Photo by Pocheon-si

In particular, a dog playground is operated so that pet dogs can also enjoy the festival. On weekends, various programs for dogs such as grooming and agility experiences are offered.

Additionally, various food trucks and other food options are available, and fresh agricultural and specialty products from Pocheon can be purchased directly at the on-site direct transaction market.

The admission fee is 6,000 KRW for general visitors, with 50% of the fee refunded in Pocheon Love Gift Certificates. Admission is free for Pocheon residents, seniors aged 65 and over, and preschool children.

The vast event site, covering about 80,000 pyeong (approximately 264,000 square meters), can be easily toured using eco-friendly electric bicycles. The rental fee for electric bicycles is 30,000 KRW per hour for general visitors, which can be exchanged for 15,000 KRW in Pocheon Love Gift Certificates. For Pocheon residents, the rental fee is 15,000 KRW, exchangeable for 8,000 KRW in Pocheon Love Gift Certificates.

At Garamnuri Cultural Park (76, Bidulginang 1-gil, Yeongbuk-myeon), there is an observatory where visitors can get a panoramic view of the Hantan River Garden Festa ecological landscape complex and the Hantan River columnar jointing gorge. After purchasing tickets for the Hantan River Garden Festa here, visitors can enter the Y-shaped suspension bridge. While crossing this bridge, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the naturally beautiful Hantan River gorge and the ecological landscape complex.

The Hantan River Garden Festa is advantageous as the best ecological garden in the metropolitan area, located on the vast hills of the World Geopark, where visitors can walk and fully enjoy the beautiful scenery combined with the natural landscape of the gorge and autumn flowers.