10 Beautiful Private Gardens in Jeonnam Among Top 30 Nationwide... 'The Most in the Country'

Jointly Selected by Korea Forest Service and Korea Arboretum and Garden Management Institute
Goheung Ssukseom, Haenam Mungarden, Gurye Banyawon, etc.

Scenic view of Ssukseom Island, Goheung.
[Photo by Jeollanam-do]

Hwasun Baujeongwon, Goheung Ssukseom, Haenam Mungarden, Gurye Banyawon, Gurye Ssangsanjae, Gurye Thousand Juniper Forest, Goheung Hadamjeong, Suncheon Painter's Garden Walk, Boseong Seongrim Garden, Damyang Jukhwagyeong,

These private gardens in Jeonnam have proudly been named among the 'Top 30 Beautiful Private Gardens in Korea' selected by the Korea Forest Service and the Korea Arboretum and Garden Management Institute. Out of 30 locations nationwide, Jeonnam gardens account for as many as 10 places, the highest number in the country.

Gardens with scenic views include 'Hwasun Baujeongwon,' which combines forests, unique rock formations, and art objects, and 'Goheung Healing Park Ssukseom Ssukseom,' featuring a boat route to the island, primeval forest, and sea views. For gardens with rest areas, 'Haenam Mungarden,' a circular courtyard garden overlooking a reservoir and mountains, was selected.

Haenam Mungarden Garden View. [Photo by Jeollanam-do]

Traditional and artistic gardens include 'Gurye Banyawon,' home to a 70-year-old plane tree, 'Gurye Ssangsanjae,' where you can feel the atmosphere of a 300-year-old traditional house, 'Goheung Hadamjeong,' a closed school transformed into an art and cultural space, and 'Suncheon Painter's Garden Walk,' which depicts and creates the scenery of Suncheon Bay and rural landscapes.

Gardens for enjoyment include 'Boseong Seongrim Garden,' a beautiful four-season cypress forest, and 'Damyang Jukhwagyeong,' where Eastern and Western plants coexist with beautiful scenery. For unique gardens, 'Gurye Thousand Juniper Forest,' where stories of plum blossoms and junipers harmonize, was selected.

Private gardens are gardens carefully cultivated by corporations, organizations, or individuals, registered by city or provincial governors, and opened to the public. There are about 150 nationwide, with 27 registered in Jeonnam.

The Top 30 Beautiful Private Gardens were selected from July through a first round of document screening, a second round of expert on-site evaluation, and a nationwide online public vote, categorized into five themes: ▲Gardens with Scenic Views ▲Gardens with Rest Areas ▲Traditional and Artistic Gardens ▲Gardens for Enjoyment ▲Unique Gardens.

Park Jongpil, Director of the Environment and Forestry Bureau of Jeonnam Province, said, “Jeonnam is undoubtedly the hometown of gardens, leading the garden industry, and among them, private gardens are places cultivated and created by garden owners throughout their lives. We hope visitors enjoy the beautiful scenery of Jeonnam’s private gardens and experience the relaxation and healing that gardens provide.”