Hamyang-gun, 'Hamiang' Selected as One of the 30 Most Beautiful Private Gardens

Harmony of Korean Charm and European-style Garden
Wine Cave, Stairway to Heaven, and Various Experiences

‘Hamiang’ in Hamyang-gun, Gyeongnam, has been selected as one of this year’s ‘Top 30 Beautiful Private Gardens’ organized by the Korea Forest Service, the agency announced on the 29th.

The Korea Forest Service accepted applications for private gardens open to the public registered nationwide, based on recommendations from 17 provincial governments and garden-related organizations. After a first round of document screening, 45 sites were selected for on-site evaluation, from which the final 30 were chosen.

Following the first document evaluation, the second evaluation involved 13,356 citizens participating in an online vote and expert on-site inspections. ‘Hamiang’ in Hamyang was selected as a ‘garden to enjoy’ featuring festivals, educational, and experiential events.

Panoramic view of Hamyang-gun Hamiang.

Located at an altitude of 500 meters below Sambongsan Mountain in Hamyang-eup, ‘Hamiang’ is a successful model of the sixth industrialization combining agriculture and tourism through fermented wine production, attracting more than 100,000 visitors annually.

The wine produced here has won bronze medals at international wine competitions, was served as a toast drink at the National Sports Festival banquet, and was selected for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ ‘2021 Visiting Brewery’ project, earning recognition as a premium wine.

Hamiang’s charm lies especially in its European-style buildings and beautifully maintained gardens. It was registered as the 9th private garden in Gyeongsangnam-do in 2020, making it an easily accessible healing spot where anyone can stroll through the beautiful gardens, enjoy leisure time, and relax both body and mind.

The Hamiang garden harmonizes 40 species of woody plants such as birch and cherry trees with 37 species of herbaceous plants including masak vine and black wheatgrass. Particularly, the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ located at the upper part of the garden creates an exotic landscape in harmony with Hamyang’s clear sky.

Additionally, there are unique attractions such as the wine cave for aging and fermenting wine, a gallery exhibiting mountain wild grape and visitors’ photos, and a restaurant where guests can enjoy meals paired with wine. Various wine-themed experiences are also available, including wine tasting and cellar tours, wine foot baths, wine production, and making mountain wild grape soap.

CEO Sangin Lee stated, “Hamiang is creating a new rural income model through creative agriculture that integrates mountain wild grape production, processing, experiences, food, and tourism,” adding, “We will continue to harmoniously develop a garden blending Korean sentiment with European-style gardens, filled with food, sights, and enjoyable activities.”