Gurye, the Land of Beauty and Flavor, Hosts 'Jeonnam Private Garden Festa'

Events at Ssangsanjae, Garden of a Thousand Juniper Trees, and Panayawon
A Variety of Programs Including Hanbok Experience, Concerts, and Exhibitions

Private Garden Festa Ssangsanjae View. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeonnam Province is hosting the '2025 Jeonnam Private Garden Festa' at three private gardens in Gurye until June 7.

Jeonnam Province has designated this year as the starting point for the global expansion of its garden culture industry. The province is organizing a variety of garden culture events during May and June, when Namdo gardens are at their most beautiful, in order to establish a foundation for garden tourism. As part of these efforts, the Namdo K-Garden Festival is being promoted.

Private gardens are also participating in these efforts to promote the beauty of Namdo gardens. The Festa is being held at Ssangsanjae (No. 5), the Garden of a Thousand Juniper Trees (No. 14), and Panayawon (No. 21), all nestled in the embrace of Jirisan Mountain. The event welcomes visitors with a variety of hands-on programs, each offering a unique experience.

Panayawon Private Garden Festa View. Provided by Jeonnam Province

The opening ceremony, held on May 30 at the invitation of the garden owners, was attended by Kim Soonho, Mayor of Gurye, Park Jongpil, Director of the Environmental and Forestry Bureau of Jeonnam Province, as well as around 300 people including vulnerable groups, multicultural families, and children. The festival unfolded in gardens brimming with lush greenery.

Ssangsanjae, the Garden of a Thousand Juniper Trees, and Panayawon are all among the 30 Most Beautiful Private Gardens in Korea for 2024. During the festival, Ssangsanjae offers the hidden charms of a traditional garden, including an old house, bamboo forest, and stone steps. Visitors can enjoy experiences such as wearing traditional hanbok, tasting traditional family desserts, and performances of Korean traditional music.

At the Garden of a Thousand Juniper Trees, visitors can take memorable photos among 50-year-old Osmanthus trees and juniper forests, create garden ornaments, browse the flea market, and shop for local agricultural products.

Scenery of the Thousand Juniper Trees at the Private Garden Festa. Provided by Jeonnam Province

At Panayawon, visitors can enjoy a cup of tea under the shade of plane trees while admiring the pond garden. The venue also hosts poetry and art exhibitions, garden concerts, and a specialty products market in collaboration with local residents.

During the festival, visitors to the three gardens can join guided tours led by the garden owners, who share hidden stories and insights about each garden.

An Jaemyung, owner of the Garden of a Thousand Juniper Trees, said, "I am delighted to host this festival on behalf of private gardens, which have been lovingly cultivated over a long period, stitch by stitch. Each garden has its own unique character, and we have prepared a variety of programs. I hope everyone enjoys the gardens filled with flowers and trees."

Park Jongpil, Director of the Environmental and Forestry Bureau of Jeonnam Province, emphasized, "I hope everyone who is weary from daily life will find new energy by experiencing the beauty and fragrance of Namdo at Gurye's three private gardens. We will actively support efforts to widely promote the value of private gardens and help them become spaces for relaxation and healing."

Jeonnam is renowned as the home of gardens, with 84 gardens in total, including Suncheonman National Garden, the nation’s first national garden, Damyang Juknokwon Local Garden, Gurye Jirisan Local Garden, three traditional gardens, 30 private gardens, and 48 beautiful gardens.