GyeongGi-Do :: [Gyeonggi Tourism] Green Fortune 4

Green Fortune 4 _ Paradise of Botanical Gardens

The well-known the Korea National Arboretum (KNA) that occupies 4.95 square meters of land and Herb Island may be more famous than the city of Pocheon itself. However, Pocheon has many more beautiful botanical gardens including Peaceland Botanic Garden where there are a wide range of alpine plants, View Botanic Garden filled with fancy red poppy flowers and Yoo Botanic Garden specializing in various Iris flowers. For this reason, the city of Pocheon is often called as the paradise of botanical gardens.

Is Yoo Botanic Garden Still Under Construction?

Several excavators were busy digging the ground when I visited the Yoo Botanic Garden. The streets leading to the observatory were lined with fancy and colorful flower beds and pastel-colored houses that can be seen in fairy tales. When I reached the top of a hill, the president and landscape architect Yoo Sang-Hyeok warmly welcomed me, getting out of the excavator. I asked him in curiosity. “Is this botanic garden still under construction?”

“In fact, botanic gardens require constant renovations and constructions so as to grow plants and change the atmosphere. For these reasons, people misunderstand that the construction has not been completed,” he said.

Yoo Botanic Garden was established in 1988 with the start of the ground work and began to be filled with various trees and plants. Often introduced as a world-class botanic garden specializing in the cultivation of iris flowers, this place was under renovation to transform into the theme of European style atmosphere in the Middle Ages. The observatory offers panoramic views of the entire garden occupying about 198,000 m² of land.

“I began to feel comfortable and enjoy the life here after I have spent three years. I find myself happy these days while working. I think urban people can feel happiness as they live in harmony with the environment. I believe being environmentally-friendly, not expensive cars and cosmetics, brings healthy and well-being lifestyle, indeed.”

After finishing his remarks, he returned to the excavator with a peaceful smile.

Peaceland and View Botanic Gardens, Representative Botanic Gardens in Pocheon
When I arrived at Peaceland Botanic Garden, I was amazed at the exquisite and beautiful sites. The vest botanic garden, covering an area of 594,000 m², is filled with various theme gardens and arboreta including artificial ponds, wetland areas and promenades. In particular, the Rock Garden that boasts the largest scale in Asia has a wide range of rare alpine plants indigenous to Hallasan (Mt.), Baekdu (Mt.), Rocky Mountain areas and Alps-Himalaya regions. Currently, the festival of wild chrysanthemum flowers is in full swing. The restaurant Ellm in the botanic garden offers delicacies made with edible organic plants that provide perfect nutrient balance. President Lee Hwan-Yong also runs an herbal medicine clinic and the restaurant serves various foodstuffs using the medicinal plants recommended by Lee.

In addition, View Botanic Garden also features a wide variety of plants and trees. Famous for its cultivation of rare poppy flowers, the garden boasts its largest facility space among private botanic gardens in the country. The Green shop selling various gardening tools at the entrance leads to a fantastic tulip garden and iris garden created in the natural atmosphere. In particular, the open field filled with colorful poppy flowers provides a picturesque landscape under the blue sky. For those who think that botanic gardens are just nothing but conservatories built by vinyl materials, the entire garden areas will bring refreshing moments to correct their outdated perceptions. Pocheon is growing in harmony with the Mother Nature.

Recommended Botanic Gardens

Peaceland Botanic Garden
Peaceland Botanic Garden was established by herbal medicine Ph.D Lee Hwan-Yong at Pyunggang herbal medicine clinic in Seocho, Seoul. The garden consists of 12 themed gardens filled with about 5,000 species of plants including an indigenous plant garden, pond garden and moss garden. Visitors can enjoy the rare species of plants only seen in the Himalayas and Rocky Mountain regions. In autumn, a chrysanthemums festival is held.

Location: 668 Sanjeong-ri, Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon
Tel.: 031-531-7751
Website: www.peacelandkorea.com

Yoo Botanic Garden
Yoo Botanic Garden specializes in iris flowers that need careful attentions. In particular, impressive flower festivals are held on a land of 198,000 m² in May and June. The garden has a variety of facilities and amenities including a restaurant PinkBelle, a gift shop Blue Boy, and a lamp exhibition that features a variety of lamps collected from around the world. You shouldn’t miss the observatory on the top of the mountain where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Pocheon.

Location: San-38 Sajeong 2-ri, Sinbuk-myeon, Pocheon
Tel.: 031-536-9922
Website: www.yoogarden.com

View Botanic Garden
The garden covers an area of 66,000 m² filled with fantastic and colorful poppy flowers. It consists of nine theme gardens including Bulb Garden, Secret Garden, a magnificent cascade and a zoology park, together with a snow sled for kids.

Location: 441 Yudong-ri, Ildong-myeon, Pocheon
Tel.: 031-534-1136
Website: www.viewgarden.co.kr

Title	View Botanic Garden
Address	441 Yudong-ri Ildong-myeon Pocheon-si Gyeonggi-do
Inquiry (Homepage)	031-534-1136, www.viewgarden.co.kr
Location (based on nearby national highways and express high ways)	By car: Guri T/G → Gwangneung → Seopa Checkpoint → Hawhyeon Gyocharo → Ildong Military Hospital → Turn right at Yudong-ri → Pocheon View Botanic Garden By bus from East Seoul Bus Terminal, take a Wasu-ri or Sachang-ri bound bus → Get off at Ildong → Take a taxi to the garden
Facility Size	66,000㎡
History	Since 2006
Features	The garden covers an area of 66,000 m² filled with fantastic and colorful poppy flowers. It consists of nine theme gardens including Bulb Garden, Secret Garden, a magnificent cascade and a zoology park, together with a snow sled for kids.
Notice	The garden is not open during winter season between early December and early April. Please check prior to visit.
Business Hours	9 a.m. ~ 6 p.m.
Admission Fees	KRW 4,000 for adults, KRW 3,000 for Children
Nearby Attractions	Mt. Myeongseong, Sanjeong lake, Bears Town Resort, Mt, Baekun.
Accommodations	Trout Valley 031-533-0373, Hanwha Resort 031-534-5500, Morning in Heaven 031-532-3969
Recommended Restaurants	Yidong Galbichon 031-538-3782, Wonjo Yidong Jeonju Galbi 031-532-4562, Gochang Pungcheon Broiled Eels 031-531-6040
Others	There are various experience programs available, including making wooden necklaces, scented bags, scented candles, and scented soaps. Making a prior inquiry is recommended. There is a gift shop at the entrance. Various follower festivals are held in every season.

Title	Yoo Botanic Garden
Address	San-38 Samjeong 2-ri, Sinbuk-myeon, Pocheon, Gyeinggi-do
Inquiry (Homepage)	031-536-9922, www.yoogarden.com
Location (based on nearby national highways and express high ways)	By car: Euijeongbu → Pocheon City Hall → Hasingok Sageori → Turn left toward Dongducheon → Turn right in front of Baekgung Garden → Yoo Garden By bus: from Dongducheon station, take No.57 bus to Pocheon → Take off at Galwol 2-ri, Take a taxi to Yoo Garden
Facility Size	660,000㎡
History	Since 1988
Features	Yoo Botanic Garden specializes in iris flowers that need careful attentions, and has about 20 theme gardens including Tango Garden, Iris Garden and Recreation Forest. In particular, impressive flower festivals are held on a land of 198,000 m² in May and June. The garden has a variety of facilities and amenities including a restaurant Pink Bell, a gift shop Blue Boy, and a lamp exhibition that features a variety of lamps collected from around the world. You shouldn’t miss the observatory on the top of the mountain where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Pocheon.
Notice	Alcoholic beverages and smoking are banned in all the facilities.
Business Hours	Summer(April to October) 9.30 a.m. ~7 p.m., Winter(November to March) 10 a.m. ~ 5 p.m.
Admission Fees	KRW 5,000 for adults, KRW 4,000 for children
Nearby Attractions	Myeongseongsan, Sanjeonghosu, Pocheon Art Valley, Bears Town Resort, Baekunsan
Accommodations	Morning in Heaven 031-532-3969, Hanwha Resort 031-534-5500
Recommended Restaurants	Restaurant PinkBelle inside the garden. Yidong Galbichon 031-538-3782, Wonjo Yidong Jeonju Galbi 031-532-4562, Gochang Pungcheon Broiled Eels 031-531-6040
Others	No additional parking fees. Discounts are available for a group of 30 and over (1,000 won for each). Local residents are free of charge.

Title	Peaceland Botanic Garden
Address	668 Sanjeong-ri Yeongbuk-myeon Pocheon-si Gyeonggi-do
Inquiry (Homepage)	031-531-7751, www.peacelandkorea.com
Location (based on nearby national highways and express high ways)	By car, Jayuro toward Paju → Jeongok → Uncheon→ Hanwha Resort at Sanjeong lake → Jeongsu restaurant → Peaceland garden By bus, from East Seoul Bus terminal, take a Pocheon/Uncheon bound bus → Take off at Uncheon → Take a bus to Sanjeonghosu and take off at Jeonghang-dong (Umulmok), take a taxi to the garden
Facility Size	325,314㎡