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㎡

Heungguksa, the Ancient Temple with the Spirit of

Wonhyodaesa

Eunpyeong-gu is full of construction sites, and there is a secluded village near Bukhansan (Mt.). Entering into a small mountain path with thick woods, Iljumun of Heungguksa comes into vision.

Although Heungguksa is a 4km distance from Gupabal Subway Station, it has a completely different atmosphere from that of the crowded downtown. Thick trees create a tranquil and quiet mood. There is a small and cozy temple called Heungguksa. Five buildings including Yaksajeon, which serves as Daewungjeon of the temple, Nahanjeon and Mitaejeon are placed with the square-shaped layout. Although it is small, the temple has a long history. It was built by Wonhyodaesa, the nation’s best priest ever, in the King Munmu Years (661 A.D.) of Silla about 1300 years ago. Wonhyodaesa saw a great energy coming from the Northeast during ascetic exercises at Wonhyodae of Bukhansan. He followed the energy and found out a shining Yaksa Yeoraejwasang. He built a temple and named it as Heungseongam, which meant a place with great light to generate many great leaders.” The name of the temple was changed into Heungguksa in 1770 during the King Yeongjo Years of the Joseon Dynasty, as Yaksabul of the temple brought prosperity to the country. Yaksajeon was expanded, and court ladies stayed there to learn Zen ideas. King Yeongjo especially loved Heungguksa and stayed there often. The name plate of Yaksajeon was written by King Yeongjo. He also wrote a poem, “The morning is a joyful time. White snow indicates we probably have a good harvest this year,” at the temple.

Yaksajeon is small, but its artistic value is highly recognized. The six dragons carved at four corners of the roof and under the name plate on the front side are very fine. Nahanjeon located on the left side of Yaksajeon was built in 1878, the late Joseon period, and illustrates well the architectural style of the 19th century with pillars of no entasis. The doors are decorated with delicate and splendid patterns, and pictures of Buddha which are estimated to be drawn in 1832 attract the eyes. Heungguksa also has diverse valuable cultural assets. Amita Yeoraejwasang in Mitajeon was made in 1758. It is a unique statue with curly hair, a flat face and a gentle look. The statue has been highly recognized as the typical statue of the late Joseon period, and the face and drapes of clothes are delicately expressed using great techniques.

For the intensive Buddhist experience, the temple operates a temple stay program. The program themed “A Journey to find myself” is operated on weekends of the first and third weeks, and the atmosphere of the program is relatively more liberal than that of other temples. Participants learn the basic etiquettes of temple life, talk a walk around the temple, and have a supper with bibimbab with greens. After the worship at 7:00 p.m., participants have conversations about the topic, “What is true life and how we shall live,” with the priests. The topic is not limited, so participants sometimes discuss personal matters, religious matters and matters about the temple life with priests. Listening to the witty answers of the priests with a cup of tea is a great experience.

The morning at the temple begins with the announcement by a cock for the coming of dawn. Participants get up at 4:00 a.m. and have a Buddhist service. They start the day with the most difficult but admired 108 vows, and take a walk at the forest with oak trees that are hundred years old with clean air. They also purify their mind and bodies through meditation and yoga. After the baru meal made with clean and simple ingredients, the two-day temple stay finishes.

The temple stay of Heungguksa provides a chance to listen to the sounds of nature, and take a look at one’s self.

*The temple stay program of Heungguksa has been temporarily suspended due to construction. Contact the temple before visiting.

Name: Heungguksa
Address: 203 Jichuk-dong, Deokyang-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do
Contact: 02-381-7970 http://heungguksa.or.kr
Location: 
(Bus) Bus No. 704 or 34 at Gupabal Station bound for Bulgwang and Uijeongbu  Get off at Heungguksa  10 minutes’ distance (Gupabal ↔ Heungguksa: 4km) 
(Shuttles for Buddhists) Depart at 9:40 AM at Yeongsinnae Subway Station (Metro Tower between Exit No. 1 and Exit No. 2)
Depart at Gupabal Subway Station (Exit No. 1) at 10:00 a.m.
Overview of Facilities: Iljumun, Yaksajeon, Nahanjeon, Mitajeon, Samseonggak and Beomjonggak
Tips for Visitors: Temple stay fees of KRW 30,000
Contact: 02-381-7970
Participants are required to bring soaps, toothbrushes and lanterns.
<Rules of Temple Stay>
1. Be on time and follow the rules for successful operation of the temple stay program
2. Do not act separately. Ask permit of the head priest in case of unavoidable circumstances.
3. Wear the name plate, and do not disturb others.
4. Immediately report emergencies to the head priest.
5. Be modest in the temple, and join your hands in prayer when meeting priests.

Adjacent Tourist Destinations: Bukhansan, Bukhansanseong, Songchu Amusement Park and Themed Zoo “Zoo Zoo”
Restaurant Options: As the temple is adjacent to the trails of Bukhansan, there are many great restaurants. Bukakgol Dubuchon (02-353-1160) serves well-being tofu shabu shabu with beef and five-color tofu. There are many restaurants serving broiled lance-fish in the Bukhansanseong village. The fresh and delicate taste is perfect as an accompaniment for Makgeolri. A dish of broiled lance-fish is about KRW 5,000.