Top 10 Gardens in South Korea
Korean garden tradition is distinct from both Chinese and Japanese practice, emphasising harmony with existing topography rather than its remodelling. The royal Joseon-period gardens, Confucian scholar gardens, and modern public botanic gardens together represent one of East Asia's least internationally known but most sophisticated horticultural traditions.
1. Huwon (Secret Garden), Changdeokgung, Seoul
The rear garden of the Changdeokgung Palace, used by Joseon kings from 1405, with pavilions, lotus ponds and a library set within wooded valleys. UNESCO World Heritage Site; entry only with a guided timed tour.
2. Soswaewon Garden, Damyang
A scholar's retreat created in the 1530s by Yang San-bo, considered one of the finest examples of Joseon-era residential garden art. Pavilions, stone bridges and a small stream make this the gold standard of Korean garden taste.
3. Garden of Morning Calm, Gapyeong
A contemporary themed garden of 33,000 square metres, with a Korean Garden, a Bonsai Garden and seasonal flower gardens. The winter light festival (December to March) draws large crowds.
4. Oedo Botania, Geoje Island
A privately created island garden in the southern sea, with Mediterranean-Korean fusion plantings, topiaries and the Italian-style Statuary Garden.
5. Hallim Park, Jeju Island
On the volcanic island, a 33-hectare park combining native subtropical flora with imported palms and tropical plants impossible elsewhere in Korea.
6. Boseong Green Tea Field
Not a garden in the formal sense, but the world-famous terraced tea plantations of Boseong are one of Korea's most photogenic horticultural landscapes.
7. Anapji Pond, Gyeongju
The ninth-century Silla-period royal garden pond, with replanted Korean willows and lotus, set against reconstructed wooden pavilions. Spectacular at night.
8. Suncheonman Wetland Garden
Site of the 2013 International Garden Expo, with international and Korean designer gardens, including a Charles Jencks earthwork hill.
9. Yongdusan Park, Busan
Urban hilltop park with seasonal floral displays and panoramic views over Busan harbour from the Diamond Tower.
10. Jeju Stone Park
An open-air park dedicated to Jeju Island's volcanic stones and traditional dol hareubang grandfather statues, set among native plantings.
Keep exploring
All of the gardens mentioned in this article are pinned on the interactive map. Use it to plan a route, group nearby sites into a single trip, or compare gardens by style and season.