About two hours outside of Seoul in Gapyeong, nestled in a valley of Chukryeongsan (Mt. Chukryeong), is a beautiful botanical garden. In the spring, summer, and fall you will find a massive variety of plant species in over 22 themed gardens. However, if you visit in the winter then you will walk iridescent paths illuminated by incandescent flowers and prismatic plants, as you get lost in a labyrinth of lights. This is The Garden of Morning Calmโs, 16th Five Colored Starlight Garden Exhibition.
The Garden of Morning Calm
The Garden of Morning Calm is a project of botanical love created by Professor Han Sang-kyung, of the Sahmyook University, Dept. of Horticulture.
After visiting many botanic gardens around the world, Professor Han Sang-kyung wanted to create something similar to what he had seen for the people of Korea to enjoy. What started with 10 themed gardens in 1996 has now expanded into over 22 themed gardens, and three greenhouses that are indoor exhibition facilities for seasonal plant and flower festivals. In 2007, they added the 1st Five-colored Starlight Garden Exhibition, and this wonderland of glistening grandeur has continued every winter since.
The Festival Begins at Sundown
We arrived around 4:30 while the sun was still out. So, to get out of the cold and wait for the dark, we went to the Korean Food Garden and shared a delicious soybean paste stew. As the sun began to set, we bundled into our coats, hats, and scarves to venture into what would soon be a garden park alight with colors.
As dusk fell and twilight was illuminating behind Chukryeongsan we saw the first glimmer of lights. In what seemed like seconds the park was ablaze with LED lights in a multitude of shapes and sizes, covering trees, bushes, tunnels, and bridges that had been built for our visual pleasure.
A Garden Immersed in Lights
We had no set path of direction. As usual, I see something sparkling in the distance and said, โoh, whatโs that? Letโs go thereโ. This is how we wandered through the park. There was a mix of Wonderland, Disneyland, and dare I say it โ a bit of an outdoor rave-like atmosphere, without rave music of course. However, there was pleasant music playing from speakers along the path.
There were tall trees with dazzling lights that draped like the swooning branches of weeping willows over trunks wrapped with glimmering vines. In what seemed like something out of an electric Grimms Fairytale (without the horror) there was a little quaint cottage with brilliant umbrellas hanging above the rooftop from the trees, and an adorable mushroom house illuminated in lights. It really was magical.
There were also many tunnels of lights, one in pink, lavender, and soft white, and others in hot pink with shining round ornaments, and a lovely tunnel that looked like vines and flowers. These tunnels were popular photo spots.
A Blue Sea of Lights
My favorite was the sea. I canโt even imagine the amount of work it must have taken to create this huge sea of lights. When we first arrived at the gardens, we stood on a golden bridge, and in the distance, I could see a huge swath of brilliant blue.
In my usual fashion, I excitedly said, โLetโs go there!โ As we turned the bend we walked upon a vibrant luminous ocean of lights, and in the center, a golden ship floated beside pink dolphins. The blue dominated the area and reflected against our skin, painting everyone passing or stopping by in a cool glimmer.
We walked around in the cold for about an hour, but took a break in a cute hanok style cafe and drank hot chocolate before venturing out to explore for another 30 minutes or so.
During the winter there are many places in Korea to visit to see some fun lights, but if you find yourself in Seoul or Gapyeong during the winter, I highly suggest taking a trip to The Garden of Morning Calm and losing yourself in the splendor of lights.
Hours, Location, and Fees
Admission Fees
- Adults: 11,000 won
- Adults 65+: 9,000 won
- Teens: 8,500 won
- Children: 7,500 won
* Children (age 3 to elementary school student) / Teenagers (middle & high school students)
Location
We rented a car, but you can also get there by public transportation. It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to get there via public transport. There are tours that can take you out there as we saw many tour buses in the parking lot.
- Subway: Take the Gyeongchun line to Cheongpyeong station and from there you can take a local bus or a taxi.
- Train: Take the ITX (InterCity Train Express) from either Yongsan station, Oksu station or Cheongnyangni station to Cheongpyeong station, and from there take a taxi or a local bus.
- Bus: Take an intercity bus (these are the red buses) from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal near Gangbyeon Station (Seoul Subway Line 2). Get off at Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal, and take a taxi or a local bus.
The Garden of Morning Calmโs website shows timetables of intracity buses and Gapyeong city tour buses. https://morningcalm.co.kr/_ENG/html/transportation.php
There are weekday discounts for all ages.
The Garden of Morning Calm (์์นจ๊ณ ์์๋ชฉ์) Address: 432 Sumogwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do Korean address: ๊ฒฝ๊ธฐ ๊ฐํ๊ตฐ ์๋ฉด ์๋ชฉ์๋ก 432 Operating Hours: 08:30 AM - 07:00 PM
Want to learn more about the Garden of Morning Calm in each of the four seasons? Click Here to read more!
