Semiwon, located in Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province, is a special place where beautiful natural scenery and artistic sensibility harmoniously blend. The name Semiwon, meaning "the most beautiful garden in the world," is situated along the Namhan River, offering visitors an unforgettable experience with ever-changing river landscapes throughout the seasons. This place goes beyond being a mere tourist attraction; it's a space where nature, humans, and art coexist in harmony, providing rest and inspiration to many.
Semiwon Gardens
The most prominent feature of Semiwon is its beautifully landscaped garden. Various flowers and trees are planted here for each season, allowing visitors to enjoy beautiful scenery all year round - cherry blossoms and azaleas in spring, lotus flowers in summer, autumn foliage, and snow-covered landscapes in winter. Especially in summer, when lotus flowers are in full bloom, the vast pond filled with lotus flowers creates a spectacular view that captivates many visitors. Sculptures installed throughout the garden showcase the harmonious meeting of nature and art, offering visitors a unique appreciation opportunity.
Art Exhibitions
Semiwon not only provides a beautiful garden but also serves as a center for various cultural and artistic activities. Exhibition halls and performance venues are set up here, hosting various exhibitions and performances throughout the year. In particular, the Semiwon Art Center exhibits contemporary art pieces, providing artistic inspiration to visitors. Additionally, the outdoor performance venue hosts various concerts and performances by season, offering a special experience of enjoying art in nature.
Experience Programs
Semiwon is utilized as an educational venue where visitors can directly experience and learn, beyond just seeing and enjoying. It offers various experience programs such as making lotus leaf tea and lotus leaf rice, providing opportunities for visitors to communicate more closely with nature. It also plays a role in awakening children to the importance of nature through ecological education programs. These experience and education programs make Semiwon not just a tourist destination, but a living place of learning.
Another charm of Semiwon is its scenery that changes with the seasons. In spring, you can feel the beauty of new life beginning with cherry blossoms; in summer, the splendor of lotus flowers; in autumn, the tranquility of the garden tinged with fall foliage; and in winter, the purity of the snow-covered garden. These seasonal changes offer new impressions to visitors each time, possessing diverse charms that make a single visit insufficient.
Semiwon is also highly accessible. Located about an hour's drive from Seoul, it's suitable for a day trip, and with various tourist attractions nearby, connected tours are possible. It's especially popular among cyclists as it's connected to the Namhan River Bicycle Path. Also, cafes and restaurants are available inside Semiwon, allowing visitors to relax comfortably while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Lotus Festival
The Lotus Festival, held every summer at Semiwon, is one of the park's signature cultural events. This festival runs for about a month from mid-July to mid-August when lotus flowers are most beautifully in bloom, offering visitors a chance to see the splendid lotus flowers and experience diverse cultural activities. The biggest attraction of the Lotus Festival is undoubtedly the spectacular view of lotus flowers filling the vast pond. Pink and white lotus flowers blooming glamorously on the water create a scene like a painting. Especially, the sight of lotus flowers just blooming in the early morning attracts many photography enthusiasts. The Semiwon Lotus Festival is utilized not just as a tourist event but also as a platform to raise awareness about environmental protection. During the festival period, special exhibitions and lectures are held to provide information about the ecological value and water purification abilities of aquatic plants, and to introduce practical methods for environmental protection. This offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature while also realizing the importance of environmental protection.
