Urban Oasis: Enchanting Wolhwawon Garden

Imagine stepping into a beautiful Chinese garden straight out of a movie, right in the heart of the city—and for free! In Suwon City, this...

Imagine stepping into a beautiful Chinese garden straight out of a movie, right in the heart of the city—and for free! In Suwon City, this dream becomes a reality. Visit Wolhwawon in Hyowon Park, Suwon City, and be mesmerized by a traditional garden inspired by the Jiangnan region of China. It’s a unique and delightful way to experience summer amidst the urban hustle and bustle.

Wolhwawon opened in April 2006, following the 'friendship agreement' signed between Gyeonggi Province and Guangdong Province in October 2003.
The garden is based on the style of private gardens from the late Ming to early Qing dynasties. Chinese architects designed and constructed the garden, ensuring it’s an authentic representation of traditional Chinese gardens, not just a superficial replica.

This garden, transported from China to Korea, offers a serene escape with warm spring sunlight and a peaceful ambiance. The exotic scenery hidden among the buildings centered around a small pond provides a delightful treasure hunt for visitors.

As you follow the path to Buyongsa, you’ll notice that the garden walls, while tall and seemingly closed off, offer glimpses through flower-shaped green windows. These round and triangular windows frame the opposite scenery like pictures, making you feel like you’re stepping into a paradise. In the outdoor spaces of Wolhwawon, the architectural harmony of Wolbang and Wujeong stands out.

Wolbang’s design, resembling a boat floating on water, blends seamlessly with the garden’s aquatic landscape. Wujeong serves as a lookout point, offering a panoramic view of the entire garden, and in spring, the red azaleas and green bamboo create a fantastic atmosphere. Additionally, the round entrance to the Bonsai Garden, inscribed with the characters ‘Jichun’ and ‘Manchun,’ invites visitors to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of spring.

Covering an area of about 6000 square meters, Wolhwawon is a compact garden that takes about 30 minutes to stroll through at a leisurely pace.

However, the garden’s true charm reveals itself slowly with each visit, as it changes with the weather, light, and viewing angles, offering a different scene every time. We recommend a slow, meandering exploration to appreciate the intricate beauty and the ‘Sanboilgeong (three steps, one scene)’ charm unique to Chinese gardens.

With the monsoon season upon us, why not spend a leisurely and picturesque day at Wolhwawon?

Wolhwawon 📍 399 Dongsuwon-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do
ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ
For the convenience of foreigners and those curious about Korea, Gyeonggi Province publishes blog articles on various topics every week. Check out the Gyeonggi Province Blog for more information on various aspects of Korea! https://www.gyeonggido-korea.com/