The Garden of morning Calm
The Garden of Morning Calm is located at the edge of Mount.
Chungnyeong in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, one and a half hours north of Seoul. The garden’s name was inspired by Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore’s description of Korea, the country of the morning calm.
Rain, shine and fog combine for breathtaking scenery at the Gapyeong garden nestled on the slopes of Mount. Chukryeong in the early hours of the day.
Founded in 1996, the arboretum, comprised of thirteen small theme-oriented gardens, attracts more than 650,000 visitors annually, showcasing about 1,000 varieties of flowers and plants. It grew popular since its appearance in the movie, “The Letter” (1997) featuring Choi Jin-sil and Park Shin-yang.
The Korea Garden, one of the 13 gardens, is adorned with traditional Korean architecture. The Wild Flower Garden, has a collection of various native wild flowers and the Bunjae Garden displays potted plants grown into works of art.
Visitors can also enjoy the Morning Square at the center of the arboretum, an open grass field with a wonderful view, the Mugunghwa (National Flower) Hill and the Herb Garden.
The most popular tourist attraction is the Hagyeong Garden, which has an observation tower overlooking the entire arboretum.
The arboretum dazzles from April to May when the flowers are in full bloom and also in the fall when the leaves turn colors that blend elegantly with the surrounding gardens.
Each season brings a unique festival: the Nan (Orchid) Exhibition in March, the Royal Azaleas in April-May, wild flowers in May and irises in May-June.
The arboretum is beautiful throughout the year, but best when strolling around in the early morning fog. For more information, call 1544-6703 visit www.morningcalm.co.kr.
Visitors enjoy a quiet walk through the dark-green forest.
A family looks for the right angle for a postcard-worthy photo.
A couple walks on the curving roads at Morning Plaza that threads through the garden’s suspended nature.
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A butterfly rests on a flower in front of the garden’s Orchid House. /KoreaTimes Photo by Lee Jae-moon