Iris Garden Changpowon
By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter
The stark urban jungle of Seoul, teeming with skyscrapers, car emissions and noise pollution, is slowly returning to the bosom of Mother Nature. Bodies of water and lush greenery are mushrooming here are there, inspiring a spirit of newfound vitality.
The Seoul Iris Garden, the first of its kind in the country, opened its doors June 7 in Dobongsan, Dobong-gu.
Stepping out of Dobongsan Station on subway lines 1 and 7, one meets iris blossoms reminiscent of a Vincent van Gogh painting.
What used to be abandoned wetland has been transformed into a beautiful, lively garden filled with about 300,000 plants, spanning over 52,417 square meters
A third of the park is devoted to iris blossoms. Russian irises and yellow bunchflowers and 130 other types of irises, including endangered species, flourish in this area. In Greek mythology, the iris was dubbed ``the goddess of the rainbow" connecting heaven and earth. They bloom around May and June and are among the four most beloved flowers around the world.
In addition to irises, the garden features various medicinal plants, wetlands flora and much more. There is also a facility area, as well as an educational center where visitors can learn about homemade herbal remedies.
