Ju Sebin’s Article
The cherry blossoms that decorated the streets earlier this month have now fallen from the heat and rain. However, spring is still in full swing as many other flowers will be in full bloom. Since it’s the season of flora, many people are looking to enjoy it while it lasts. In Seoul, there are many beautiful spots to look at flowers and there are events for this occasion. However, some of the most popular locations, like Yoonjungro at the island of Yeouido or Seokchon Lake, can become so crowded that you may be looking at more people than flowers. In today’s entry, I would like to recommend some lesser-known spots to enjoy flowers.
#1. Seoul Iris Garden (서울창포원)
The site where Seoul Iris Garden now stands, almost at the very north of the city, was an aesthetically unappealing spot consisting of rows of polytunnels. The land was subsequently overhauled into a garden and was opened in 2009. As its name suggests, the star of the Seoul Iris Garden is the irises. About one-sixth of the 51,146m² garden is dedicated to the iris genus. 300,000 irises are spanning 130 species in the Iris Garden, making it one of the most diverse displays of the iris in the country. In addition to the main attraction, there is a pond, an herb garden, a wetland garden with swamp plants and animals, and a garden filled with lilies and tulips. The Seoul Iris Garden is open year-round from 5 AM to 10 PM.
#2. Banpocheon/Humming Way (반포천/허밍웨이)
There are many rivers in Seoul, a big portion of which has been converted to trails. Trails along these rivers are embroidered with cherry blossom trees, and they are a source of relaxation and a change of scenery from urban life. Many people flock to these rivers; Jungnangcheon, the longest river in Seoul and one that passes by our campus is a good example. The one I’d like to introduce today is Banpocheon. Banpocheon’s source is Mount Woomyeon, which is situated a few kilometers to the south. The trail along Banpocheon is named Humming Way, which may be a wordplay on the famous author Ernest Hemingway, or it may mean a trail that makes you want to hum as you’re walking through it. The trail starts near the Seoul Express Bus Terminal, splits through the neighborhood of Banpo, and ends at Dongjak-dong, where Banpocheon flows into the Han River. Not only are there cherry blossoms, there are spiraeas that bloom white flowers during springtime, yellow forsythias and kerrias, and azaleas.
#3. Mount Daehyeon Rose Garden (대현산 장미원)
Roses are among many people’s favorite flowers. Would you believe that one of the more underrated, beautiful rose gardens is close to our campus? Mount Daehyeon Rose Garden is only 20 minutes from our campus by public transportation and 30 minutes by foot. The spot where the garden stands today was once an area of unused land. From 2018 to 2019, the Seongdong-gu office took this 5,000m² patch of land and planted roses. As of 2023, the garden is home to 46 species of roses and 48,000 rose flowers in total. Roses are considered to be at their most beautiful in May, but the roses here are in full bloom from spring to autumn. The garden soil is designed to slowly absorb precipitation before letting it evaporate, making it possible to visit the garden even when it’s raining. There are photo zones, benches, and hammocks for full relaxation and enjoyment. As the place grew in popularity, the community held the first Mount Daehyeon Rose Festival on June 4, 2022. The festival was held once again last May.
Whether you are looking forward to the late spring and summer flowers, or even if you couldn’t fully enjoy this year’s cherry blossoms and are setting up next year’s plans early, there are many places to enjoy flowers in Seoul. Some are so famous that almost everyone wants to go there, and some are a bit quieter. Some are much closer to your home or the Hanyang University campus than you may have thought. The budding flowers are a potential opportunity to explore places you’ve never been to and see Seoul like you’ve never seen before.
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