Sayuwon
A reservation-only mountain garden in Gunwi where collections of old trees share steep terrain with architecture by Álvaro Siza, Seung Hyo-sang and other designers
Landscape architecture, mature trees, contemporary architecture, long contemplative walks, mountain views and visitors willing to reserve several hours for one destination
A large, hilly garden followed on designated walking routes, with old-tree collections, stone landscapes, small pavilions, viewpoints, a café and other facilities dispersed across the grounds
Sayuwon is a three-hour mountain garden, with old tree collections and architecture spread widely across the slopes. Each pavilion or grove is encountered as a separate place within the larger landscape
Character
Sayuwon began with trees before it became an architectural destination. After the Gunwi site was acquired in 2006, mature crape myrtles, pines, hornbeams and quince trees were transplanted into the mountain terrain over several years. Buildings were added among those plantings as the garden developed
At Pungseol Gicheonyeon, 108 old quince trees form one of the garden’s most concentrated collections. Elsewhere, buildings by Seung Hyo-sang, Álvaro Siza, Choi Wook and other architects are dispersed through the slopes, appearing between older trees and mountain views
Landscape architect Jung Young-sun worked alongside architects, artists and calligraphers. The route continually shifts between planted groves, stonework, enclosed rooms and open mountain views
The experience
Sayuwon covers roughly 330,000 square metres, and a full circuit can take about three hours. The designated walking routes climb and descend through the site, with Soyoheon, Myeongjeong, Pungseol Gicheonyeon and other spaces appearing at intervals across the mountain
Hyeonam, completed in 2013 by Seung Hyo-sang, frames the landscape at several scales: open sky from the roof, a horizontal panorama from one room and a smaller enclosed view from another. Other pavilions use different orientations and openings. Gaga Binbin café looks toward Palgongsan and serves quince tea made with preserves sourced from old quince trees in the garden
History
The present site was purchased in 2006. Transplanting followed in stages: crape myrtles in 2009, pines and hornbeams later that year, four quince trees in 2010, cornelian cherries in 2015 and plum trees in 2019. The garden was registered as Bugye Arboretum in 2017
Architecture was added during the same long development; Hyeonam was completed in 2013. Sayuwon Co. was established in 2020, and the garden opened to visitors in September 2021 under an advance-reservation system. New cultural and architectural spaces have continued to appear since opening
Before you go
Allow about half a day. Advance reservation is the normal system, and the official site asks visitors to book by the previous day; same-day entry is possible only when places remain. Children aged seven and under are not admitted, and minors must be accompanied by a guardian
A full circuit can take around three hours, and last admission is 15:00. The simplest arrival is by car or taxi. Sayuwon also lists Express 9-2 to Changpyeong 2-ri, followed by a walk of about 500 metres
- Hours
- Sayuwon operates Tuesday-Sunday 09:00-18:00; last admission is 15:00. It closes Mondays and on Seollal and Chuseok day
- Admission
- Standard admission is 50,000 won for adults and 45,000 won for teenagers on weekdays; 69,000 won and 62,000 won respectively on weekends and public holidays
- Access
- Advance reservation is the normal system. Most of the garden is steep and covered on foot; the operator warns that wheelchair, crutch and cane users may have difficulty. Children aged seven and under are not admitted, and minors must be accompanied by a guardian
- Transit
- The closest listed bus option is Express 9-2 to Changpyeong 2-ri, about a 500-metre walk from Sayuwon; other routes require longer walks. Driving or taxi is simpler