Garden of Morning Calm 아침고요수목원: Best Guide

📍 경기도 가평군 상면 수목원로 432 | 432, Sumogwon-ro, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, Garden of Morning Calm
🚆 Cheongpyeong Station (Gyeongchun line, ITX) > Gapyeong City Tour Bus
🕒 Winter: 11:00 – 21:00 from Sunday to Friday and 11:00 – 23:00 on Saturday | Spring to Fall: 8:30 – 19:00 daily
₩ Adults: W11,000 ($8); Youth: W8,500 ($6); Children: W7,500 ($5)
🌐 http://www.morningcalm.co.kr
☎️ +82 1544-6703
✍🏻 Nami Island, Petite France, and Gapyeong Rail Park are all nearby, so that you can visit them all simultaneously.

If you’re a nature lover, you’ve probably heard of the Garden of Morning Calm, South Korea’s most beautiful and appealing garden. With over 5,000 plant species, you’ll be treated to the natural beauty of Korea. This garden is also close to many popular attractions, including Nami Island and Petite France, making it a popular choice for a day trip from Seoul. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Garden of Morning Calm to ensure a memorable visit. 

How to get to Garden of Morning Calm from Seoul

Address: 경기도 가평군 상면 수목원로 432 | 432, Sumogwon-ro, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do

By Train

1. ITX Cheongchun | Gyeongchun line

From Cheongnyangni or Yongsan Station or other ITX train stops like Wangsimni stn., Sangbong stn., you can take ITX – Cheongchun to Gapyeong Station. When you arrive at Gapyeong Station, you can choose a taxi, local bus, or Gapyeong City Tour Bus to get to the Garden of Morning Calm. 

• Train Ticket Fare: from Cheongnyangni station 5,700KRW (40 minutes) | from Yongsan station 6,900KRW (55 minutes)
• Here you can check the timetable and book online

We highly recommend taking the Gapyeong City Tour Bus since it is convenient. The bus passes by Gapyeong’s key attractions. Purchase a one-time ticket that can be used as many times as you want within one day. So, by purchasing this bus ticket, you can visit several locations in one day, such as Nami Island, Petite France, and The Garden of Morning Calm, without incurring any additional travel costs.

2. Gapyeong City Tour Bus

Start your journey to various attractions from Gapyeong Station by taking the Gapyeong City Tour Bus (Course A):

• Day Pass Price: ₩8000 for Adults, ₩6000 for Children, and no charge for children under 3 years old.
• Buy your day pass directly from the bus driver using either cash or a T-money card.
• The pass allows you unlimited hop-on and hop-off privileges on the bus’s circular route for the entire day.
• If the bus is packed, you must wait for the next available transport. 

Gapyeong City Tour Bus Timetable

3. From Cheongpyeong Station

If you are going to the Garden of Morning Calm only, The closest station is Cheongpyeong Station.

• From Myeongdong, hop on the subway (about 71+ mins, 2 transfers, ₩2150). Alternatively, take a quick ride to Cheongnyangni Station (17 mins, ₩1250), stroll for 3 minutes to the train station, and catch the ITX to Cheongpyeong (35 mins, ₩4500).
• Once at Cheongpyeong station (exit 1), jump on city bus no. 30-6/30-7 right to the Garden of Morning Calm. It takes around 25 mins.
• Or grab a taxi for a faster trip (20 mins, ₩18,000). If you can’t find it, call the taxi with this number, Cheongpyeong Taxi 청평택시 031-584-1183.

By Bus

Take an intercity bus to Cheongpyeong bus stop from the East Seoul Bus Terminal. The ticket is roughly 5,200 won ($4).

• Departure Times from Seoul: 6:45, 9:15, 11:40, 13:15, 14:15, 15:20, 16:25, 18:10, and 20:50.
• Intra city bus timetable from Cheongpyeong Terminal👇🏻 (*Yellow one is riding via Imcho-ri)

By Taxi

This is the fastest way to get to the Garden of Morning Calm. You don’t have to wait or worry about missing the bus or train; just flag down a taxi anywhere you are. You can use the KakaoTaxi app which has an English version and more, check it for the must-download apps for Korea Travel in ease. It will cost about $55-70 and will take about 1 hour.

Book a tour

Because the garden is so close to other famous attractions such as Nami Island, Petite France, Italia Village Pinocchio & Da Vinci, hopping on tour is a great choice to make the most of your time. Find the tour that suits you the most with the best price on our activities page. Here you can compare prices & tours from multiple OTA’s.

About Garden of Morning Calm

The Garden of Morning Calm is a stunning botanical garden in Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. It’s named after the nickname given to Korea, “the Land of Morning Calm,” and it truly lives up to its name. The garden is home to over 5,000 species of plants, from delicate wildflowers to towering trees, and it’s a popular spot for locals and tourists.

The Garden of Morning Calm was founded in 1996 by Professor Sang-kyung Han, a horticulture professor at Sahmyook University. He envisioned a garden showcasing the beauty of Korean nature and culture, and he certainly succeeded. The garden has been featured in many Korean dramas and films, and it’s become a popular destination for weddings and other special occasions.

Tips

• If you’re a nature enthusiast, this place has to be on your bucket list when you visit Korea. The variety of plants and the natural beauty of Korea that the garden holds will satisfy you. 
• You can get a ticket directly at the entrance; no need to reserve. 
• If you have bulky luggage, you can use the locker at the entrance on your left. The price varies from 1,500 won ($1) to 2,000 won ($1.5), depending on the locker size. 
• Take a guide map at the ticket office to ensure you know where you are while visiting. The map has four languages: Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. 

What to see in Garden of Morning Calm

Although the entire park is lovely, some areas are considered the most noteworthy or must-visit. Ensure you don’t miss these stunning locations in the Garden of the Morning Calm when you visit.

• Download The map of the garden.

Cloud Bridge

This is the garden’s renowned bridge. For many, it is a perfect place to end or begin their visit before leaving the garden. Because the bridge is suspended, you can feel the vibrations when you walk across it. This adds excitement and is a great place to take photos; the lush green is just a perfect backdrop. 

J’s Cottage Garden

This English-style garden has perennial plants wrapping around a lovely tiny cottage. Cotswold, a wonderful village in England, inspires these houses. The garden is decked with bright tulips in the spring. However, this spot is most lovely from June to September, when the old flowers blossom brightly. 

Sunken Garden

The Sunken Garden is the most popular part of the garden. This location is loaded with vibrant spring, summer, and fall flowers. There’s something beautiful around every corner, from chrysanthemums to pansori to tulips. There are observatories, in particular, from which you can admire the garden from above. It is, without a doubt, one of the best-managed gardens in Korea. 

Pond Garden

This is a classic Korean-style garden with traditional hanok architecture and a peaceful lake nearby. There’s also a tiny artificial stream here, so you can listen to the sounds of the water while admiring the scenery. 

Although a small stone slab leads out to the small cottage in the lake’s center, you cannot enter. You can only shoot photos from a distance. If you walk around the lake, you will notice five different-colored seats. This was recently featured on a Korean TV show called “I Am Solo.” It’s a great spot for a photograph.

Moonlight Garden

The beauty of the moonlight inspired this garden. You will come across white flowers that represent the hue of moonlight, creating a somewhat magical vibe. A small white cottage at the end of the walkway makes a lovely backdrop for photos. You should go in the spring when the tulips are in full bloom.

Road to Heaven

This route runs between Morning Plaza and Moonlight Garden. The abundance of lovely flowers on both sides is why it is named the “Road to Heaven.” There are tulips, poppies, lilies, and chrysanthemums. At the start of the Road to Heaven, there’s a beautiful photo spot. The mirror reflecting the vast sky makes your photo appear as if you’re truly in heaven.

Festivals at Garden of Morning Calm

Spring Festival

As the winter chill fades away, spring adorns the garden in a burst of colors. Lively cherry blossoms, fragile azaleas, and rhododendrons burst forth in a harmony of pinks, whites, and purples. The atmosphere is filled with the hum of bees and birds’ melodies, marking the season’s joyous renewal.

Highlights:

• Wild Flower Exhibition: Every year, the show is organized under various themes about various plants, allowing you to see rare and precious flowers. Around 60 varieties of wildflowers are on display for you to admire.
• Spring Festival: Every year, the spring festival takes place from mid-April to the end of May. Come to this festival; you can take in a variety of spring flowers, including magnolias, azaleas, Japanese apricots, and cherry blossoms.

Summer Festival

The summer sun transforms the garden into a verdant paradise. Lush greenery cloaks the hills, and fragrant irises, hydrangeas, and roses of Sharon paint the landscape in hues of blue, purple, and white. Enjoy leisurely strolls along meandering paths or take refuge from the warmth under the shade of towering trees.

Highlights:

• Hydrangea Festival and Exhibition: This is the most beautiful flower in the summer. It is in full bloom along the Morning Calm Walk in the garden in July. There are roughly five different types of hydrangea in the display. Enjoy the beauty of hydrangeas with differently shaped flowers and see how the color of the blossoms changes depending on the soil’s acidity.
• Summer Iris: The iris blooms from the end of May until the end of June. In the Morning Square and Pond Garden, you can find more than 150 types of iris in various colors, forms, and patterns.
• Summer Mugunghwa: Mugunghwa is South Korea’s national flower. During the summer, you can relax and appreciate the beauty of Mugunghwa’s various shapes and colors by walking through cool valleys and deep forested areas.

Autumn Festival

As summer fades, the garden dons its most breathtaking attire. The leaves of maples, ginkgoes, and zelkova trees ignite in a fiery palette of reds, oranges, and yellows, creating a picture-perfect masterpiece. The crisp autumn air invites cozy walks, perfect for taking in the mesmerizing scenery.

Highlights: 

• Wild Chrysanthemum Exhibition: About 50 species of wild chrysanthemum are waiting for you to explore.
• Chrysanthemum Exhibition: Come to this exhibition, you can marvel at over 200 chrysanthemum varieties in a dazzling display of colors and shapes from mid-September to mid-October.
• Maple Festival: Immerse yourself in the vibrant hues of fall foliage, relax, and enjoy the most comfortable weather of the year in Korea. 

Winter Festival

With its Lightning Festival, Winter transforms the garden into a wonderful realm. Millions of glittering lights illuminate the pathways, ponds, and sculptures, creating a spellbinding spectacle. Also, the snow-covered scenery gives it a really unique experience.

Highlights: 

• Lightning Festival: Open from December 1, 2023 ~ March 17, 2024. The lightning time starts at sunset and lasts until 9 p.m. (11 p.m. on Saturday). 

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Restaurants, shops, and cafes in Garden of Morning Calm

You are not allowed to bring food to the garden, so you can eat out or visit some restaurants and cafes inside the garden.

Note: the opening time may vary based on seasons.

Morning Spring Bakery (아침봄빵집)

• Hour: 13:00 – 20:00 | Closed on Wednesday
• Location: Walk along the Poem
• Menu: Condensed milk bread, cranberry cream cheese bread, chocolate bread, cheese bread, and more.
• Contact: +82 31 584 6705

Korean Restaurant Food Garden (한식당 푸드가든)

• Hour: 12:30 – 20:00 (Last Order: 19:00); Closed on Tuesdays
• Location: Next to Bonsai Garden
• Menu: Soybean paste stew, wild vegetable bibimbap, veggie chop steak, pine mushroom over rice, acorn jelly salad, and more.
• Contact: +82 31 585 8233

Good Morning Coffee (굿모닝커피)

• Hour: 12:30 – 20:30 Sunday to Friday | 14:0 – 22:00 on Saturday
• Location: Walk along the Poem 
• Menu: Americano, cafe latte, cafe mocha, fruit ade, ice scream, seasonal signature menu, … 
• Contact: +82 31 584 6704

Snack Shop (매점)

• Hour: 14:00 – 22:00 Sun to Fri | 13:00 – 22:00 on Sat
• Location: Walk along the Poem
• Menu: Snacks, drinks, ice cream, and more
• Contact: +82 31 585 7194

Gardening Shop & Cafe (초록장점)

• Hour: 10:30 – 20:00 (Last Order: 19:45); Closed on Sundays
• Location: Inside Pond Garden
• Menu and product: Coffee, cafe latte, flower tea, gardening tools, plants, and gifts.
• Contact: +82 31 584 6704

Herbal Shop (정원가게)

• Hour: 14:00 – 21:00 Mon to Fri | 14:30 – 22:30 on Sat | 13:00 – 21:00 on Sun
• Location: At the entrance, opposite the ticket booth
• Product: Skin/body care, natural soap, aroma oil, candles, perfumes, and more.
• Contact: +82 31 584 1497

Plant Shop

• Hour: 13:00 – 20:00 Sun to Thur | 18:00 – 22:00 on Sat | Closed on Fri
• Location: At the entrance of the garden
• Product: Herbals, foliage plants, carnivorous plants, seeds, and more
• Contact: +82 10 9358 2998

K-dramas and movies were filmed at the Garden of Morning Calm

If you’re a fan of K-dramas and movies, you may have seen some parts of the garden on screen. There are so many films shot within the garden. So, if you can visit the garden of Morning Calm, be sure to find and check in at your favorite scene from your favorite movies. 

Some famous movies filmed here are The King’s Affection with Rowon, Love in the Moonlight featuring Park Bo-gum, She Was Pretty, starring Park Seo-Joon, and the most recent King’s Affection, starring Rowoon, and Red Sleeve, starring Lee Joon-ho. The suspension bridge scene was also in Now We Are Breaking Up with Song Hye-Kyo and Jang Ki-Yong. 

Nearby attraction

Petite France

• Address: 1063, Hoban-ro, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
• Open hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (Last Entry 17:00)
• Phone: +82 31-584-8200
• Website: http://en.pfcamp.com
• Ticket: 12,000 won for adults (9.2 USD) | 10,000 won for teens (7.7 USD) | 8,000 won for children (6.1 USD)

Nestled in the rolling hills of Gapyeong County, this little village transports you to a world of pastel-colored houses, cobblestone streets, and French flair. It’s just like a charming slice of European life right in the heart of South Korea.

Inspired by the beloved children’s book “The Little Prince,” Petite France is a charming medley of French architecture and Korean whimsy. Here, you can wander through narrow alleys lined with colorful houses, each adorned with unique details like flower boxes, wrought-iron railings, and whimsical statues. 

Pinocchio & Da Vinci Italian Village

• Address:  619-1 Goseong-ri, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
• Open hours: 9:00 – 18:00 daily
• Phone: +82315848200
• Website: http://www.pinovinci.com

This is Korea’s only Italian-themed park, bringing The Adventures of Pinocchio to life in collaboration with the Collodi Foundation. Additionally, it serves as a tribute to Leonardo da Vinci’s diverse talents. Spanning 30,000 square meters near Petite France, the park features Tuscany-inspired architecture, including historic galleries, observation decks, and two major attractions: Pinocchio’s Adventure Hall and Da Vinci Exhibition Hall. If you love Italy, it’s worth a visit.

Nami Island

• Address: 1 Namiseom-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
• Ferry operating hours: 8:00 – 21:00 daily
• Phone: +82 31-580-8114
• Website: https://namisum-en.imweb.me

Nami Island, situated 63 kilometers from the bustling heart of Seoul, is a peaceful half-moon-shaped paradise cherished by many visitors and K-drama enthusiasts. The island’s natural allure transforms with the seasons, making it an attractive yearly destination. Spring brings a blanket of delicate pink cherry blossoms, while autumn paints the landscape in a vibrant array of reds, oranges, and yellows.

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Besides its beauty, Nami Island offers various cultural experiences, including exhibitions at the Song Museum, the Picture Book Playground, and the MICE Center. This is also a great place to have bonding activities with your friends and family, such as ziplining, balloon riding, and biking. The area also features a variety of restaurants serving delicious dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. For more information on the best restaurants on Nami Island, and unique things to do in Nami Island here.

Gapyeong Rail Park (가평레일파크)

• Address: 14 Jangteo-gil, Gapyeong-eup, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
• Open hours: 9:00 – 17:00 daily
• Phone: +82 31-582-7788
• Website: http://www.railpark.co.kr

Gapyeong Rail Park, located just outside of Seoul in Gapyeong, is where you can ride a rail bike and enjoy the scenery of Gapyeong.  The railbike tour departs from Gapyeong Rail Park. It travels through the Gapyeongcheon Stream Iron Bridge, the Bukhanggang Iron Bridge, and the Zelkova Tree Tunnel before returning to Gapyeong Rail Park. You can appreciate the lovely river that passes through Gapyeong while riding your rail bike. It’s fun and a worthwhile experience. 

In conclusion, the Garden of Morning Calm promises a serene retreat where the soulful whispers of nature harmonize with the artistic strokes of Korean culture. Whether you seek botanical marvels, cultural immersion, or a peaceful day out, this garden offers an experience that lingers in the heart. Plan your visit to this enchanting oasis and let the Garden of Morning Calm weave its magic on you.

Things to keep in mind when visiting the Garden of Morning Calm

• No smoking, drinking, or cooking in the garden.
• Collecting plants, stones, and insects is forbidden in the garden.
• Re-entry is not permitted on the same day.
• There will be no refunds if it rains or snows.
• No dogs, food, bicycles, or sporting equipment are allowed.
• Stick to the recommended route to avoid bee stings and snake bites.
• Using a speaker, singing, playing an instrument, recording for commercial purposes, flying a drone, or taking pictures is forbidden.

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• Restaurants on Nami Island: What to eat & Must-Try Desserts
• Best Guide to Petite France Korea 쁘띠프랑스
• 10 Unique Things To Do on Nami Island
• Top 15 Places to Visit Near Seoul