• Start
•  
• Dumulmeori
•  
• Semiwon
•  
• Munho-ri patjuk
•  
• Sonagi town
•  
• Naroogge
•  
• Bloomvista Hotel
•  
• Yongmunsa Temple
•  
• Shija Park
•  
• Yangpyeong shinnae Seoul Hangover Soup
•  
• Gudun Station track
•  
• Finish

Dumulmeori is the most famous place in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do. There is an interesting garden named “Semiwon” on the opposite site. After it was designated to protection area of source water due to Paldang Dam construction, it became garbage dumps covered with floating matters from the upper stream. So local people and environment group collected garbage, and planted lotus that is highly effective to purify water. And then the local government established various regulations and supported the activity. So “Semiwon”, which is full of beautiful flowers, has been created. I could not look around a lot of flowers as it was early winter, but it was wonderful place.

You must pass by this bridge on the river, or use land route in order to go Semiwon from Dumulmeori. This bridge was established over the ship. Jeong Yak-yong made the bridge for King Jeong-jo who had to pass by there to pay his respects to his father, prince Sado. It is still called “ship bridge” as it is floating over the ship.

Semiwon was originated from “Chuang-tzu”. It means that you should make your mind clean while watching the water, and beautiful while watching flowers. As it is, I could see the distinctive road named “Sesimro” which was made of washboards.

Why is Dol hareubang(stone grandpa) standing here? The sculpture, which is called “Chusa hareubang”, was established to express loneliness of Kim Jeong-hui who was falsely accused of and lived in exile in the out-of-the-way thatched house in Jeju. It is certain that the royal palace on the backside is related with Chusa.

This is a garden named “Sehanjeong”. Don't you think that you have ever heard this name? “Sehando” drawn by Chusa Kim Jeong-hui is No.180 national treasure. The garden has been made with pine trees and nut pine trees just like the picture of “Sehando”. “Sehanjeong” is the place for showing various pictures over 200 years, and paying a tribute to ancestors.

The building named “Songbaekeon” has been reproduced just like the picture of “Sehando” on the backside of distinctive pine tree.

“Sehando” has been moved into the black board. The picture has been wandered for the last 200 years. It had been sent to Lee Sang-jeock, Chusa's disciple. But it was moved to China, and Japan again during Japanese colonial era. It was returned to Korea finally, but his other artworks in Japan were burned due to the bombing. The writings and paintings in Songbaekeon show the life of Kim Jeong-hui.

Now, I will walk Semiwon garden after getting out of Sehanjeong. The garden focuses on natural purification by using water plants.

Even though it is an artificial garden made to purify water flowing to Paldang Dam, it is amazing. Isn't dropped down weeping willow so beautiful?

You should often check the map as there is none of signpost in the garden. It would be far more beautiful in spring and summer as a lot of water plants have been planted. It is still beautiful in fall, though.

This seems to be a greenhouse for water lily. Stepping-stone has been made of washboards at the entrance. It is so interesting.

It is not a season for water lily. But I appreciate that I can see beautiful lotus on cold day.

You can see a variety of lotus here. Water lily looks shy, but sophisticated and elegant. You can see water lily only until December.

Now, I am going to the front gate passing by chrysanthemum road. The garden has two entrances. One is back gate from Dumulmeori and pontoon bridge. And the other is front gate from Yangseo culture sports park.

Fallen leaves have changed the road to the red carpet. It is awesome.

The crock fountain is also amazing. 365 crocks, which signify 365 days a year, are spewing water. You may wish clean Han river's water and everyone's peace, right?

Semiwon is beautiful everywhere. You would feel the beauty of Korea with stepping-stone in small brook. It has been called “Urinae and stepping-stone”.

What is this? :-) I am sorry that I couldn't take a picture in the sky, but it is a pond which looks like the Korean peninsula. The pond has been made of stones, soil and plants in Baekdusan. Spreading structure of floor looks elegant.

The water plants are so beautiful, too. It is more meaningful that all materials have been brought from Baekdusan.

Urinae stepping-stone is picturesque. You must be regretful if you don't take a walk on this road, huh? :-)

This is “Burimun Gate”, the front gate of Semiwon. I came from the back gate and came out from the front gate. But it is okay to choose any gate. Many tourists look around Dumulmeori during the trip to Yangpyeong. But most of them would pass by Semiwon as the admission fee is quite expensive. (4,000 won) However, you would forget about it just after crossing Urinae stepping-stone. I strongly recommend it.

+Address: Yangsu-ro 93, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
+Contact information: 031-775-1834
+Operation hours: from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (to 6 p.m. in summer season, close on every Monday)
+Admission fee: 4,000 won for adults, 2,000 won for children and teenagers