Summer has arrived a little early this year and the stifling heat has been making it difficult to breathe lately.

If only we could sit in the woods in the cool shade with the wind in our faces and listen to the leaves rustle in the wind. How awesome would that be?

A place that pops into your head as the weather grows hotter! I’m talking about a trip to a forest where you can heal yourself just by being there. Do you have your own forest destination?

Today, I’ll introduce you to forests hidden across Gyeonggi Province that will help you to completely heal yourself.

There’s a place like that in the city? Shingu Botanic Garden

The Shingu Botanic Garden was established to research and preserve Korean flora. The garden features 20 sub-gardens divided into the two themes of–‘Garden to See’ and ‘Garden to Feel’.

You can see a wide range of flowers and plants in each garden. Apart from the plants, there is an Insect Ecosystem Hall, and you can also take part in various cultural events including photography exhibitions on flora. 

Shingu Botanic Garden

 Address: 9, Jeokpuri-ro, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province

 Inquiries: 031-724-1600

 Website: www.sbg.or.kr

 Operating hours: 09:00-18:00, Weekends (May-June) à 09:00-20:00 (closed on Mondays)

 Admission: Adults KRW 7,000, Primary/Middle/High School Students KRW 5,000, Pre-school Children KRW 3,000

If you want to become one with nature? Soulone

Our next stop is a hot place in Paju! Soulone features some beautiful arrangements of enigmatic trees and garden rocks across a vast area. Soulone has become a popular destination among couples as it gained fame as the place where the TV drama series The Girl Who Sees Smells was filmed.

The name ‘Soulone’ means a garden full of laughter.

It offers plenty of things to see including well maintained bonsai trees, magnificent pine trees and junipers that almost seem like art, and pertified wood that preserves the mysteries of ancient times.

Soulone

 Address: 299-3, Chukhyeon-ri, Tanhyeon-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province

 Inquiries: 031-945-4261

 Website: soulone.co.kr

 Operating hours: April-October à 09:30-19:00

 Admission: Adults KRW 5,000, Primary/Middle/High School Students and Paju citizens KRW 3,000

Do you want to heal yourself among tall trees reaching to the sky? Mulhyanggi Arboretum

Thanks to the fact that it’s very close to Osan College Station (Line no. 1), Mulhyanggi Arboretum offers excellent access via public transportation. The arboretum embodies the theme ‘convergence of water, trees, and mankind’.

You can walk around the 20 themed gardens including the wetlands eco-system garden, aquatic botanical garden, and fruit tree garden. You can also walk along the forest trails running between these gardens.

The arboretum is a very popular destination as it offers excellent directional guides as well as commentary programs.

Mulhyanggi Arboretum

 Address: 211, Cheonghak-ro, Osan-si, Gyeonggi Province

 Inquiries: 032-378-1261

 Website: farm.gg.go.kr

 Opening hours: June-August à 09:00-19:00, September-October à 09:00-18:00, November-February à 09:00-17:00

 Admission: Adults KRW 1,500, Adolescents KRW 1,000, Children KRW 700

Trail hunting or leisurely strolling? Either way, it’s perfect! Chungnyeongsan Natural Recreation Forest

The Chungnyeongsan Natural Recreation Forest is a good place to see some dense nut pine forests. Relatively close to the city center in Gyeonggi Province, the forest is also a great place to heal your mind and body.

Not only does the forest offer beautiful views from the parking lot located halfway up the mountain, it also has several trails connecting Chungnyeongsan Mountain and Seorisan Mountain, making it a popular destination for those who want to go trail hunting or simply stroll through the forest.

Chungnyeongsan Natural Recreation Forest

 Address: 299, Chungnyeongsan-ro, Sudong-myeon, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi Province

 Inquiries: 031-592-0681

 Website: http://farm.gg.go.kr/sigt/45

 Opening hours: March-November 06:00-20:00

 Admission: Adults KRW 1,000, Adolescents/soldiers KRW 600, Children KRW 300, Camping deck KRW 4,000, Forest cabin KRW 50,000 (for 4 guests, peak season weekend rate) Forest recreation hall KRW 60,000 (for 5 guests, peak season weekend rate)

Have a relaxing break and enjoy some fun activities at the same time! Yongin Natural Recreation Forest

Heal your body and soul in a dense forest. Yongin Natural Recreation Forest offers a variety of activities from camping to its ‘Forest Playground’ in which children can play as much as they want!

The forest limits the number of guests on weekends and public holidays to ensure a pleasant visiting experience and protect the environment, so visit the forest’s website and make a reservation in advance.

Yongin Natural Recreation Forest

 Address: 220, Chobu-ro, Mohyeon-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province

 Inquiries: 031-336-0040

 Website: www.yonginforest.net

 Opening hours: 09:00-18:00

 Admission: Adults KRW 2,000 Adolescents/soldiers KRW 1,000, Children KRW 600

Source : Gyeonggi Tourism Organization website

Beat back the recent summer heat! Heal your body and soul in the forests of Gyeonggi Province!

http://www.gg.go.kr/archives/3574026?ggd_term_id=7699