[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Late summer bliss: Four vibrant nature spots in Korea

Discover vibrant nature spots in Korea for late summer getaways, including Suncheon Bay National Garden, Agyang Ecological Park, Happy Chowon Ranch and the Aquatic Botanical Garden.

Suncheon Bay National Garden in Suncheon, South Jeolla, hosts the annual Suncheonman International Garden Expo. [YONHAP]

The start of autumn, or Ipchu as it’s known in Korea, passed on Aug. 7 this year, according to the lunar calendar. Although the heat remains intense, now is the time to plan getaways to different parts of the country. The Chuseok holiday is just a few weeks away, and the tropical nights will gradually give way to breezy evenings, while the once skin-burning sunlight will soon feel like pleasant warmth on your shoulders.

To assist nature enthusiasts in planning their late summer escapes, here are four nature-friendly destinations in Korea that offer some of the most vibrant landscapes.

Suncheon Bay National Garden순천만국가정원

A bird's eye view of the Suncheon Bay National Garden [JOONGANG ILBO]

Suncheon Bay National Garden in Suncheon, South Jeolla, is the first national garden in Korea and is renowned for hosting the annual Suncheonman International Garden Expo.

Spanning 1.12 million square meters (277 acres), this national tourist spot is a must-visit in Suncheon City. The garden provides an extensive glimpse of gardens from around the world, featuring various styles from Japan, Thailand, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, China, Spain and many more. In addition to these exotic garden views, Suncheon Bay National Garden includes creatively themed gardens, such as the Space Hub — a runway built under the fictional theme of accommodating spaceships — and Space Bridge, where around 145,000 digital pictures by children worldwide greet visitors. This design is meant to connect children's dreams with space.

Suncheon Bay Wetland, one of the five major coastal wetlands in the world, is another destination to explore when visiting this national garden. The SkyCube, a Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system, connects the garden and Suncheon Bay Wetland. The ten-minute one-way trip offers swift transportation between these two vast areas. A round-trip ticket for the SkyCube costs 8,000 won ($5.90) for adults, while a one-way trip is 6,000 won.

47 Gukgajeongwon1ho-gil, Suncheon, South Jeolla(전라남도 순천시 국가정원1호길 47)Operating hours: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (Last admission at 7 p.m., closed every last Monday of the month)Admission fee: 10,000 won for adultsPhone number: 061-749-3114Website: https://scbay.suncheon.go.kr/garden/#firstSection

Agyang Ecological Park악양생태공원

Akyang Ecological Park in Haman County has a sprawling display of seasonal flower beds. [HAMAN COUNTY]

Haman County in South Gyeongsang may be unfamiliar to newcomers to Korea, but it is one of the country's best-preserved natural areas. The county's natural landscapes have been groomed into neat parks and gardens to attract visitors. Agyang Ecological Park, also known as Akyang Ecological Park, is a popular spot to visit if you seek a flower-filled day out. Covering 265,307 square meters, the park changes colors with the seasons, featuring golden wave flowers in spring and pink muhly grass in the fall. If you visit now, you may see mugunghwa (Korea’s national flower also known as the rose of Sharon), hollyhocks and more. As the park mostly consists of fields and ponds fully exposed to the sun, a visit after the intense heat subsides is recommended.

Agyangru Pavilion, less than a 10-minute walk from the park, is a designated Cultural Heritage Material of Haman County and offers a calming view of the lake.

1418 Seochon-ri, Daesan-myeon, Haman County, South Gyeongsang(경상남도 함안군 대산면 서촌리 1418)Admission fee: FreePhone number: 055-580-4581

Happy Chowon Ranch해피초원목장

Happy Chowon in Chuncheon, Gangwon promotes its photo zone as the ″Switzerland of Korea.″ [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Chuncheon in Gangwon is often associated with dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken). However, Happy Chowon, an animal-friendly farm located at the top of a hill, is a hidden gem that is becoming an increasingly popular spot among tourists. A photo zone promoted as the "Switzerland of Korea" is gaining traction on social media, featuring a vast green field with an open view resembling a Swiss mountain landscape.

Various animals, such as rabbits, lambs, cows and goats, welcome visitors and can be observed up close, with feeding experiences available. A donkey-riding session is also offered for 5,000 won. About a 20-minute walk from the animal farms and up the slope is the famous photo spot, where groups of families and friends pose in front of the picturesque view, capturing the flowing water between mountains, the clear sky and the grassland.

A must-try dish here is the Korean beef burger, dubbed the "Hanwoo Burger." The burger gained fame online after boy band BTS tried it in an episode of their variety show "In the Soop" (2020), which featured Chuncheon. The burger, made from Gangwon beef, costs 9,000 won.

@happy_chowon330-48 Chunhwa-ro, Sabuk-myeon, Chuncheon, Gangwon(강원도 춘천시 사북면 춘화로 330-48)Operating hours: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. during the Summer Season, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. during the winter seasonAdmission fee: 7,000 won for those between 36 months old and 65 years oldPhone number: 033-244-2122Website: https://happy-chowon.co.kr/

Aquatic Botanical Garden천상의정원 수생식물학습원

Aquatic Botanical Garden in Okcheon County, North Chungcheong, has buildings and attractions that remind some of ″Hogwarts" — the fictional school in the Harry Potter series (1997-2016). [KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION]

Okcheon County in North Chungcheong is home to Daecheong Lake, a large artificial lake that ranks as the third largest on the Peninsula. This lake houses not only a rich variety of flora and fauna but also the Aquatic Botanical Garden, also known as the "Hogwarts" of Korea — a reference to the fictional school in the Harry Potter series. The expansive site features multiple attractions, including an outdoor cafe overlooking Daecheong Lake, dark-shaded brick buildings and cylindrical walls that resemble a miniature castle of Hogwarts. Metamorphic rocks, observatories, gentle slopes and hills enhance the experience. Comfortable shoes are recommended for long walks and small hikes.

The garden operates on an online reservation system for management purposes, so you must book a spot in advance through its official website. Payment for tickets is made on-site.

255 Bangasil-gil, Gunbuk-myeon, Okcheon County, North Chungcheong(충청북도 옥천군 군북면 방아실길 255)Operating hours: March to Oct., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Nov. to Dec., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Closed on Sundays, Jan. and Feb.)Admission fee: 8,000 won for adults (ages 20-69), 5,000 won for Okcheon residentsWebsite: www.waterplant.or.kr/index

BY KIM DONG-EUN [kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr]