Suwon—Park Sung-hoon
Clear sunlight and a gentle breeze make this an ideal time for outings. On the 1st, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization recommended six lesser-known spring destinations across the province. Each spot sits beside a lake, river, or forest, so visitors can take relaxed walks and enjoy scenic views. In this fresh season, it’s a pleasure to be the first to visit with family or friends.
◇ Walk the lakefront… Anseong Chilgok Lake Park = On March 27, Anseong reopened the Chilgok Reservoir beneath Goseongsan after a major renovation and officially renamed the area Chilgok Lake Park. The city added walking paths and landscape lighting, turning the site into a place where anyone can unwind.
The easy, gently sloping trail circles a broad lake framed by rolling hills, so visitors of all abilities can stroll without strain. Sunlight sparkles on the water as a soft breeze drifts by, and the scenery shifts with the seasons.
At sunset, a red glow spreads over the lake, bathing the scene in orange. At night, the fountain sprays to music and AI-powered video projections appear across the water’s surface.
◇ A space for reflection — Suwon Jigwan Seoga = A former middle school building that echoed with children’s laughter for more than 30 years now serves as a peaceful retreat for visitors of all ages. Jigwan Seoga, which opened on the first floor of the Suwon Global Lifelong Learning Center, is a book-cafe–style cultural complex created through a partnership between Suwon City and SK chemicals.
The name “Jigwan (止觀)” — Samatha-Vipaśyanā — encourages people to stop their busy routines and calmly look inward and outward. The first floor offers sofa seating; the second floor has bar tables and lounge chairs so people can stay in the way that suits them best. Every seat includes an outlet, making the space convenient for laptop work or quiet study.
In the main area, high ceilings and a curated shelf themed around “happiness” stand out. Shelves organized by keywords—relationships, independence, gratitude—lead visitors into reflection. If you’re unsure which book to pick, an AI Kiosk can recommend a personalized “life book.”
The café serves coffee, tea, drinks, and baked goods, and the venue hosts book talks and lectures. Turn the pages with a fragrant coffee and a sweet pastry, and you’ll find a warm comfort like April sunlight.
◇ A view of Bonapsan and the Bukhan River — Gapyeong Bonapjeong = At the entrance to Gapyeong Jatgoeul Market, you’ll find Bonapjeong, a cultural complex that blends past and present. The site highlights local history and stories.
The name “Bonapjeong” refers to its position with a clear view of Bonapsan Mountain. Local lore says that Han Seok-bong, the Joseon-era master calligrapher, buried treasured inkstones and valuables on the mountain after completing his term as Gapyeong county magistrate before returning to the capital.
Bonapjeong’s biggest attraction is the view that unfolds beyond the large 유Li Qiang. The space honors the beauty of traditional hanok architecture in a modern way, and from inside you can see Bonapsan’s ridgeline, the Bukhan River, and the surrounding hills. The café offers desserts and drinks made with local ingredients.
A local specialty, siru-bbang—a steamed bread traditionally cooked in a wooden steamer—features pine nuts. The bread’s chewy, moist texture pairs with pine-nut white bean paste and cream-cheese milk cream, giving a mild sweetness and a gentle pine-nut flavor that’s easy for anyone to enjoy.
◇ A geology and ecology showcase — Yeoncheon Imjingang Nature Center = Yeoncheon County, where the Imjin River winds through the land, feels like a vast natural museum. The new Imjingang Nature Center lets visitors explore the area’s mysterious geology and ecology up close.
The center introduces the unique rocks formed by ancient volcanic activity and the plants and animals that live in their crevices. It houses a Geological and Ecological Exhibition Hall, seminar rooms, a media room, hands-on classrooms, a café, and an observatory. Exhibits use panels, models, and video to make ecological stories easy to understand, focusing on the region’s geological formation and ecological resources.
On the second floor, hands-on programs include “Born from a Volcano, Yeoncheon”—where visitors build clay models—and “Make a Balance Crane,” inspired by the region’s protected cranes. Outside the windows, the Imjin River flows gently, and from the observatory you can take in the dramatic Imjin River Columnar Joints, known since the Joseon era as the “Imjin Jeokbyeok.” The exhibit spaces and landscape blend naturally.
The area also hosts a variety of wildlife, including rare birds such as the hosa-biori, making the center especially recommended for family visits.
◇ “Heart of the blue sea” — Siheung Marine Ecology Science Museum = The Siheung Marine Ecology Science Museum, newly opened in the city’s center, brings the deep blue world of the sea into an urban setting.
As a marine complex representing the southwestern Seoul metropolitan area, the museum runs hands-on educational exhibits on marine ecology. Displays explain marine animal anatomy and rehabilitation, and offer interactive experiences that make ocean environments and marine life easy to understand.
The museum schedules timed entry at two-hour intervals, so visitors should reserve a slot in advance, especially on weekends, through SISO (Siheung City Integrated Reservation Platform). Inside, models, video, and interactive exhibits work together to clarify the structure of marine ecosystems and the roles of sea creatures.
The museum offers four daily docent tours and a program that introduces the aquarist profession. Educational sessions teach the ecology and habitats of species such as needlefish and rays. During the two daily Panorama Feeding Time events, aquarists enter the tanks and feed turtles and fish up close, giving visitors an immersive experience.
Every Friday, the museum runs a special hands-on class where an actual veterinarian and an aquarist teach marine animal rescue and treatment, so participants can learn how to rescue and care for sick sea animals.
◇ A fairytale come true — My Animal Story at Pyeonggang Land, Pocheon = My Animal Story, set within Pyeonggang Land in Pocheon, lets visitors meet animals up close in a natural setting. In sunlit forest clearings, creatures that seem to have stepped out of a picture book peek from between the trees. The site began as Pyeonggang Botanical Garden in 1997 and has since expanded into a theme park that includes the My Animal Story animal farm.
The walking paths here differ from a typical zoo: instead of viewing animals behind bars, visitors walk along naturally formed forest trails and encounter animals along the way. The park blends garden and woodland environments and offers programs that help visitors observe, interact with, and learn about animal ecology. Along the path, you might meet teddy-bear cattle, black-nosed sheep, dwarf rabbits, and Galloway cattle.
Photo zones let visitors capture moments with animals, and feeding experiences—under staff guidance—allow gentle, hands-on interaction. Handing food to an animal with a staff member’s supervision can create a warm, connecting moment.
Meeting animals in their natural-like setting deepens understanding of the relationship between animals and nature and leaves visitors with special memories. The broad botanical garden and animal areas blend seamlessly, so families with children can enjoy both relaxation and hands-on experiences.
Most Commented