Exploring the Beauty of Asan Yeonginsan Arboretum
As June arrives, the mountains around us have become more vibrant with lush greenery. This year, the heat has come unusually early, with daytime temperatures exceeding those of midsummer. On such hot days, it's natural to seek out the coolness of the forest.
On a day when I longed for the refreshing shade of green trees, I visited the Asan Yeonginsan Arboretum. The arboretum is located within the Yeonginsan Natural Recreation Forest, which offers not only lodging facilities but also campgrounds, a forest museum, and water play areas, making it a popular destination.
While there is a nominal entrance fee for the recreation forest, it is open for free throughout June.
Upon exiting the parking lot, you'll find charming photo spots, a stamp tour box, and beautiful plants. There is also a vending machine that accepts card payments, which was a pleasant surprise for those who do not carry cash.
The path through the arboretum is shaded by trees, but climbing the hills can make you thirsty, so it's advisable to bring water.
The arboretum is vast, with different areas designated for various activities, including a valley learning zone, a wetland learning zone, a central activity zone, a forest restoration zone, and a forest museum. Exploring the entire area can take quite a bit of time. Given the hot weather, I decided to lightly explore the valley and wetland learning zones.
As I walked along the valley learning zone, I could see the cool valley water flowing. Green moss grew on the rocks, and the sight of the flowing water was refreshing.
Following the wooded path uphill, I found myself slightly out of breath, but the sound of water from the nearby valley encouraged me.
At the top of the hill, I encountered a spacious lawn area. This grassy expanse is perfect for hosting simple performances or events.
Surrounding the lawn are various types of seating for relaxation. Among them, I found a netted chair that piqued my curiosity. Sitting in it was surprisingly comfortable, and the cool breeze under the tree shade made me feel rejuvenated.
There are also wind chimes hanging from the trees that produce clear sounds whenever the wind blows.
In another area, there are towering metasequoia trees with a resting platform underneath, making it an ideal spot for a picnic.
There's a small pond surrounded by aquatic plants, and you can stroll along the deck path for a pleasant walk.
In the pond, small water lilies bloom. They are smaller than lotus flowers and have a long flowering period.
A cute sculpture of a great horned owl stands nearby. This owl symbolizes wisdom and cleverness and represents the future of Asan city.
There is also a charming little hut nestled among the green plants, perfect for imagining the forest creatures resting there.
From the hill overlooking the wetland learning zone, there’s a pavilion where you can take a break.
This area is known for its azalea garden, which turns vibrant red in spring. Currently, the hydrangea garden below is preparing to bloom, along with a large crape myrtle that flowers in summer.
The Yeonginsan Arboretum also features a carbon-neutral trail, a 300-meter earthen walking path designed to promote carbon neutrality.
While I couldn't explore the entire area due to its size, I enjoyed walking through the shaded parts and feeling the energy of the plants. It was delightful to spot flowers and see the refreshing valley water.
Last spring, cherry blossoms and azaleas bloomed here, and now summer flowers like hydrangeas and hibiscus are set to bloom.
Even during the hottest hours of the day, the shade provides a cool breeze, making the Yeonginsan Arboretum a perfect spot for some healing in nature.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/sinmunman/224323750646
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