Meet Your Inner Self in the Forest: Sayuwon in Gunwi, Daegu

Our preferred activity these days is emptying ourselves. We strive to extricate ourselves from the hectic chaos of our routines. “Think deeper, and face yourselves more properly”, says Sayuwon, a garden in Gunwi, Daegu, named after Bangasayusang (a Buddha statue of meditation in the half lotus position). It is a massive arboretum and exhibition space dedicated to world-class architects like Álvaro Siza and Seung H-sang, home to beautiful trees that have lived for centuries. However, the centerpiece of this space is neither the architecture nor the trees: it is the visitor. From the small flowers adorning the ground to the breeze pausing at the end of the trees, everything in Sayuwon is dedicated to the rest and meditation of its visitors. Walking the forest trails, taking in the buildings, and savoring a cup of tea, visitors are brought to face themselves in a space dedicated solely to introspection.

A Space Dedicated to Thought, Where Lush Nature and World-Class Architecture Come Together

When Sayuwon opened to the public in 2021, it immediately became the talk of the town. People began discussing this 700,000㎡-wide garden at the foot of Palgongsan Mountain, where one can see the works of renowned architects and artists like Álvaro Siza and Seung H-sang. Most visitors to Sayuwon say that there isn’t a clear way to express Sayuwon in concise terms. Perhaps the best way is to describe it as a mountain garden with a massive forest where one can find world-class works of art.

When visiting Sayuwon for the first time, one may find oneself immediately at a loss regarding what to see first. As you walk the grounds with the map in hand, you blend effortlessly into the garden. Visitors can choose from a wide range of trekking routes to accommodate their time and stamina, ranging from 1-hour routes to 4-hour routes. However, many find their visit to Sayuwon takes more than 5 hours, as their footsteps begin to slow down in the presence of its wonders. Some even arrive just after the garden opens to enjoy everything it offers, from the green forest trails to benches in the shadow of flowers and aphorisms carved into the landscape.

The heart of Sayuwon is “Pungseol Gicheonyeon”, a majestic collection of 108 centuries-old quince trees. The origin of Sayuwon can be found in these quince trees: its founder, President Yu Jae-seong of Taechang Steel, purchased four 300-year-old quince trees that were being smuggled out of Korea to Japan. Many of the trees that make up Sayuwon were personally cared for by Yu, including the beautiful “Byeol Yu Dong Cheon”, a garden with 200-year-old crepe myrtle trees; “Hanyu Sigyeong”, a sawleaf zelkova forest with a mysterious light that holds across the four seasons; and “Yuwon”, a traditional Korean garden rich with the fragrance of pine trees and the sound of flowing water.

Sayuwon is also home to works by notable architects. The most famous among them is Álvaro Siza, who designed the work “Soyoheon” for the garden. When you enter this box-shaped concrete structure, you come face-to-face with the sculpture soaring to the sky beyond the roof, reflecting the symbolic triad of violence, war, and hope. Siza has also contributed other works like “Sodae” and “Naesim Nakwon” to the complex.

Another architect that has lent his talent to the garden is Seung H-Sang, who designed “Hyeonam”, “Sadam”, “Wasa”, and the “Birds' Monastery”. “Myeongjeong,” located at the highest point of Sayuwon, was also designed by Seung. He created this work in response to Sayuwon’s request for an observatory with a bird’s-eye view of the garden. However, Myeongjeong takes visitors underground. Its observatory is not a place to enjoy the view of Sayuwon; instead, it is a place to turn one’s gaze inward. Descending the stairs brings one to the sky, water, light, and shadows. As one silently observes the changing light and sky, one discovers their inner self. Myeongjeong is also where visitors tend to stay the longest.

Whether with Tea or Yoga, the Joy of Being Together with Nature

“Hyeonam”, the first structure built in Sayuwon, has three window walls that offer a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, forest, and sky. The Tea House Program in Hyeonam allows visitors to indulge in this panoramic view with Sayuwon’s very own tea. “Sadam” offers lunch and dinner packages with a view of “Hanyu Sigyeong”, its sawleaf zelkova forest. The course menu is top-notch, but perhaps the greater joy is in enjoying the excellent food with a view of the forest.

Sayuwon also offers special programs throughout the year, from Sayuwon Academy, which invites distinguished speakers to deliver lectures, and the Forest Yoga program, where yoga meets nature. Performances, such as gugak (traditional Korean music) festivals, often sell out immediately after opening. Fans of Korean shows will recognize Sayuwon as a filming location featured in the hit show : Sayuwon’s forest and its café, “Gaga Binbin”, served as the backdrop to the hunting scene. “Gaga Binbin” serves quince tea made with quince preserves sourced from the 300-year-old quince trees in the garden. It is the café’s signature and most beloved menu item. One sip of the quince tea encapsulates 300 years of history in a single moment.

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[Recommended Tourist Sites]

Hwabon Station

The prettiest way station in Korea, as chosen by Koreans. In addition to its dainty interior, Hwabon Station also has photogenic spots like the Rail Café and the water tower.

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Little Forest Filming Location

This is the place where Hye-won (played by Kim Tae-ri) stayed in the film . Visitors can look around the house and ride the bicycle that Hye-won rode in the film.

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