Nami Island, designated as the largest private garden in Korea on July 31, 2024,
stands as a representative tourist destination of South Korea.
Once merely a sandy island used as a peanut field,
it began to be forested in 1965 and has since transformed into an island filled with over 30,000 trees.
The stories of 27 gardens viewed together
Also known as living fossils, metasequoia trees were transplanted to Nami Island from the nursery of the college of agriculture, Seoul National University in 1977.As they grow tall very quickly, these trees soon lined a luxuriant path and then became a global symbol of Nami Island after being filmed for the television series Winter Sonata. With its elegant, exotic and magnificent appearance, Metasequoia Lane has turned out to be one of the most popular site on Nami Island.
If you stroll down joongangwangjang (central plaza) heading south you will discover Songpa Gingko Tree Lane. Approximately 100 meters long, in autumn the lane in covered with beautiful yellow gingko leaves and is one of the most photographed areas on the island. Located nearby, on the southeastern shore of the island, is Riverside Lovers' Gingko tree Lane as well as Changgyeongwon Garden, which are especially popular with couples.
Cherry Tree Lane runs in front of Water Stage Swimming Pool
and is particularly beautiful in spring, when there are cherry blossoms in bloom.
There are several Korean pine tree lanes on NamiIsland. Central Korean Pine Tree Lane runs from the north of the island beginning at Nami Wharf to joongangwangjang (Central Plaza) while Bungalow White Korean Pine Tree Lane runs right in front of Bungalow Row on the southeastern side. Lakeshore Korean Pine Tree Lane starts from the main building of Hotel Jeonggwanru and wanders south.
The cortexes of white birches are bright enough to serenely light the lane even when it is dark. Tulip Tree Lane, about 300 meters long, lies along the southeastern shore. The trees are Planted from the seeds brought to the island by its founder, Chairman Minn Byeong-do, and they have flowers that resemble tulips in appearance, and thus they are called, tulip trees.
Reed Woods Lane meanders along the southeastern shore starting front the end of cornel Tree Lane in the south. In autumn, the beautiful reeds create a picture-perfect photo spot so many visitors stop here to snap away.
On Nami Island, all the animals roam freely. Ostriches are particularly loved by visitors, graceful deer love to play hide and seek, and curious squirrels always wonder about the island.
Also, there are countless types of birds, ducks, geese, rabbits, turkeys, moles, and even the black woodpecker, one of Korea’s natural monuments.
