Soswaewon, Korean garden in Damyang County, South Korea
Soswaewon is a garden in South Jeolla featuring streams, pavilions, bridges, and pathways built from natural materials that blend with the surrounding landscape. The layout uses natural slopes and vegetation to create distinct areas that flow into one another.
A scholar named Yang San-bo created the garden between 1520 and 1530 after leaving his government role during political turmoil in 1519. This life change led him to build this peaceful retreat.
The garden served as a gathering place for Confucian scholars who met to discuss learning and compose poetry and prose. You can still walk through the spaces where these intellectual gatherings took place.
The garden opens daily from 9 AM to 6 PM and a full tour takes about half to one day to complete. Walking paths guide you through the different sections so you can explore at your own pace.
An 18th-century wooden map shows the garden's original design and documents how it was laid out during a historical king's reign. This rare record helps visitors understand the historical planning behind the site.
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