Hwajeogyeon, Artificial pond in Pocheon, South Korea.

Hwajeogyeon is an artificial pond in Pocheon with constructed pathways circling its shoreline that let visitors observe plants and birds across different seasons. Information centers and rest areas sit around the water, making it easy to navigate and take breaks while exploring.

Hwajeogyeon was long known as a scenic site where rain rituals were held. A legend tells of a farmer sighing by the pond during a severe drought, after which a dragon rose to the sky and brought rain. Yi Gyeong-seok's Baekheon Seonsaeng-jip, from the Injo and Hyojong reigns of the mid-Joseon period, records a rain ritual at the site. The pond appears in Jeong Seon's Haeyak Jeonsincheop, painted in 1747 when he was 72.

The name Hwajeogyeon translates the Korean "Byeotgariso", meaning a pile of rice stalks, after the 13-metre granite rock that resembles stacked sheaves. Writers including Park Sun, Park Se-dang, Park Je-ga and Yi Hang-ro visited and left texts, and Choe Ik-hyeon compared the rock to a dragon. A camping ground operates beside the site.

Wear sturdy shoes since the pathways around the pond can have varying conditions depending on the season. Early mornings or early evenings are the best times to visit, when birds are most active and the light is most pleasant.

The pond provides habitats for various water bird species that can be spotted here regularly throughout the year. Birdwatchers from the region visit often to document sightings, making it an important location for those interested in regional wildlife.