The bloom boom: Why every city wants a national garden
After Suncheonman drew trillions of won in economic impact, local governments across Korea are seeking national garden status to help tourism flourish and cultivate regional growth.
Suncheonman National Garden in Suncheon, South JeollaSUNCHEON
One garden brought in millions of visitors. Now everyone wants one. Inspired by the success of Suncheonman National Garden, local governments are branching out to earn national garden status in hopes of growing their own tourism success story.
Suncheonman National Garden, Korea's first national garden, opened in April 2013 on a 926,992-square-meter (230-acre) site in Suncheon, South Jeolla. The garden features different styles of traditional gardens from around the world, themed gardens, a children's zoo, a therapy garden and a history museum.
The city's 2023 Suncheonman Garden Expo attracted 9.81 million visitors and generated an estimated 3 trillion won ($1.95 billion) in combined economic impact.
Looking to replicate that success, Ulsan is scheduled to host the International Garden Expo at Taehwagang National Garden from April 2028 to October of that year.
Established in 2013 along the Taehwa River, Taehwagang National Garden spans 835,452 square meters. It is best known for its bamboo grove, where visitors can stroll beneath towering stalks as they sway in the wind. Originally designated as a local regional garden, it was elevated to national garden status in 2019 and now welcomes more than 5 million visitors each year.
As of the end of 2025, Korea had just two registered national gardens — Suncheonman National Garden and Taehwagang National Garden — according to the Korea Forest Service (KFS).
The country also has 68 regional gardens in various stages of development, including 16 completed and officially registered sites, 41 under construction and 11 in the planning stage. Regional gardens are designated by provincial governors or metropolitan city mayors.
Suncheonman National Garden in Suncheon, South JeollaSUNCHEON
The number of registered local gardens has more than tripled from five locations in 2022. Notable examples include Semiwon in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi, Juknokwon bamboo garden in Damyang County, South Jeolla, Geochang Changpowon in Geochang County, South Gyeongsang, Yeondangwon in Yeongwol County, Gangwon, and Gyeongbuk Millennium Forest Garden in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang.
More than 30 gardens, registered or in development, have reportedly requested national garden status.
The designation as a national garden comes with significant benefits. National gardens are eligible for up to 4 billion won in annual government funding. The central government also establishes a garden support center and provides financial support for national garden expos if the garden hosts one.
The KFS evaluates candidates based on historical significance, uniqueness, public use, regional cooperation and cultural impact. Gardens that score at least 70 criteria-based points go through two additional rounds of review before a final decision is made on national garden designation.
Visitors take photos of the flowers in bloom at the Taehwagang National Garden in Ulsan, on May 17.NEWS1
"Gardens are becoming more than just places for rest and relaxation; they are emerging as major tourism assets," Lee Seung-ran, a deputy director in the KFS’s arboretum policy division, said. "The success of the national gardens such as Suncheonman and Taehwagang has encouraged local governments across the country to pursue national garden designation rather than stopping at local garden status."
To meet the growing demand, the KFS recently unveiled its third five-year master plan for garden promotion, running from 2026 to 2030.
Under the plan, the number of national gardens will double from two to four by 2030. The number of local gardens will quadruple, while the number of private gardens will triple.
"The plan expands the role of gardens beyond simple green spaces into everyday infrastructure that enhances quality of life, supports balanced regional development, helps communities adapt to climate change and promotes biodiversity," said Park Eun-sik, the minister of the KFS.
Juknokwon bamboo garden in Damyang County, South JeollaDAMYANG COUNTY
The agency also plans to strengthen research into the health benefits of therapeutic gardens and integrate garden therapy into social prescribing, in which physicians prescribe nature, cultural activities or community engagement instead of medication or medical treatment.
It also aims to create 500 additional neighborhood gardens nationwide and offer incentives to outstanding private gardens. The government hopes to attract 60 million visitors to the gardens nationwide each year.
The KFS will introduce a national professional certification for the gardening sector from 2028 and train 23,000 garden management and operations professionals each year.
The organization also plans to strengthen the garden industry by establishing standardized classifications for garden materials, including plants, and supporting their commercialization. It will also help develop 300 new plant varieties and open a National Garden Materials Center (translated). To expand the industry's global competitiveness, the agency plans to support 14 export projects and build international partnerships.
"Gardens are key assets that improve people's quality of life while driving regional and industrial growth," said Park. "We will continue providing policy support so that everyone can enjoy and cultivate gardens in their daily lives."
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
