2026 14th Gyeonggi Garden Culture Expo

October 16–19: 190,000㎡ of “Reflection and Color” at Dumulmeori

As of August 10, 2026, the 14th Gyeonggi Garden Culture Expo had not yet opened. It was scheduled to take place for four days, from Friday, October 16 to Monday, October 19, throughout Semiwon and Dumulmeori. The event covers 190,000㎡ and is jointly hosted by Gyeonggi Province and Yangpyeong County. Its theme, “Dumulmeori Sa:Saek (Reflection·Four Colors),” layers the four colors of the seasons with reflection on life. The dates and venues were announced in the Yangpyeong County press release and the Gyeonggi Garden Culture Expo information.

The main attraction is the garden exhibition. Invited, professional, citizen, and corporate gardens are planned, while five artist gardens will be created in places such as the willow grove at Dumulmeori, each covering approximately 200㎡. The artist gardens were scheduled to be constructed from August 3 to September 30, with the announcement and awards for outstanding works planned during the opening ceremony on October 17. An opening ceremony, garden culture experiences, a garden industry exhibition, a conference, cultural and artistic performances, food trucks, and a flea market were also announced. Rather than being an exhibition focused solely on plants, it seemed likely to be designed around slowly moving through the riverside scenery and appreciating the gardens.

• Semiwon was designated Gyeonggi Province’s first local garden in June 2019.
• Dumulmeori, where the Namhan River and Bukhan River meet, and Semiwon are connected along one route, creating an anticipated flow through the waterfront, willows, and exhibition gardens.
• Photography enthusiasts should find October’s garden colors and the wide riverside sky ideal for capturing in a single frame.

A Day Connecting Semiwon and Dumulmeori from Yangsu Station Exit 1, 600m Away

If traveling with foreign friends, using Yangsu Station on the Gyeongui–Jungang Line as the starting point was the simplest option. Semiwon’s official English information states that Semiwon is a 600m walk from Exit 1 of Yangsu Station. From Cheongnyangni Station, you can take bus 167, get off at Yangsuri, and walk approximately 500m. From Gangbyeon Station, bus 2000-1 goes to the Yangseo Culture and Sports Park stop. There was also information that bus 2000-2 from Jamsil Station is a 100m walk from the stop in front of Semiwon. Semiwon has English pages for visitor information and transportation, so basic directions can be checked in English, but information about English signs and interpretation services at the expo had not yet been released. Saving Semiwon’s English information may be helpful while traveling.

According to Semiwon’s general visitor information, it operates without closing days from April through October, with regular opening hours from 09:00 to 18:00. Tickets are sold until 30 minutes before closing. The regular adult admission fee is 7,000 won, while the discounted fee is 4,000 won. Regular tickets include a 2,000-won Yangpyeong Sarang gift certificate, and discounted tickets include a 1,000-won certificate. However, these prices apply to general admission to Semiwon and should not be assumed to be the same as the expo admission fee. Whether the expo itself is free or paid, as well as whether cash, card, or mobile payments will be accepted, had not yet been announced, so it would be wise to bring a transit card along with an alternative payment method. Semiwon’s visitor information summarizes the current fees and rules regarding items brought inside.

• Semiwon’s English walking route introduces the Lotus Museum, Guksawon, the Onggi Jar Fountain, the Victoria Pond, the Baedari Bridge, Sangchunwon, and Dumulmeori in that order.
• The garden includes a mixture of flagstone paths, dirt paths, and grassy areas, so supportive sneakers were more comfortable than high-heeled shoes.
• Since the outdoor route is long, bringing a light jacket, water, and a portable charger should make time spent by the river more relaxed.

Yangsu Station’s 600m Distance and the 14,000㎡ Construction Area: What to Check Before Setting Out

It may be disappointing if you think of this as an event to see briefly and return from. The expo covers 190,000㎡ and is divided between Semiwon and Dumulmeori, so it is best to allow plenty of walking time to see all the exhibition gardens, performances, and food market. The actual crowd levels on October 17, when the opening ceremony was scheduled, and on weekends, as well as the performance schedule and registration process for experiences, had not yet been posted. It was safer to review the event route again just before setting out.

There are additional points to consider if you plan to drive. Yangpyeong County’s 2026 plan included improvement work covering 14,000㎡ around the access road, parking lot, and green area near Semiwon’s parking lot, scheduled from March through December. Therefore, parking locations and vehicle access routes during the event may differ from usual, so it is worth considering walking from Yangsu Station or taking the bus as alternatives. Details about this project and the expo plan are included in Yangpyeong County’s 2026 county administration plan.

• Semiwon has five wheelchairs available for rental. The Lotus Museum has an elevator, and there is an accessible restroom in front of the ticket booth at the entrance.
• Four accessible parking spaces are indicated at the public parking lot in Yangseo-myeon, and the main entrance can be accessed without steps.
• However, some paths are dirt or grass, and the traditional games area beneath the elevated bridge is unpaved, so assistance from a companion may sometimes be needed.
• Semiwon’s general visitor rules prohibit bringing in food but allow beverages. Food trucks were planned for the expo, but their menus, payment methods, and locations had not yet been announced.

Accessibility facilities and surface conditions could be reviewed in advance through Accessible Tourism Semiwon information.

The Willow Grove of Sa:Saek: Which Travelers Will Enjoy It?

This expo should suit travelers interested in plants, landscaping, and public gardens; travelers who enjoy riverside walks; and foreign visitors who want to take the Gyeongui–Jungang Line from Seoul for a day trip. In particular, seeing the five artist gardens planned for the willow grove together with the waterways of Dumulmeori should make the seasonal changes expressed by the theme “Sa:Saek” feel more vivid. Conversely, travelers who require English explanations or confirmed experience reservation times may feel more comfortable adding it to their itinerary after detailed operating information is announced. These four days of walking along gardens where two river branches meet should make an appealing autumn itinerary for anyone wishing to quietly take in Yangpyeong’s nature.