North Gyeongsang Province

Seongju Seongbak Forest, Where 59 Giant Willows Meet Lilyturf

Seongju Seongbak Forest, located outside the west gate of Seongju Fortress, is a Natural Monument home to 59 giant willows that are 300 to 500 years old. It is open free of charge year-round, and visitors can enjoy an approximately 1 km walking trail along with the bicycle path beside the Icheon River.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Aug 25, 2026 16 min 138

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An artificial forest created outside the west gate of Seongju Eupseong in 1668

Seongju Gyeongsan-ri Seongbaksup is a village forest created outside the west gate of Seongju Eupseong during the Joseon period. , a Seongju-gun town gazetteer compiled in 1668, the ninth year of King Hyeonjong’s reign, records that a forest was established outside the west gate of Seongju Eupseong.

This forest did not grow naturally; it is an artificial forest created by people. In feng shui, it functioned as a protective forest for the village, while in practical daily life it was cultivated to prevent the nearby stream from flooding during torrential rain. Today, Seongbaksup is classified as a natural monument on the National Heritage Portal, and Seongju-gun is listed as its managing organization.

성주읍성 서문 밖에 조성된 성밖숲의 왕버들 풍경입니다. — A view of the weeping willow forest at Seongbaksup, established outside the west gate of Seongju Eupseong. — Photo source: visitkorea.or.kr

How to see 59 weeping willows aged 300–500 years

The main tree species at Seongbaksup is the weeping willow. Fifty-nine weeping willows aged 300–500 years form a group, with an average height of 12.7 m. Some trees exceed 16 m, and the circumference of the largest weeping willow reaches 16.7 m.

Unlike a typical park where pine, maple, ginkgo, and cherry trees are mixed together, the imposing weeping willows determine the character of this forest. The first tree encountered on the path from the parking lot into the forest is Tree No. 1, and a round bench large enough for dozens of people to sit on surrounds its trunk.

성밖숲 안쪽에서 굵은 왕버들 줄기와 둥근 벤치를 바라본 모습입니다. — A view of a thick weeping willow trunk and a round bench from inside Seongbaksup. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

Liriope blooming beneath the weeping willows from mid-August to early September

The forest’s signature seasonal scenery appears between mid-August and early September, when liriope blooms. When the liriope is in full bloom, the area beneath the green weeping willows turns purple, and the featured scenery continues into September.

Because this period is midsummer, daytime temperatures remain high even in the shade. The forest is open at all times and admission is free, but the liriope’s blooming conditions may vary each year. Reports from 2023 stated that nighttime lighting had been installed in the weeping willow grove and that Seongbaksup had been introduced as a nighttime tourism attraction in Seongju-gun; however, current lighting hours and schedules have not been confirmed.

왕버들 아래 보랏빛 맥문동이 펼쳐진 성밖숲의 계절 풍경입니다. — Seasonal scenery at Seongbaksup, with purple liriope spreading beneath the weeping willows. — Photo source: dailydgnews.com

An approximately 1 km forest trail and a walking route along the Icheon

Seongbaksup has an approximately 1 km circular trail. Guidance indicates that walking one full lap takes roughly 10–15 minutes at an adult’s pace, so an itinerary focused only on quickly touring the forest can be kept short. The Icheon is a tributary of the Nakdong River flowing beside the forest, and a bicycle path and jogging course have been developed along the Icheon.

For a longer walk, you can connect to the Seongju Byeolgoeul-gil trails. Course 1 runs 2.5 km from Seongbaksup to the side road beside Seongju Girls’ High School and takes a total of 40 minutes, passing Gwanunsa Temple, the site of Seonghwangsa Temple, Dalak, and Seongsanseowon Confucian Academy. Course 2 runs 2.4 km from Seongbaksup to the Ssangchung Historical Monument, passing Seongju Traditional Market, Yeongyedang, Cheongsa Library, Seongsangwan, and the Simsan Memorial Hall, and takes a total of 40 minutes. Course 4 runs 5 km from Seongbaksup to Byeolgoeul Sports Park and takes a total of 1 hour.

성밖숲 둘레길에서 왕버들 군락과 산책 공간을 함께 보는 장면입니다. — A scene where the weeping willow grove and walking area can be enjoyed together along the Seongbaksup circular trail. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

2.3 km from Seongju IC; Seongbaksup bus stop is served by Rural Bus No. 1

When arriving by car, Seongju IC is an easy starting point for visitors from outside the area. From Seongju IC, travel 2.3 km toward Seongju and Waegwan, turn left toward Seongju at Daehwang Intersection and continue 90 m, then turn right toward Seongbaksup-gil at Gyeongsangyo Samgeori and continue 206 m.

Public-transit users can search for Seongbaksup bus stop as their destination. The stop number is 3680540, and Seongju-gun rural regular bus No. 1 is confirmed to pass this stop. Bus No. 1 is described as departing from and returning to the Temporary Seongju Bus Terminal, but its interval and detailed timetable have not been confirmed, so it may be inconvenient for planning a tightly scheduled day trip using only buses.

Open at all times and free, but on-site convenience information is limited

Seongbaksup is described as open at all times, year-round, with free admission. The inquiry telephone number is 054-930-6782, and Seongju-gun’s official tourism website is https://www.sj.go.kr/tour. A road-name address has not been confirmed; the listed address is Gyeongsan-ri, Seongju-eup, Seongju-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Some sources state that the parking facilities accommodate 50 small vehicles and 5 large vehicles, while other information states that parking is free. Restrooms are reported to be available. The approximately 1 km circular trail, benches, bicycle path, and jogging course have been confirmed, but specific wheelchair and stroller-accessible sections have not been confirmed.

Things easy to overlook on a first visit

Seongbaksup is an open forest space rather than a tourist attraction with an indoor exhibition hall or a separate ticketing route. Therefore, there is no applicable distance from a ticket booth to the destination or admission closing time. Whether photography is prohibited, whether any facilities accept cash only, and whether English information or audio guides are available have not been confirmed.

An updated notice from December 2025 introduces the forest as a space used for residents’ walks and recreational sports. Tripadvisor user reviews mention it as a family picnic spot on weekends and a pleasant place for a walk after a meal. The Seongju Life and Culture Festival has previously been held around Seongbaksup and in central Seongju, so routes and the normally quiet walking environment may differ during the event period.

Photo programs and concerts previously held at Seongbaksup

Seongbaksup has previously hosted family photography programs. Information included in an article updated in January 2025 explains that participants photographed with a professional photographer from May to September and received a framed photo, a photography CD, and a Seongbaksup T-shirt for a participation fee of 30,000 won; reservations were required.

The same information also records that forest concerts were held in July and August, featuring fusion traditional Korean music, classical music, and acoustic guitar performances. The current operating status and reservation channels for these programs have not been separately confirmed, so visits to the forest, which is open at all times, should not be considered the same as participating in an event.

성밖숲 왕버들 사이의 열린 공간을 활용한 행사 풍경입니다. — An event scene making use of the open space among the weeping willows at Seongbaksup. — Photo source: dailydgnews.com

Before You Go

Address: Gyeongsan-ri, Seongju-eup, Seongju-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Hours: Open at all times
Closed: Open year-round
Admission: Free
Phone: 054-930-6782
Official site: https://www.sj.go.kr/tour
Transport: Rural regular bus No. 1, which stops at Seongbaksup bus stop (stop number 3680540). From Seongju IC, travel 2.3 km toward Seongju and Waegwan, turn left toward Seongju at Daehwang Intersection for 90 m, then turn right toward Seongbaksup-gil at Gyeongsangyo Samgeori for 206 m.
Parking: Parking available. Some sources state that parking is available for 50 small vehicles and 5 large vehicles; other sources state that parking is free.
Time needed: Based on reviews and travel articles, walking the approximately 1 km forest loop takes roughly 10–15 minutes. Nearby Byeolgoeul-gil Courses 1 and 2 are each listed as taking a total of 40 minutes.
Accessibility: An approximately 1 km circular trail, benches, a bicycle path, and a jogging course have been confirmed. Detailed accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers could not be confirmed.

The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check official information again before visiting.

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