How Egrets Choose Their Breeding Grounds at San 4, Gamseong-ri, Geumnam-myeon
The Geumnam Egret Habitat is a natural habitat located at San 4, Gamseong-ri, Geumnam-myeon, Sejong Special Self-Governing City. A 10,000-pyeong wooded hill, surrounding plains, and shallow streams create a breeding environment for egrets and grey herons. It is introduced as a place where egrets arrive in the greatest numbers in April and May.
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What kind of place is Gamseong-ri San 4?
The Geumnam Egret Habitat is a natural habitat located at San 4, Gamseong-ri, Geumnam-myeon, Sejong Special Self-Governing City. The Korea Tourism Organization introduces it as a place where egrets live on a wooded hill covering approximately 10,000 pyeong, and classifies it as a natural habitat rather than a paid facility with separately posted operating hours.
The area around the habitat includes broad plains and a shallow stream flowing into the Geum River. The forest where the egrets build their nests consists of chestnut, acacia, and pine trees, so it differs in character from places such as exhibition halls or zoos with designated viewing routes.
Why it became protected in 1989 and 2012
The Geumnam Egret Habitat is said to have developed as an egret breeding ground from the Joseon period to the present, and is introduced as one of the oldest egret breeding grounds in Korea. Records indicate that it was designated a Sejong Special Self-Governing City Monument in 1989, and it was designated a City/Province Monument on December 31, 2012.
According to current records, the designated authority is Sejong Special Self-Governing City, and among natural heritages it is classified as a natural protection area, a site of natural scientific value, and a site of special biological significance. The National Institute of Biological Resources explains that colonial breeding sites of egrets are biological indicators used to assess ecosystem health, particularly the health of wetlands.
A habitat that shifted from 1,300–2,000 birds to a heron-centered population
Records state that 1,300–2,000 egrets arrived each year and bred in groups. Great egrets, little egrets, and cattle egrets lived there together, and some introductions state that when egrets, grey herons, and cattle egrets are counted together, the number exceeded 5,000 at its peak.
However, current records explain that while the number of egrets has declined, grey herons now breed in their place. Grey herons fly to the habitat beginning in February and start breeding; after laying their first clutch around April, they raise a second clutch between June and July and leave the breeding ground by August.
Why you should visit in April and May
April and May are introduced as the best months to visit. This is when the greatest number of egrets fly in and create the appearance of the breeding ground. Actual bird numbers and observation conditions may vary each year, so this place should not be understood as a tourist facility that guarantees sightings of a specific number of birds.
The egret is a waterbird belonging to the heron family of the stork order. Records describe it as having a white body, yellowish-white skin around the eyes, a long black bill and black legs, and yellowish-green toes; these features can help distinguish its shape when observing it from a distance.
How to take Bus 64 from Sejong Bus Terminal
By public transportation, take Bus 64 from Sejong Bus Terminal toward Gamseong-ri. The listed route runs in the following order: Sejong Bus Terminal, Geumnam-myeon Office, Balsan-ri, Gamseong-ri, Chuksan-ri, Geumcheon 1-ri, and Geumcheon 2-ri. Subway access is not available.
The timetable includes 06:00, 06:15, 06:35, 07:05, 07:25, 08:45, 09:05, 09:55, 10:15, 10:45, 11:05, 11:45, 12:05, 13:25, 13:45, and 14:05, among other times. The walking distance from the Gamseong-ri bus stop to the habitat and the latest operating times could not be confirmed in publicly available sources, so it cannot be assumed that getting off the bus leads directly into the forest.
Free of charge, but there is no ticket booth or viewing route
Admission is listed as free. This is not a paid facility with separately published operating hours, and closing days could not be confirmed in publicly available sources. Therefore, it is not a tourist attraction where visitors buy tickets at a booth and enter a designated exhibition area.
Publicly available sources do not provide information on photography restrictions, permitted access areas, viewing control lines, cash-only policies, English guidance or audio guides, or on-site waiting lines. Since this is not a place for closely approaching breeding wild birds, visitors should not plan to enter the forest arbitrarily or observe the birds in a way that disturbs them.
Travelers who should consider uneven surfaces and facilities first
There is an uneven step at the main entrance, and low-floor bus access is listed as unavailable. Accessible restrooms and designated parking spaces for people with disabilities are also marked as unavailable, so wheelchair users and stroller users should plan their mobility conditions especially carefully.
Whether parking is available, parking fees, and the recommended viewing duration could not be confirmed in publicly available sources. Information about bringing pets may also vary depending on local circumstances, so if you plan to bring a pet, it is safer to inquire in advance by calling the tourism information number at 044-300-5833.
Geumnam Egret Habitat information to note before visiting
The address is San 4, Gamseong-ri, Geumnam-myeon, Sejong Special Self-Governing City, and some English tourism information also lists it as Gamseong-gil 45-13, Geumnam-myeon, Sejong. The official tourism information page is the Geumnam Egret Habitat page on the Korea Tourism Organization’s VisitKorea website, and the address and transportation information may differ from the actual access point depending on road conditions.
Operating hours: “No separate operating hours provided”; closing days: not publicly available; admission: free. The inquiry telephone number is 044-300-5833. Considering the restrictions on subway access, low-floor bus access, and accessible facilities, it is most accurate to plan a short observation visit during daylight hours in April or May rather than regard it as a facility visit that guarantees entry to the site.
Before You Go
- Address
- San 4, Gamseong-ri, Geumnam-myeon, Sejong Special Self-Governing City
- Hours
- No separate operating hours provided
- Admission
- Free
- Phone
- 044-300-5833
- Official site
- https://korean.visitkorea.or.kr/detail/ms_detail.do?cotid=e78f3d2d-f26e-4978-8d4e-049b91a05f84
- Transport
- Take Bus 64 from Sejong Bus Terminal; service toward Gamseong-ri
- Accessibility
- Uneven step at the main entrance; no subway access; no low-floor bus access; no accessible restroom or designated parking space for people with disabilities
The information above is accurate as of the time of writing. Check the official guidance again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
-
1
Bihaksan MountainA popular hiking destination where you can enjoy views of the summit and Bihakjeong Pavilion while walking along the Nuri-gil trail. -
2
Kkoekkori-bongEnjoy the bends of the Geumgang River and the surrounding scenery along the walking trail. -
3
National Sejong ArboretumExplore a variety of plants, including those in the Four Seasons Greenhouse and the Korean Traditional Garden.
Food & Dining 3
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4
Seonggyeong Dumpling Cuisine Specialty Restaurant, Sejong Geumnam BranchA Korean restaurant serving mandu hot pots, including white and red hot pots. -
5
Jinju Naengmyeon IseolokA restaurant serving Jinju-style naengmyeon topped with yukjeon, along with galbitang. -
6
Gyeongseong Kalguksu Sejong Balsan BranchA restaurant serving spicy kalguksu, clam kalguksu, perilla-seed kalguksu, and boiled pork.
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