A Day Among Black Stone, Ponds, and Poetry Monuments Across 18 ha in the Southern Valley of Seongjusan Mountain

Seongju-myeon's Transformation from a 1993 Poetry Monument Exhibition to Gaehwa Art Park in 2005

Gaehwa Art Park is an approximately 18-hectare space located in a valley south of Seongsan Mountain. Development began in 1993 with the exhibition of poetry monuments and sculptures in Gaehwa-ri, Seongju-myeon, and it opened in its current form as “Gaehwa Art Park” in 2005. The park contains the Mosan Museum of Art and Sculpture, Sculpture Park, Hwain Concert Hall, Herb Land, Badugi’s Zoo, Cafe Riris, Herb Hill Foot Bath Cafe, a seasonal snow sledding area, and other facilities distributed throughout the grounds.

The material language of this place is Boryeong’s oseok, or black stone. The Mosan Museum of Art, with its orange roof, was also built with black stone from Boryeong, and black-stone sculptures continue from the entrance onward. “Mosan” is known to have been taken from the pen name of Mr. Lim Myeong-sun, the grandfather of Lim Hang-ryeol, the museum’s founder. Accordingly, it is more accurate to understand the site as a private art complex that combines the region’s stone, literature, and sculpture, rather than simply as a nature park.

What to Check Before Entering for a 6,000-Won Walk, Open 09:00–18:00 Every Day

According to official tourism information, Gaehwa Art Park operates daily from 09:00 to 18:00 and has no holidays throughout the year. General admission is 6,000 won for adults and 4,000 won for children; children are defined as those from 37 months old through high school students. Holders of the Chungnam Tour Pass may enter free of charge, and a 1,000-won admission discount is available when using the Digital Tourism Resident Card.

The representative contact numbers are listed differently in various sources as 041-931-6789 and 041-931-4613. Therefore, it is safest to first contact 041-931-6789 to confirm same-day operations, activities, and whether the zoo requires separate admission. The official website is https://www.gaehwapark.co.kr, and on-site conditions may change depending on the weather, construction, and seasonal facility operations. The address is 673-47 Seongsan-ro, Seongju-myeon, Boryeong-si, Chungcheongnam-do.

• Hours: 09:00–18:00, open year-round
• Admission: Adults 6,000 won / Children 4,000 won
• Inquiries: 041-931-6789
• Address: 673-47 Seongsan-ro, Seongju-myeon, Boryeong-si, Chungnam

How Boryeong Black Stone Is Used, as Seen at the Mosan Museum of Art and Handwritten Poetry Monument Park

The Mosan Museum of Art is an indoor exhibition hub for viewing artists’ works, while sculptures using black stone are arranged from the entrance throughout the Sculpture Park. Handwritten Poetry Monument Park, featuring inscriptions in the handwriting of living poets, is another key part of the park. Viewing the outdoor sculptures and poetry monuments first and then entering the museum makes it easier to understand how stone functions as a building material, a sculptural material, and a medium for recording literature.

Wheelchair and stroller users can use the accessible restroom in front of the Mosan Museum of Art. The main entrance and access routes are described as barrier-free. However, previous accessibility information explicitly stated that the second-floor exhibition space of the museum is connected by stairs. Visitors expecting to see every exhibition floor should therefore ask staff about the route on site.

Why to Set Aside at Least Two and a Half Hours for a Walk Between Seven Ponds and Waterfalls

Seven ponds, waterfalls, and walking paths have been created throughout the park. Rather than only visiting the museum and leaving, follow a route from the entrance sculptures to Handwritten Poetry Monument Park, the pond and waterfall section, Herb Land, and then a cafe or meal. Since the park covers approximately 18 hectares, a recommended stay is two and a half to three hours when photography and rest are included.

Features repeatedly mentioned in visitor reviews and tourism information are the extensive grounds and dispersed arrangement of facilities. If someone in your group has difficulty walking, it is better to prioritize among the museum, Herb Land, and the pond area instead of trying to see every facility at once. On rainy or very windy days, the time spent among the outdoor sculptures and ponds may be reduced, so confirm operations by phone before setting out.

How to Budget Separately for Herb Land, Riris, and Badugi’s Zoo

Gaehwa Art Park includes Herb Land and Cafe Riris, and you can place the restaurant and cafe at Herb Land midway through or at the end of your walking route. Chungnam tourism information lists Riris Cafe at 177-2 Gaehwa-ri within the park, with the telephone number 070-4133-2845. The restaurant associated with Herb Land uses the same address, 673-47 Seongsan-ro.

Badugi’s Zoo is described as a separate facility near the park. According to Chungnam provincial information from 2024, its hours were 10:30–17:00, with Tuesdays closed. Materials for the 2026 Year of Visiting Chungnam list zoo admission separately as 8,000 won for general visitors and 7,000 won for groups. Do not assume that zoo admission is included in the park ticket; if you plan to visit the zoo, reconfirm the fees and closing days at 070-8806-4455.

Accessing Seongsan Mountain: Bus 900 from Ungcheon Station and Convenient Car Access via National Route 40

For public transportation, Boryeong tourism information suggests taking local bus 900 from the bus stop at Ungcheon Station. However, because the park is in a valley south of Seongsan Mountain, you should check the bus schedule, stop location, and walking section on the day of departure. Rail services from Yongsan Station to Daecheon Station include Mugunghwa, Saemaeul, and West Gold Train services, but Daecheon Station is not a location from which the park can be reached directly on foot.

By car, access is via National Route 40. The nearby access points introduced include Daecheon and Muchangpo interchanges on the West Coast Expressway and Seobuyeo Interchange on the Seocheon–Gongju Expressway. There is parking within the park, and accessibility tourism information also notes accessible parking and a barrier-free route to the main entrance. A private car is especially convenient given the extensive grounds, but it is advisable to ask about parking conditions before departing on weekends or group-visit days.

• Rail connection: Ungcheon Station bus stop → Local bus 900
• Road access: National Route 40; near Daecheon, Muchangpo, and Seobuyeo interchanges
• Parking: Parking available in the park; accessible parking information provided
• Accessible restroom: In front of the Mosan Museum of Art

How the Theme of Your Day Changes When You Add Seongsan Mountain Natural Recreation Forest and the Boryeong Coal Museum

Nearby attractions include Seongsan Mountain Natural Recreation Forest, Boryeong Mugunghwa Arboretum, Boryeong Coal Museum, and Oksan Mountain. Adding Seongsan Mountain Natural Recreation Forest after the park, where nature and sculpture are central, creates a forest-trail-focused itinerary. Adding the Boryeong Coal Museum lets you explore the industrial history of the Seongju area as well. Although these places are all in Boryeong, their character differs from a coastal itinerary centered on Daecheon Beach, so allow ample travel time.

The most efficient plan is to enter at 09:00 when the park opens, visit the museum and Sculpture Park first, walk around the ponds, and then rest at Herb Land or a cafe. If you plan activities for children, first call to confirm whether programs such as black-stone pressed-flower decorating, wood carving, plaster air fresheners, shrink-plastic key rings, ceramic bells, herbariums and postcards, and mug decorating are operating and whether reservations are required. If you include both activities and the zoo, it is best to plan a half-day itinerary.

A Preview of Gaehwa Art Park’s Museum, Herb Land, and Ponds in Eight Photos

The park is a place to experience by connecting the outdoor sculptures, ponds, Herb Land, and museum rather than focusing on a single building. The photos below were selected from images related to Gaehwa Art Park posted on the Chungnam tourism and Chungcheongnam-do websites, choosing materials where the place names were clearly identified.

Seasonal decorations and exhibits shown in the photos may change. In particular, areas affected by seasonal or operating conditions, such as flowers, activities, the zoo, and the snow sledding area, should be confirmed in advance by calling 041-931-6789.