Suncheon turns into botanical oasis city through int'l garden expo

Visitors enjoy sunset at the green square during the Suncheonman International Garden Expo, Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, April 30. Courtesy of Suncheon City

By Lee Hae-rin

SUNCHEON, South Jeolla Province ― Located near the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, Suncheon is a serene city renowned for its wetland habitat and a slow travel destination recommended for those looking for a break from the bustle of city life.

The city, with its name literally meaning a "city abiding by heaven's will," has been transformed into a garden city through the Suncheonman International Garden Expo 2023 that kicked off, April 1.

Under the 203.2 billion won ($153 million) event running until the end of October, the city aims to showcase how urban green space can improve people's lives and present a sustainable ecological city model, which the city sees as necessary in the face of climate crisis.

The main venue of Suncheonman International Garden Expo, Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, April 23 / Courtesy of Suncheon City

Suncheon is a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve featuring coastal ecosystems with rich biodiversity. Its landscape was selected as one of the most beautiful in the country by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). However, what makes the city a remarkable ecotourism attraction is the decades of conservation efforts by its nature-loving people.

Back in 1992, Suncheon Bay was on the brink of turning into a wasteland. The city government even had plans to collect sand for construction materials from the bay's foreshore and reed fields, which would have permanently destroyed the coastal ecosystem. But civic-led movements successfully stopped the project in 1998, triggering conservation initiatives that opened a new chapter for the bay.

The bay's wetlands, the fifth-largest in the world, were registered in 2003 as a protected area by the Korean government and in 2006 to the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty on protecting wetland ecosystems named after the Iranian city where it was signed in 1971.

In 2009, the city made a bold decision to remove 282 electric power poles and 12,000 meters of power lines from around rice fields to protect endangered migratory birds. It also pushed for eco-friendly rice farming in the area to support the recovery of the bird population.

As a result, the wetlands are now home to hundreds of species and serve as a seasonal sanctuary for around 60 percent of hooded cranes, an endangered species whose global population is estimated at only 18,000. The hooded crane is now the official symbol of Suncheon City.

A flock of hooded cranes, an internationally endangered species whose total global population is estimated at 18,000, is spotted in reed fields in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, this undated photo. Courtesy of Suncheon City

Based on its conservation history, the city launched its first edition of the expo in 2013, with a focus on creating an eco-belt between the city's urban realm and its wetlands for preservation.

This year, the city government decided to expand the green zone to the city center, transforming 5,454 square meters of urban space and coastal areas into a garden. Over 100 types of flowers and 384 plant species will be presented at this year's expo. Tulips, cherry blossoms and yellow rapeseed flowers highlighted the opening in spring, while summer flowers including sunflowers, lilies and rose mallow are planted to reflect the change of season.

The transformation is especially noticeable in Ocheon Green Square, benchmarked from the Rheinaue Park in Bonn, Germany. Like the German park, Suncheon's water detention pond developed into a leisure venue for locals and visitors while maintaining its primary role as a reservoir that prevents downstream flooding.

Visitors walk along the asphalt road-turned-lawn walkway stretching over a kilometer at the Suncheonman International Garden Festival, in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, April 30. Courtesy of Suncheon City

The asphalt road-turned-lawn walkway at Green Island provides another remarkable viewpoint. The four-lane vehicle-only roads once stretching over a kilometer are now covered in green canopy, with speed-limit signs, traffic and streetlights from months ago still standing.

While many drivers have criticized the blocked road for worsening traffic, some visitors are in favor of the unique walking course. The city will decide on the future use of the space based on a survey with local residents once the expo ends.

The entire expo venue is mobility- and pet-friendly as well. Bumps are removed to enable wheelchairs and strollers to operate, while up to three hours of pet care service are available at a dog park staffed by professionals at the venue.

Suncheon's ecotourism has also proven lucrative. Backed by the city's rich cultural and historical resources, the city saw over 6.28 million visits in the midst of the pandemic last year after hitting a record at 10.2 million in 2019, significantly higher than 2011's 4.26 million.

The expo seeks to attract 8 million visitors with an estimated economic ripple effect of over 1.5 trillion won during its seven-month run.

However, the organizing committee expects to receive more visits, as over 3.6 million visitors have already stopped by the expo as of Monday.

Seven out of 10 people who moved to Suncheon in 2020 said they were satisfied with the life there, due largely to the ecological environment, the city survey shows.

Children frolic in the green garden at the Suncheonman International Garden Expo 2023 during the event's pre-opening for Suncheon residents, South Jeolla Province, March 25. Courtesy of Suncheon City

"We invite everyone worn out from the COVID-19 pandemic to visit Suncheon for a time of healing and recharging," Suncheon Mayor Roh Kwan-kyu said, confident his city will showcase how coexistence with nature brings happiness and high quality of life.