Where you can see Bonsai and Suiseki in Korea

The Korea Bonsai Association

Bunjae Artpia (Bonsai Art Park) - Cheju Island

Mok Suk Won Park (Viewing Stones) - Cheju Island

Yongduam (Dragon Rock) - Cheju Island

Korean Bonsai Nurseries

Korean Suseok (Suiseki)

Gyung-Bo Museum Of Palaeontology - Yongduk

Toju Cultural Festival - Chongdo

 

 Korean Gardens and Lifestyle

Korean Folk Village - Su won

Heewon Traditional Korean Garden - Ho-Am Art Museum

Yeomiji Botanical Garden - Chungmun Tourism Complex

 

Other Korean Bonsai related web pages

Mi Kwang Ceramic Mfg. (Bonsai Pots) 444-1, Hoedong-dong, Kumjung-gu, Pusan, Phone +82-51-522-5208

Yesol Bonsai

www.bonsai.co.kr

Useful information about Bonsai in Korea - other visitors experiences

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Korean Bunjae

Bonsai spread to Korea during the Tang or Song Dynasty (7th - 13th century). Bunjae is the Korean word for the practice of the art of Bonsai. Bunjae trees are not miniature hybrids; they are normal trees intentionally dwarfed into an aesthetically pleasing shape by constant pruning and training with wires. Korean Bunjae cultivators tend to focus on using native species namely pines, juniper, hornbeam, zelkova, azaleas and painted maples. Small leafed trees are preferred because leaves stay in proportion to the tree trunk.

The Korea Bonsai Association

Bonsai is a creative art when we look at the beautiful condition of nature and associate it with growing flower patterns or growing shapes of trees. The korea Bonsai Association is composed of members of independent co-operative spirit to make a better potted plant business striving for the member's economic success. Moreover, the goal of our association is to spread potted plant production technology to our national agriculture industry to increase farming and fishing communities' income and modernize the growing of potted plants. Much of this site is in Korean and lists Bonsai growers, Pot & tool suppliers all across Korea.
ADDRESS: 84-23, Poongsan-dong, Hanam City, Kyonggi, Korea. TEL: 82-347-794-5082 FAX: 82-347-794-5101

Korean Bunjae Museum - Yangjae neighborhood of Seoul
A place to observe bunjae in its finest display is the Korean Bunjae Museum, located in the Yangjae neighborhood of Seoul. Upon opening the front door, you taste the humid warm air, so rich and sweaty; that green moss grows on the indoor stonework in midwinter, Weathered wood planks and beams support the vinyl rooftop and pebble lined paths weave through the hundreds of boonjae trees. Some on display are over 200 years old and there are many smaller trees on sale, perfect for the beginner to try the hobby.

Cheju Island - another link to Cheju

Cheju Island is only an hours flight from Seoul and less than that from Pusan. There are also direct flights from Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sendai and Nagoya in Japan. You can also reach the island by ferry from Pusan, Mokplo, and Wando Island. Apart from Bonsai there is much more to do, glass bottomed boats & submarines, Casinos, shore & deepsea fishing, 3 golf courses, climbing, scuba diving, and Folk Villages.

Bunjae Artpia (Bonsai Art Park) - Cheju Island

The art of Bonsai which is called Bunjae and Punjae in Korean, was introduced to Korea from China over 700 years ago. The Bunjae Artia is the dream of Mr Bum Young Sung who did the planning and construction. The collection consists of approximately 2,000 Bonsai of about 100 species which are displayed in a beautiful garden and indoor displays. Amid the rapid development in the Korean economy since the 1970s, Bonsai too, has made great progress. The Korea Bonsai Association was founded in 1984, and the world's largest Bonsai park, Bunjae Artpia was opened on Cheju Island in July 1992.

I am told that there are 2 permanent Bonsai displays on Cheju Is and many Bonsai shops along the road sides selling Bonsai.

Mok Suk Won Park - Cheju Island
Mok Suk Won Park is a public park that contains a whole variety of unusual rocks and storm-polished pieces of wood which have been collected from around the island. It has many tales concerning stones that are visualized with stones and trees. Around 1,000 roots of old trees and about 500 stones of human-like shapes are displayed within the natural woods. The most famous exhibition in Moksok-won is the "The Life of Kapdol". There is a series of stone sets named as a couple "Kapdol" and "kapsun" showing their life of young, middle and old ages respectively. It is especially popular among newly wed couples.
Location: Ara-dong, in the garden and is 15 min. drive by city bus south of Cheju City. It is located at the entrance to Cheju National University,

 Yongduam (Dragon Rock) - Cheju Island
This is an unusual lava formation on the coast just west of Cheju city. The basalt head with its open mouth is one of Cheju's popular tourist sites. It gets its name from the fact that it looks like a dragon which has opened its mouth to roar.

Yeomiji Botanical Garden - Chungmun Tourism Complex Cheju Island
Yeomiji Botanical Garden located in Chungmun Tourist Complex is a spacious greenhouse in which 2,000 varieties of flowering plants and trees as well as over 1,700 kinds of semi-tropical floras are growing.

Sun You Bonsai Nursery - Koyang-city, Kyunggi
With more than 24 years experience in the bonsai industry, Sun You Bonsai Nursery has been a relaible source of pre and finished bonsai. We also have a wide variety of ceramic pot,bonsai tools and bonsai accessories for our customers in overseas countries. Sun You Bonsai Nursery last year exported 240,000 dollars worth of Bonsai materials.
ADDRESS: 339-1 Ohkeum-Dong, Deukyang-Ku, Koyang-City, Kyungki-Do.
TEL: 82-2-381-2226 FAX: 82-2-381-7356 Mobile: 011-306-2226

Korea Bonsai Company - Vancouver, B.C., Canada
The Korea Bonsai Company is the largest importer and exporter of Korean bonsai in Canada and the United States.

Korea Bonsai Nursery Co-op
Korea Bonsai Nursery Co-op provides the following bonsai trees: Sosa, seashore pine tree, pine tree, Chinese quince, baby apple tree, maple, royal azalea, etc. These trees are popular ones for Bonsai and suitable for the Korean climate
ADDRESS: 84-23, Poongsan-dong, Hanam City, Kyonggi, Korea. TEL: 82-347-794-5082 FAX: 82-347-794-5101

In Cheon Bonsai Nursery Exporter
It is no exaggeration to say that the landscape of Korea itself is a bonsai, in other words, the Korean climate is ideal for bonsai as well described in Yanhwhasork by Kang Han almost 500 hundred years ago.
ADDRESS: #405-290, 398, Susan-dong, Namdong-ku, Incheon City, Korea
E-mail: IBNKOREA@thrunet.com TEL: 82-32-463-6376 FAX: 82-32-469-8870

Milim Garden(Yongnong Co-op Cor)
Sosa trees, originally from Korea belongs to the deciduous broadleaf tree family. Korea exports Sosa, a bonsai worth more than $10,000. Milim also plans to launch its bonsai business overseas in the U.S., Europe, Japan, Taiwan, etc.
ADDRESS: 90-1, Juam-dong, Kwachun City, Kyonggi, Korea. TEL: 82-2-504-2581~6 FAX: 82-2-504-5285

Yoju Bonsai materials Products Membership Club
ADDRESS: 575, Sangpum-Ri, Sanbuk-Myen, Yoju-Gun,kyunggi-Do, Korea TEL: 82-337-4542, FAX: 82-337-84-4543

B&B Bonsai Nursery - Masan, Kyungnam
Our farm is located in Masan, Kyungnam. famouse port city, specialized in raising potted plants. You can find diverse potted plants and will get an opportuinty to learn how to cultivate our potted plants.
Tel: 0556) 673-6114 - Fax: 0556) 673-6115 - E-mail: bonsai@pr.co.kr

Suseok Natural Stones (Suiseki)

Korea is abundant in Suseok resources as it has many mountains, valleys, rivers and streams, long coastlines. Suseok means natural rock of ornamental and antiquarian value which is shaped after being washed by water for a long time. Korea has formed the Suseok association, a permanent body of the central committee of the Korean General Federation of Science and Technology in order to make an efficient use of Suseok resources. Suseok of particular value have been found in the basins of the River Ryesong in Kumchon county, North Hwanghae Province, and the River Rimjin in Poptong county, Kangwon Province.
Pyongyang Suseok Exhibition Hall - Tel: 850-2-1811, 381-8507 - Fax: 850-2-3814529

Yongduk Suseok are very famous among stone collectors throughout the country, for they have unusual figures abraded along many streams including Oshipchon, Songchon, and Dokeichon River. The marvelous shape and color of the stone is naturally formed. The Apricot Blossom Stone contains the natural color of purple or pink along with the vivid shape of the flower. The Peacock Stone shows the elegant tail of a peacock, while the Rose Stone unfolds the figure of a red rose on a gray ground. Flowers on the sunflower stone and the peony stone are so real that they seem to be cut out from photographs. The Landscape Stone reminds you a picture painted by a leading artist. In a word, the beauty and delicacy of Yongduk Susok is beyond description. There are some shops that sell Susok in and around Yongduk - checkout the link above.
Location: The Oshipchon river in Yongduk-gun, Kyongsangbuk-do

The Korean Suseok by Dr. Byung Ju Lee - This website has some great information in English about the history of Korean Suseok, there classification and collecting places in Korea.

The Viewing Stone - this website has a lot of information about Viewing Stones from Korea, China and Japan

Korea Rock Collection Association - information about Suseok (in Korean)

SuseokWorld - Lots of pictures of Suseok (in Korean)

Suseoksite - Lots of pictures, displays, exhibitions, etc. (in Korean)

Suseok.net - lots of information about Suseok (in Korean & English)

suseok.com.ne.kr - More information about Suseok and maybe club info. (in Korean)

Susok - Chewon-gun area - Susok have been found in the upstream of the Namhan River and Mt. Wolak area, which is well known as the home of the unusual or pleasing shaped and colored rocks.

Jamdu Suseok (Ornamental Stone) Garden restaurant - Muju-gun
The restaurant features about 1,000 ornamental stones inside and outside, including hopiseoks, which are common in this region. - Located at: 1191-1, Yongpo-ri, Muju-eup, Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do Tel: 063-322-7745/4644

Gyung-Bo Museum of Palaeontology - Yongduk

It exhibits more than 1,500 pieces of fossil collected from 20-odd countries including Korea. The Museum also contains a Susok (Suiseki) artistic natural stone pavilion
Location: Wonchok-ri, Namjong-myon, Yongduk-gun, Kyongsangbuk-do

Toju Cultural Festival - Chongdo

The Toju Cultural Festival includes a variety of cultural events such as Fire Relay, Traditional Rite, the Eve of Festival, Lantern Parade, Miss Peach Contest, Dance Performance, Play Performance, as well as artistic works exhibit, ceramic wares exhibit, Punjae (Bonsai) small-sized and curious-shaped tree exhibit, and Susok (Suiseki) curious-shaped stone exhibit.
Location: Chongdo County Hall - Event on during 3 days in the middle of August, depending on the blooming of peach flowers

Korean garden (Heewon), Ho-Am Art Museum - Yongin-si, Kyonggi Province

Korean garden in the grounds of the Ho-Am Art Museum was completed after 4 years of long preparation period and was made to show the elegance of the korean garden's beauty, which is rarely found now days. Through their long history, Korean gardens served the desire of the Koreans to bring into their daily lives the pure beauty of nature, Hee Won revives the unique aestheticism of a traditional Korean garden in its every detail. With various architectural elements such as stone terraces, pleasure pavilions, ponds and enclosures, the garden creates a refreshing space of aesthetic contemplation, a meticulous work of architectural structures blending into the surrounding landscape. The garden is furnished with a number of antique stone objects collected by the Ho-Am Art Museum over many years sculptured by nameless masons of centuries ago, the stone pagodas, Buddhists status, guardian images, lanterns and water basins have been tactfully placed to constitute a fascinating features of the garden. Note Closed Mondays

Korean Folk Village - Su won

The Korean Folk Village just outside Su won offers a unique glimpse into Korea's past. Here in the village you will find farm houses, residences of the nobility and other old-style buildings, a functioning community of potters, millers, weavers, blacksmiths, pipe makers, and other craftsmen continue to work as their ancestors did. You can buy traditional Korean handicrafts, and the restaurants serve regional food and drinks. Folk dances, musical performances, and traditional ceremonies such as weddings are put on in the village's small amphitheater. This is worth visiting of you get time, it will take all day to see it all.
Location: Su won - Buses every 20 minutes from Seoul
Opening hours: 09:00-17:00 (Dec.-Feb.), 09:00-18:00 (Mar.-Nov.); admission fee: W3,600.