Early spring meets historical highs

HAENAM AND JINDO, South Jeolla Province — A trip down to this province at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula can be both peaceful and thrilling, if you make the right stops.

The first destination is the Sani Garden in Haenam, a county that has been upping efforts to take on new cultural relevance.

Since May last year, the garden has been drawing a steady stream of visitors from across the country. The sheer size of the garden -- five times that of Seoul’s Yeouido -- alone will strike awe.

The entire garden, divided into nine smaller gardens with different themes, will open in May. Building gardens takes time, and that’s only natural, said Lee Byung-chul, the CEO of Sani Garden.

“We’re making a home for trees for not days or years to come, but decades,” Lee said, noting how world-famous gardens look after centuries.

The vast greenery renders a warm vibe, both physically and emotionally, according to some family guests who have made repeat visits.

“It’s our second trip down here since last May when the garden opened part of its compound,” said Kim Myoung-shin, a mother of two who lives in Gangwon Province.

Open green spaces are soothing, Kim added, saying the installation artworks dotting the ground make the stroll around less monotonous.

“Honestly, plants alone aren’t enough to draw in children, because they would get bored quickly,” Kim said.

Jeon Jong-min, a resident of Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, who did not mind the two-hour drive down to the garden, summarized his take on the garden in two words: sunshine and seclusion.

“Well, I like the sun and I get enough of that everywhere I go here,” he said. “And this place is so huge that I don’t think it would ever get crowded. Spaces and spots to take photos are spread out and so are people, which I just love.”

Jeon agreed with Kim that the artworks help with contemplation.

One of the signature pieces popular with visitors is “Bridge of Human,” a standing human sculpture by Korean artist Yoo Young-ho that has the head down and arms spread open, with people of all ethnicities standing on the two arms.

The power of diversity, inclusion and communication is the message the artist wants to convey, a garden guide explained, saying the spirit embodies Sani’s mission.

Currently, the garden is running programs on the compound teaching middle and high school students about meditation and the ESG principles, in a broader discussion on learning about sustainability.

Soon, Sani Garden School will be launched to make sustainability education more formal, according to Lee.

“Our garden isn’t just to showcase plant species,” Lee said of his plans to reshape the traditional roles gardens have played in Korea.

“This is a place to sketch the kind of future we want to build, and try bringing it closer by facing the challenges blocking the path to that.”

Jindo Tower, a seven-story structure overlooking the Myeongnyang Strait, which separates Jindo and Haenam counties, was created to commemorate the Battle of Myeongnyang.

A five-person cable car operates across the narrow channel, the site of the naval victory by the outgunned forces led by the legendary Adm. Yi Sun-sin, who crushed the invading Japanese navy on Oct. 26, 1597.

“I felt giddy the whole time during the ride,” said Won jong-chan, a 20-something who chose a cable car with a see-through glass floor to “see the current up close,” a reference to how Yi used the strait’s current to his advantage.

A round trip takes about 20 minutes.

In addition to the exhibition halls introducing Jindo history, Jindo Tower has a cafe, restaurant and an observatory with mounted binoculars.

Since 2008, Jindo and Haenam have been jointly running the Great Battle of Myeongnyang Festival, an annual celebration that takes place in fall.

“It’s actually a year-round celebration because we regularly update what we show at the tower including the halls, and the panoramic views on the top change every season,” said Kim Kwang-soo, a tower guide.