사람꽃여행
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Sayuwon Secret Garden Tour (from Seoul)

Real Local Korea

Sayuwon Secret Garden Tour (from Seoul)

[KTX] 비밀의 정원 사유원 가을 도슨트 하루 기차여행 (서울출발)

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Four docent-guided hours in Sayuwon, Korea's most exclusive arboretum-garden, plus the nostalgic Hwabon rail station.

Sayuwon in Gunwi is a vast private garden of old trees, stone architecture and quiet lookouts — normally hard to book. This trip includes a four-hour docent tour, plus a stop at Hwabon, one of Korea's prettiest countryside stations.

Departures

  • Season: Sep 12 – Nov 22 (Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun)
  • Departure: Seoul Station 07:50 (KTX 15) · via Gwangmyeong 08:09
  • Return: dep. Dongdaegu 19:25 (KTX 64) → arr. Seoul 21:24
  • Meeting: 20 min before departure, Seoul Station 3F — flag by the photo booth
  • Minimum group size: 25 — we contact you if the trip does not fill

Itinerary

  • 07:30 Meet at Seoul Station, 3F
    • Flag meeting by the photo booth
  • 07:50 Depart Seoul — KTX 15
    • Boarding at Gwangmyeong 08:09 possible
  • 09:31 Arrive Dongdaegu
    • Join the Suseo group, then board the coach — ~20 min wait
  • 09:50 Meet the guide · coach to Gunwi
  • 11:00 LunchHanwoo bulgogi hot pot
  • 12:20 HighlightSayuwon docent tour (~4 hours)
    • A garden of contemplation by architects Seung H-Sang, Álvaro Siza and Choi Wook, landscape by Jung Young-sun
    • Guided walk through Soyoheon, Myeongjeong and more
    • Centuries-old quince trees — fruit ripens from mid-September
  • 16:30 Transfer to Hwabon
  • 16:50 HighlightHwabon Station
    • Open since 1938 — voted Korea's most beautiful countryside station
    • Steam-era water tower · a favorite photo spot
  • 19:25 Depart Dongdaegu — KTX 64
  • 21:24 Arrive Seoul

Highlights

Sayuwon

A private arboretum-garden shaped by architects Seung H-Sang, Álvaro Siza and Choi Wook with landscape master Jung Young-sun. Old trees, stone, and architecture for slow thinking — entry is by advance reservation only.

Hwabon Station

A countryside station open since 1938, voted the most beautiful in Korea, with its steam-locomotive water tower still standing.

Included

  • Round-trip KTX fare
  • Local coach
  • Lunch
  • Entrance fees
  • Guide service

Not included

  • Meals not listed
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance

Good to know

  • Sayuwon admits visitors by advance reservation — entry is confirmed with the group booking.
  • The garden involves a fair amount of walking — comfortable shoes recommended.
  • Departure dates are confirmed during a quick consultation after you send a request.
  • Train times may change slightly depending on Korail schedules, and local traffic can delay parts of the day.
  • Parts of the itinerary may change due to weather or local conditions.

Booking guide

Group size & vehicles

  • If the minimum group size is not reached, the trip may be cancelled — we let you know 3–4 days ahead and refund in full.
  • The local coach matches the group: 10–19 guests a 25-seat minibus, 20–30 a 33-seat coach, 31–45 a 45-seat coach.

Boarding the train

  • We text you the departure details 1–3 days ahead.
  • If you board at an intermediate station, boarding is on your own (no staff at that station).
  • Train and coach seats are assigned automatically and cannot be chosen; your party may occasionally be seated apart.
  • Lost tickets are hard to reissue — a personal repurchase may be needed.

During the trip

  • Meals are set for tables of four — parties of one or two may share a table with fellow travelers.
  • Accidents caused by a traveler's own negligence or health condition are the traveler's responsibility.
  • Pets cannot join the train or coach.
  • Behavior that disturbs other guests (such as drinking on board) may be stopped at the guide's discretion.
  • Bookings are confirmed in order of payment; if the trip sells out first, your deposit is fully refunded.

Cancellation & refunds

Up to 4 days before departureNo fee· full refund
3 days before departure20% of price· cancellation fee
2 days before departure50% of price· cancellation fee
1 day before · same day100% of price· non-refundable
  • Issued train tickets, ferries or accommodation that cannot be cancelled may be non-refundable regardless of the table above.
  • Cancellations and changes are handled by phone or message during business hours; requests outside hours are processed the next business day.