Suncheonman Bay Garden & Wetland

The garden was created for the Suncheonman Bay International Garden Expo, held from 20 April to 20 October 2013. The hosting was confirmed in September 2009 with the approval of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH). After the expo ended it reopened on 20 April 2014 under the name Suncheonman Garden, and on 5 September 2015 it was designated National Garden No. 1. Suncheon City introduces that it held the Suncheonman Bay International Garden Expo once more in 2023.

The foundations of the wetland are very old. Following the research of geologists, Suncheon City estimates that Suncheonman Bay began to take its present form about 8000 years ago. In 1996 79 hooded cranes were first found there, and on 31 December 2003 the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries designated and announced the Suncheonman Bay coast as Wetland Protection Area No. 3 (28 ㎢). On 20 January 2006 it was added to the Ramsar list together with the Boseong and Beolgyo tidal flats, and the city states this was a first in Korea for a coastal wetland. On 16 June 2008 it was designated Scenic Site No. 41.

There is a story behind the two sites being called a pair. When visitors increased greatly and there was worry that Suncheonman Bay would be damaged, Suncheon City studied management plans with experts for 1 year from 2007. As a result, it moved the wetland's entrance toward the city, about 5.5 km away, built the Suncheonman Bay International Wetland Center, and brought in the SkyCube as a way to reduce vehicles. The city describes the garden of flowers and trees between the bay and the city as an eco wall acting as a buffer. In 2009 it designated the surrounding farmland and other land as an ecosystem conservation zone.

As of the viewing date (2026-10-10), an individual ticket is 10,000 won for adults (19 to 64), 7,000 won for youth and soldiers (13 to 18) and 5,000 won for children (7 to 12). The ticket is valid only on the day, and re-entry is allowed once a day. You must get a stamp at the exit when you leave.

The National Garden and Suncheonman Bay Wetland are closed on the last Monday of each month. The garden's visiting guide gives viewing hours of 09:00 to 20:00 with entry until 19:00, which may change with weather. At the wetland, ticket sales (entry) run 08:00 to 17:00 from November to February, 08:00 to 18:00 in March, April, September and October, and 08:00 to 19:00 from May to August, and viewing continues until one hour after the entry cutoff. In October ticket sales end at 18:00. Night tickets are sold only in extended night periods such as the summer Mulbit Festival and the winter Byeolbit Festival, and a night ticket does not get you into Suncheonman Bay Wetland.

Bus No. 66 from opposite Suncheon Station takes about 21 minutes to the National Garden (East Gate) and about 35 minutes to Suncheonman Bay Wetland. From the intercity bus terminal it is about 30 minutes to the garden's East Gate and about 40 minutes to the wetland. From Yeosu Airport, the guidance is to change between Nos. 96 and 66, taking about 58 minutes to the wetland. By car it is about 10 minutes from Suncheon Station to the garden.

At the wetland, walk only on the designated paths, and do not bring food, smoke or drink. Bicycles and powered mobility devices cannot enter, and pets cannot be brought. The guidance is not to bring drones, for the sake of the migratory birds. The trails have no lighting, so take care when you come back after watching the sunset.