Sayuwon is a vast arboretum and architecture park in the forested mountains outside Daegu, South Korea.

The enchanting, oversized stroll garden has miles of paths that meander through pine and hardwood forests to pavilions, ponds and viewpoints.

Yoo Jae-sung, the founder of a steel company based in Daegu, initially conceived of Sayuwon as a private country retreat and a place to preserve 108 ancient quince trees from across Korea.

Over time, Yoo expanded the idea of Sayuwon and opened his park to the public in 2021.

Sayuwon immerses visitors in the Korean concept of pungryu: the harmonious intersection of art, nature and contemplation.

The park is loosely organized around several specialty gardens and more than a dozen structures.

Pungseol Gicheonyeon is a hillside garden where Cor-ten (weathering steel) panels form rust-red terraces for Yoo’s prized collection of gnarled quince trees.

On a nearby ridge is Byeolyu Dongcheon, a series of centuries-old crape myrtle trees interspersed with boulders and stone lanterns.

Many of the structures at Sayuwon were designed by acclaimed Korean architect Seung H-Sang and Pritzker Prize-winning Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza.

Seung designed Hyeonam, a modern, Cor-ten steel structure projecting from a hillside. The first building at Sayuwon, it originally served as Yoo’s vacation home. It is a beautifully understated space with panoramic views of the mountains through a wrap-around wall of windows.

Near it is Geumoh Yuhyeondae, a viewing platform of patinaed steel that cantilevers over the treetops.

Another building by Seung is Sadam, a concrete, glass and steel pavilion containing a restaurant that overlooks a carp pond.

At certain times of year, performances take place on the restaurant terrace, with the audience sitting under zelkova trees on the other side of the pond.

Sayuwon has several other interesting structures designed by Seung, including Myeongjeong, an underground concrete bunker with a courtyard pond; Cheomdan, a monumental concrete water tank with a rooftop platform; and Wasa, a meandering Cor-ten steel walkway.

Alvaro Siza’s buildings include Naesim Nakwon, an intimate chapel with a whitewashed geometric exterior…

…and a somber, raw concrete interior.

Another Siza design is Soyoheon/Art Pavilion, a rambling concrete structure that showcases modernist sculptures in fragmented interior spaces and shady courtyards.

Siza also designed Sodae/Miradouro, a concrete observation tower with an internal staircase leading to the top.

Angular apertures in the concrete shell of the tower frame views of the landscapes around Sayuwon in the style of chagyeong (borrowed scenery), a principle of incorporating views of distant landscapes both as a scenic backdrop and as a natural extension of a garden.

In contrast to the contemporary buildings, Yuwon is a traditional Korean hanok-style pavilion in a garden with a pond, pine trees and lawns.

Sitting in the garden and gazing at the landscapes and water encourages a meditative state.

Among the experiences Artisans of Leisure can arrange at Sayuwon are lunch at the restaurant in the Sadam pavilion…

…and a private tea ceremony with traditional music in the Hyeonam house.

Artisans of Leisure can arrange a visit to Sayuwon as a private day excursion from Busan. Sayuwon requires several hours to experience its many unique spaces and views. It can also be combined with touring other cultural highlights around Daegu, such as Kansong Art Museum, Daegu Art Museum and Bullo-dong Ancient Tombs Park.

Contact Artisans of Leisure to begin planning a private South Korea tour.