Herb Island & Pink Sand

Founded in 1998 in the mountainous valley of Sinbuk-myeon in Pocheon, Herb Island was established to introduce the therapeutic and sensory pleasures of Mediterranean herbal lifestyles to Korea. Evolving over 25 years into a sprawling 330,000-square-meter botanical wonderland, it holds the distinction of being South Korea's first and largest comprehensive herb theme park, certified by the Ministry of Agriculture as an outstanding rural tourism destination.

The park features evocative architectural zones: the Venice Village, where hand-rowed gondolas glide along indoor-outdoor canals surrounded by Italianate facades; the Herb Botanical Museum, housing over 250 species of Mediterranean herbs in an interconnected glass conservatory; the Santa Village, blanketed year-round in Christmas cheer with life-sized nutcrackers; and the newly sensationally popular Pink Sand Desert, an imaginative landscape of vibrant pastel-pink sand dunes offering sand sledding and scenic photo perches.

Spring fills the open-air terraces with blooming geraniums, rosemary, and lavender blossoms. Summer brings night festivals where visitors ride glowing gondolas beneath warm starlit skies. Autumn dresses the hillside forest in fiery crimson foliage framing purple lavender and pink muhly fields during the Pink Fest. Winter is the crowning glory with the world-famous Light Fairy Tale Festival, when millions of synchronized LED light bulbs illuminate Santa Village and the surrounding pine ridges against pure white snow.

Herb Island operates Sunday through Friday from 10:00 to 21:00, and Saturdays from 10:00 to 22:00 (closed on Wednesdays). The dramatic LED light festival illuminates automatically every day at sunset (around 17:30 in winter, 19:30 in summer). The best visiting timeframe is arriving around 15:30 to explore the aromatic greenhouses, experience the Pink Sand sledding, and enjoy a warm herbal foot bath before the sea of lights transforms the night.

Standard admission is 12,000 KRW for adults (17+) and 10,000 KRW for children (37 months to middle school) and seniors over 65. The Pink Sand sledding hill and gondola rides are accessible via small additional activity fees (around 5,000 to 7,000 KRW). International credit cards are accepted throughout the park's ticket booths, gift shops, and restaurants.

From central Seoul, take Seoul Subway Line 1 north to Soyosan Station (the northern terminus of Line 1). From the bus stop across the station, board city bus route 57 or 57-1 directly to the Herb Island bus stop in approximately 35 minutes. Alternatively, chartered day-tour shuttles operate from Myeongdong and Hongik University stations on weekends. Ample free parking lots accommodate over 2,000 vehicles.

The main central village, Venice canal zone, Herb Museum greenhouses, and bakery cafes are connected via paved, level brick and asphalt pathways with ramps suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. The upper hillside trails to the Santa Village and Pink Sand feature gentle inclines with wooden boardwalks. Accessible restrooms and complimentary wheelchair rentals are provided at the Main Information Center.

Recommended 3-Hour Aromatherapy & Fantasy Route: Enter through the Aroma Healing Center → tour the fragrant indoor greenhouse at the Herb Botanical Museum → stroll through the Venice Canal Village and admire the gondolas → climb up to the surreal Pink Sand Desert to photograph the pastel pink dunes → visit Santa Village and walk down the Tunnel of Wishes → relax with a warm herbal aroma foot bath at the Healing Spa → sample freshly baked Herb Garlic Bread at the Island Bakery → watch the dazzling night lighting spectacle.

Herb Island is celebrated for aromatic gastronomy: feast on the famous Herb Bibimbap (served with colorful edible organic flowers and herbs), sizzling herb pork ribs, handmade herbal sausages, and freshly brewed rosemary tea. The historic Herb Island Bakery is famous across Korea for its signature Herb Garlic Bread—crisp on the outside and dripping with buttery, herbal garlic sauce.

Vegetarian diners can enjoy customized plant-based dining: fresh edible flower herb bibimbap (served without meat), vegetable pasta with fresh basil and oregano, rustic potato pancakes, and organic herb salads. The bakery offers vegan sourdough loaves, herbal tea infusions, and lavender soft-serve ice cream.

Signature photo backdrops: posing atop the pastel-pink sand dunes of the Pink Sand Desert against clear blue skies, standing inside the glowing Tunnel of Wishes in Santa Village beneath thousands of twinkling fairy lights, taking a photo aboard an Italian gondola along the Venice canal, and capturing the vibrant colors of edible flower petals in the Herb Bibimbap bowl.

To maintain the botanical sanctuary, do not pluck herb leaves or step into floral research beds. Sand sledding on the Pink Sand hill must be conducted only with official park sleds and safety helmets provided. Smoking is strictly prohibited across all gardens and pine woodlands. Pets on leashes are permitted in outdoor areas.

The Welcome Information Desk operates a staffed first-aid clinic, nursing room, and lost-and-found desk. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are positioned at major activity centers. For inquiries about lighting times or festival programs, contact Herb Island at 031-535-6494 or dial the 1330 Korea Travel Hotline.

Located just 20 minutes east by car is the stunning Pocheon Art Valley with its emerald Cheonjuho canyon lake, making Herb Island the ideal evening finale to a full-day northern Gyeonggi journey.

Q: What is the Pink Sand area and can adults try the sand sledding? A: The Pink Sand area is an exotic landscape covered entirely in soft pastel-pink sand created for photography and sand activities; adults and children alike can rent sleds to slide down the pink dunes, making it one of the most viral photo hotspots in Korea.

Pocheon Art & Aromatic Evening Itinerary: Morning visit to Pocheon Art Valley emerald lake and monorail → authentic Pocheon Idong Galbi lunch → afternoon arrival at Herb Island for greenhouse touring and Pink Sand sledding → evening herbal foot bath and viewing of the Light Fairy Tale Festival → return to Seoul.