Taehwagang National Garden (Bamboo Grove)

Historically recorded since the Joseon Dynasty, the vast bamboo groves of Taehwagang protected low-lying agricultural villages along the floodplains of the Taehwa River. During Korea’s rapid industrialization in the 1970s and 80s, industrial effluents severely polluted the river, earning it the grim moniker 'River of Death'. Through an extraordinary multi-decade ecological revival project championed by citizens and government, the river ecosystem was restored to pristine purity, leading to its historic designation in 2019 as South Korea's 2nd National Garden.

The 835,452-square-meter parkway encompasses six thematic ecological districts: Bamboo Ecology, Seasonal Flowers, Water Ecology, World Show Gardens, Horticultural Birds, and Civil Participation Gardens. The absolute visual masterpiece is Simnidaesup ('Ten-Li Bamboo Grove'), a continuous 4-kilometer emerald tunnel containing over 500,000 towering bamboo stalks, featuring the world-famous 'Milky Way Trail' (Eunhasu-gil) where thousands of fiber-optic green and blue lasers illuminate bamboo stalks like dancing stars after dusk.

Spring explodes with over 60 million colorful seasonal blossoms during the Spring Flower Festival (poppies, cornflowers, and yellow rape blossoms). Summer provides deeply cooling forest bathing under towering green bamboo culms and thriving migratory egret colonies. Autumn brings waves of purple silver grass and cosmos dancing beside the tranquil river. Winter offers mystical strolls along frost-tipped bamboo pathways illuminated by crisp starry night skies.

The national garden pathways, riverside boardwalks, and Simnidaesup Bamboo Grove are open 24 hours daily with free access. The iconic Milky Way Trail laser lights illuminate automatically from sunset until 23:00 daily. The Taehwagang National Garden Visitor Center operates from 09:00 to 18:00. Late afternoon arrival around 17:00 allows visitors to experience both the lush daytime emerald bamboo tunnel and the romantic night Milky Way illuminations.

Admission to Taehwagang National Garden, Simnidaesup Bamboo Grove, the World Gardens, and the Milky Way Trail is completely free of charge. Ecofriendly electric garden touring shuttles (Gukgajeongwon Train) operate for a nominal fee of 2,000 KRW (adults) / 1,000 KRW (children).

From Taehwagang Station (Donghae Line metropolitan rail and KTX connection), board City Bus 133, 417, 708, or 807 and ride approximately 25 minutes to the 'Taehwagang National Garden' bus stop. Alternatively, take a quick 15-minute taxi from downtown Ulsan.

The entire 83-hectare riverside terrain is exquisitely barrier-free, featuring flat paved corridors, level wooden boardwalks winding through bamboo groves, and curb-free connections. The Visitor Center features passenger elevators, automated doors, braille maps, and accessible restrooms. Complimentary wheelchairs and baby strollers are loaned at the main visitor information desk.

Taehwagang Visitor Center → stroll across the Great Lawn and Seasonal Flower Fields → enter the Simnidaesup Bamboo Grove through the southern bamboo portal → walk the tranquil 4km emerald tunnel to the Bamboo Ecology Center → relax at the historic Taehwaru Riverfront Pavilion → return to the bamboo grove at twilight to walk the illuminated Milky Way Trail (approx. 2 to 3 hours).

The lively Taehwa Food Street along the northern parkway is famous for regional flavors: Eonyang-style charcoal-grilled bulgogi (minced seasoned beef patties grilled over oak charcoal), spicy fresh-water Mae-euntang, cold Dongchimi buckwheat noodles, and fresh sliced raw octopus.

Riverside modern cafes and bakeries serve vegan fruit smoothies, oat-milk lattes, and artisan sourdough bread. Traditional bibimbap and mountain herb restaurants bordering the garden offer pure plant-based dining sets.

Iconic photo spots: standing inside the enchanted Simnidaesup Milky Way Trail at night as laser star points glitter across green bamboo trunks, framing the traditional curved roof of Taehwaru Pavilion over the calm river, and standing amidst the vast multi-color sea of blooming poppies and cornflowers in May.

Do not carve names or graffiti into the living bamboo stalks (strictly prohibited with fines). Stay strictly on designated wooden walking decks to protect bamboo root rhizomes. Smoking and cooking are strictly prohibited throughout the national reserve.

Park rangers and safety staff patrol on foot and electric carts. Automated external defibrillators (AED) and emergency call boxes are positioned throughout the bamboo trails. Multilingual travel assistance is accessible via 1330.

The ancient cliffside Daewangam Rock Park and coastal suspension bridge sit 25 minutes east by car, while the Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Village lies 20 minutes southeast along the coast.

Q: What time does the Milky Way Trail light up? A: The fiber-optic laser projections inside the Simnidaesup Bamboo Grove turn on automatically at sunset every evening and remain illuminated until 23:00, creating an unforgettable fairytale experience.

Late afternoon arrival at Taehwagang National Garden → walk through Simnidaesup Bamboo Grove and Taehwaru Pavilion → Eonyang Bulgogi dinner on Taehwa Food Street → nighttime stroll through the glowing Milky Way Trail.