Fresh, unpolluted nature fun at Herb Island 허브아일랜드

Contrary to its name, Herb Island isn't exactly an island, but more of a lush flower and herb garden surrounded by nature. There are many indoor and outdoor gardens in Herb Island, but these gardens are mostly colored by an array of blooming seasonal flowers and natural Mediterranean herbs.

The gardens are a fragrant haven, but besides the relaxation gardens, there are also many things to see and do, and interesting routes to stroll. At the end of the day, what you get is just pure, fresh air and unpolluted nature fun.

Located in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, at Herb Island, their attractions are categorized into Villages (마을): 

1. Food Village 향을 먹는 마을
2. Aroma Village 향을 파는 마을
3. Enjoyment Village 즐기는 마을
4. Healing Center 힐링센터

At the Food Village, there is the Herb Barbecue Restaurant (must-try!), Herb Healing Food, Healing Burger, Bakery, and a Herb Cafe. At the Aroma Village, attractions include gift shops, florist shop and a Aroma Therapy Center. As for the Enjoyment Village, there's Herb Museum, Herb Studio (that allows DIY crafting), Santa Village, Trevi Fountain, Memory's Street, Venetia Village, Un Petit France, etc. Lastly, the Healing Center offers spa and relaxation services.

There are also lodging pensions in Herb Island for visitors who wish to stay overnight.

The first Village you see upon entering Herb Island is the Venetia Village; and the theme of this village is Mediterranean. Just look at their landscape aesthetics in the following pictures.

Venetia Village

Gondola stream in Venetia Village

Mini gondola rides are available

Sidetrack: If you follow Running Man, you'll probably find this venue familiar, and that's because the episode that Park Taehwan and Son Yonjae (both national sportsman) guests in are filmed here.

What beautiful landscaping!

Inside the Herb Museum, there's Souvenir Hall, History Hall, Aromatherapy Hall, Library, Craft Hall and Experience Hall.

Outside the Herb Museum

(L) Herb Museum (R) Herb Studio (DIY crafting)

Inside the Herb Museum

Inside the Herb Museum

On weekends, various performance are shown for free.

Outdoor performance hall

Moving ahead, you'll see the outdoor flower gardens. At night, the garden is dressed up in landscape lightings which enhances night walks and transforms into a magical garden that is not seen in daylight.

Outdoor gardens

Outdoor gardens

Indoor garden

Un Petit France (France Village)

To Santa Village

At Santa Village, one of Herb Island's main attraction, you can feel the warmth and joy of Christmas all year round. At night, the village is draped in colorful lights arrangements and with a long light tunnel beautifully illuminating the village, it is truly a spectacular sight at night. Illuminated Christmas trees, Santa sculptures (aplenty!), gigantic present sculptures, and themed Santa booths are placed all around Santa Village which  further brings out the magical festive feeling. Between December to January of every year, Santa Village becomes a winter playground.

Welcome to Santa Village

Studious Santa

Light Tunnel is brightly illuminated at night.

Trevi Fountain

Running Man (the episode that featured Park Taehwan and Son Yonjae) was filmed here.

Aroma Centre

Aroma Centre (indoor)

Healing Center

At the Herb Studio, visitors can learn and enjoy DIY crafting (i.e. soap, perfume) for a minimal fee.

Herb Studio (DIY crafting)

Herb Studio (DIY crafting)

Now, after all those walking, let's talk about food! :)

When you pass by Herb Bakery at the Food Village, try as you might, you just can't seem to resist the aroma of freshly-baked herb breads.

Herb Bakery

On their website, it says that 200 types of herb breads are baked on a daily basis

Besides the bakery, there is also a Herb Cafe that offers a selection beverages and desserts, infused by flavors of natural herbs.

Herb Cafe's interior

www.herbisland.co.kr (Korean only) is the correct website.

(clockwise) Mango & Rosemary Cake, Herb Tea, Herb Lemonade

A mini garden outside the cafe

When it's time to feed the growling stomach, I highly recommend the Herb Barbecue Restaurant. Unlike other barbecue restaurants, this place offers a selection of meat dishes (their specialty is ribs) that are (also, obviously) marinated and infused with herb flavors.

Herb Barbecue Restaurant

Outdoor dining

Indoor dining

Waiting for the grill pan to heat up

Pork Ribs with herb flavors

Full moon

Herb Island, has a different face in daylight and after-dark. If possible, stay until night time, but you will be hard-pressed for time if you are coming here by public transportation. Reasons below.

It's best to come here by car, and parking is free.

General admission fees are KRW6000 for adults, KRW4000 for children and senior citizens, and free-of-charge for children below 3 years old. Herb Island is open all year round.

How to get here?

[SUBWAY]
Soyosan Station (Seoul Subway Line 1).

Take Bus 57 or 57-1, and get off at Samjeong-ri (삼정리). Bus ride takes approximately 20 minutes.

Go straight on Samcheongol-gil Street to arrive at Herb Island.

Note: The last bus leaves Herb Island at 7.25pm. I didn't know about this and left the island only around 8pm. It was a painful, not to mention, scary (very!) experience. As Herb Island is rather secluded, taxis are a rare sight.