Spring is an amazing time when mountains and fields, which had been frozen throughout the cold winter, blossom with green vitality. The symbol of this spring is butterflies. Looking at a butterfly roaming around flowers in full bloom, I naturally become warmhearted and begin to wear a smile without even realizing it.

Ewhawon, located inside Jarasum Island, is where you can encounter butterflies, which are typically seen only in warm weather, throughout the year. It is like enjoying the warm spring all year long.

Though it is introduced as “butterfly stories,” this is not a way to sufficiently explain what Ewhawon is because the name contains a bigger meaning of communion with the nature and formation of harmony and friendship, and the place features plants of not only Yeongnam and Honam regions of Korea but also foreign origins. There is an ample amount of things to see, from well-known trees of loquat, citron and green tea to a Korean garden inside a greenhouse and Goheung orchard house.

As you discover the Brazilian coffee tree or Israeli olive tree in Eastern Hall and Western Hall, you become thankful for a fortunate opportunity to see such rare and precious trees. Just as the name of Ewhawon suggests, you will surely be impressed by the harmonizing and intertwined appearance of Korean and international trees and plants.

Eastern Hall

Goheung orchard house

Western Hall

However, the main attraction at Ewhawon is undoubtedly “butterflies.” Once you step into the Butterfly Ecology Hall, you are in front of a 2,300-pyeong greenhouse filled with butterflies. You also have a chance to witness before your very own eyes the wonder of life as a butterfly breaks out of an egg and slips out of its skin to turn into a larva and then a pupa, which subsequently breaks out of the shell once again to be born as a butterfly.

There is a wide variety of butterflies including tiger swallowtails, Alexandra butterflies and Damora sagana as well as specimens of rare domestic and foreign butterflies, which is an amazing experience for children and adults alike.

Because it has been known that butterflies can be seen anytime here, people sometimes ask the question, “Why aren’t butterflies flying around today?”

It is difficult to see butterflies on a rainy or snowy day since they mostly sleep on days without any sunshine so you have to visit again on a sunny day to see butterflies in action. In other words, the most important aspect to consider for seeing butterflies is the weather, not season.

After walking through the botanical garden and Butterfly Ecology Hall, let’s relax with a cup of coffee at the café. For all visitors admitted at the site, a cup of Americano, iced tea or citrus tea is offered for free, and the photo spot in front of the café is a good place to take a commemorative picture.

Written and photos by Kim Sun-joo

TIP.

The butterfly commentary sessions start at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:30, 14:30 and 15:30 and last for about 30 minutes.

During summer, it is additionally held at 16:30.

Website http://www.ewhawon.com/

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