Oedo Botania
외도 보타니아
A private island botanical garden off Geoje, run by a couple for thirty years, with Mediterranean-style gardens and sculptures facing the sea.
Oedo lies about 4 km southeast of Geoje Island. It was once a barren islet until 1969, when Lee Chang-ho and Choi Ho-sook bought it after being caught in a storm while fishing. They spent about thirty years turning it into a sea-side botanical garden, which opened to the public in 1995 and became famous after the final episode of the Korean drama Winter Sonata was filmed there. The island grows over 740 subtropical and temperate plant species. Attractions include a cactus garden, the Venus Garden (symmetrical hedges and white sculptures modelled on the gardens of Versailles), the Road to Heaven, a bamboo grove trail, a sculpture park and sea-view terraces, with a strong Mediterranean European atmosphere. Visitors can only reach the island by boat, and time on the island is usually limited to about 1.5 hours. Getting there: take a sightseeing boat from Geoje ports such as Jangseungpo, Gujora, Hakdong, Wahyeon or Dojangpo. Most sailings take a detour around the Haegeumgang rock formations (about 20 minutes). The boat ticket, including the Haegeumgang cruise, costs just over 20,000 won, and the island entrance fee of about 11,000 won is charged separately (confirm on site). Note: bring your passport or ID to buy tickets and board. Sailings stop in rough seas, so call ahead to check.
Opening hours
Approx. 08:00–17:00 (depends on boat schedule)
Nearby sights
- Naedo Island
- Gujora Beach
- Haegeumgang
- Windy Hill (Baram-ui Eondeok)
- Sinseondae (Geoje)
- Hakdong Heukjinju Mongdol Beach
- Geoje Panorama Cable Car
- Okpo Great Victory Memorial Park