Korean Garden in Tashkent
A Gift of Friendship from Seoul to Tashkent
The Korean Garden, also known as Seoul Park, was inaugurated on September 1, 2014, as a symbol of enduring friendship between South Korea and Uzbekistan. Officially presented as a gift on Uzbekistan’s Independence Day, the park reflects a shared commitment to cultural exchange and long-term cooperation. Its creation took two years and now spans 17.5 hectares within Friendship Park — one of the city’s oldest and most shaded green spaces.
The choice of location is symbolic: each year on Independence Day, Tashkent’s various cultural centers gather here for festivities, celebrating the unity and diversity of the nation.
Where Nature Meets Korean Spirituality
The Korean Garden embodies the core values of Korean landscape art, where stone (the body of the earth) and water (its lifeblood) form the foundation — a worldview rooted in animist traditions.
Upon entering, you pass through traditional Korean wooden gates with twin doors and a curved arch — believed to bring good fortune and long life to those who walk beneath them.
Further in, you’ll find a large lakeside pavilion, crafted in harmonious Korean symmetry. This is a place for silent reflection, light conversation, or simply watching the ripples of water and the graceful movement of fish. Artists often come here to sketch, inspired by the tranquility of the scene.
Design Principles with Soul
Unlike Western-style parks, Korean gardens do not feature fountains, in line with spiritual teachings that water should flow naturally from higher to lower ground. As such, the design follows a philosophy of harmony with nature, avoiding showiness or artificial elements.
Paths, bridges, and flower beds are carefully arranged to complement the original landscape rather than dominate it. What may seem like “empty” spaces are in fact intentional — representing the Korean concept of balance between abundance and emptiness, fullness and void.
Even the muted green tones of the ponds serve a purpose: they honor the authenticity of unfiltered nature. In Korea, such gardens are often called “Gardens of the Soul”, meant for meditation and inner healing, based on the flow of geomantic energies.
Modern Touches for a Local Spirit
After a renovation in 2021, several zones were added to reflect Uzbekistan’s vibrant social culture and to welcome more active recreation:
• Open-air library
• Summer cinema
• Two mini football fields
• Walking, jogging, and cycling paths
At the center of the garden stands the Pavilion of Peace, supported by vivid red columns and decorated with floral patterns. Inside hangs the Bell of Peace, a symbol of harmony among nations. The bell structure is engineered with a cup-shaped base to amplify and carry its sound far into the distance.
On holidays, guests can enjoy performances of Korean drum dances (Buk Chum) — energetic and deeply spiritual, echoing ancient shamanic rituals.
Symbols and Subtle Beauty
A sunken garden with a central flower bed and rainwater basins offers another peaceful focal point. Nearby, a pond adorned with water lilies surrounds a stone altar garden, while rock arrangements featuring dragons (as portrayed in Korean mythology — beardless, wingless, but noble and long-bearded) add cultural texture. Crane statues, symbolizing longevity, stand in silent grace.
The garden features rare flora native to South Korea, such as evergreen pine trees — symbols of loyalty and eternity — which were specially imported and will grow into tall groves in the years to come.
Encircling the park is a decorative brick wall lined with stone reliefs and floral murals, including blossoming cherry trees, another hallmark of Korean aesthetics. Streams cross the paths, flowing over stones that will gradually be shaped by water — a living metaphor for quiet transformation.
Bridges arch gently over the streams, intended not only for crossing but also for elevating the spirit.
A Place for Healing and Reflection
Korean philosophy holds that being in a serene natural setting nourishes the mind, body, and soul. Modern psychology agrees: taking time to detach from daily stress helps minimize its impact.
Thanks to its central location and dual-access entry points, the Korean Garden is easy to reach — a peaceful corner in the heart of the city, where landscape, light, and tradition meet. Ducks waddle freely across the grounds, interacting fearlessly with guests, completing the park’s living portrait of harmony.
Here, noise fades, thoughts slow down, and the only sound is the symphony of rustling trees, floral scents, and the ripple of water. Come not only to visit, but to feel.
Operating Hours:
• Monday to Friday: 09:00-18:00
• Saturday: 09:00-16:00
• Sunday: Closed
Entry is free for children under seven years old.