31 October 2026 | Busan, South Korea

Hwayeon Ecological Park is a huge green space, and choosing the right entrance makes a difference if you want to see particular seasonal attractions. My destination was the famous red bushes, so I made my way to Sujeong Station, which is the nearest access point for this section of the park.

Upon arriving, I was greeted by a rather mixed sight. The red bushes, which I had been looking forward to seeing, were unfortunately already past their prime. Some had retained their beautiful reddish hues, while others had started turning brown.

Was I disappointed? Perhaps a little. But then again, why let that spoil the day?

A mixture of red and brown can be beautiful in its own way. After all, autumn is a season of transition. Nothing in nature remains the same, and here was a gentle reminder of impermanence unfolding right before my eyes. Even flowers and foliage have their moments of splendour before gradually changing and making way for the next season.

Rather than dwell on what I might have missed, I decided to appreciate what was still there.

A Sea of Yellow Cosmos

Next, I made my way towards the lotus pond, where I had heard that the yellow cosmos flowers were currently in full bloom. Naturally, my excitement started building as I approached.

And lo and behold! What a lovely surprise!

The entire circumference of the lake was lined with yellow cosmos flowers, swaying gracefully in the cool autumn breeze. The cheerful yellow blooms created a wonderful contrast against the surrounding greenery and autumn landscape.

It was one of those moments when you simply wanted to stop, take it all in and enjoy the scenery. The flowers seemed to dance along with the breeze, creating a picture-perfect autumn scene.

And there was more!

Further across the park, tall silver grass stretched across the landscape, its feathery plumes gently swaying with the wind. The combination of golden-yellow flowers and shimmering silver grass gave the park an entirely different autumn character.

It was a delightful contrast to the red and brown bushes I had seen earlier.

A Free Autumn Escape in Busan

One thing I particularly appreciate about Hwayeon Ecological Park is that it is a public space, and admission is entirely free!

Considering the sheer size of the park and the seasonal floral displays, it offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy nature without spending a single won on admission.

Of course, timing matters when visiting seasonal flower fields. I was a little late for the best display of the red bushes, but fortunately, the yellow cosmos and silver grass more than made up for it.

My takeaway? Don’t be too fixated on catching every flower at its peak. Nature follows its own schedule, and sometimes the unexpected sights turn out to be the most memorable.

After all, isn’t that what travel is about? Making the best of every experience, appreciating what is in front of us, and learning to embrace change along the way.

Hwayeon Ecological Park was certainly worth the visit!