National forestSeongju-gun · KR
Seongbaksup Forest
Seongbaksup Forest (성밖숲, "Forest Outside the Castle") is a remarkable stand of ancient royal willows in the small town of Seongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. Designated as Natural Monument No. 403, this village forest was planted by hand over three centuries ago — not for timber or fruit, but to shield a community from misfortune. Today it serves as both a living cultural treasure and one of Korea's most photogenic summer landscapes, when a carpet of purple liriope blooms beneath the towering trees. The forest sits on the banks of the Icheon stream, a tributary of the Nakdong River, just outside what was once the west gate of the walled town of Seongju. A one-kilometer loop path winds among the gnarled giants, while a well-tended riverside promenade offers stepping stones, benches, and cycling routes. Seongbaksup regularly earns national acclaim — voted one of Korea's most beautiful forests and selected for prestigious eco-tourism and night-tourism programs.