Hesse's Garden | Restaurant Guide | K-Travel Mate

Songchu Valley is a valley located in Uldae-ri, Jangheung-myeon, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do. It is situated in the Songchu Obong Branch of Bukhansan National Park, making it easily accessible from anywhere in the Seoul metropolitan area. The name comes from the abundance of pine trees and hornbeams in the valley. Around the valley, dense forests of pine, Korean dogwood, and striped maple, along with striking rock formations, harmonize with the valley waters to create a magnificent landscape.

Dog Symposium is a year-round dog theme park with the largest dog swimming pool in the metropolitan area, located right next to Songchu IC. Originally known as Dog Bay Songchu Branch, famous for its dog-friendly swimming pool, it was newly remodeled in 2023 as Dog Symposium Songchu Branch and is unrelated to the original Dog Bay. It offers facilities such as a dog swimming pool, dog exercise yard, dog shower & drying room, shower & powder room, first aid room, convenience store, and waste separation area. The park employs professionals including dog trainers, animal health technicians, dog groomers, safety personnel, and baristas to provide the best service to pet owners. To reduce stress for dogs, admission is divided into small dog zone, medium dog zone, and free zone according to body size. The most popular hotspot is the swimming pool with three zones: small dog zone, small/medium dog zone, and free zone. It features a 24-hour purification system and scheduled water quality time to maintain top water quality. The small dog zone has very shallow water allowing only dogs to swim, while the other two zones allow both owners and dogs to swim together, making them the busiest areas. The dog exercise yard is within the same area as the swimming pool, so dogs can freely run after swimming without needing to move separately. It is covered with artificial grass that has been flattened and smoothed to prevent strain on paws or ankles. Night openings are available during designated periods, allowing night swimming. Dog Symposium operates on a 100% reservation basis; users must reserve online in advance and pay on site. Admission is restricted for five major dangerous dog breeds, dogs showing aggression towards others, dogs without completed 5th vaccination, dogs with skin diseases, and dogs with floral markings. As a theme park where cooking is allowed, tools like burners and food are permitted, but delivery food, dog-ineligible food, and glass bottle beverages are restricted. The convenience store sells various café drinks, snacks, ramen, ice cream, meat, treats, water play items, and various dog-related products, and rents out cooking tools like burners. All waste generated must be separated into food waste and recyclables and disposed of at designated garbage sites; general trash must be carried out in personal garbage bags. Dog waste bags are provided at each table for owners to clean up after their dogs. It is about a 2-minute drive from Songchu IC. Nearby attractions include Jangheung Recreation Area, Gana Art Park, Duriland, Philux Lighting Museum, Hoeamsaji, Bukhansan National Park, and National ASEAN Natural Recreation Forest.