Bear Tree Park

Last Tuesday we drove an hour out to Bear Tree Park with some people from my ladies' bible study. The park costs 13,000 won for adults and 8,000 won for kids 3 and older. We had a group over 20 adults, so we were able to get a discount for the adult tickets.

The park is nestled on the side of a large hill, so you are either walking uphill or downhill to see the various attractions, sturdy shoes are highly encouraged!

As the name implies, the park has bears in it. However, I was very disappointed and saddened by the animals' living conditions. I'm not really an animal person. I don't have any and don't really care to own any. But, when I see animals stuck in small, cramped, solid concrete cells, something inside of me gets sad and mad at the same time. And so many in a cell at that! None of the animals had grass or any other living foliage. The bears smelled badly of urine. The deer were eating up the leaves the kids were trying to feed them. I wanted to leave after seeing how the animals lived.

Aside from the animals, the park is beautiful. The area is green and lush. There is a lookout tower. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the shade or view.

Up on the lookout tower:

 

 The view from the lookout tower is beautiful

There is a sculpture park that has bears doing different things. It's neat and a fun place for the kids to climb and explore.

 

 

A pond with a beautiful pagoda type thing

 There is a tropical botanical garden which smells amazing. 

 We had an impromptu tea party. Lovely.

 Outside of the botanical garden there is a large fountain with beautiful lily pads all around.

So in conclusion, though the park grounds themselves are beautiful, I would not recommend going to Bear Tree Park because of how the bears and other animals are housed. We will not be returning there. I wish the governing body would have spent as much time in creating a sanctuary for the bears as they have for creating a peaceful sanctuary to stroll through in all other areas of the park.