Wonju Bangye-ri Ginkgo Tree

Standing alone in the fields of Munmak-eup near Wonju, the Bangye-ri ginkgo is a single tree that looks like a small wood. Its branches spread 37.5 m east to west and 31 m north to south, so when the leaves turn gold all at once in autumn it looks like a round golden hill from afar. It was designated a Natural Monument in 1964, and every year in late October people travel from across Korea to see this one tree.

How old is it

Nobody knows exactly. At the time of its designation it was thought to be a little over 800 years old, but more recent estimates put it at over 1,300 years, so sources vary widely. Its size also depends on when and how it was measured: published heights range from 26 m to 33 m, and the trunk girth is usually given as about 14–16 m. Either way, its evenly spread trunk and branches make it one of the finest old ginkgo trees in Korea.

Legends of the tree

Villagers tell several stories about it.

• Who planted it: one version says an ancestor of the Seongju Yi clan, once numerous in the village, planted it.
• The monk's staff: another says a passing monk stopped here to drink water and left his walking stick in the ground, and the stick grew into the tree.
• The white snake: a great white snake was believed to live inside the trunk, so no one dared to harm the tree, which is why it has survived so long.
• A harvest omen: if all the leaves turned yellow at once in autumn, a good harvest was expected.

Thanks to these stories the tree was long treated as the village's sacred guardian tree. Its value as a record of local beliefs and customs, not just its biological rarity, is part of why it was protected. It is counted among Korea's most celebrated old ginkgos, alongside those at Yongmunsa temple in Yangpyeong and Yogwang-ri in Geumsan.

A newly landscaped square

As visitor numbers grew, Wonju City spent about KRW 8.5 billion turning the area around the tree into a public square, with a new access road, car park, outdoor stage and walking paths, plus 23 newly planted ginkgo trees. To protect the tree, access right up to the trunk may be restricted, so enjoy it from the loop path at a respectful distance.

Tripto tips

• Peak colour: it varies from year to year, but the tree is usually at its most golden from late October to early November. The colour changes quickly, so check Wonju City's tourism site or recent photos before you set off.
• Time of day: weekend afternoons at peak season bring crowds and traffic. Early morning or late afternoon light makes the leaves glow and the paths are calmer.
• Tickets and hours: free and open all year round, with free parking.
• Time needed: 30–60 minutes is enough to walk around the tree and take photos.
• Getting there: it is about 4 km from Munmak IC on the Yeongdong Expressway, so driving is easiest. By public transport you need a bus from central Wonju towards Munmak, which takes a while.
• In winter: with the leaves gone, the massive branch structure is fully visible, which shows the tree's size even better.