Hundertwasser Park: The Surprising Homage to an Austrian Painter in Korea
Last Updated on February 6, 2026
Were we surprised to stumble upon an immersive tribute to an Austrian artist on Udo Island? Yes. Is it kind of the perfect place for it though? Again, yes. The Hundertwasser Park (훈데르트바서파크) pays tribute to Friedensreich Hundertwasser, an artist, architect, and environmental activist who believed humans were merely guests of nature. The park manages to fit beautifully, and somewhat improbably, on an island off the coast of Jeju Island.
Udo Island makes for a great daytrip or weekend trip from Jeju Island, and this is just one reason why. The artist rejected straight lines, uniformity, and concrete-heavy modern architecture, so when you visit, you’ll find a world of fantastical design where buildings curve and beautifully coexist with the natural blues, greens, and yellows that the island offers. Get ready to experience Hundertwasser.
Visit Hundertwasser Park on Udo Island in South Korea for an inspiring artistic escape:
- Basic Info
- Stay at Hundert Hills
- Who is Hundertwasser?
- One Giant Artwork In A Park
- Inside the Hundertwasser Museum
- Udo Gallery
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Basic Info
Address: 32-12 Udohaean-gil, Udo-myeon, Jeju-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 제주시 우도면 우도해안길 32-12)
Hours: Every day: 9:30am ~ 6:00pm
Admission: Adults: W9,900; Children 4-13: W6,000; Under 3: Free
Stay at Hundert Hills
Stay nearby. The best hotel on Udo Island is Hundert Hills. It has a convenient location on the island and the rooms are spacious. We stayed in a suite with two rooms and a main area with a kitchenette which made for a great time on the island. It was very comfortable and the staff is very helpful.
Who is Hundertwasser?
Friedensreich Hundertwasser was an Austrian artist and architect who believed the modern world had become a little too obsessed with straight lines. He painted, designed buildings, created posters and stamps, and spent decades pushing one big idea: humans are guests of nature, not the owners of it.
His work is instantly recognizable. Think bold colors, swirling spirals, bumpy floors, mismatched windows, and buildings that look like they’re growing out of the earth instead of sitting on top of it. His most famous building is Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna, an apartment complex that feels more like a whimsical hillside village than a “normal” city building.
Hundertwasser openly rejected standardization. To him, straight lines represented uniformity and control, while nature was irregular, playful, and always changing. That’s why his designs lean into curves, uneven surfaces, and organic shapes that feel closer to forests and coastlines than concrete grids.
One Giant Artwork In A Park
The entire park from entrance and through is art. The entrance starts with a walk through nature, beneath trees, and out to a lovely open field where you begin to spot what Hundertwasser is known for.
Three onion domes rise gently from the landscape and 78 ceramic columns glow with colors inspired by fruit and soil. There are 130 windows, no two alike, and curving building facades. The angles are intentional and whimsical, playful, and photogenic.
A Right To Windows: Hundertwasser believed everyone had the right to design their own window. A window, to him, was identity made visible. That’s why each of the 131 windows here is different. Some are uneven. Some bulge. Some frame trees growing directly through them. The idea was simple. From the street, you should be able to sense the individuality of the person inside.
Rooftop Gardens: See stairs? Head up and find grass-covered roofs with views out to the ocean. It also provides a closer look at the domes.
Twin Fountains: Hundertwasser’s name literally means “Hundred Waters”, so fountains and ponds are a big part of the park. After first entering, you’ll find Gaksimul, a local watering hole with a mystical story to tell. It is said if you make a wish here, your dream will come true and your descendants will prosper.
Tip: Make sure you head to the cafe. You’ll receive a lucky coin which you can take out to the pond in the square to make your own wish in the Zwilling Fountain.
Hundertwasser goods shop: If you want to take a piece of Hundertwasser home, there’s an unmanned shop on the premises with socks, umbrellas, prints, postcards, and all kinds of things that are very colorful.
Inside the Hundertwasser Museum
Aside from the architecture which is fun to peruse, the next best part is the Hundertwasser museum where you can still an amazing collection of his works on display. The museum here is one of only two permanent Hundertwasser exhibitions in the world. (The other is Kunst Haus Wien.)
Inside, you’ll find original works, recreated murals, architectural models, and drawings that trace his life from childhood through old age. The galleries are intentionally surrounded by windows, blurring the line between art and the outside world.
There are no heavy-handed explanations, it’s up to you to explore and experience. Hundertwasser believed art should be felt before it is explained, so you get to interpret freely as intended. He considered his works to be the fruit of his dreams and his alter ego. When you walk around and see everything, you’ll realize how quite interesting his dreams must have been.
We found the Hundertwasser Park to be a fun and whimsical escape. To be honest, I think its heyday may have been a bit back though, it doesn’t seem to get busy these days. If you have kids, take your time and enjoy each space, follow each staircase, and take various seats to enjoy the many views of waving waters and architectural whimsy.
Udo Gallery
Not every space features artworks from Hundertwasser. Udo Gallery is a space in the park that features emerging artists. Stop in to learn about how Hundertwasser Park is supporting local artists.
Rent a bike on Udo Island and take an adventure. When you do, make sure this is one of the stops you make along the way.
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