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Moonlight Rainbow Fountain in the Heart of Seoul, South Korea

 

 

Seoul is known for it’s unique beauty and stargazed tourist attractions. But nothing compares to the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain on the Han River. Originally, the Banpo Bridge was built as a way to help move the Seocho and Youngsan traffic more efficiently. Rather than driving down and around the length of the river, residents can now cross the body of water within minutes. But later the Rainbow feature was added by Dae Han Consultants Company. By incorporating the fountain with the construction of the bridge, Seoul now has the world’s longest fountain bridge, reaching a length of almost five thousand feet from end to end.
The main intention in building the Banpo Bridge was to help alleviate traffic issues during flooding season. The massive structure was built above an already existing bridge, the Jamsu, and is similar to a double decker set up with its two tiers. Now Seoul has two simultaneous flows of traffic in the same direction but during extreme periods of rainfall, the water levels rise so high that the Jamsu Bridge completely submerses under water. This is no longer a problem now that Seoul has the Moonlight Rainbow Bridge.
The Moonlight Rainbow Bridge currently holds the Guinness World Record of longest bridge fountain and boats over ten thousand LED nozzle lights which run the length of both sides of the structure. Originally, the mayor of Seoul wanted to make the light display to further enhance the beauty of the area and show off Seoul’s environmentally friendly tendencies. The fountain uses thirty-eight pumps, over three hundred nozzles on each side, and pumps the water directly from the river, recycling it back in and wasting nothing. 190 tons of water is being pumped every minute and shoots streams of water into the air as high as forty meters. The LED rainbow of lights that trail along both sides lights up each night and create a stunning rainbow affect that can be seen from miles away.
Tourists come from all over the world to take in the surreal beauty of the delightful rainbow lights as the sun goes down. Different spots along the waters edge have grown in popularity for the ideal wedding locations and perfect photo ops. Who wouldn’t want to travel to a gorgeous destination such as Seoul and get married with the backdrop of a magical display of colors and one of the world’s biggest water fountains? The location is perfect to create unique and unforgettable memories.

You may not find a world famous fountain here, but OutdoorFountainPros has the best selection of unique, high quality outdoor fountains you can find. Check them out here!

The Opulent Outdoor Fountains of the Gardens of Versailles

Jardins du château de Versailles, or the Gardens of Versailles, is a sprawling, lush landscape extending over the château de Versailles. It covers 800 hectares of verdant greens in perfect French Garden Style originally rendered by André Le Nôtre. The gardens, whose origins can be traced back to the time of King Louis XIV and his escort, Marie Antoinette, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage sights. It is also the home to a fabulous series of outdoor gardens, making it a famous tourist destination in France.

On summer weekends, an extravagant fountain ensemble becomes the highlight at the Palace of Versailles. The show is called Grandes eaux Musicales, where the high couture, baroque style fountains dance with water spouts at the sound of music. Crowds fill the site under the cheery, summer sun, watching the more-than-thirty fountains cascade while adorned with mythical themes. Among the famous characters: the elaborate scene of Apollo, riding a chariot pulled by four steeds as three men blew horns on his way. Neptune displays his prowess on water. Goddess Diana protects her children and Latona settles in the heart of a pond. The rest of the cast, individually notable in their roles in local folklore, fill the scenery. Other deities include Cupid, Bacchus, Ceres, Saturn and Apollo.

There are two daily sessions for the shows. Mornings allot an hour for early visitors, but the grounds mostly play a few number of major and minor fountains at a time. Afternoons are more delightful; each fountain displays its own beauty and dances along the backdrop with various waterscapes. Tourists are often suggested to visit the site during these hours.

There are more than ten major fountains in the Versailles' grounds. Among the top favorites: the mirror fountains that plays a ten-minute show per day, and the grand Neptune fountain that finishes the entire showcase. That doesn't mean, however, that the smaller outdoor fountains are less spectacular. Tourists can admire Apollo’s bath, the grooved obelisks, the ballroom and the dragon fountain.

During show days, admission is charged for viewing the formal garden--this stretches from the west side of the chateau to the Grand Canal. The rest is open free for guests, and people can wander through the massive park of the estate according to their liking. The route is often taken by cyclists and dog owners, making the setting feel like a cozy public park.

Other than its musical fest, the Gardens of Versailles stage a serenade night with baroque music, dancing and fireworks. During this, the fountains are displayed on a busy, illuminous backdrop, with the water acts adding to the luxury of the panorama.

Inspired by the beautiful, baroque artistry of the gardens of Versailles? Do you want the same regal atmosphere for your home? Check out our large outdoor fountains and cop off this stately, sublime setting for your very own property. These eye-catching fountains will surely add a wonderful aesthetic to your landscaped backdrop. Take it from the pros and discover a beautiful outdoor fountain to match your royal style.

How to Care for Your Outdoor Fountain During Winter Season

Reluctant to buy an outdoor fountain in fear of winter damages? Don't worry. There are smart ways to protect your water feature during the cold days. Read on below and discover how you can preserve this outdoor decor during that harshest time of the year.

Outdoor fountains are created to withstand various weather conditions. These water features are usually constructed with tough materials to last when the inevitable comes. While rain and hail won't be too much of a problem, a longstanding blanket of snow can easily affect its components. Before the freezing temperatures hit, it is best to prep up your outdoor fountain for its hibernation.

What makes it vulnerable? Water. The cold temperature will freeze the leftover water in the pump and will cause it to crack. In order to prevent this, follow these tips:

• Drain all the water out of your fountain before that great temperature change. Take the parts out and let it dry.
• Remove the pump. If possible, store it indoors during the entire winter season. This is a great opportunity for you to see what has accumulated in your fountain. Clean it thoroughly so that unwanted dirt, debris and algae don't linger around its parts during the season.
• Disassemble the fountain, if possible. This allows you to store it in parts and make cleaning much easier. Tiered fountains can easily be disassembled. If not, you need to transfer your water feature somewhere inside the home—perhaps in the garage or the shed.
• Cover your outdoor fountain with a special cover to wick the moisture out. Usually, these covers are made with UV stabilizers and waterproof materials. These are designed with drawstrings at the end to protect your decor. If these covers are not available, cover your fountain's basin and tiers with an absorbent fabric. This helps prevent water from getting in the fountain. Otherwise, it might seep through, expand and cause a crack on the surface.
• While regular resin fountains can be easier to manage, a heavy cast stone variant could be a bit more difficult. The concrete element in the cast stone material is porous, which makes it absorb water easily. Cold weather traps the water in these gaps, freezes it, and causes it to expand. Ideally, your cast stone outdoor fountain should be completely dried up and covered before the snow season.
• It is also suggested that reinforcing the fountain's basin helps avoid moisture from seeping into the material. You can use sealers to act as a protective layer for your fountain's surface. This ensures the integrity layer, strengthening it against the rough weather.

Don’t let the threats of the changing weather keep you from having your own outdoor fountain. Our tip: find the right variety that fits your lifestyle, as well as maintenance efforts.

Proper winterization can help you ensure that your decor will last for many years. Just follow these tips; with the right action and a great choice of products, you can keep your water feature running smoothly, year after year after year.

Stay tuned to this blog and discover many tips and tricks in maintaining your outdoor fountain.

The Nine Floating Fountains of Japan

A Magical Display of Art That You Have to See to Believe.

As far as fountains go, the requirements are fairly basic; a flowing or recycling water source and a basin in which to collect it in. But Japanese designer Isamu Noguchi has proven, yet again, that anyone can take a simple object and turn it into a work out art. All you need is a bit of creativity and an eye for design. The Nine Floating Fountains is an art display located in Osaka Japan and was originally built for the World Expo. Now it has become a world famous fountain, attracting tourists of every kind from all over the world.
The fountain, or fountains, appear to be an major optical illusion at first glance. The two massive square boxes float in the air as a continuous flow of water pours from their bottoms. The water collects in the large square basin below but where does it go from there? How does the water come from the floating cubes to begin with? Well, Isamu cleverly constructed the fountain display with a well hidden pipe that feeds up into each box and is rendered virtually invisible once the water begins to flow, creating the optical illusion that the squares are floating in the air and the water appears out of nowhere.
There are two other natural factors that Isamu Noguchi took into consideration when designing the fountain and that was light and air. By installing the cubes anywhere from 10ft-60ft in the air, it left the flowing water open to the elements of wind and air. On those bountiful windy days in Osaka, the strong breeze pushes the water and creates more optical illusions, as if the cubes could be flying, and the cloudy mist that forms from the disruption adds to the otherworldly look that the fountain was meant to achieve.
Utilizing the contrast of night and day, the cubes take on two completely different looks. By day, they appear like objects torn right from a science fiction movie with their modern lines and odd textures. But by night, the lights installed underneath each cube turn on and illuminate the water flowing from them. This image can be seen from miles away and is surely a sight that you have to see to believe.
You may not be able to install 50ft high floating fountains in your back yard, but you can surely get creative with some great outdoor water fountains available online. Check out this amazing selection for your next outdoor fountain inspiration.

10 Ways to Give Your Garden a Facelift

Curb appeal is everything and so is having a nice, welcoming backyard to greet your guests with. But revamping your outdoor space doesn’t necessarily mean a total overhaul and load of money. There are tons of great and easy ways to give your outside living space the little oomph it needs to make it a place to enjoy all Summer long.

1) Clean Up
Seeing the same space, day in and day out, can often leave us blind to what’s really there. Step back and really examine your outdoor space. It probably needs a good clean up. Clear it of dead leaves, garbage, broken items, etc. and you’ll see a massive improvement to your backyard

2) Trim Your Bush
Get out the sheers and trimmers, it’s time to trim the bushes. Sometimes, we let our garden run wild without even noticing it. Giving everything a nice trim and polish can really open up the space and give new life to your plants.

3) Plant Flowers
This is an obvious one. Head to the nursery and snatch up some sale flowers. Who cares what the colors are as long as they’re bright and easy to maintain. Plant them under windows and along walkways to really brighten up your yard.

4) Install a Fountain
A great investment into your outdoor space is to install an outdoor fountain. If you have a lonely pond or a bare, unused space then why not have one? An outdoor fountain adds flare, interest, and a peaceful setting.

5) Paint
Bet that old fence could use a facelift, huh? A couple cans of paint cost next to nothing and can make a huge impact on the appearance of your front and/or backyard. Just make sure to scrape off any old flaking paint and give it a light sanding first.

6) Step Up
Are your guests trudging across your grass just to get to your door? Or is there nothing more than a dirt trail leading to your patio? Then face it, it’s time for a walkway. Even something as simple as laying some gravel down can make all the world of difference and improves the appearance of your home.

7) Storage
Don’t leave random things just laying around your yard. Things like the lawn mower, kid’s toys, gardening tool, extra chairs, etc. Invest in a small garden shed to store these larger items and maybe a durable plastic tote for the smaller ones. Clearing your outdoor space of these items opens up more possibilities to enjoy it.

8) Plant Trees
This is no brainer. Plant some trees along the front of your home or in those empty corners of your backyard. Tree improve air quality, overall appearance, and also offer shade during the hot summer months.

9) Display Fountains
If your yard or outdoor area isn’t large enough to accommodate a fountain installation, then consider a smaller fountain display. You can liven up the area with a centerpiece on the table or something off in the far corner of the yard.

10) New Furniture
New furniture is always a great investment into your outdoor area. If you’re in the market for new patio furniture, then consider bright colors and durable materials.

How to Find the Perfect Outdoor Fountain for Your Backyard

A high quality outdoor fountain can add an air of mystique and elegance to your backyard. Whether you are looking for a small fountain to adorn your flower beds or a larger model to serve as the main focal point of your backyard, there are thousands of options to choose from. The following guide will help you find the perfect fountain for your space. Read on to learn how to find the perfect outdoor fountain for your backyard!

Find an outdoor fountain that scales to the size of your patio.

You don’t have to have a large backyard or an abundance of grass to install an outdoor water fountain. A simple, streamlined design will look perfect in an unused corner of your patio or deck. These unobtrusive fountains can easily be dressed up with potted flowers and ferns. If a corner is unavailable, you might want to consider investing in an outdoor tabletop fountain. The ideal fountain, regardless of its size or placement, will be one that infuses your outdoor space with a sense of tranquility.

If you’re short on space in your backyard, try out an outdoor wall fountain.

If you need to maximize the square footage in your backyard, then an outdoor wall fountain offers the perfect option. Just like the name indicates, these fountains can be mountain against the side of your home or a fence. These fountains are crafted from a wide variety of materials – ranging from natural stone to stainless steel. It won’t be difficult to find one that blends seamlessly with your existing décor.

For a timeless look, invest in an outdoor garden fountain.

For those who like the thought of having an outdoor fountain, but do not want to make it the centerpiece of their yard, an outdoor garden fountain is the ideal compromise. These fountains are specifically designed to complement the look of shrubbery and flowers, and they are most often crafted from natural looking materials, such as copper, concrete, and stone. There are a wide range of styles to choose from – from simple, tiered fountains to fountains that are shaped like mythical centaurs or faeries. Regardless of the specific style you choose, you must be careful to select a fountain that is proportional to the plants that surround it. For example, a small fountain will be swallowed up by oversized shrubs and trees. The right type of fountain will appear to blend into your flowers and plants – as though it naturally belongs there.

At Outdoor Fountain Pros, we pride ourselves on offering one of the widest selections of outdoor fountains on the Internet, and we carefully inspect each fountain for quality craftsmanship and durability before offering it for sale. If you need assistance choosing the perfect fountain for your garden, please do not hesitate to contact us!