Hanbat Arboretum

In the heart of Daejeon, between the Government Complex and the Gapcheon River, Hanbat Arboretum spreads out in woods and ponds and is described as Korea's largest man-made urban arboretum. It was planted on land used as car parks for the Taejon Expo '93, so walking through it you see a forest grown in just three decades and a city winning back green space. Admission is free.

History: from Expo car park to forest

After the Expo closed, the south gate plaza and car parks were left empty for years. The city decided to turn the site into green space and an ecological park and, after growing trees in municipal nurseries for about a decade, began construction in 2001. The West Garden opened in 2005, followed by the East Garden and the tropical greenhouse, which opened in 2011.

Today it draws roughly 900,000 to a million visitors a year and is one of Daejeon's favourite places to relax. It also forms a green corridor linking the Government Complex with the Gapcheon River.

What to see

The arboretum covers about 387,000 m², divided into two gardens and a greenhouse, and is home to some 1,700 plant species.

• West Garden: recreates the forests of the mountains around Daejeon, such as Sikjangsan and Gyeryongsan, with a sensory garden, wetland, wildflower garden and oak, conifer and pine woods. It feels like a mountain walk.
• East Garden: themed gardens of magnolias, medicinal plants, rock plants, maples, pines, bamboo and roses. The pond with its pavilion and fountain is the classic East Garden view.
• Tropical Botanical Garden: a greenhouse below the East Garden where you can see tropical plants even in winter, free of charge.
• Natural Monument Center: on the eastern side of the East Garden, a good add-on for nature learning.

What makes it special

Hanbat Arboretum was designed as a habitat for urban wildlife and a place for research and environmental education. The West Garden distils the native woodlands of the Daejeon area, while the East Garden gathers non-native species, themed gardens and education facilities. With more than 1,100 species of trees and shrubs alone, the same path looks completely different from season to season.

The area around it is one of Daejeon's main leisure districts. Expo Bridge, Expo Citizen Plaza, the Hanbit Tower and the Daejeon Insect Ecological Park are all close, so families can pair a garden walk with the insect park. Many visitors also arrive by bicycle along the Gapcheon riverside.

Tripto tips

• Opening hours: April–October, East and West Gardens 05:00–21:00; November–March 07:00–19:00. The tropical garden opens 09:00–18:00.
• Closed: the East Garden and the tropical garden close on Mondays, the West Garden on Tuesdays, so one part is always open.
• Admission: free.
• Getting there: about 1.5 km on foot from Government Complex Daejeon Station on Metro Line 1; city buses stop at the entrance, and the Gapcheon cycle path leads right to it.
• Time needed: 90 minutes to 2 hours for both gardens. Expo Citizen Plaza, the Hanbit Tower and the National Science Museum, all close by, make it an easy full day.
• When to go: magnolias and roses in spring and autumn colour are the highlights.