Korea National Arboretum

Not far from Seoul, on the border of Pocheon and Namyangju, lies a forest that has escaped the axe for more than 500 years. Gwangneung Forest, home of the Korea National Arboretum, survived because the Joseon court strictly protected the woods around Gwangneung, the tomb of King Sejo, and in 2010 it was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Daily visitor numbers are capped, so the trails rarely feel crowded.

History: the forest that guarded a royal tomb

When King Sejo chose this site for his own tomb and that of Queen Jeonghui, he is said to have ordered that the surrounding forest be left untouched. It remained a royal forest throughout the Joseon period and, despite damage in the Korean War, has kept its vitality to this day. Gwangneung itself is part of the "Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty" World Heritage Site.

Between 1983 and 1987 an arboretum and forest museum were developed here, opening in April 1987 as Gwangneung Arboretum. On 24 May 1999 it became the Korea National Arboretum, now a Korea Forest Service research institute that surveys, collects and propagates plants and keeps the national specimen collections.

Life in the forest

Around 900 plant species grow here. Gwangneung was once the only breeding site in South Korea of the white-bellied woodpecker; a single pair nested every year until 1993, after which the species vanished from the forest. Its story shows how hard it is to protect even a well-guarded old forest.

What to see

• The fir forest: a trail through tall, straight needle firs, one of the best places to feel the age of the forest.
• Forest eco-trail: a boardwalk that takes you right into the woodland.
• Aquatic garden: a pond garden shaped like the Korean Peninsula, with more than 200 water-plant species.
• Forest museum and tropical greenhouse: exhibitions on forests and trees. From March to November, Tuesday to Saturday, guided tours of the arboretum and greenhouse leave on the hour (in Korean).

Booking and entry at a glance

To protect the forest, the arboretum limits daily visitors: with advance booking, up to 5,000 people a day from Tuesday to Friday and 3,000 on Saturdays and public holidays. Visitors who qualify for free entry still need a booking if they arrive by car, and bookings can be cancelled until closing time on the day. Bookings are not possible for closed days.

At the visitor centre you can borrow an automatic audio guide that explains the forest and plants as you walk. The grounds also hold the Forest Museum and the Forest Biological Specimen Hall, so a visit is as much about Korea's forestry history and research as about a pleasant walk.

Tripto tips

• Booking: if you come by car, you must book online in advance; only registered cars may enter the car park. Visitors arriving by public transport, bicycle or on foot can walk in without booking, but entry stops once the daily limit is reached.
• Opening hours: April–October 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00), November–March 09:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00). Closed Mondays, 1 January and the Seollal and Chuseok holidays, and also on Sundays from December to February.
• Tickets: adults KRW 1,000, teenagers KRW 700, children KRW 500. Parking is KRW 3,000 for a car.
• When to go: fresh green in May and autumn colour are the highlights.
• Time needed: allow 2–3 hours for the main trails and the museum. The Gwangneung royal tomb nearby is easy to add.
• Phone: +82 31-540-2000.