National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon

Near the mouth of the Geumgang River in Seocheon, the National Institute of Ecology is both a research body and Korea's largest ecology exhibition. Its centrepiece is the Ecorium, a set of glasshouses recreating five of the world's climate zones under one roof, from tropical rainforest and desert to the poles, with around 1,600 species of plants and animals. Outside, wetlands, woodland and enclosures for deer and long-tailed goral spread across a large site.

What it is

The institute, under the Ministry of Environment, studies climate change and ecosystems and shares its findings through exhibitions and education. The site in Maseo-myeon, Seocheon County, was chosen in 2007, and the Ecorium and outdoor areas were completed in 2012. It officially opened in December 2013, and a Centre for Endangered Species Restoration followed in 2018. Its first director was the ecologist Choe Jae-chun.

As you might expect from a research institute, the displays aim to explain as much as to impress. The permanent exhibition covers ecosystems, biomes and the services nature provides to people, while the outdoor zones let you watch how real wetlands and forests work.

What to see

• The Ecorium's five climate halls: tropical, desert, Mediterranean, temperate and polar. The tropical hall recreates disappearing rainforest, the desert hall shows plants and animals adapted to harsh conditions, the temperate hall covers Korea's four-season ecosystems, and the polar hall introduces Arctic and Antarctic wildlife.
• 4D cinema and children's ecology library: animated films on native species and natural cycles, plus a children's library with about 12,000 books on ecology and science. The 4D films include one about native animals defending themselves against invasive species and another following the life of a salmon.
• Outdoor zones: Geumguri for wetland ecosystems, Hadaram recreating Korea's forest types by climate zone, Godaeryuk with habitat for deer species, and Najeoeo, where egrets and ducks fly in from the wild. You can also see endangered long-tailed goral clambering over the rocks.
• Animal protection facilities: the institute also cares for internationally endangered animals seized from smugglers.

Tripto tips

• Opening hours: 09:30-17:30, last entry 16:30. Closed on Mondays, or the first weekday after if Monday is a public holiday.
• Admission: adults KRW 5,000, teenagers KRW 3,000, children KRW 2,000. Free for under-fives and over-65s with proof of age. Parking is free.
• Time needed: 1.5 hours for the Ecorium alone, 3 hours or more with the outdoor zones. The site is large, so wear comfortable shoes.
• Best time: the Ecorium is warm on rainy days and in deep winter, so any season works. The outdoor wetlands are best when migratory birds are around and in the fresh green of spring and early summer.
• Location: on Geumgang-ro in Maseo-myeon, Seocheon County, so it pairs well with a trip to the Seocheon coast.