Sejong National Arboretum

Sejong National Arboretum sits right next to the Government Complex in the middle of Korea's administrative capital, and was the country's first national arboretum in an urban setting. It opened in October 2020, with themed gardens and glasshouses spread across about 65 hectares. From a traditional Korean garden and a bonsai collection to rare native plants and a children's garden, it makes an easy half-day walk.

How it is laid out

It was the second arboretum opened under the Korea Forest Service's plan to add national arboretums for each climate and vegetation zone, after Baekdudaegan National Arboretum in Bonghwa. Planned as the "National Central Arboretum", it took its current name in 2017. Construction began in 2016 and finished in May 2020. Around 2,450 plant species are planted across the themed gardens. Beyond display, it also researches urban heat islands and the forest genetic resources of Korea's central temperate zone.

The site has three zones: a garden exhibition area, a plant education area and a community area. Unlike arboretums tucked into the mountains, it is on flat ground, so it is easy going with a pushchair or wheelchair.

What to see

• Korean Traditional Garden: a garden with a pond, pavilion and walls. The view of the pavilion across the pond is the arboretum's classic photo.
• Four Seasons Garden: a glasshouse area where plants are on show whatever the weather. In winter, plan your visit around it.
• Bonsai and wildflower gardens: carefully shaped bonsai and Korean native flowers up close.
• Rare and endemic plants, and the folk plant garden: plants found only on the Korean Peninsula and plants traditionally used in daily life. The labels make for good reading as you walk.
• Wetland forest and Cheongnyu garden: boardwalks along the water, with the iris garden and waterside plants flowering in spring.
• Children's garden and forest play area: popular with families, where children can run around among the plants.
• Mugunghwa and healing gardens: a garden of Korea's national flower, the rose of Sharon, and a healing garden designed for the senses, plus a garden created to mark the IFLA World Congress of landscape architects.

Tripto tips

• Opening hours: March to October 09:00-18:00 (last entry 17:00), November to February 09:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00).
• Closed: Mondays (the following day if Monday is a public holiday), 1 January, and Seollal and Chuseok days.
• Admission: adults KRW 5,000, teenagers KRW 4,000, children KRW 3,000. Under-sevens and over-65s enter free. Bring ID if you qualify for a discount. Sejong residents and multicultural families, among others, get 50% off.
• Time needed: the main gardens and glasshouse take 2-3 hours. Some areas have little shade, so bring a hat and water in summer.
• Best time: April-May for flowers and October-November for autumn colour.