Pureun Arboretum

At the far south-western edge of Seoul, in Hang-dong in Guro-gu, Seoul's first city-run arboretum sits between apartment blocks and a railway line. Pureun Arboretum opened in 2013 on former rice fields, laid out around a reservoir, and grows some 2,100 plant species over about 100,000 m². Entry is free and it is open from 05:00 to 22:00, so you can drop in as easily as you would a neighbourhood park.

From paddy fields to arboretum

Hangdong Reservoir, at the heart of the arboretum, formed where water collected after underground drains were laid beneath what used to be rice paddies. The city built the arboretum around this reservoir and the surrounding land and opened it on 5 June 2013. In 2018 it was officially registered as Seoul's first public arboretum. It covers 103,354 m², with themed gardens such as the Korean native tree garden, a greenhouse, a forest education centre and a book café. Sources differ on the number of themed gardens: 20 or 25.

What to see

• Reservoir loop: from the lawn, follow the water round to the left and you see the lakeside and the gardens in one walk. In summer, lotus and water lilies cover the surface.
• Tree-lined promenade: a broad path between rows of tall trees, shady from spring to autumn when the leaves are out.
• Hangdong Railway: a railway line runs right alongside the arboretum. A side gate near the greenhouse lets you step out and walk along the tracks, a favourite photo spot.
• Hangdong Pureun Library: a small library near the rear gate. Sit on the 2nd-floor terrace and read with a view over the arboretum.
• Children's playground: turn right from the main gate and walk past the native tree garden and the retention pond to a playground with a tree house, slides and a sandpit. It is stroller-friendly.

Through the seasons

Yellow spring flowers are the first to wake the arboretum in March, and tree hydrangeas bloom from July to September. Late August to early September is the moment when water lilies are at their best and silver grass is just coming into flower, so you can see lotus, hydrangeas and grasses all at once. The silver grass looks loveliest backlit at sunset. In autumn the leaves turn and the trees set fruit and seed.

Tripto tips

• Opening hours: 05:00–22:00, every day of the year. Admission is free.
• Getting there: from Cheonwang Station (Line 7) it is about a 30-minute walk, or about 10 minutes on bus 6615, 56-1 or 27. From Onsu Station (Lines 1 and 7) it is a 20-minute walk or about 15 minutes on the Guro 07 village bus. The address is 2117 Seohaean-ro, Guro-gu.
• Parking: the car park charges KRW 300 per 10 minutes (KRW 1,800 per hour), so public transport is easier.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours for the reservoir loop and gardens; add the railway walk and the library and it becomes a half-day outing.
• Programmes: seasonal guided forest walks run through the year, along with gardening courses such as the training programme for urban gardeners, known as "Pureuner". In autumn, the walks focus on fruit and seeds. Book them through the Seoul public service reservation website (tel. 02-2686-3200).