Between the Government Complex and Expo: How to Walk Through the 420,000 m² Hanbat Arboretum

From 2001 to 2011: The Dunsan Grand Park Greenbelt Becomes a Public Arboretum

Hanbat Arboretum is an artificial arboretum developed in stages from 2001 to 2010 to connect the greenbelt between the Government Complex Daejeon and Expo Science Park. Planning documents record the arboretum's area as approximately 426,000㎡. The West Garden opened on April 29, 2005, and the East Garden opened on May 9, 2009. The Tropical Botanical Garden opened on October 29, 2011, and was registered as a public arboretum.

Thus, rather than being a place for exploring a natural forest on a mountain slope, this is an urban arboretum created to conserve plant genetic resources and provide environmental education in the Dunsan area, where administrative, scientific, and artistic facilities are concentrated. The presence of Daejeon Arts Center, Pyeongsong Youth Culture Center, Daejeon Museum of Art, and Lee Ung-no Museum in the same cultural district is also connected to this development plan.

East Garden Closed on Mondays, West Garden on Tuesdays: Why You Cannot Visit Both on the Same Day

The outdoor arboretum's sections have different closing days. The East Garden is closed every Monday, and the West Garden is closed every Tuesday. If a closing day falls on a public holiday, the facility opens as usual. The Tropical Botanical Garden also follows the East Garden's Monday closing schedule, so plan to focus on the West Garden on Mondays and the East Garden and Tropical Botanical Garden on Tuesdays to avoid a wasted trip.

From April to October, admission hours for the outdoor arboretum are 05:00–20:00, and visiting hours are 05:00–21:00. From November to March, admission hours change to 07:00–18:00, and visiting hours are 07:00–19:00. The Tropical Botanical Garden admits visitors from 09:00 to 17:30 and remains open for viewing until 18:00 regardless of the season, so visiting it first is practical in winter or on rainy days.

• East and West Garden admission: Free
• Tropical Botanical Garden admission: Free
• Main contact: 042-270-8452~3
• Official website: https://www.daejeon.go.kr/gar/index.do

How to Divide the East Garden, West Garden, and Tropical Botanical Garden into a 2–3 Hour Visit

If this is your first visit, allow 60–90 minutes even if you choose only one of the East or West Gardens. The East Garden includes the Fruit Tree Garden, Hydrangea Garden, Edible Plant Garden, and Herb Theme Garden, while the West Garden features Manchurian Alder, a Pine Forest, the Rose of Sharon Garden, a Wetland Garden, and a Small Forest Library, giving the two areas distinct planting themes. To see both outdoor sections and the Tropical Botanical Garden, 2–3 hours including travel and rest time is recommended.

The Tropical Botanical Garden is described as a facility containing 198 species of tropical trees across six display gardens, including the Mangrove Garden, Palm Garden, and Tropical Rainforest Garden. Since the outdoor routes are relatively long, in hot summer weather it is better to walk outdoors early in the morning and enter the Tropical Botanical Garden after 09:00, or in winter to visit the Tropical Botanical Garden first and tour the outdoor sections before sunset.

The 1.5 km Red-Clay Trail Along the West Garden Boundary Opened on May 15, 2025

The West Garden has a barefoot walking trail that opened to the public on May 15, 2025. According to news reports and Daejeon city materials, it follows the West Garden boundary for 1.5 km and is 1.5–2 m wide, using loess and decomposed granite. Reports also indicate that an average of approximately 1,000 people used it each day after opening, so it is a good idea to bring a towel and wet wipes for washing your feet, as well as spare socks or sandals.

This is an optional facility where visitors may remove their shoes; it is not an essential section for touring the entire arboretum. If you have wounds on the soles of your feet or feel uncomfortable using a dirt trail immediately after rain, it is safer to use only the paved walking paths. If the barefoot trail is your main purpose, avoid Tuesdays, when the West Garden is closed. For a more convenient route, walk the trail first in the morning and then tour the botanical garden.

Bus Routes 606, 618, and 911 to the Hanbat Arboretum Stop and the Arts Center Parking Route

The address is 169 Dunsan-daero, Seo-gu, Daejeon. The Hanbat Arboretum or Daejeon Arts Center bus stops are both nearby, and buses 606, 618, and 911 stop at the Hanbat Arboretum stop. At the Seogu Public Health Center stop, you can take buses 104, 301, 318, 604, 606, 705, 707, 911, and 918, but additional walking to the arboretum is required.

If arriving by car, for an itinerary centered on the East Garden and Tropical Botanical Garden, first consider the public parking area near Daejeon Arts Center. For an itinerary focused on the West Garden, consider the public parking area near Pyeongsong Youth Culture Center to reduce the distance to the entrance. Parking is advertised as free for the first three hours. Since parking may be crowded on event days and weekends, public transportation or arriving in the morning is advantageous. It is safest to check the official parking information again before departure for exact excess charges and operational changes.

• Hanbat Arboretum stop: Bus routes 606, 618, and 911
• To Daejeon Insect Ecology Center: Approximately 4–5 minutes on foot from the Hanbat Arboretum stop
• Parking: Free for the first three hours
• Recommended stay: 60–90 minutes for one outdoor section, 2–3 hours for all three sections

A Half-Day Along Dunsan-daero Combining May Roses and Cultural Facilities

When planning around seasonal plantings, it is efficient to choose an area by first identifying plants of interest, such as the Rose Garden in May, the Hydrangea Garden in early summer, or the autumn foliage sections. The rose photographs were taken and introduced in May 2025. Since flowering times may vary each year depending on temperatures, it is more accurate to check the arboretum's notices and social media photos shortly before visiting rather than relying on a specific date.

South and east of the arboretum, Daejeon Arts Center, Daejeon Museum of Art, Lee Ung-no Museum, the Natural Monument Center, and Daejeon Insect Ecology Center are located in sequence. If a long walk focused solely on observing plants feels demanding, combine 60–90 minutes in the outdoor arboretum with the indoor Tropical Botanical Garden or one nearby exhibition facility. Conversely, for those who prefer walking on level paths for a long time rather than taking dense photographs of flowers and trees, the West Garden combined with the 1.5 km barefoot trail is more suitable.