A Day Connecting Gardens, Animals, and Seasonal Events at Seoundongsan, Korea’s First Tourist Farm

The Garden in Naechon-myeon That Became Korea’s First “Tourist Farm” in 1987

Seowoon Garden is introduced as Korea’s first tourist farm, opened in 1987. Located around the foothills and waterways of Naechon-myeon, Pocheon, it features gardens, walking trails, and activity areas, making it more like an outdoor destination along a walking route than an indoor exhibition venue.

Materials from the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation record that it once consisted of landscaped woodland, a lakeside walking trail, a gallery, restaurant, outdoor wedding venue, water-play area, and riding ground. Facilities and seasonal programs currently available may change frequently, so it is safest to call 031-533-9000 to ask whether it is operating on the day of your visit.

From 09:00 Admission Until Before Sunset: Closing Times That Vary by Season

The operating hours given in the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation’s guidelines are 09:00–19:00 in summer and 09:00–17:30 in winter, with the note that it operates “until sunset.” Therefore, even in summer, arriving just before closing makes it difficult to see the gardens and activity areas fully, and visits in late autumn and winter should especially be scheduled for a shorter afternoon period.

The same guide lists admission fees as 5,000 won for adults and 4,000 won for children aged 25 months to 15 years from April to November, and 4,000 won for adults and 3,000 won for children aged 25 months to 15 years from December to March; infants are listed as free. Since these fees are based on information available when it was published, it is best to reconfirm discounts, events, and whether activity fees are included on the official website, seowoon.co.kr, or by phone.

• Main telephone: 031-533-9000
• Official website: https://www.seowoon.co.kr/
• For a basic visit, it is best to allow 2–3 hours, including a garden walk and animal activities.

Baby Farm and Safari Area: What to Know Before the Feeding Activity

Seowoon Garden’s Baby Farm is divided into indoor and outdoor spaces. The Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation’s introduction mentions animals such as rabbits and peafowl, along with sheep, goats, and small horses. In the area marked as the safari zone, the animals are introduced as taking food from visitors, making it a significant part of the route for families planning a feeding activity rather than for visitors who only want to observe the animals.

Food was sold at the snack stand, and records indicate that animal photography programs were offered at different times of day. However, the scope of animal contact and feeding may change depending on the animals’ condition, weather, and hygiene management, so it is better to follow on-site rules than to bring outside food. Information for visitors with infants mentions a nursing room and diaper-changing table beside the café at the entrance.

Waterway Between Parking Lots 1 and 2: Lot 2 Is Preferable with Strollers or Children

Parking is advertised as free, and arriving by passenger car is the most practical option. The address is 237 Naejin-ro 9beon-gil, Naechon-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, and tourist information also lists the lot-number address as 127-3 Mameong-ri, Naechon-myeon. It is best to enter both the road-name address and “Seowoon Garden” into your navigation system.

A visit record from the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation notes that visitors must cross a stream when going from Parking Lot 1 to the entrance, and that there may be a current; it therefore recommended Parking Lot 2 when traveling with children. For stroller and wheelchair users, the waterway and outdoor slopes and unpaved routes may be factors, so it is important to call ahead and ask specifically about the parking location and sections accessible without barriers.

• Parking: Advertised as free
• Address: 237 Naejin-ro 9beon-gil, Naechon-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Wheelchair and stroller accessibility: Since it has not been confirmed that every section is level, advance inquiries are recommended

A Place Where You Need to Plan for a Taxi After Transferring at Gwangneungnae

Seowoon Garden is not a place that can be reached on foot from a subway station. Older guidance introduced a route involving Bus 21 from Uijeongbu Station toward Gwangneungnae, getting off at Gwangneungnae, and then taking a taxi, but bus routes, schedules, and stop locations are highly subject to change.

Foreign travelers and visitors without rental cars should enter their departure point for the day and “Seowoon Garden” into a map app to check real-time directions, while also considering whether they will be able to call a taxi for the return trip. Seowoon Garden is listed as a major tourist attraction on Pocheon City’s culture and tourism website, but traveling to and from the site is much more convenient by private car or taxi.

Spring Flowers, Summer Water Play, and Autumn Chestnut Gathering: Choose Your Purpose Based on the Visit Date

Seowoon Garden is known as a place where the purpose of a visit changes by season: garden walks in spring and autumn, a children’s water-play area in summer, and chestnut-related activities in autumn. Parenting information says that the summer water-play area can be used with a Seowoon Garden admission ticket, but the opening period, hours, clothing requirements, and safety rules may change each year.

A 2024 video review filmed in autumn and a 2023 video from Pocheon City Hall focus on animal feeding and seasonal outings at Seowoon Garden. Conversely, if it rains or there has been heavy precipitation the previous day, the condition of the waterway and dirt paths and the operation of outdoor activities may change. On days with unstable weather, it is better to check operating status in the morning and prepare shoes with good slip resistance.

Walking Trails at the Foot of Mudeungsan and Seowungak: Secure Walking Time Before Focusing on Photos

A 2011 introduction from Policy Briefing mentioned the walking course leading toward the foothills of Mudeungsan and Seowungak as photo spots at Seowoon Garden. The site was introduced as a place where gardens, architecture, and waterside scenery were arranged together, to the extent that it had continued to receive requests for commercial and drama filming cooperation.

However, planning only a short stay because it is a filming location can make the route feel rushed. To see the entrance, garden, animal area, and lake surroundings in sequence, it is realistic to allow at least 2 hours; if children take part in feeding activities or seasonal programs, allowing 3 hours or more is advisable. Since the site is outdoors, prepare a parasol, water, and insect-repellent supplies according to the season.

For a Half-Day Itinerary, Pair It with the National Arboretum Area; Groups Should Confirm in Advance

Seowoon Garden has been introduced as having a grassy field, foot-volleyball court, lodging, and auxiliary facilities suitable for group events. However, past facility information does not guarantee currently available rooms or rental conditions. Groups planning an event or overnight stay should therefore confirm the number of people, meals, alternative rainy-day spaces, and cancellation policies individually by phone.

If you are planning a day in southern Pocheon, one option is to combine it with the Korea National Arboretum in the Gwangneung area, although the arboretum may have separate rules such as advance reservations and admission restrictions. Seowoon Garden itself suits a half-day schedule for leisurely garden walks and activities, while adult travelers who do not want animal contact or seasonal water play should first decide whether the purpose of the stay justifies the admission fee.