Sejong Bear Tree Park, Where More Than 100 Asiatic Black Bears Meet a 100,000-Pyeong Garden

From ‘Songpawon’ in 2009 to Bear Tree Park

Bear Tree Park is a space created from ‘Songpawon,’ a private garden cultivated for many years by its founder, Chairman Lee Jae-yeon. The official history states that Songpawon opened to the public under the name ‘Bear Tree Park’ on May 11, 2009. Reports from the time of its opening in 2009 also introduced its background as a garden that had been carefully developed for approximately 45 years.

The site currently covers approximately 100,000 pyeong, or about 330,000㎡. The official history describes it as a nature and cultural space featuring hundreds of plant species along with Asiatic black bears, fallow deer, peacocks, swans, and koi. Songpawon, the former name of the garden, remains the name of a European-style garden area today.

From the Five-Color Pond to Bear Hill: Allow 2.5 Hours on Your First Visit

For first-time visitors, an easy-to-follow route begins at the Five-Color Pond at the entrance, continues through the Bear Tree Garden, Bear Hill, Asiatic Black Bear Hill, and the Tropical Botanical Garden, and then descends through the Rose Garden, Bonsai Garden, and Juniper Hill. The Korea Tourism Organization’s Accessible Tourism information recommends a circular route from the Five-Color Pond through the Bear Tree Garden and Bear Hill to the Tropical Botanical Garden.

The official history introduces approximately 100 Asiatic black bears, while the Accessible Tourism information describes a combined total of approximately 150 Asiatic black bears and brown bears. Information indicates that carrot feed is sold at a snack stand near the bear enclosures, but availability and feeding activities may change depending on the season and the animals’ condition, so it is safest to follow on-site guidance on the day of your visit.

• Recommended viewing time: 2.5–3 hours when visiting both the gardens and animal areas
• Short visit: Approximately 90 minutes focusing on the Five-Color Pond, Bear Tree Garden, and Bear Hill
• Photography-focused visit: At least 3 hours including the pond, Songpawon, Rose Garden, and Juniper Hill

09:00 Opening and KRW 13,000 for Adults: 2026 Information to Check Before Visiting

According to the official visitor information, Bear Tree Park operates year-round and may close early in severe weather. Recent official and local information lists general operating hours as 09:00–17:00, but these may vary depending on seasonal events and weather conditions, so visitors should check the day’s hours again in the official website announcements before departing.

Admission is listed as KRW 13,000 for adults, KRW 11,000 for teenagers, and KRW 9,000 for children. Visitors eligible for discounts or free admission must present identification or other supporting documents; otherwise, the regular admission fee applies. The main contact number is 0507-1414-7971, and the address is 217 Sinsong-ro, Jeondong-myeon, Sejong Special Self-Governing City.

• Operating hours: 09:00–17:00; early closure possible in severe weather
• Closing days: Open year-round
• Admission: Adults KRW 13,000 · Teenagers KRW 11,000 · Children KRW 9,000
• Phone: 0507-1414-7971
• Official website: https://www.beartreepark.com/

Bus 95 from Jochiwon and Driving to 217 Sinsong-ro

For public transportation, visitors can check Sejong Village Bus 95, which stops at Bear Tree Park in the Jochiwon area. Route information shows a service departing from Jochiwon Bus Terminal, passing Bear Tree Park, and continuing to Songseong 3-ri. However, rural routes may have few services depending on the time of day, so real-time operating information should be checked before departure.

The museum and library bus launched by Sejong City in October 2024 connected Sejong Intercity Bus Terminal with Bear Tree Park, with departures from Bear Tree Park listed at 11:05 and 15:50 at the time. However, this route was operated on a trial basis, and its continued operation may change, so plans should not be made on the assumption that it is currently running. For car navigation, enter ‘217 Sinsong-ro, Jeondong-myeon, Sejong Special Self-Governing City,’ and follow directions from parking attendants on site.

The Accessible Tourism information states that 10 accessible parking spaces are available in the parking lot. On busy spring flower or autumn foliage event days, parking routes may change, so it is better to arrive shortly after opening in the morning or check the event announcement first.

Five-Color Pond, Tropical Botanical Garden, and Bonsai Garden: Seasonal Highlights

Rather than viewing Bear Tree Park’s plants as a display of flowers from just one season, it is better to explore the different types of gardens separately. The Five-Color Pond contains koi, the Tropical Botanical Garden can be visited regardless of the outdoor temperature, and the Bonsai Garden, Songbaekwon, and Juniper Hill are areas where visitors can observe tree forms and the textures of old trees rather than focusing on leaf colors.

In spring, the cherry blossoms around the lawn and pond are highlights; the Rose Garden is best during the rose-blooming season; and in autumn, the foliage near Songpawon, the Bonsai Garden, and Juniper Hill is a major attraction. During the autumn festival in 2025, the festival ran from September 27 to November 16, and the otherwise private forest path known as the ‘Autumn Walking Trail’ was opened temporarily. Such special openings, performances, and activities are not permanent facilities, so visitors targeting a specific program should check the official event announcement and plan their visit accordingly.

For Wheelchairs and Strollers, Prioritize the Five-Color Pond Loop

Bear Tree Park was developed on the lower slopes of a mountain, so areas near the entrance are relatively easy to navigate, but slopes and narrow passages increase farther uphill. The Korea Tourism Organization’s Accessible Tourism information explains that manual wheelchair users need assistance from a companion when traveling along the upper route and notes that wheelchair and stroller access may be limited in some garden and botanical garden areas.

The Five-Color Pond–Bear Tree Garden–Bear Hill–Tropical Botanical Garden–Five-Color Pond loop is relatively suitable for wheelchair users. Manual wheelchairs can be rented at the ticket office for KRW 3,000 per day, and accessible restrooms are located beside the ticket office and on the second floor of the Welcome House. The Welcome House is arranged so that wheelchair users can enter more easily via the second-floor entrance on the sloped rear side rather than through the front first floor.

• Accessible parking: 10 spaces
• Manual wheelchair rental: KRW 3,000 per day
• Accessible restrooms: Beside the ticket office and on the second floor of the Welcome House
• Areas requiring caution: Sloped paths in the upper part of Bear Hill and along the mountain slope, and narrow garden passages

Bear Tree Restaurant on the Second Floor of Bear Tree House and Wrapping Up Your Day

According to the official dining information, Bear Tree, the restaurant on the second floor of Bear Tree House, serves pizza, pasta, and stone-grill steaks. The dining area on the first floor operates from 10:30 to 18:00 and is listed as operating on weekends in spring and autumn, so visitors planning a weekday visit or a late meal should check whether it is actually operating before entering.

For an itinerary that includes a meal, it is practical to enter between 09:00 and 10:00, visit the gardens and Bear Hill first, take a break at Bear Tree House around noon, and then descend through the Tropical Botanical Garden, Bonsai Garden, and Songpawon. Conversely, for manual wheelchair users who find the steep upper gardens and animal areas difficult or who do not have an accompanying aide, it is more realistic to focus their time on the lower route centered around the Five-Color Pond rather than attempting the entire course.