Sejong Bear Tree Park Zoo meets Arboretum

Overview

Bear Tree Park is a nature-themed space that combines a zoo and an arboretum, where you can meet a variety of animals such as bears, deer, and peacocks alongside more than 1,000 species of plants. On its expansive grounds, around 400,000 flowers and trees have been cultivated, making it a place where you can experience Korea’s four seasons in one location. Located near Sejong, it is known as a relaxing natural getaway that is not too far from the city. It is especially recommended for foreign travelers who want to enjoy animal viewing and a stroll through gardens at the same time.

Highlights

• Habitat for Asiatic black bears and brown bears
• Bear feeding experience
• Arboretum and garden with 1,000+ plant species
• Peafowl, sika deer, and koi viewing
• Cherry blossom, azalea, rose, and autumn foliage festivals

Best Time to Visit

Bear Tree Park is good to visit year-round, but the most pleasant seasons are spring and autumn. The weather is neither too hot nor too cold, making it easy to enjoy a leisurely walk in the park.

The best recommended time to visit is right after opening at 9:00 a.m. through late morning. This time is relatively quiet, so it is easier to explore at a relaxed pace. As the day goes on, more visitors may arrive, so it can become busier, especially on weekends and public holidays.

If possible, a weekday visit from Tuesday to Thursday is recommended. Weekends, public holidays, and vacation periods tend to be crowded. If you want a peaceful atmosphere, a weekday morning is best.

The operating hours are generally from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., but opening and closing times may vary slightly by season, so it is a good idea to check the official information before visiting.

How Long to Stay

If you tour Bear Tree Park quickly, about 1 hour is enough, and around 1 hour 30 minutes is typical. If you want to enjoy photography and a leisurely garden stroll, or plan to visit nearby attractions as well, it is better to set aside about half a day.

How to Get There

Bear Tree Park’s address is 217 Singsong-ro, Jeondong-myeon, Sejong-si. By public transportation, the most practical route is to pass through Jeoneui Station.

Subway/Train

The nearest station is Jeoneui Station. If you are coming from the Seoul metropolitan area, the usual method is to travel by KTX or regular train toward Cheonan-Asan Station or Jochiwon Station, then transfer to Jeoneui Station. Since the original material does not provide the station exit number, please come out toward the main entrance area after arriving and continue by bus or taxi.

Bus

You can take Bus No. 81 from Jeoneui Station toward Bear Tree Park. Bus schedules may change, so it is best to check the local 안내판 or a real-time bus app after arriving at Jeoneui Station.

If departing from the Sejong Express and Intercity Bus Terminal, it takes about 35 minutes by car to Bear Tree Park. If you have a lot of luggage or transferring is inconvenient, taking a taxi from the terminal is also convenient.

On Foot

Walking from Jeoneui Station to Bear Tree Park is possible, but it is a long distance and not the most convenient option. If walking, you should head toward Singsong-ro, and if the weather is hot or you have luggage, using a bus or taxi is recommended.

For foreign travelers, saving the destination name and address as "Bear Tree Park, 217 Singsong-ro" in Korean and showing it to the driver or on-site staff will make getting there easier.

Photo Spots

• Bear Photo Zone: The most popular spots are in front of Bear Tree Park’s representative bear sculpture and bear-themed areas. Stand on the inside of the viewing path and face the bears directly when taking photos. In the morning, the soft sunlight helps both faces and backgrounds look better.
• Biamsa Stone Pagoda: It is best to shoot from the open space in front where the stone pagoda is fully visible. Face the pagoda directly and try composing the shot slightly from below so that the sky is included. Late morning to just before noon is the brightest and quietest time.
• Folk Museum Experience Zone: This traditional-looking experience space is a great photo spot. If you shoot from the entrance looking inward, the sense of depth comes out well. For portrait photos, using the morning natural light gives the cleanest results.
• Cherry Blossom Tree Photo Zone: This is a good place if you want seasonal photos. Place the tree to the side or behind you and check the direction of the sunlight so your face comes out bright. A morning visit is the safest choice, and there are relatively fewer people.
• Red Carpet, Heart Balloon, and Light Decoration Area: Suitable for romantic couple photos. If you position the decorations directly ahead or diagonally in the frame, the background looks richer. For bright photos, morning is best; for a more atmospheric look, late afternoon is ideal.

When taking photos, use only the designated viewing paths and do not cross any fences or barriers. It is quieter before noon, making it easier to take pictures.

Night View

Bear Tree Park’s night view begins in earnest in winter when the lights come on at 4:30 p.m. Throughout the spacious park, round lights and colorful light decorations illuminate the walking paths, bridges, and garden scenery, making everything feel even more romantic.

The atmosphere is quiet and magical, with trees, flowers, and walking trails highlighted by the lights, making it a great place for photos. In particular, the large Christmas tree and the area where the lighting ceremony is held are representative photo spots.

The recommended time is from just after sunset to early evening. The lights are most vivid, and you can enjoy a relatively relaxed stroll while taking in the night scenery.

Depending on the season, nighttime opening hours and lighting events may be offered, so it is a good idea to check the official operating hours and whether there are special night events before visiting.

Seasonal Guide

Bear Tree Park is an arboretum-style park where the atmosphere changes clearly throughout the four seasons. However, it may be temporarily closed during extreme summer heat or severe winter cold for safety and facility protection, so it is a good idea to check the official operating status before visiting.

• Spring: This is the season when flowers are in full bloom and one of the best times for a walk. With cherry blossoms and various spring flowers together, it is a great time for photography and a light picnic atmosphere.
• Summer: This is the season when the vitality of the plants feels strongest. It is best to focus on the forest trails and shaded paths, but on very hot days operations may be adjusted, so visiting in the morning is more comfortable.
• Autumn: This is the signature season of Bear Tree Park. The Autumn Foliage Festival from September 27 to November 16 is held, and the scenery as the leaves turn is especially beautiful. Thanks to the cool weather, it is the most comfortable season for walking.
• Winter: You can feel a different charm in a quiet and calm atmosphere. During some periods, temporary closures may occur due to severe cold, so advance confirmation is necessary. If the park is open, check whether there are winter garden scenes and night lighting displays unique to the season.

For foreign travelers, the spring flower season and autumn foliage season are the most satisfying. In summer and winter, it is best to prepare comfortable shoes, water, and seasonal outerwear in case of weather changes.

Local Tips

Rather than rushing at the start, it is more comfortable to explore the park slowly and then finish at Bear Hill by seeing the bears and joining the feeding experience.

There is a parking lot, so it is convenient to visit by car.

Most paths are stroller-friendly, making it easy to move around with young children.

On cloudy days, it is good to bring a light raincoat. A misty garden offers a unique atmosphere.

The main areas are divided into Five-Color Pond and Jahyewon, Bear Tree Garden, Bear Hill and the Pet Zoo, the observatory, the lawn square, and the botanical garden, so it is easy to plan your route starting with the area that interests you most.