N a t i o n a l S e j o n g Botanical Garden city garden stroll

Overview

The National Sejong Arboretum is South Korea’s first urban national arboretum and the third national arboretum established after the National Arboretum in Pocheon and the National Baekdudaegan Arboretum in Bonghwa. Located in Sejong-dong, Sejong Special Self-Governing City, this large-scale plant and culture space stands out for offering a wide range of gardens and plant exhibitions within the city. Through themed spaces such as a Korean traditional garden, bonsai garden, wildflower garden, and wetland ecological forest, it broadly introduces Korea’s plant and garden culture. For foreign travelers interested in nature, landscaping, and plant diversity, it is a great place to experience the appeal of a Korean-style arboretum in Sejong.

Highlights

• Korean Traditional Garden
• Bonsai Garden
• Wildflower Garden
• Wetland Ecological Forest
• Iris Garden

Best Time to Visit

The National Sejong Arboretum is best visited in spring and early summer, but the April to May spring flower season is very crowded, so another period or an early time slot is recommended if possible.

The most comfortable visiting conditions are on a weekday morning. Weekdays are relatively quiet and leisurely, making it easy for foreign travelers to get around and manage their route.

The recommended time is right after opening. Regular operating hours are 09:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 17:00), and in winter they are shorter, 09:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:00). In particular, the greenhouse is open for viewing from 09:30, so if you plan to see the greenhouse as well, a morning visit is most efficient.

Weekends tend to be busier, so it is better to avoid them if you want a quieter visit. If you must go on a weekend, arriving early in the morning is better than going in the afternoon.

How Long to Stay

If you tour quickly, you can see the main areas in 1 to 1.5 hours, and because the arboretum is fairly large, allowing 2 to 3 hours is generally the most reasonable. If you plan to also visit the Sejong City Hall area or nearby downtown attractions, it is recommended to keep half a day free.

How to Get There

The address of the National Sejong Arboretum is 136 Sumokwon-ro, Sejong Special Self-Governing City. For foreign travelers, taking the bus is the most convenient option.

Subway/Train
Sejong does not have a direct subway connection, so you need to transfer to a bus from the nearest major railway station. If departing from Jochiwon Station, take city bus No. 801 and get off at the National Sejong Arboretum stop. There is no separate exit number information inside the station, so board the bus from the stop outside the station.

Bus
From Sejong Express Bus Terminal, you can take Bus No. 221. You can also use Bus No. 801 from Jochiwon Station. If arriving by train, there may be no direct route, so you may need to first head toward Government Complex Sejong and then transfer. Check the latest routes and frequencies on the Sejong city transportation information system or a mobile app.

Walking
After getting off at the National Sejong Arboretum stop, it is about a 3-minute walk to the entrance. Just follow the signs from the stop and it is easy to find.

Photo Spots

• Entrance cherry blossom road: Stand in the center of the cherry blossom road leading from the arboretum entrance and shoot toward the inside of the path; the flower trees on both sides will frame the shot. The best time is from late morning to early afternoon, when the flower colors appear bright and vivid.
• Central lawn square tulip field: If you take photos from the edge of the tulip field spread across the central lawn square, facing the entire flower bed, you can get a picture rich in color. Soft morning light or late afternoon is best.
• Tulip field arch-shaped sculpture: Stand in front of the arch-shaped sculpture in the middle of the tulip field and shoot toward the entrance or in a direction where the flower field is visible in a wide view. It is especially suitable for portrait photos, and the morning hours when there are fewer people are convenient.

Night View

The National Sejong Arboretum operates night opening hours every year from May to October, allowing visitors to enjoy a garden with a different atmosphere from daytime. With lighting and nature blended together, the walking paths and gardens become even more romantic and calm, making it a popular place for a stroll under the moonlight.

During night viewing hours, subtle lighting effects are added, making it ideal for photography and a light evening walk. In particular, visiting during the time shortly after sunset, when the lights start to stand out clearly, is best for experiencing the most beautiful atmosphere.

During the night opening period, special programs such as free emotional lantern rentals and cultural events may also be offered. Checking the official operating schedule and event details before visiting will help you enjoy it more fully.

The recommended visiting period and time are after sunset from May to October, and entering in the early evening rather than too late allows you to comfortably enjoy the illuminated gardens and night scenery.

Seasonal Guide

The National Sejong Arboretum is located next to Central Park in Sejong, making it easy to access and a great urban arboretum for enjoying both the all-season exhibition greenhouse and outdoor gardens. The atmosphere changes greatly with each season, so you can experience different charms depending on when you visit.

Spring

This is the time when fresh light-green leaves and bright spring flowers stand out most. During cherry blossom season, the walking paths and gardens are especially beautiful, making it great for photography and light strolls. The pleasant weather also makes it the most comfortable season for seeing both outdoor areas and the greenhouse together.

Summer

Dense greenery covers the entire arboretum, creating the most lively scenery. On hot days, the all-season exhibition greenhouse, where indoor viewing is possible, is especially useful, and there are also times when seasonal exhibitions and cultural events are held, so checking the schedule before visiting is a good idea.

Autumn

This is the season when the leaves change color, making it a great time to enjoy the changing tones of various trees. Thanks to the cool weather, it is comfortable for long walks, and it is one of the seasons when the natural scenery changes most dramatically. It is also a good time for landscape photography.

Winter

You can feel the calm and quiet atmosphere of the garden, and during periods with winter lighting effects or seasonal decorations, the evening mood is especially attractive. In cold weather, focusing more on the greenhouse makes for a more comfortable visit.

Practical Tips

The all-season exhibition greenhouse is one of the National Sejong Arboretum’s signature attractions and is a large greenhouse with a maximum height of 32 meters. Admission may be limited, so it is safest to reserve in advance during peak seasons or on weekends. Since both the entire arboretum and the greenhouse change in atmosphere depending on the season, it is a good idea to plan your trip around spring cherry blossoms, summer indoor viewing, autumn foliage, or winter illumination.

Local Tips

• If this is your first visit, follow the key route in this order: Visitor Center → All-Season Exhibition Greenhouse → Korean Traditional Garden → Bonsai. You can efficiently see the main highlights in a short amount of time.
• During the night opening period, you can also enjoy the lighting effects in the Korean Traditional Garden, making it nice to experience a different mood from daytime.
• The Korean Traditional Garden is mentioned as a place to enjoy the sunset, so visiting around sunset lets you enjoy both the scenery and the lights.
• The National Sejong Arboretum is a urban arboretum with good accessibility, and the natural scenery changes with each season. You can look forward to the differences in scenery depending on when you visit.
• Cultural events, curated exhibitions, and special exhibits may be added, so it is a good idea to check the operating programs for that period before visiting.