Introduction to the National Sejong Arboretum

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This introduction to the National Sejong Arboretum will have you headed out the door! Grab the kids for the perfect adventure in a beautifully relaxed area of South Korea.

About the National Sejong Arboretum

National Sejong Arboretum is one of Korea’s three national arboretums and it is located in Sejong City, named after the fourth king in the Joseon Dynasty and creator of Hangeul, the Korean Alphabet. Surrounded by two provinces, Chungcheongnam-do and Chungcheongbuk-do, as well as the city of Daejeon, Sejong was designed as a “smart city” and a Special Self-governing city that markets itself as an alternative to Seoul.

Location Information

Sejong National Arboretum

Sejong National Arboretum 5

044-251-0001

Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions

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Hangul Address

세종 연기면 수목원로 136

Pro-tip: make sure that you buy tickets in advance if you are traveling from far away. They do sellout. Large area with park, trails, scenic spots,, greenhouse/ conservatory (includes a Mediterranean Garden, Tropical Plant Garden, Theme Garden, Palace, kids coloring station, art exhibit, snack shop, and Doppio Cafe). Restaurant with cafe and gift shop near entrance. Kids playground at the far end of park.

(Listing information provided by the South of Seoul app)

About Sejong

Sejong is a unique self-governing city near Daejeon. The area includes many new developments, spacious parks, expansive outdoor areas, and much more. The area includes many stunning attractions designed to draw visitors and tourists. This includes the National Sejong Arboretum. You may also enjoy the Wonsusan Eco Park.

Additionally, Sejong the Great was a famous ruler in South Korea. The name of the area references this ruler since the City of Sejong is the de facto administrative capital of South Korea.

Things To Do

Just a little over an hour south of Camp Humphreys, this beautiful, expansive, kid-friendly, and creative display of culture and art makes this my favorite arboretum in Korea. It includes restaurants, cafes, garden and gift shops with floral art and beautiful wood craftmanship, ponds, a playground, a maze, Hanok architecture, and greenhouse conservatories that are beyond compare. The arboretum feels like a natural theme park and is open from March to October, from 0900 to 1800 (though ticketing closes at 1700). Closed Mondays.

As a green initiative, the National Sejong Arboretum also has an Upcycle Garden Program which provides plants for free as they are removed from exhibits. Each plant comes with instructions for potting and maintenance. For more information, please go to:

https://www.sjna.or.kr/main/main.do#empt

The Gigantic Four Seasons Exhibition Greenhouse

We have spent hours just in this greenhouse during our first adventure here. Included in this massive, iris-shaped glass structure is a Mediterranean greenhouse, a tropical greenhouse, a special exhibition greenhouse, and a center hall with a snack shop, a sitting room, a small exhibition room, and a cafe. Due to COVID19, the greenhouse has limited the number of visitors per hour so it’s recommended to schedule reservations in advance.

Each greenhouse draws from inspiration around the world and includes photo-zones, and observation decks for you to soak in the view. The Special Exhibition Greenhouse continues to draw me back with its changing themes. We visited once during their “Alice in Wonderland” theme, called “Once Upon a Springtime” and again for their “My Autumn Mood Is Jazz” exhibit.

“Once Upon a Springtime”
Special Exhibition Greenhouse

Lunch Break at the food court near the entrance

After admiring the greenhouses, take a break at the food court. If you didn’t stop at the cafe in the greenhouse, there’s another one in the food court. My favorite menu item is definitely the jjajangmyeon but you’ll find a few other selections as well. Unfortunately, you may not find a lot of food that a toddler may enjoy so I often pack snacks and finger foods whenever I travel.

The garden and gifts shops are also in this area and I recommend perusing through their selection. If you love the Little Prince, as I do, you will find small, wood-crafted lamps with him inside. If you are not familiar with him, there are also lamps for Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid, Korean Dramas, cats, etc. They’re great nightlights and I’ve given them away as Christmas gifts to friends, nieces, and nephews. My toddler also loves hers.

Korean Traditional Garden

The Korean Traditional Garden includes a Palace garden, inspired by a garden in the Changdeokgung Palace, and a Hermitage garden, a recreation of Gwangpunggak of Soswaewon in Damyang.

The Bonsai Garden

The Bonsai Garden includes over 400 forms of bonsai that are displayed and rotated based on the season. This garden includes a greenhouse and modern hanok architecture.

The Life Garden

If you’re seeking more of an educational or interactive experience, the Life Garden provides that opportunity. Learn and take part in cultivation and harvesting. You’ll also find chickens in this area since their droppings are used for fertilizer.

Taking a break in the maze

The Children’s Garden

If you’re trying to encourage your kids to be more active, good news, the playground is further back. We ended our day at the children’s garden, which gave me the opportunity to really appreciate everything else.

There are restrooms nearby, which makes this a great spot to sit and read while the kids play. Once they’re tired enough, time to head home.

Children’s Park

Should I go to Sejong today?

Great questions. If you need to know more about the current air quality or the weather check the following information.

Current Air Quality and Weather in Sejong

Air quality and weather change throughout the day. However, having an idea of what the air quality is right now can help make decisions easier. You can download the Air Matters App for your phone to keep current on changing air quality conditions throughout the day. You can even set up alerts.

If you hover over the following Air Quality graphic you will be able to see a 3-day air quality estimate.

Remember that air quality changes around Korea. It may be poor quality in one area and excellent elsewhere. Checking air quality can be a great way to choose where to go, what activities to do when you get there, and when to be inside or outside. It also can help you decide if you should purchase and carry air filter masks for outdoor activities.