Korea National Arboretum in Pocheon is a living museum preserving over 550 years of forest history.

A Forest Preserved Through Five Centuries

The story of Korea National Arboretum (국립수목원, "gungnip-sumogwon") begins not with modern conservation efforts but with a 15th-century king’s final wish. In 1468, King Sejo, the seventh monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, designated this pristine woodland as the site for his royal tomb, known as Gwangneung (광릉, "gwang-neung"). This single decision would safeguard an extraordinary ecosystem for more than 550 years.

Following the construction of the royal tomb, the surrounding forest was placed under strict imperial protection. Access was severely restricted, logging was forbidden, and the natural landscape was left largely undisturbed. This protection continued through the fall of the Joseon Dynasty in 1910, survived the Japanese colonial period, and endured even after the devastation of the Korean War in the 1950s.

In 1911, recognizing its scientific value, the forest was designated as "experimental forest" for botanical research—Korea’s first protected land for forestry studies. The transformation into a modern arboretum began in 1983, when the government launched an ambitious project to create a comprehensive botanical research facility. Construction took place from 1985 to 1987, and the arboretum officially opened its doors to the public on April 5, 1987, initially known as Gwangneung Arboretum.

On May 24, 1999, it was formally renamed and inaugurated as Korea National Arboretum, establishing it as the nation’s premier forest bio-species research institute. The crowning achievement came on June 2, 2010 , when joining an elite global network of protected ecosystems.

An Ecological Treasure Trove

The Korea National Arboretum stands as one of Asia’s most biodiverse temperate forests. Its remarkable species count includes 6,855 plant species, 3,932 types of insects, 946 distinct plant varieties, 694 species of higher fungi, and 187 bird species. Among these residents is the critically endangered white-bellied woodpecker, making the arboretum one of the last sanctuaries for this rare species.

The forest’s biodiversity is directly linked to its centuries of protection. Unlike forests that have been logged and replanted, Gwangneung represents a climatic climax forest—a mature, stable ecosystem that has reached its final stage of ecological succession. The central area features old-growth deciduous broadleaf trees, including loose-flower hornbeams (Carpinus laxiflora) and oaks (Quercus species) with trunk diameters exceeding 40 centimeters, some estimated to be 350 to 400 years old.

The forest’s unique geography contributes to its ecological richness. The Bongseonsacheon Stream flows through the central basin, which sits at approximately 100 meters above sea level. This valley is flanked by Mt. Jugyeop (600 meters), the forest’s highest peak, to the east, and Mt. Soribong (537 meters) to the west. The basin’s topography creates a microclimate where winter temperatures drop about 4 degrees Celsius lower than surrounding areas, supporting plant species that wouldn’t typically thrive at this latitude.

Fifteen Gardens, Endless Discovery

The arboretum’s 1,157 hectares are organized into 15 specialized thematic gardens, each designed to showcase different aspects of Korea’s botanical heritage and global plant diversity.

The Conifer Garden features majestic evergreens including Korean nut pines and firs, some dating back to 1792 and 1798 plantings. The famous fir trail, established in 1927 using seeds from Woljeong-sa Temple in Mt. Odae, ranks among Korea’s three most renowned fir tree walkways.

The Garden of Ornamental Trees displays species selected for their aesthetic qualities—flowering trees, colorful foliage, and interesting bark textures that demonstrate how plants have been cultivated for beauty throughout Korean history.

The Aroma and Touch Garden engages visitors through sensory experience, featuring fragrant herbs, textured leaves, and plants specifically chosen for their therapeutic properties. This garden is particularly valuable for educational programs and accessibility initiatives.

Other specialized gardens include the Rare and Endangered Plants Garden, the Medicinal Plant Garden, the Wetland Garden, and the Traditional Korean Garden. Each space serves dual purposes: public education and active research. Scientists use these living collections to study plant biology, conservation techniques, and climate adaptation strategies.

The arboretum also houses the Tropical Plants Resources Research Center, established in 2008, where 2,700 tropical plant specimens are cultivated for research purposes—a crucial initiative as climate change shifts Korea’s growing zones.

The Forest Museum: Asia’s Premier Forestry Archive

At 4,628 square meters, the Forest Museum stands as the largest forestry museum in Asia. Opened alongside the arboretum in 1987, the building itself is a testament to traditional Korean architectural principles, constructed entirely from wood and stone in harmony with the surrounding forest.

The museum comprises five permanent exhibition halls: Living Forest, Forest and Man, Forestry of the World, Forestry of Korea, and Nature of Korea. These spaces tell the story of forests from global, national, and ecological perspectives, using specimens, interactive displays, and multimedia presentations.

Additional facilities include a herbarium housing preserved plant specimens for scientific reference, a special exhibition room for rotating displays, and an audio-visual hall where educational programs bring forest science to life. The Korea National Herbarium, one of the facility’s most important research assets, maintains extensive collections that document Korea’s flora and track changes over time.

The seed bank represents forward-thinking conservation work, preserving genetic material from rare and endangered species. If habitat destruction or climate change threatens wild populations, these stored seeds could enable future restoration efforts.

Planning Your Visit

Korea National Arboretum operates Tuesday through Saturday, remaining closed on Sundays, Mondays, and major Korean holidays (New Year’s Day, Seollal/Lunar New Year, and Chuseok/Korean Thanksgiving). Operating hours vary by season: April through October from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and November through March from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Last admission is one hour before closing.

Advance reservation is mandatory and can be made through the official website (forest.go.kr/kna). To preserve the forest ecosystem, daily visitor capacity is strictly limited to 3,000-5,000 people depending on the day. Reservations are typically required at least five days in advance, though this may vary during peak seasons.

Admission fees are modest: 1,000 won for adults (ages 19+), 700 won for teenagers (ages 13-18), and 500 won for children (ages 7-12). Senior citizens (ages 65+) and children under 6 enter free. Parking costs 3,000 won for standard vehicles.

Getting There: The arboretum is located at 509 Gwangneungsumogwon-ro, Soheul-eup, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do. From Seoul, take subway Line 1 to Uijeongbu Station, exit through Exit 1, and board bus 21 at the bus stop near Uijeongbu Police Station. The bus journey takes approximately 40 minutes. Alternatively, direct express buses from Jamsil provide a more convenient but less frequent option.

Educational Programs and Guided Experiences

The arboretum offers numerous programs designed to deepen visitors’ understanding of forest ecosystems. Guided walking tours depart hourly from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (February through November), providing expert-led exploration of the grounds. Audio guide devices are available at the Visitors Center, with 99 information points throughout the arboretum offering detailed explanations of significant trees and features.

Special programs include forest explanation services, prenatal forest education programs emphasizing the calming benefits of nature, and forest bird watching experiences. Student groups from kindergarten through university can arrange specialized educational visits, while summer vacation forest schools offer immersive learning experiences for children.

Professional development programs serve forest educators, botanists, and conservation workers, sharing the arboretum’s accumulated research and management expertise with those working to protect forests elsewhere.

Seasonal Splendor

Each season transforms the arboretum into a different landscape. Spring (April-May) brings flowering trees and the first green growth of deciduous species, creating a cathedral of fresh leaves. Summer (June-August) sees the forest at its densest, with deep shade and maximum biodiversity as insects, birds, and understory plants all thrive.

Fall (September-November) is perhaps the most spectacular season, when the deciduous trees turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. The fall foliage attracts the highest number of visitors, making advance reservations even more critical during this period. The ancient oak and hornbeam trees create a particularly stunning display.

Winter (December-March) reveals the forest’s architecture—bare branches against snow-covered ground, evergreen conifers providing structure, and the opportunity to see bird species that might be hidden by summer foliage. Winter visitors enjoy smaller crowds and a peaceful, meditative atmosphere.

Conservation Through Research

Beyond public education, Korea National Arboretum functions as a serious research institution. Scientists here work on biodiversity documentation, restoration of degraded forest lands, rehabilitation of natural monuments, and the Korean Plant Names Index project, which standardizes botanical nomenclature across the Korean Peninsula.

The arboretum collaborates with universities, research institutions, and botanical gardens worldwide. It has initiated the Korea Biodiversity Information System, a database making forest bio-species information accessible to researchers globally. In April 2025, the arboretum signed a Letter of Intent with the French Embassy in Korea to foster international cooperation on plant-based initiatives.

This research focus distinguishes Korea National Arboretum from typical botanical gardens. While visitors enjoy beautiful landscapes, behind the scenes, scientists are conducting work crucial to understanding climate change impacts, preserving endangered species, and developing sustainable forestry practices.

A Living Legacy

Walking through Korea National Arboretum today, you’re experiencing a landscape that has been carefully tended for more than five centuries. The forest that King Sejo protected for his eternal rest now serves the living—as a research laboratory, an educational resource, and a sanctuary where people can reconnect with nature.

In an era when old-growth forests are increasingly rare worldwide, Gwangneung Forest stands as proof that long-term conservation yields irreplaceable ecological value. The diversity found here took centuries to develop and cannot be quickly recreated. Every ancient tree, every rare woodpecker, every unique fungus represents a thread in a complex ecological tapestry that humans have, for once, chosen to protect rather than exploit.

For visitors planning to explore more of Korea’s natural heritage, consider also visiting such as Sejong National Arboretum, Korea’s first urban national arboretum, or the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum in the southern region. Each offers unique perspectives on Korean plant life and conservation efforts.