Korea National Arboretum

Park National arboretum preserving diverse Korean tree species

The Korea National Arboretum in Gyeonggi Province displays curated tree collections, themed gardens and walking trails. Visitors come for maple and cherry seasons, educational exhibits and accessible forest paths.

Main image
Abies koreana 1.JPG
Calanthe sieboldii 01.JPG
Emergence hole of Callipogon relictus (10.3897-zookeys.792.26771) Figure 5.jpg
Host plants and habitat (10.3897-zookeys.792.26771) Figure 13.jpg
Larval gallery and pupal chamber (10.3897-zookeys.792.26771) Figure 8.jpg
Pupal chambers of Callipogon relictus (10.3897-zookeys.792.26771) Figure 12.jpg
Pupal exuvium of Callipogon relictus (10.3897-zookeys.792.26771) Figure 11.jpg
Robber Fly male.jpg
Robber fly of red fur.jpg
Someone Painted in the Plant.jpg

The Korea National Arboretum is the national-level arboretum located in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, managed as Korea’s principal center for tree collections, research, and conservation. It functions both as a public display garden and as a scientific facility for forestry and plant conservation.

The site contains curated collections of native and introduced woody plants, themed gardens, walking trails, and nursery and research areas aimed at ex-situ conservation and public education. Many trails are designed for easy public access and include signage for common and scientific names.

The arboretum was established and is operated as a national institution under Korea’s forest authorities to support plant conservation, public outreach, and scientific study of tree species. Facilities combine living collections with propagation and seed-bank activities to support restoration and research programs.

The arboretum sits in northeastern Gyeonggi Province near the city of Pocheon, north of the Seoul metropolitan area. The landscape around it includes mixed forest and hilly terrain typical of the region.

  • Best times to visit: Seasonal displays are strongest in spring and autumn, when flowering understory and fall colors draw the largest number of visitors.
Korea National Arboretum
Korea National Arboretum (Gwangneung Arboretum), 415 Gwangneung-ro, Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
37.7546, 127.1660
Daily 9:00am-6:00pm (hours may change seasonally; check website)
Entrance to the Arboretum grounds: Free. Certain guided tours, events or specialty gardens may charge fees - check the arboretum website.

How to Get to Korea National Arboretum #

The Korea National Arboretum is in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, north of Seoul. Take the Gyeongchun/ITX train lines toward northeastern stations then a local bus or taxi for the final leg, or use intercity buses that stop at Pocheon and connect to the arboretum by local bus routes. Check the arboretum website for shuttle services and special-event transportation.

Tips for Visiting Korea National Arboretum #

  • Take the main loop walk first to get your bearings; the conifer collection sits on higher ground and rewards a late-morning visit.
  • Public buses from central Seoul run to the arboretum; if driving, arrive early on weekends to secure parking.
  • Visit in April for azaleas and late spring for rhododendrons; autumn is excellent for maples.

Best Time to Visit Korea National Arboretum #

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to enjoy flowering displays and comfortable walking conditions.

Spring
Apr-May · 8-20°C
Azaleas and rhododendrons in bloom; mild weather for long walks.
Summer
Jun-Aug · 20-30°C
Lush canopy cover but humid; look for shaded trails and museum spaces.
Autumn
Sep-Nov · 5-18°C
Crisp air and bright fall colours - a popular time for locals to visit.

Weather & Climate near Korea National Arboretum #

Climate

Korea National Arboretum's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental (Dry Winter) - Hot-Summer Continental (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -9°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1288 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
OctoberAprilMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
-27°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -9°C. The driest month with just 16 mm and partly cloudy skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-9°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

16 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -7°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-7°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

22 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
13.0h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.0h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (131 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
16° 25°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

131 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.5h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (339 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° 27°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

339 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.3h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (308 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
20° 28°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

308 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
13.4h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (147 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 24°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

147 mm
Rainfall
1.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).

75 Very Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
18°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
1.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.1h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -6°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-6°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

20 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

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