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.
Korea National Arboretum at a Glance#
Address: Korea National Arboretum (Gwangneung Arboretum), 415 Gwangneung-ro, Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Website: https://kna.go.kr/
Hours: Daily 9:00am-6:00pm (hours may change seasonally; check website)
Admission: Entrance to the Arboretum grounds: Free. Certain guided tours, events or specialty gardens may charge fees - check the arboretum website.
About Korea National Arboretum#
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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Korea National Arboretum#
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -9° - 0° | -8° | 16 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.8h |
| February | Acceptable | -7° - 3° | -5° | 22 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 1.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| March | Good | -2° - 9° | 1° | 42 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 2.3 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 5° - 16° | 11° | 74 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.3 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.0h |
| May | Very Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 2.2 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.0h |
| June | Very Good | 16° - 25° | 20° | 131 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 1.8 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.5h |
| July | Good | 20° - 27° | 24° | 339 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.8 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.3h |
| August | Good | 20° - 28° | 24° | 308 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 13.4h |
| September | Very Good | 14° - 24° | 19° | 147 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 1.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.3h |
| October | Very Good | 7° - 18° | 12° | 47 mm | some cloud | 78% | 1.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.1h |
| November | Good | 0° - 10° | 4° | 46 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 1.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.0h |
| December | Acceptable | -6° - 3° | -4° | 20 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 1.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |