Seoul Botanic Park offers a beautiful oasis amid the bustling life of the city. You can come rain, snow, or shine and enjoy the green lush wonders of the world. Be sure to add this beautiful destination to your Seoul bucket list.
Seoul is a city where ancient architecture meets the modern world. It has one of the best culinary scenes in the world, dazzling shopping malls, and did I mention the cafe culture? There’s so much to do in this vast city that it’s overwhelming.
I’m sure you’ve seen Korea by the seasons. They have relatively hot summers, crisp falls, mild springs, and often harsh winters. Of course, some tourist spots might look more aesthetically pleasing in a specific season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them all year round. Luckily, Seoul has so much to do no matter the season, so it’s always a good time to visit.
For all the nature lovers out there. Do you want to admire more than the picturesque skyline from the peaks of Bukhansan or the highest steps on the Seoul Wall Trail? I’d like to suggest something a little less intense of a workout. When you hear the word botanical, you probably associate it with a greenhouse or a place that’s good to go to during the warmer seasons. A botanical garden is a fantastic destination for any season because it’s all indoors. That way, you can enjoy the greenery in the rain or shine. Do you want to take a trip to the Seoul Botanic Park? Come with me!
The botanical gardens have indoor and outdoor facilities. The park itself is the equivalent of 70 football fields in the area. Then, the indoor greenhouse is about 7,500 square meters. There’s a lot of space which also means that there is a lot to see. The inside also showcases eight themed exhibits based on the plant species and Korean horticulture history. The indoor garden themes are from cities all over the world. They use elements from the tropical parts of the world like Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, and much more. Then, there are the arid and desert regions of Australia, Spain, Italy, Greece, and the USA. If you’re looking for an escape from the city landscape. You can find 12 types of tropical and Mediterranean plants in the other featured exhibits. Every part of this indoor garden is spectacular. The design and creative elements dazzle visitors who come every day.
When you finish exploring and snapping a few pictures of the exhibits, you can check out the other attractions that they offer. Take the children to the Kid’s Garden School. They can learn about different plants and the life cycle process. Also, stop by the Magok Cultural Hall. It represents Korean history during the Japanese occupation during the 1920s. It also showcases a water management system that irrigated the fields for farmers. This is particularly interesting for visitors who are more interested in the history of farming techniques in Korea.
Here’s a cool concept that can make you feel more involved with the ongoing projects at the botanical gardens. Did you know that they have a seed harvesting program? In the same way that you borrow books from the library, you can borrow seeds here. Pick the one that you want. No matter how much or how little it is. Then you can grow them, and the plant is yours. You don’t have to return the seeds, but you have to submit photos of the results.
The botanical gardens have over 3,000 different plant species native to Korea and overseas. The gardens are projects to have over 8,000 species in the future. Since there are exhibits from the tropical to sub-Saharan regions, you get a lot of variety. The tropical exhibitions feature rare Amazonian flowers and wild trees from Australia. They also have mosses hanging from a waterfall. If you want to venture outside, you can see a wetland ecosystem at the Detention pond. For the arid or drier climates, you’ll find a lot of shrubs, different cacti, and some desert flowers. It is intriguing to see the wide variety from various climates.
We know that Korea has as harsh of summers as it does winters. Puffer coats are practically a necessity from November to April. Never let the weather conditions stop you from enjoying the city for all it has to offer. Visiting the botanical gardens is the place to be. If it’s too cold for your liking, skip the outdoor park and head straight indoors. Most parts of the indoor gardens are heated to be representative of the climate in those regions of the world. Even if you’re not in the arid climate exhibits, it’s a temperature-controlled place that’s excellent to visit whether it’s raining or snowing outside. While you’re drafting your Seoul bucket list, the botanical gardens should be included.
The one fantastic thing about this city is that doing things and going to attractions is pretty affordable. In many major cities, admission to a botanical garden could cost over 25,000won. At Seoul Botanic Park, adults can get in for 5,000won, and the children’s admission fee is only 3,000won. It’s a win-win event for the entire family to experience.
We already know that getting around Seoul is a breeze because of the reliable transportation system. The garden is in Gangseo-gu near Gimpo airport. It is easily accessible by subway via Magongnaru station (line 9). Hop on from any station in the city. When you arrive at the station, take exit 3 or 4. It will lead you to an open park where the facility is. The opening hours for the park are Monday-Friday, 9 am-6 pm. If you want good pictures, you should probably go earlier in the day because it can get crowded.
Seoul Botanic Park Botanic Garden* Address: 161 Magokdong-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul Operating Hours: 9:30am - 6:00pm (-5:00pm Nov - Feb) Tues - Sun, closed Mon Directions: Magoknaru Station (Subway Line 9 - Express, All-stop; Airport Railroad) Exit 3 or 4. *Seoul Botanic Park Outdoor Park open 24/7
