Hwadam Botanic Garden

Overview

Hwadam Botanic Garden is an ecological arboretum established by the LG Evergreen Foundation. Covering approximately 165,000 square meters, it is home to over 4,000 species of native and exotic plants distributed across 16 themed gardens. The forest is designed with barrier-free wooden decks, making it accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, ensuring that everyone can enjoy nature's beauty comfortably.

History

The project was approved in 2006 with the goal of creating a research-oriented arboretum that promotes the restoration of endangered species. It officially opened to the public in 2013. The name "Hwadam" was chosen to reflect the vision of a place where visitors can "share a friendly conversation" with nature, emphasizing ecological preservation and education over simple tourism.

Things to see

• **Moss Garden**: One of the largest and most unique moss collections in Korea, offering a mystical, fairy-tale-like atmosphere along the valley.

• **Pine Tree Garden**: A breathtaking display of over 1,300 pine trees, showcasing the resilient and timeless beauty of Korea’s representative evergreen.

• **Birch Forest**: A stunning white-barked forest that offers a fresh, Nordic-style landscape, particularly popular during the spring and winter.

• **Autumn Maple Lane**: Famous for being one of the best spots in Korea for fall foliage, featuring over 480 varieties of maple trees.

Things to do

• **Monorail Tour**: Take the eco-friendly monorail that glides through the forest canopy, offering a relaxed way to view the upper reaches of the gardens (On-site booking required).

• **Trekking the Dulle-gil**: Walk the entire 5km loop via gently sloped wooden decks, which takes about 2 hours and provides a deep immersion into the forest air.

• **Online Reservation**: Note that Hwadam operates on a **100% online pre-reservation system**. Be sure to book your entry time via the official website before visiting.

• **Photography**: Don't miss the famous "Promise Bridge" covered in padlocks, which offers the best view of the monorail passing through the forest.