Sejong 2 : Sejong National Arboretum Get to know the national flower of South Korea.
In addition to being the new administrative capital of South Korea full of tall buildings urbanization and serves as a record of political stories and administration of the country from the past until the present
Sejong Sejong also offers Sejong residents and tourists a great experience of pleasure that cannot be found in other cities in South Korea. Sejong National Arboretum or Sejong National Arboretum An arboretum with an area equivalent to approximately 90 football fields.
It is a must-visit destination for tourists who want to immerse themselves in the beauty of Korean flora and culture. Various trees and flowers bloom amidst the breeze and sunlight. and themed international plant gardens in a stunning greenhouse building.
Sejong National Arboretum
This enormous arboretum It is South Korea’s first arboretum to be located in a city. Just a 20-minute drive from the city’s city blocks, it’s a beautiful park that’s ideal for those who enjoy walking among the greenery. Including travelers who are looking for a quiet, relaxing place to relax.
Regular staff Sejong National Arboretum The arboretum is an urban arboretum with the themes of ‘Korean Garden’ and ‘Conservation of Plant Resources in the Central Temperate Zone’, the green space showcases more than 1.7 million plants, with over 100 species of plants, according to the tour guide. 3,700 species from many different world climates
‘Sejong National Arboretum’ first opened in July 2020 after 8 years of planning, divided into plant exhibition areas. Learning resources Activity areas and viewpoints total 25 locations.
4 season greenhouse
Outstandingly beautiful, you can see it towering in the distance. From the moment the car drove into the road before reaching the parking lot, that is. 4 season greenhouse building Or the Four Seasons Conservatory in Korea has several beautiful conservatories. And this place is definitely one of them.
The ‘4 Season Greenhouse’ here is the largest greenhouse in Korea. Designed with the shape of a flower. Iris (iris) Because one of the arboretum’s missions is to conserve the plant resources of the temperate zone.
to collect this mission ‘Sejong National Arboretum’ therefore chose the ‘iris’ shape, a plant species that represents the plant resources of the central temperate zone. It grows well in many areas such as wetlands, plains and rivers and can also be found as a garden plant. Designed in the shape of a greenhouse building.
Inside this iris-shaped building, there are three large greenhouses that display botanical gardens. The first two houses permanent plantings: Mediterranean Plant Garden and house Tropical Plant Garden
The third house is Special Exhibition Hall Showcasing the seasonal rotation of tree planting in South Korea.
The three houses are connected to each other by a circular hallway in the middle. And there is a coffee shop in the middle.
- 1) Mediterranean Plant Garden
The Mediterranean climate has a ‘Subtropical’ plants must adapt to survive through drought in summer and extreme humidity in winter.
inside Mediterranean Plant Garden More than 200 types of plants are on display, including prominent trees such as Wallemia pine (Wollemia Nobilis) also known as the dinosaur tree. Old trees are hard to find. It is native to Wollemi National Park in Australia and can be seen here.
Another tree that catches the eye Golden barrel cactus In our country, we call it ‘Tang Thong’, a type of cactus. Semi-spherical shape The mature tree has a diameter of over 1 meter. It can live up to 30 years. The flowers are bright yellow. But if you see flowers It means that the Golden Tang tree is 20 years old or more.
Golden barrel cactus is native to Mexico. and listed as a plant species that is at high risk of extinction from natural areas.
Tea Tree
Trees that Arboretum staff Another introduction is Tea Tree A native Australian plant that has been turned into a variety of skin care products. Until many people call it ‘Aussie tea’ and think it’s a tea tree.
But the Tea Tree is not actually a tea tree and its leaves do not resemble tea leaves. But it is a tall shrub with pointed leaves resembling pine leaves.
Aboriginal people used tea tree leaves as a herbal remedy for headaches. Because it smells like Thai citronella. Who has been to Australia and has never seen a tea tree? The Mediterranean greenhouses here can be viewed up close.
Another notable plant of the Mediterranean climate is the aromatic ‘herbs’. So here we see the tree. rosemary I’m with him, but his idea is very good. Take the low shrub nature of rosemary and plant it along the walkway. Aside from looking beautiful, you can also smell the fragrance as you walk past. Adds natural aroma in the garden very well.
Mediterranean plant gardening inside this greenhouse Built on the theme of the Alhambra Palace in Andalusia, Spain, it is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture. It is one of the best-preserved palaces of the ancient Islamic world.
- 2) Tropical Plant Garden
The ‘Tropical Plant Garden’ greenhouse, themed around a tropical region with an average monthly temperature of more than 18 degrees Celsius, features more than 400 plants that grow in tropical rainforests around the world. The temperature inside this greenhouse is therefore cool.
For the writer Walking into the greenhouse Tropical Plant Garden It’s like walking in a familiar green forest, shady, easy on the eyes, and comfortable on the body, but there’s excitement in the large size of the plants.
This greenhouse captures the beauty of the rainforest.rubber treebroad leavesfernthat is fully grown until the leaf stalks are a meter long coffee treeGrown in the mountains of Sudan and Ethiopia. Gunnera tree (Gunnera), which has leaves longer than 2 meters, grows in southern Brazil and is a group of insectivorous plants.
Even the tree Duck feet that has its original habitat in Southeast Asia And they can be found in every region of Thailand. They can be seen here. There is a sign that says Alstonia scholaris.
Around the pond, there are many varieties of tropical plants with beautiful leaves and flowers. Victoria Regia Mysterious Victoria Lotus that can support a person’s weight while standing.
There is even mangrove tree Symbolic plant ‘Mangrove’, tropical and subtropical coastal wetlands. It is both a spawning ground and a habitat for marine animals. and plays an important role in preventing natural disasters such as tsunamis and typhoons. Continuous conservation of mangrove forests is therefore necessary.
- 3) Special Exhibition Hall
South Korea has four seasons, so the plants on display inside Greenhouse, Special Exhibition Hall This therefore emphasizes presentation. The beauty of flowering plants in Korea each season
There are also elements such as scenes, furniture, and various displays. Adding to the atmosphere to match that season as well.
Interior exhibits The ‘Special Exhibition Hall’ changes according to the season and cultural events. There are no less inviting corners to take photos as souvenirs than the first two greenhouses because the style changes every season.
The theme on display in fall 2023 is Peter Rabbit’s Secret Garden, the adorable main character in the fairy tale. It is scheduled to be on display until October 29.
Palace Garden
When arriving in this area of Sejong National Arboretum The atmosphere changed to another form. It’s like we are walking in an era when Korea was still ruled by the Joseon Dynasty as seen in many famous series. Since the walls are made of stone and there is a small roof ridge-like edge along the wall, it creates a very good atmosphere.
The landscaping in this area is a simulation. Park behind Sangdeok Palace (Changdeokgung), which is known as The most beautiful ‘palace park’ in Korean history It is also considered to be the ‘Royal Garden’ of the Joseon Dynasty that represents the history of Korean gardening culture.
‘Sejong National Arboretum’ reproduces the real size ‘Sangdeok Palace Back Park’ here.
The history of the park behind Changdeok Palace began in 1406 or the 6th year of the reign of King Taejong of the Joseon Dynasty. palace as much as possible
The simulation of ‘Sangdeok Palace Back Park’ is based on every location according to the original plan. Gaonmum Arch and Dodamji Pond has been arranged between Juhamnu Pavilion and Dodamjeong Pavilion It is a straight line following the original style of the Sangdeok Palace park.
Dodamji Pond (Dodamji) has a rectangular shape. There is a small circular island in the middle of the pond again. It is a pond created according to beliefs influenced by Taoism and Confucianism that uses a square symbol to represent the world. and the circle represents heaven
On a circular island in the middle of the pond, a ‘pine tree’ was planted, a symbol of honesty and a wish for the king’s good health and long life. In the pond, there were lotus and water lilies planted.
According to Korean tradition Ponds are often named after pavilions built nearby. Dodamji Pond is also named after Dodamjeong Pavilion.
Mukunghwa, national flower
Plants that are definitely a must have inside ‘Sejong National Arboretum’ is Mukunghwa (Mugunghwa) National flower of South Korea. and appears in national symbols and national anthems.
Mukunghwa is a species of hibiscus, Hibiscus syriacus, also known as ‘Korean Rose’
The symbolic meaning of this flower comes from the Korean word ‘mugung’, which means ‘everlasting’, referring to a flower that blooms forever and will never fade. and also has the meaning that ‘Endless abundance’
Emblems of various administrative regions South Korea’s symbol consists of the Hibiscus syriacus flower. It is generally considered by South Koreans to be a traditional symbol of the Korean people and culture.
‘Sejong National Arboretum’ has set aside one area to be planted specifically as a ‘Mugunghwa’ flower garden.
With as much time as I have Arboretum staff Take a ride on the 18-seat electric train to see the view of the gardens. You can see the vast areas of the gardens, but not all 25 locations.
The tour guide said that the peopleSejongPeople often come to relax and take a walk in this arboretum. Young couple and family Especially during the autumn leaves changing colors. The garden here is full of colorful yellow, orange, and red leaves, all strangely beautiful.
It invites you to spend time here without getting bored amidst the cool autumn weather.
note : Next week, please follow. ‘Experience the Korean tea ceremony’ and ‘Sejong’s highest coffee shop’
