[One Day Walk] A 420,000㎡ Forest and Cherry Blossoms in the City: 'Hongneung Sup'

A place where you can enjoy clear weather and cherry blossoms in full bloom along with lush nature. Today's recommended course is Hongneung Forest. Its official name is Hongneung Experimental Forest, but it is commonly known as Hongneung Arboretum or Hongneung Forest. It is located between Korea University in Dongdaemun-gu and KAIST, and belongs to the National Institute of Forest Science operated by the Korea Forest Service. The total area is 418,000㎡ (arboretum exhibition area 134,000㎡, natural environment forest 219,000㎡). Established in 1922 as the first arboretum in Korea by setting up a forestry experimental station in the Hongneung area where Empress Myeongseong’s tomb is located. Hongneung Forest has collected and planted about 20,000 individuals of 2,035 species from 157 families of domestic plants, excluding species native to North Korea. It also holds 4,245 specimens including various samples such as fossil leaves.

Cherry Blossoms in Hongneung Forest
Photo by National Institute of Forest Science

The main gate sign of Hongneung Forest reads National Institute of Forest Science. As the oldest arboretum in Korea, you can encounter plants that you rarely see or hear about. In the 1st Arboretum, you can find Taxodium distichum (bald cypress), Daphne odora, Lysimachia clethroides, and Ilex integra. In the 2nd Arboretum, you can see Nandina domestica, Robinia pseudoacacia, Prunus yedoensis (Yoshino cherry), Cephalotaxus harringtonii, and Pinus bungeana. In other arboretums, you can find interestingly named trees such as Maesopsis eminii, Eucommia ulmoides, Ailanthus altissima, Styphnolobium japonicum, Celtis sinensis, Elaeagnus multiflora, Alnus japonica, Hydrangea serrata, Viburnum dilatatum, Clerodendrum trichotomum, and Phytolacca americana. Medicinal plants like Podophyllum hexandrum, Phellodendron amurense, Houttuynia cordata, Phellinus linteus, Aspidistra elatior, and Phyllostachys bambusoides can also be seen.

Plum Blossoms in Hongneung Forest
Photo by National Institute of Forest Science

There are five walking courses in Hongneung Forest. The Millennium Forest Trail starts from the main gate and leads to the Yoshino cherry tree rest area and Millennium Hill. It is a path where you can experience various aspects of Hongneung Forest, including wetlands, conifers, and broadleaf trees. The Empress’s Path is a trail that holds historical pain, connecting Millennium Hill to Eojeong and Hongneung Site. From here to the rest area is the Forest Travel Path, ideal for walking through dense forest and meditating. The path from the Forest Conservation Research Department to the rest area and the Landscape Tree Garden is called Cheonjangmaru Trail. It leads to the summit of Hongneung Forest and offers views of the splendid Landscape Tree Garden. The path from the main gate to the main building and the medicinal herb garden rest area is the Maebae Tree Path. It is a light walking trail where you can see plants not usually encountered. You can find aquatic plants, medicinal plants, and old Eucommia and Maebae trees.

Hongneung Forest is not just an arboretum or park but a forest science research experimental forest where various studies are conducted and environmental ecological preservation is necessary. On weekdays, forest interpretation programs (by reservation) are available on a limited basis, so it is better to visit for free viewing on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). It is closed every Monday, May 1st, and all legal public holidays. You can apply for and attend forest interpretation sessions, and there is no separate admission fee or interpretation cost.

Hongneung Forest Walking Course [Image=National Institute of Forest Science]