Halla Arboretum Is A Free Forested Oasis In The Middle Of Jeju City

When most people arrive to Jeju Airport, they’re pretty quick to get out of Jeju City and head to other various parts of the must-see island. We’ve been known to do that as well, however, the past few trips, we stuck around a bit to see something in the area. Stick around and you can visit Halla Arboretum (한라수목원) for one.

We’ve managed to visit this arboretum twice, once in the spring and once in the autumn and it’s really a stunning spot that’s easy to get to even if you’re not renting a car on Jeju Island.

Halla Arboretum (한라수목원), Jeju City, Jeju Island, Korea

Halla Arboretum in Jeju is a great escape right near the airport. You don’t have to go far to find nature in Jeju:

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How To Get There

Address: 72 Sumogwon-gil, Jeju-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 제주시 수목원길 72)

By Public Transportation: Bus 451 goes throughout Jeju City and stops just at the end of the street that leads up to the arboretum so even if you’re not renting a car, you can get here.

Basic Info

Hours: Summer: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm; Winter: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm

Closed: Open every day except Seollal and Chuseok.

Admission: Free

This is a great spot if you’re waiting to go to the airport, but don’t want to be across the island. Stop here enjoy some peace and quiet before flying out. Or, if you’re sticking around Jeju City, head here to see what’s blooming and get in a hike.

An Arboretum With A Mission

Established in 1993 with a mission for nature research and preservation, this arboretum is a beautiful space to visit built with a purpose to be an open air classroom.

Spread over 21 hectares and boasting 13 botanical gardens, the arboretum is a living library of over 1,300 species, including 1,321 endangered and rare plants. Whether you’re a botany enthusiast keen to study the exotic Michelia Compressa or a family looking for an educational yet fun outing that’s not far from Jeju Airport, Halla Arboretum has something for everyone and plenty of space to spread out to boot.

With more than 100,000 plants on display, including vibrant subtropical species and native trees, there is plenty to see and I’m sure we still haven’t seen everything even after visiting twice.

Follow The Paths Where They Lead

As you step into the Halla Arboretum, you’ll notice that it’s quiet. Like I said, the crowds of tourists that visit the island seem to completely overlook this beautiful oasis of flowers and views right in Jeju City. Walk up along the paths to the right and you can find cherry blossom trees and daffodils in spring and persimmon trees in the autumn.

If you have kids, there’s plenty of room for them to gallivant along the paths and find hidden spaces to explore. There are also a number of artistic and fun decorations to find like painted seashells and Jeju sculptures.

If you want to really get moving, the Halla Arboretum has two hiking trails that lead up for views aside from the numerous trails that weave through different sections of the park. The most difficult thing about visiting is really knowing which path to take. We’ve taken different paths each time and I’m still certain we haven’t seen it all. Whether you’re trekking to the top for that great view or meandering through forests and flowers, every path leads to a new discovery.

For families, the arboretum is an outdoor classroom where children can learn about nature while playing. It’s a place where education meets adventure, or just a colorful and natural outdoor space to get some energy out. I’m all about the world being our classroom and there is ample opportunity for learning here.

If you’re on your own or with friends, just enjoy the quiet surroundings. They do a great job of creating natural views and if you’re looking for flowers, colorful foliage, or just a respite from travels, this is where to find it.