Sejong Lake Park, Sejong National Arboretum, Ieung Bridge and Beartree Park: The Complete Guide to a Sejong Outing
Half-day and full-day courses compared, from walks through giant gardens in the city to the Children's Museum and Beartree Park for families with kids
Comparison table at a glance
| Sejong sight | Area | Key attractions | Closed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sejong National Arboretum | New downtown central green belt | One of Korea's largest four-season greenhouses, a Korean traditional garden | Every Monday | All ages, families, plant lovers |
| Sejong Lake Park & Ieung Bridge | New downtown waterfront | Floating stage island, night views of the 1.4 km ring-shaped double-deck pedestrian bridge | Open year-round | Couples, night walks, cycling |
| National Children's Museum | New downtown museum complex | Hands-on children's exhibits (advance reservation required) | Every Monday | Families with infants and early elementary kids |
| Beartree Park & Yeongpyeongsa Temple | North (Jeondong-myeon) / south (Janggun-myeon) | Arboretum with Asiatic black bears / temple with autumn Siberian chrysanthemums | Open year-round | Families with kids / walks with parents |
1. The Downtown Central Green Belt: Sejong National Arboretum and the National Children's Museum
The centerpiece of a Sejong trip is Sejong National Arboretum, spread over an area the size of 90 soccer fields in the middle of the city. Step into the giant Four Seasons Exhibition Greenhouse, shaped like iris petals, and the Mediterranean, Tropical and Special Exhibition greenhouses follow one after another, while at Solchanru, a Korean traditional garden modeled on Juhamnu Pavilion at Changdeokgung Palace, you can savor the elegance of hanok and pine gardens.
If you're with young children, bundle the National Children's Museum, right near the arboretum, into your morning. It's designed as a hands-on space where kids learn about cities, nature and culture by touching and assembling things themselves, so a museum visit in the morning followed by an arboretum walk in the afternoon makes for a very efficient route.
Sejong National Arboretum · Photo: 김용훈 · Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
Yeohaenggak editor's tip The National Children's Museum admits visitors by time slot through 100% advance online reservations, so be sure to book your visiting time before you set out.
2. Sejong Lake Park and the Geumgang Pedestrian Bridge (Ieung Bridge), Glowing From Sunset Into the Night
Sejong Lake Park, which borders Sejong National Arboretum, is the best waterside space for a walk at dusk. Walk past the pebble-shaped floating stage island, the silvery sand beach and the deck path of the wetland island, and the downtown forest of buildings and the wide lake come together in refreshing harmony.
After dinner, head to the Geumgang Pedestrian Bridge (Ieung Bridge), which links the north and south banks of the Geumgang River in a ring. Designed with a circumference of 1,446 m to commemorate 1446, the year Hangeul was proclaimed, the bridge is divided into an upper pedestrian-only deck and a lower bicycle-only deck, so you can safely enjoy the river breeze and night views without worrying about bumping into cyclists.
Geumgang Pedestrian Bridge · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
Yeohaenggak editor's tip It's convenient to have dinner in Eojin-dong near the Lake Park (Best Western Plus Hotel Sejong, Sejong Jangeo Daega and others) and then approach Ieung Bridge from the plaza at its north or south end.
3. Suburban Nature Outings: Bear Walks at Beartree Park and Yeongpyeongsa Temple on Janggunsan
If you want to leave Sejong's new downtown and relax in nature, Beartree Park in Jeondong-myeon to the north is the perfect choice. Starting with the Five-Color Pond, where hundreds of koi swim, the pet zoo, the Asiatic black bear hill, the Mangyeong Biwon greenhouse and the juniper forest path are packed into a single walking course.
In autumn (late September to mid-October), or if you want a quiet temple walk, we recommend Yeongpyeongsa Temple on Janggunsan. Fields of Siberian chrysanthemums blanketing the hillside behind the temple in white, together with the neat courtyard of the main hall, make it a lovely walk with your parents, with nearby hanok cafés (Gabaeseorim, Bau Garden and others) to stop by.
Beartree Park · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
Yeohaenggak editor's tip Beartree Park's visitor paths are laid out as a well-designed one-way loop, so just following the signs lets you see the entire garden without missing a section.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q. Can I walk between Sejong Lake Park and Sejong National Arboretum?
The two are right next to each other and connected on foot, but because each facility covers a very large area, it's better to save your energy by driving and parking in each one's own parking lot.
Q. Until what time at night can I walk on Ieung Bridge (Geumgang Pedestrian Bridge)?
The pedestrian bridge is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and the scenic lighting comes on after sunset, making 8–10 p.m. the most beautiful time.
Q. Where can I go in Sejong on a rainy day?
Sejong has excellent indoor cultural and exhibition facilities, including the giant indoor Four Seasons Exhibition Greenhouse at Sejong National Arboretum, the National Children's Museum, the National Library of Korea, Sejong, and the Presidential Archives.
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