Jade Garden
A 163,500-square-metre arboretum near Chuncheon that arranges 24 themed gardens across a preserved valley, with three interconnecting walking routes climbing from the visitor center to upper gardens
Designed gardens, seasonal planting, arboretum walks, photography, family outings, plant collections, quiet forest sections and visitors who enjoy choosing between shorter and longer garden routes
A sloping arboretum rather than a flat garden grid, with three main paths—Tree Scent, Maple and Forest Breeze—branching and reconnecting as they climb toward upper spaces such as White Garden and Sky Garden
Jade Garden is most convincing as a walk through designed landscapes on real terrain: the themed gardens change with elevation and route choice instead of sitting as isolated display rooms
Character
Jade Garden spreads 24 themed gardens across a natural valley near Gulbongsan, using three linked walking routes that rise from the visitor center through European-style planting, woodland and upper viewpoints
The European theme is most obvious near the entrance, where a Tuscan-style visitor center leads into formal spaces such as the Border Garden and Wedding Garden. Higher up, the garden relies more heavily on existing slope, woodland and plant collections. The 163,500-square-metre site holds more than 2,600 plant taxa, with architecture remaining secondary to the botanical collection
The experience
All three main walks begin near the visitor center and climb gradually through the valley. A one-way walk to the upper gardens typically takes about 40 to 60 minutes, with junctions allowing visitors to change paths along the way rather than committing to one line from start to finish
Named gardens appear one after another along the climb. Dry Garden, Moss Garden, Rhododendron Garden, Wedding Garden and Blueberry Garden each have distinct planting ideas, while the higher Sky Garden and White Garden create a natural endpoint to the ascent
The preserved terrain matters as much as the European styling. Slopes, existing woodland and the valley floor keep the themed areas physically separated, so moving between them involves changes in elevation and enclosure. The return walk can use a different path, giving a second view of gardens passed earlier from another height
History
Construction began in 2007 as part of a larger development associated with the nearby Jade Palace golf course. The arboretum was planned around the existing valley, with themed gardens inserted into a landscape that retained much of its natural topography
Jade Garden opened on May 2, 2011 after roughly five years of construction. At opening, the site already contained 24 themed gardens and about 2,600 kinds of plants. Early features included the Rhododendron Garden, a ginkgo maze, dry gardens designed around plants tolerant of poor soils and limited water, and an upper Sky Garden overlooking the grounds
The collection has continued to function as an arboretum, with a botanical role extending beyond the visual theme. Its stated mission includes collecting useful plants suited to Korea’s central region, developing themed gardens and supporting ecological education and plant conservation
Before you go
The visit involves steady walking on sloping terrain, and the highest gardens sit well above the entrance. The linked paths make it possible to shorten or vary the walk, while visitors aiming to see the upper gardens should allow enough time for both the climb and return rather than treating the site as a brief entrance-area stop
- Hours
- The arboretum is open 09:00–18:00 with last admission at 17:00 and is listed as open year-round
- Admission
- Regular admission is ₩11,000 for adults and ₩6,000 for teenagers and children; winter admission is listed at ₩5,500, and children under 36 months enter free with proof
- Access
- The three principal walking routes start near the visitor center, interconnect through the arboretum and take roughly 40–60 minutes one way to the upper gardens
- Transit
- A shuttle bus connects Gulbongsan Station on the Gyeongchun Line with Jade Garden