Hwadam Botanic Garden is a 4-Season Beauty, but Autumn is TRULY Dazzling

As the climate cools, and spectacular autumn leaves start to colour Korea in a vibrant swatch of colour, locals and tourists alike justifiably go a little nuts trying to reserve advance tickets to Hwadam Botanic Garden in Gwangju.

It’s understandable. With an adorable monorail, limited daily tickets, and a fall foliage paradise of breathtaking red, orange, and yellow leaves that just has to be seen to be believed – it’s no wonder Hwadam Botanic Garden is one of the most sought after autumn attractions near Seoul.

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What makes Hwadam Botanic Garden so special?

Since its official opening in 2013, Hwadamsup has delighted visitors with 17 themed gardens, multiple forests, and over 4,300 different species of domestic and exotic flora.

Established by the LG Evergreen Foundation and nestled within Gwangju’s Konjiam Resort, this expansive garden covers approximately 166,000 square metres of land, and aims to revitalize Korea’s forest eco-system. This layout strongly reflects the foundation’s desire to create an arboretum where humanity can engage, connect, and refresh with nature.

I have to say they succeeded… in spades. A day spent taking in the autumn foliage at Hwadam Botanic Garden is unparalleled.

As you wander through Hwadam Botanic Garden at your own comfortable pace, you’ll be totally immersed in a breathtaking forest. From the vibrant maple tree lane to the peaceful bonsai garden to the rainbow of hydrangea, you can’t help but be entranced by the stunning sights around you.

When you get tired, hop on the Hwadam Forest monorail and enjoy the garden from a totally different perspective.

If you want to contemplate the garden in stillness, settle yourself next to Lovebirds’ Pond, listen to the ducks, and breathe in the beauty of the majestic scenery around you.

One of the best things about Hwadam Botanic Garden is just how concentrated nature is there. It’s truly a place to heal your mind, heart, and spirit.

Best Time to Visit Hwadam Botanic Garden?

There’s something beautiful to see at the garden in every season, but autumn is undeniably the most popular time to visit Hwadam Forest, with spring a close second.

It’s not just because of the comfortable weather and brilliant blue skies. While spring brings cherry blossoms, azaleas, daffodils, and other pretty blooms to the park, the fall season fills Hwadam Botanic Garden with an spectacular mix of fall leaves as its maple, birch, oak, and cherry tree forests join chrysanthemum, pink muhly, and silver grass in a symphony of colours.

That doesn’t mean Hwadamsup isn’t worth visiting during summer or winter in Korea too – it just means that the weather can be a little more challenging during these seasons. Dress right for the climate, and you can enjoy water lilies, hydrangea, and fireflies in the heat, and a snowy pine forest in the cold.

If you’re planning out your seasonal itinerary, make sure to read my guide to autumn in Korea for a full breakdown of 48 places to catch peak leaves and fall foliage festivals across the country.

When is the Autumn Foliage Peak at Hwadam Botanic Garden?

While it’s nearly impossible to predict the fall foliage peak at Hwadam Forest with complete accuracy, I’d aim for the first 10 days of November in Korea for the best possible chance of seeing vibrant autumn shades.

To give you an idea, I visited the garden on October 27th. It was spectacular with all the mellow yellows, burnt oranges, and fiery crimsons you’d expect, but… there was also still quite a bit of green around too.

In recent years, summer in Korea has gotten both longer and hotter, so there is a very real chance that fall foliage could show itself even later than usual.

My advice? Keep your eye on the weather and take your best guess. If it were me though, I’d probably try to get tickets for the middle to end of the first week in November.

Hwadam Botanic Garden Advance Tickets for Autumn

Advance ticket sales for the peak autumn season at Hwadamsup 2026 haven’t been announced yet, but last year the window opened up on September 24th at 1:00 PM on their website. Keep in mind that it’s pretty much impossible to get into the park without an advance ticket during these weeks.

The restricted booking dates usually cover the absolute peak autumn foliage window from late October through mid-November. Within this block, it’s likely that weekends, the final days of October, and the first week of November will sell out almost immediately.

Navigating the online booking process

If you want to try securing your slots online ahead of time, here are a few critical things you need to know before you start.

Some important things to note:

• Advance ticket sales are only available on the Korean language version of the official website.
• You must have a working Korean phone number in order to receive a security code. You cannot start the booking process without it.
• Each person can purchase a maximum of 6 tickets.
• It’s wise to also purchase your monorail ticket, and entrance to the Hwadamchae at the same time (more details on that further on in this guide)
• You do not need to exchange for paper tickets at the box office. You can enter Hwadam Botanic Garden immediately using the QR code sent to your phone.

On-site Tickets for Foreigners without a Korean Phone Number

Despite the scary warning notices posted all over their official website, it is actually possible for international travelers to buy tickets directly on-site at Hwadam Botanic Garden during the peak autumn season. I personally called their office to double-check this for you. As long as you show up with a valid passport or other physical proof of foreign citizenship, you can purchase one ticket right at the window.

If you’d rather skip the stress of dealing with the local website or figuring out the train connections yourself, there’s a great Hwadam Forest tour package from Seoul that bundles your entrance tickets with hassle-free round-trip transit. You can check the package availability and departure times right here.

How to get to Hwadam Botanic Garden

Hwadamsup is located on the outskirts of Seoul, inside Gwangju City’s Konjiam Resort. Figuring out how to get to Hwadam Botanic Garden from Seoul isn’t too difficult, but it can be a little time-consuming – particularly if you’re relying on public transit.

If you have your own vehicle or have rented a car for your trip, it’s an easy 50-km drive to Hwadam Forest. There are several free parking lots available for visitors to use below the garden. Some are closer to the entrance than others, but there are parking attendants on site to direct you to empty spots.

Count on at least a little bit of walking to reach Hwadam Botanic Garden, because the entrance and gardens are actually located on a slope above the parking lots and public transit areas.

If the weather is cooperating, there’s a free lift available to take people right up to the entrance gates, but be prepared to wait in line for that. If you can’t be bothered to wait (like us), it’s a 10 minute uphill walk to the entrance.

If you are chasing this exact same vibe and want to see endless fields of autumn blooms, it’s also worth heading north to wander through the Goseokjeong Flower Garden while the weather is crisp. It’s one of the most incredible gardens I’ve seen in all of Korea.

Bus from Seoul to Hwadam Botanic Garden

There are a few different bus routes available from Seoul to Hwadam Botanic Garden. These are red buses that travel longer routes around the capital region, with a guaranteed seat for every passenger.

If you’re staying on the southeast side of the city, these public buses are a convenient choice, but if you’re staying elsewhere, the subway might be faster. It’s worth checking timing on both options.

Each of these bus routes takes around 90 to 100 minutes to reach Konjiam Terminal, and then a further 30 minutes or so to reach Hwadamsup (if you catch the local bus right away).

End to end, I’d budget at least 2.5 hours each direction to make the trip from Seoul to Hwadam Botanic Garden comfortably.

• From Gangbyeon Station: Bus 1113-1 or 500-2 
• From the Jamsil Metropolitan Transfer Center: Bus 500-1

Once you reach Konjiam Terminal, you can jump on local Gwangju bus number 9, or take a taxi (recommended).

If you plan to use taxis, make sure to have Kakao T or another ride hailing app set up. These places are located in rural areas, so finding taxis nearby can be a bit challenging at times – particularly in the reverse direction departing from Hwadam Botanic Garden back to Seoul.

Subway or Train to Hwadam Forest from Seoul

The closest subway stop to Hwadamsup is Konjiam Station on the Gyeonggang line.

To reach it, you’ll have to take the Shinbundang line from Seoul to Pangyo Station. At Pangyo, transfer to the Gyeonggang line, and get off at Konjiam Station. From here, take a taxi or Gwangju bus number 9 to Hwadam Botanic Garden.

If you enjoy wandering along scenic autumn routes like this, it’s definitely worth checking out the stunning canopies along the golden ginkgo tree roads in Korea while the foliage is at its peak.

Booking a Hwadam Botanic Garden Tour from Seoul

I’m all for DIY travel (I’ve visited 61 different countries that way), but some places in Korea are just way easier and more time / cost effective to visit on a day tour that includes round-trip transport.

Gapyeong / Chuncheon attractions like Nami Island and Alpaca World, the DMZ between North and South Korea, and Hwadam Botanic Garden are the ones that come to mind.

Between admission costs, bus tickets, and taxi fares (because you will end up taking a taxi in rural areas – I did), you’ll spend around 40,000 won to get to Hwadam Botanic Garden using public transit… and this does not even consider the time lost in traveling (minimum 5 hours).

Unless you’re on an incredibly tight budget, spending a little extra on an organized trip or a private car makes a ton of sense once you factor in your time and sanity.

How much are Hwadam Botanic Garden Tickets?

The general admission fees for Hwadamsup are very reasonable and vary by season. It’s mostly very straightforward, but useful to know that the monorail is included in your ticket if you visit in winter.

Autumn, Spring, and Summer

In autumn, spring, and summer, the admission ticket does not include the monorail. If you want to ride it, you’ll need to purchase a separate monorail ticket.

The admission fee for Hwadam Botanic Garden is as follows:

• Adults: 11,000 won
• Youth (middle and high school students) and Seniors: 9,000 won
• Children (24 months and elementary school students): 7,000 won
• 24 months and under: free

If you’re looking for more incredible fall foliage vantage points after exploring these slopes, it’s also worth checking out the top spots for autumn leaves in Seoul while they’re at their most breathtaking.

Winter

In the quieter winter season, the monorail ticket is included in the admission fee, but the entire track may not be operating. It depends a lot on weather conditions at the time.

Winter admission ticket costs are as follows:

• Adults, Seniors, and Youth (middle and high school students): 11,000 won
• Children (24 months and Elementary School students): 7,000 won
• 24 months and under: free

This is also a great time of year to head up to the sledding slopes at Vivaldi Park Snowy Land if you are trying to maximize your winter itinerary in Seoul.

Hwadam Botanic Garden Monorails

In spring, the Hwadamsup monorail winds through a romantic canopy of pink cherry blossoms, and in Korean autumn, you’ll find yourself immersed in a fall foliage wonderland.

It’s not at all surprising that a ride on the super-cute monorail is a must-do experience at Hwadam Forest. It IS a little confusing though, so I’ll try to explain what’s involved as clearly as I can.

There are 3 separate platforms, and 3 separate routes available on the Hwadam Botanic Garden monorail.

• Platform 1 to Platform 2: (Approx. 5 mins) Passes through the Moss Garden, Azalea Road, and Birch Forest. Costs 5,000 won for adults, seniors, and youth; 4,000 won for children. Infants under 24 months are free.
• Platform 1 to Platform 3: (Approx. 10 mins) Continues from Platform 2 through the Fern Garden and stops next to the Pine Garden. Costs 7,000 won for adults, seniors, and youth; 6,000 won for children.
• Platform 1 to Platform 1: (Approx. 20 mins) The final monorail option is a full circuit of Hwadam Botanic Garden. On this route, you’d also pass by the Stone Garden, Bonsai Garden, Traditional Wall Road, and Hibiscus Garden. Adults, seniors and youth pay 9,000 won, while children pay 7,000 won.

Tips for using the Hwadam Botanic Garden Monorail

The garden is built on an ascending slope, so the most important thing to know about the Hwadam Forest monorail is that Platform 1 is at the bottom of the park, and Platforms 2 and 3 are at the top of the garden.

For the best experience, I recommend choosing the monorail route from Platform 1 to either Platform 2 or 3. This allows you to explore the gardens on your way down the slope, not up.

How to buy Hwadamsup Monorail tickets?

When I went to Hwadam Botanic Garden, I didn’t book the monorail in advance. BIG MISTAKE.

I ended up grabbing monorail tickets at one of the kiosks on-site, but I had to grab whatever remaining seats were left. It wasn’t the ideal route departing from Platform 1, and ending at one of the upper platforms, AND it ended up being right in the middle of my time at Hwadam Forest.

To be very honest, I can’t really remember what my exact route was – but I do remember backtracking up and down the hill, in order to see all the different gardens on foot. Even though the slopes are gentle, Hwadam Botanic Garden is quite large. I was definitely feeling it by the end of the day.

If it is all within your power to book your monorail tickets at Hwadam Forest in advance, DO IT – especially during busy seasons like autumn and spring. The best routes and times sell out every single day. Booking in advance gives you the flexibility to plan your day at the garden perfectly.

Unfortunately, it’s not actually possible for international travelers to purchase advance tickets online for Hwadamsup, the monorail, or the Hwadamchae because you need a Korean phone number in order to do so. In fact – the option doesn’t even show up on the english language version of their website.

Yes, I know. It is extremely frustrating. Regardless, I still recommend buying tickets on-site for whatever route is available if you can. That monorail is just too adorable.

My Personal Experience | Tips for Visiting Hwadam Botanic Garden

There are quite a few things I wish I’d known before visiting Hwadamsup, that would’ve made my experience even better, so I’m passing on my personal tips to you here.

There are some pretty strict rules about what you can bring into Hwadam Forest, and there may be random checks of your belongings at the entrance.

You can read the full list of prohibited items and garden etiquette directly on the Hwadam Botanic Garden rules page before you go, but if you do accidentally pack something you weren’t supposed to, there are lockers at the entrance where you can store your stuff for the day.

How much time do you need for Hwadam Botanic Garden?

While it is possible to see everything at the garden in about 2 hours, as most articles suggest, you’ll have a deeper, more relaxing experience if you have more time. I stayed at Hwadamsup from 10:30 in the morning until about 3:30 in the afternoon, and it definitely wasn’t hard to fill the time.

Between the Hwadamchae, 17 separate themed gardens, the monorail, a sit-down restaurant, a local café, and the peaceful walking trails, and various nature-themed workshops (advance sign-up required) – it’s easy to spend an entire day at Hwadam Forest.

What to wear to Hwadam Botanic Garden?

Do not underestimate the impact of the sun while visiting the forest. While there are some shaded areas, I felt like most of the garden was in full sun. That’s likely due to the walking paths being built directly onto the open side of a mountain slope.

It IS autumn though, so layers are always a good idea. A hat, parasol, or sunglasses would also be helpful for blocking out some glare, and definitely make sure to apply sunscreen. I felt like I was literally roasting at times.

Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers are also a necessity at Hwadam Botanic Garden. The park is BIG, and you’ll be walking on a steady incline or decline throughout your day.

What food and drink options are available at Hwadam Botanic Garden?

There’s a restaurant, cafe, and convenience store at the arboretum, but all of these places are located at the bottom of Hwadam Forest. I recommend bringing some snacks and water with you – especially if you’re traveling with kids.

The food options at the Hidden Tavern restaurant inside Hwadam Botanic Garden are decidedly Korean, but the haemul pajeon (seafood pancake) was one of the best I’ve had in Korea.

Do NOT be shy about going all ajumma to secure a table there. Seating is limited, and if you don’t act immediately, you’ll be waiting a long time for seats… maybe forever.

There are no drinking fountains scattered around the park, so make sure you’re carrying water with you. There are vending machines available at the Plum Garden entrance, Observatory, Pine Garden, and Bonsai Garden exit if you need to pick something up.

Photography Tips for Hwadam Forest

I found the sun to be exceptionally strong and bright on the day we visited – so much so that half my photos were blown out. Early morning, or late afternoon would provide the most optimal lighting for pictures – but yeah, I’d still expect it to be very bright!

Make sure your batteries are fully charged, because there are a ton of spectacular photo opportunities at Hwadam Botanic Garden.

Hwadam Botanic Garden FAQs

I originally researched, wrote & published this guide on September 22, 2024. I review & update my content for accuracy regularly. Watch out for copycats.This post was last updated on August 1, 2026. Copyright © 2024–2026 Travel-Stained. All rights reserved.