Seoul Iris Garden (Seoul Botanical Garden)

Seoul Iris Garden (Seoul Botanical Garden) is a park that lies between Mt. Dobongsan and Mt. Suraksan in northeastern Seoul that features an iris garden. The park and botanical garden first opened on June 7, 2009.

Seoul Iris Garden measures in at 52,417 square meters (564,212 square feet). The area features twelve unique theme zones including an Iris Garden, Medicinal Plant Garden, Wetland Park, forest lounge, and an observatory.

The Iris Garden land is 15,000 square meters (161,459 square feet). It features over 300,000 individual iris plants of 130 different species.

An iris is a flowering plant which is named after a rainbow. The name refers to the wide variety of shapes and brilliant colors of the flower. There are believed to be about 300 species of irises. Iris species, each with their own unique colors and shape, include yellow, setosa, pallasii, and domestica.

If you want to catch the iris bloom, the best time to visit is in May and June. The beautiful colors and shapes of all the irises are a wonderful sight well into summer.

Visitors to the Medicinal Plant Garden will find over 130,000 medicinal plants and herbs of 70 different species. This garden has one of the largest collections of medical herbs in the country. If you would like to purchase some of the plants and herbs you see in the garden, head on over to the Gyeongdong Oriental Medicine Market (Yangnyoungsi Market).

The Wetland Park features over 70,000 wetland and aquatic plants. There is also Cheoni Observatory where visitors can learn about these diverse, unique, and interesting plants. It is also here where you can take in the beautiful surrounding scenery including Mt. Dobongsan and Mt. Suraksan.

Lastly, there is a forest lounge and rest area where educational programs about the ecology of the garden occur and where visitors can rest.

Nearby Sights

Cheonchuksa Temple

Nowon Culture Street

Nowon Culture Street, located near Nowon Station in northeast Seoul, is a government created entertainment and shopping district known for its nightlife. This district might not be the most well known in Seoul, but it still offers visitors a wide variety of nightlife including restaurants and bars without the huge crowds.

April 19th National Cemetery

The April 19th National Cemetery is a cemetery and memorial dedicated to the 224 lives lost during the April 19 Revolution protests. During these protests, which took place between April 11 and April 26, 1960, hundreds of citizens, mostly students, were killed or injured by the authoritarian government ruled by President Syngman Rhee. Rhee was a dictator who used his power for corruption and to rig elections. These heroes sacrificed their lives for freedom, democracy, and justice for all of Korea.

Doseonsa Temple

Hwagyesa Temple

Hwagyesa Temple, of the Chogye Order, is a Buddhist temple surrounded by beautiful scenery at the foot of Mt. Samgaksan in Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu. Walking around the peaceful temple grounds surrounded by mountains, running streams, and nature makes any visitor feel like they are far from the urban maze of Seoul.

Taereung and Gangneung Royal Tombs

Taereung is the royal tomb of Queen Munjeong (1501-1565). She was the third wife of King Jungjong, who was the eleventh king of Joseon Dynasty. She was born to the Yun family on February 1, 1502. Her father was Pasan Buwongun.

Last Updated on Oct 21, 2023