Hwadam Botanic Garden Gwangju Visitor and Monorail Guide
Hwadam Botanic Garden is an ecological arboretum run by the LG Sangnok Foundation in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do. This guide covers seasonal attractions, ways to explore the garden, monorail fares, and conditions for using strollers and wheelchairs.
Hwadam Botanic Garden is an ecological arboretum that officially opened in 2013.
According to its official introduction, it covers 165,265 m² and displays about 4,000 plant species.
It takes an adult about 2 hours to visit all the themed gardens.
Monorail tickets are separate from admission tickets, and a loop ride takes about 20 minutes.
Strollers and wheelchairs are not available to rent on-site, so you must bring your own.
Hwadamsup is an ecological arboretum in Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do. For adults, visiting all the themed gardens takes about 2 hours. Monorail tickets are purchased separately from admission tickets. Check the operating notices for your visit date before booking.
Facility figures and fees are based on Hwadamsup’s official introduction and visitor information pages, which have no publication dates. Check the website for changes.
Hwadamsup’s Location and Purpose
Hwadamsup is an arboretum established and operated by the LG Evergreen Foundation as a public service project. Its address is 278-1, Docheogwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do. Hwadam (和談) means sharing a friendly conversation.
Development approval was granted in April 2006. The arboretum officially opened in 2013. The official introduction lists its area as approximately 165,000㎡, or about 50,000 pyeong.
The official introduction states that 16 themed gardens display over 4,000 plant species. These include plants native to Korea and introduced plants. Restoring ecosystems for endangered plants and animals is also one of the facility’s goals. You can find this information in the Introduction to Hwadamsup.
Seasonal Highlights and Themed Gardens
At Hwadamsup, you can observe flowers and foliage changing with the seasons. Walking paths follow valleys and mountain slopes. Notable areas include the Moss Garden, Birch Forest, Pine Garden, and Bonsai Garden.
Season | Main highlights | Points to consider when planning
Spring | Daffodils in the Birch Forest, azaleas, and other spring flowers | Check blooming updates for the flowers you want to see
Summer | Hydrangeas in the Hydrangea Garden and lush forest greenery | Include the Hydrangea Garden’s location in your route
Autumn | Fall foliage and autumn flowers along the forest paths | Check operating and booking notices for the year of your visit
The autumn festival period should not be assumed to coincide with peak fall foliage. Previous years’ festival schedules are not a basis for choosing this year’s visit date either. Just before your visit, check “Hwadamsup Now” and the notices on the official website. For garden names and locations, see Explore the Themed Gardens.
Walking vs. Taking the Monorail
You can explore the themed gardens along the walking paths without taking the monorail. The monorail connects the Moss Garden entrance, the summit, and the Bonsai Garden. The official route length is approximately 1,200m.
Visit option | Officially listed time | Points to consider when choosing
Walking through all themed gardens | About 2 hours for adults | See plants up close as you walk
Monorail Section 1 | Departs Station 1, arrives at Station 2, about 5 minutes | Plan for walking after getting off
Monorail Section 2 | Departs Station 1, arrives at Station 3, about 10 minutes | Consider the remaining route after getting off
Monorail loop | Departs from and returns to Station 1, about 20 minutes | You cannot get off midway and reboard
The 20-minute loop ride is not the time needed to visit all the themed gardens. Allow extra time for photos and breaks when walking. The monorail is standing room only.
Hwadamsup’s “Monorail Guide” requires the following when boarding:
Please fold strollers, wagons, and similar items before boarding.
Service may be suspended for emergency inspections or because of weather conditions. According to the official FAQ, the monorail does not operate during lightning. Check the Monorail Guide for routes and boarding conditions.
Admission Fees and a Monorail Cost Calculation Example
Hwadamsup admission does not include the monorail fare. The admission fees below are the spring, summer, and autumn rates listed in the official visitor guide. No applicable year is specified.
Admission category | Eligibility | Price
Adult | At least 19 years old and less than 65 years old | 11,000 won
Senior | At least 65 years old | 9,000 won
Teenager | Middle and high school students | 9,000 won
Child | At least 24 months old, up to and including elementary school students | 7,000 won
Infant | Less than 24 months old | Free
Monorail route | Adults, seniors, and teenagers | Children
Departs Station 1, arrives at Station 2 | 5,000 won | 4,000 won
Departs Station 1, arrives at Station 3 | 7,000 won | 6,000 won
Loop departing from and returning to Station 1 | 9,000 won | 7,000 won
An adult admission ticket and a monorail loop ticket without discounts total 20,000 won. This is calculated by adding the 11,000 won admission fee and the 9,000 won loop fare. It does not include admission to Hwadamchae or food and drink costs.
You can check admission fees in the Official Visitor Guide. Monorail fares are listed on a separate information page. (Verified prices for adults, seniors, and teenagers/children: Section 1 5,000 won/4,000 won, Section 2 7,000 won/6,000 won, loop 9,000 won/7,000 won · Source: hwadamsup.com · Checked on 2026-11-08) Before paying, check the ticket prices that apply to your visit date again.
Visiting with a Stroller or Wheelchair: Conditions by Situation
All themed gardens are designed to be accessible with strollers and wheelchairs. The official FAQ advises caution on slopes and in narrow sections. No rentals are available on-site, so bring your own equipment.
Situation | What to check or prepare
Visiting with a stroller or wheelchair | Take care on slopes and in narrow sections
Dropping off a companion by car | After entering through the main gate, turn on your hazard lights and use the turnaround area beside the ticket office
After dropping off a companion | Move the vehicle to the parking lot
Vehicles displaying a disability parking permit | Accessible parking spaces below the turnaround area are available
Check walking path accessibility separately from monorail boarding conditions. The monorail guide requires strollers to be folded. If you need individual confirmation about boarding with a wheelchair, contact the operator before visiting. Information on getting around is provided in the Official FAQ.
Common Mistakes When Reading Facility Size and Visit Times
Facility area, the number of plant species, and visit times describe different things. When planning your visit, distinguish what each figure means. Avoid interpreting figures in the official introduction as actual travel distances.
Figure | What it means | Interpretation to avoid
165,265㎡ | Developed area listed in the official introduction | Treating it as a walking distance you must cover in full
Over 4,000 plant species | The number of native and introduced plant species | Interpreting it as 4,000 trees
About 2 hours for adults | The estimated time to visit all themed gardens | Treating it as a fixed completion time for every visitor
About 20 minutes for the loop | Monorail running time | Interpreting it as the time needed to finish touring the entire forest
Ecosystem restoration goals should also be distinguished from restoration results. The official introduction explains the purpose of the on-site research facilities. It does not provide details of successful restoration of specific species or population counts.
How to Book Admission Tickets and What to Check Before Visiting
The booking link on Hwadamsup’s official website takes you to NOL. You can purchase tickets on NOL after registering and logging in. Check the scheduled times for your admission and monorail tickets separately.
· Check the official website’s notices for operating hours and any closures on your visit date.
· Go to NOL through “Online Booking > Book Now.”
· Select your visit date and admission time.
· If you plan to use the monorail or visit Hwadamchae, check those tickets as well.
· Before paying, read the prices and cancellation conditions, and prepare your mobile ticket.
The official booking guide requires tickets to be used at the designated time. It states that exchanges and refunds are not available if you fail to keep to that time. For entry, use the QR code in the link sent by text message. For details, see Book Hwadamsup Tickets.
Pack for your visit according to the visitor rules. “Hwadamsup Etiquette” restricts bringing in food other than drinks and snacks. Eat packed meals in the designated dining area before entering.
· Picnic mats, tripods, kick scooters, drones, and similar items are restricted.
· Pets are not allowed.
· Do not collect or damage plants.
· Follow the no-smoking and no-alcohol rules within the grounds.
Conditions on what you may bring are listed in Hwadamsup Etiquette.
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