Quick answer: Sejong, Korea's planned administrative city, gives groups a green day beyond Seoul: the National Sejong Arboretum, the first national arboretum built inside a city; Sejong Lake Park with its 8.8 km shoreline trail; the Presidential Archives; and padak at the traditional market. Explera DMC Korea confirms travel time, venues and a group lunch with the agent.
National Sejong Arboretum
- A city arboretum. It is the third national arboretum and the first built inside a city, among the apartment towers.
- The Four Seasons Conservatory. Three glass greenhouses shaped like an iris: Mediterranean plants, tropical plants and a rotating exhibition hall.
- A seasonal show. A Matisse-themed exhibition among living plants reopened for a second season on 19 September and was reported to run to the end of the year. We confirm what is on at the date.
- Korean garden. The outdoor Korean Traditional Garden includes a Palace Garden recreating two Changdeok Palace pavilions.
Sejong Lake Park and the Archives
- A big lake park. More than 320,000 square metres, reported as the largest artificial lake park in the country.
- Easy walking. An 8.8 km trail circles the shore, and a section is enough for most groups.
- Five islands. They include a floating performance platform and a water play island.
- Presidential Archives. At the north end of the park: documents, photographs and videos from past presidents, and a replica of the Cheong Wa Dae reception room.
Market, padak and Jochiwon
- Sejong Traditional Market. It has run since the Jochiwon days and is said to be the birthplace of padak.
- Padak. Fried chicken with shredded green onions added as it leaves the fryer, served without mustard sauce.
- Share the dishes. Visitors often buy several and share them, which suits a group lunch we book in advance.
- Jochiwon. The older town centre keeps its traditions beside the planned city's greenery.
Building the day
Sejong works as a gentle garden-and-lake day, or as a stop between Seoul and the southern cities. We confirm the drive time and the venues' opening for your date, because the news report gives neither.
It suits garden, senior and government-minded groups, and it gives repeat visitors something new beyond Seoul.
Planned with the agent
Explera DMC Korea plans Sejong days with the coach, a guide, venue checks and a group lunch.
Send your dates, pax and group profile to b2b@explera.kr or WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090. Explera DMC Korea is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (#900408341); our KTO and KATA registrations are in application.
Where this fits in our Korea programmes
The pages below carry the operational detail behind this briefing.
- Services: Tours & activities in Korea · Group travel & GIT in Korea · Guide services in Korea
- Destinations: Seoul
Frequently asked questions
What is special about the National Sejong Arboretum?
It is Korea's third national arboretum and the first built inside a city. Its Four Seasons Conservatory has three iris-shaped glass greenhouses, and the outdoor Korean Traditional Garden recreates two pavilions from Changdeok Palace.
How long is the walk around Sejong Lake Park?
The shoreline trail is 8.8 km. Most groups walk a section rather than the whole loop, and the Presidential Archives at the north end of the park make a natural indoor stop.
What is padak, and where can groups try it?
Padak is fried chicken topped with shredded green onions. Sejong Traditional Market, in business since the Jochiwon days, is said to be where it began, and we book a group lunch there in advance.
How far is Sejong from Seoul?
The report this briefing draws on gives no travel time, so we do not quote one here. Explera DMC Korea confirms the coach time and the venues' opening for your date before quoting.
