Healing walk through a dense forest trail | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

The National Arboretum was established independently on May 24, 1999, from the Central Forestry Experiment Station of the Korea Forest Research Institute, to effectively implement the Gwangneung Forest conservation measures initiated by the government in 1997. It is the nation's leading research institute on forest biological species, responsible for various roles related to plants and ecosystems. The arboretum conducts surveys, collection, propagation, and preservation of forest plants; collects, classifies, produces, and stores forest biological specimens; facilitates exchange and cooperation with domestic and international arboreta; explores and secures useful plants; and manages registration and import/export control of forest plant resources. It also serves public education and promotion regarding forests and preserves Gwangneung Forest. To fulfill these duties, it focuses on establishing a national plant resource management system, operating a plant conservation center, complementing and expanding the functions of specialty arboreta, exploring and securing domestic and foreign useful plants, building a forest biological specimen hall, expanding public education and promotion, installing a specialized arboretum library, and managing ecological conservation of Gwangneung Forest. The specialized exhibition gardens were started in 1984 and completed in 1987, consisting of 24 gardens categorized by plant characteristics or functions. The Forest Museum, opened on April 5, 1987, displays about 4,900 items including forestry records, artifacts, and wood products explaining the history, present, and future of Korean forestry. The Forest Biological Specimen Hall, completed in 2003, systematically stores and manages over 1.16 million specimens of domestic and international plants and insects, wild animal specimens, and plant seeds. The Tropical Plant Resource Research Center, completed in 2008, hosts about 2,703 species of pedigree tropical plants for research. Additionally, the arboretum operates the National Species Knowledge Information System, a database of forest biological specimens and plant information held by the National Arboretum and related universities, research institutes, arboreta, and botanical gardens nationwide, providing related information services. It also jointly operates, with the Korean Society of Plant Taxonomists, the National Standard Plant List Committee for standardization and naming of domestic plant names. The National Arboretum continues the tradition of Korean forest biological species research dating back to the 1920s and plays an essential role in securing Korea's forest biological sovereignty. Furthermore, it is a national research institution under the Korea Forest Service that manages and protects Gwangneung Forest, which has been preserved naturally for more than 550 years since its designation as King Sejo’s royal tomb forest in 1468 during the Joseon Dynasty.

점심식사[동이호박오리] 단호박 안에 기름을 쏙 뺀 유황훈제오리를 넣어 가압오븐에 구워낸 호박오리구이는 담백한 맛이 일품이며 성인병과 항암작용이 뛰어나 미식가들의 발길이 끊이지 않고 있다. 점심식사[시골밥상] 음식점이 문을 연지 10년이 되어 가는 이 집의 대표메뉴는 생선구이. 노릇노릇 구운 생선과 함께 나오는 반찬이 12가지가 넘는다. 정갈한 상차림처럼 반찬도 맛깔스럽다.

Bongseonsa is the main temple of the 25th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, preserving the traditions of the Jogye doctrinal temples and the lineage of Seon temples. It was founded in 969 CE, in the 20th year of King Gwangjong of Goryeo, by the national monk Beopin and was originally called Unaksa. Later, in 1469 CE, the 1st year of King Yejong of Joseon, Queen Jeonghui, consort of King Sejo, enshrined King Sejo's tomb at I-san and named it Gwangneung, then established the current temple as Jaboksa to pray for the king's blessing, renaming it Bongseonsa. Bongseonsa suffered from repeated destruction during the Imjin War, the Qing invasion, and the Korean War. Following Nanghye Daesa (1539), Gye Min Seonsa (1637) rebuilt the temple, with further repairs in 1749 and 1848 restoring its grand and solemn appearance. Today's Bongseonsa reflects the temple's restoration efforts from around 1960. Every summer, Bongseonsa hosts the Bongseonsa Lotus Festival, a Buddhist cultural event centered on lotus flowers. With a lotus field spanning approximately 1,000 pyeong, visitors can enjoy a truly beautiful scene when the lotuses bloom. Since its inception in 2003, the festival continues annually to share the temple’s tranquil atmosphere and culture with the public and to promote Buddhist culture of communication and harmony.