Korea National Arboretum Fully Opens Gwangneung Forest 'Garden Belt'

The Korea National Arboretum announced on the 20th that the 'Garden Belt' in Gwangneung Forest, which had been closed since July due to severe rainfall, will be fully reopened starting on the 21st.
The Gwangneung Forest Garden Belt is a 3.2-kilometer deck path that follows the Bongseonsa Stream and connects sections of Gwangneung Forest, attracting 900,000 visitors annually. Last summer, heavy rains caused parts of the Bongseonsa Stream to overflow, severely damaging sections of the deck path and blocking access. The Korea National Arboretum immediately secured disaster response funds and carried out emergency repairs and redesigns. The path has now been renovated so that visitors can enjoy the autumn foliage.
Gwangneung Forest, which has been preserved for 560 years since the Joseon Dynasty, is home to a total of 6,596 species and is considered a treasure trove of biodiversity. It has been designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2010. In autumn, the forest is filled with vibrant foliage, especially around Soribong, creating a breathtaking landscape.
Eun-Kyung Seo, head of the Gwangneung Forest Management Center at the Korea National Arboretum, stated, “We hope that visitors will come to Gwangneung Forest and the Korea National Arboretum this autumn to enjoy the beautiful fall colors and have a relaxing time.”
Meanwhile, the Korea National Arboretum regularly announces forecasts for cherry blossom and autumn foliage periods across the country. The peak foliage in Gwangneung Forest this fall is expected between the 29th and 31st, and a large number of visitors are anticipated.
kwj5797@fnnews.com Kim Won-jun Reporter