홍릉시험림(홍릉숲)

Hongneung Forest is a public arboretum and forest research site in Seoul, founded in 1922 as one of Korea's earliest institutional arboretums and remaining one of the country's most historically significant forest-and-tree research sites. The arboretum is set on the slopes near Hongneung — the royal tomb of Empress Myeongseong (Empress Min) — in central-eastern Seoul, with mature trees that include some of Korea's oldest planted specimens. The arboretum walks visitors through Korean and global tree species, with interpretive panels on tree biology, forest ecology, and the history of Korean forest research. Walking trails thread the wooded grounds, and the canopy provides distinct cooling effect through warmer months. Best for travelers interested in Korean forest history and arboreal heritage, paired with broader central-eastern Seoul itineraries.