Top 5 Must-Visit Places in Sejong
When asked by first-time visitors to Sejong, "Where should we go first?" I naturally think of a few places. Sejong is not just about tourist spots for quick photos; it is filled with public spaces where citizens can walk, read, enjoy nature, and experience performances.
Today, I would like to introduce five must-visit places in Sejong. For those traveling to Sejong, these spots offer a great itinerary, and for residents, it’s an opportunity to rediscover the wonderful spaces nearby.
01. Sejong Lake Park
The first place to encounter the beauty of Sejong.
Sejong Lake Park is undoubtedly a representative space of the city. Located in the heart of the city, it features a large lake surrounded by walking paths, bike trails, and various waterfront and themed areas, making it a popular relaxation spot for Sejong citizens.
Covering approximately 690,000 square meters, the park includes about 8.8 km of walking paths and 4.7 km of bike trails. Strolling along the lake, visitors can enjoy seasonal plants and scenery, with resting spots available for a break.
What makes this place particularly appealing is how it transforms with time and seasons, offering different views at the same location.
On clear days, the blue sky and lake, the sunset in the evening, and the night lights create excellent photography opportunities.
Most importantly, Sejong Lake Park is a citizen space accessible to everyone without special preparations. If you’re visiting Sejong for the first time, I recommend taking a leisurely walk around the lake to soak in the city’s atmosphere.
02. National Sejong Library
A library worth visiting even if you don’t read books.
The National Sejong Library is one of the unique architectural landmarks of Sejong. Located between Lake Park and the Sejong Government Complex, its exterior is distinct from typical libraries. However, the library's true charm lies beyond its beautiful architecture.
Opened in 2013, the National Sejong Library is the first regional branch of the National Library of Korea and the first policy library in the country, providing policy information services to support the government and public institutions while serving as an open library for Sejong citizens and nearby residents.
It reflects the characteristics of Sejong, systematically collecting and providing policy materials while also being a space for reading and cultural activities.
Strolling around the building to appreciate its unique architectural form or visiting it alongside the lake park is recommended.
If you’re visiting Sejong with children, don’t just think of the library as a place for reading; see it as a public space where everyone can enjoy knowledge and culture.
03. National Sejong Arboretum
A large green space in the heart of the city.
The National Sejong Arboretum is a recommended spot for those wanting to experience nature in Sejong.
Established in 2020, this urban national arboretum spans about 65 hectares and features various exhibition gardens and educational spaces. Currently, there are 26 exhibition gardens, including traditional Korean gardens, bonsai gardens, wildflower gardens, seasonal exhibition gardens, and rare plant gardens.
This place is special not just for its beautiful plants but also for its role in conserving plant diversity, providing ecological education, and serving as a public green infrastructure.
Visiting with children can turn it into an educational space for observing and learning about nature, while adults can enjoy a leisurely stroll and a break from their daily pace.
The changing seasons also add to its charm, offering flowers and new buds in spring, lush greenery in summer, autumn leaves and fruits in fall, and different scenes in winter.
04. Sejong Arts Center
A hub for culture and the arts in Sejong.
The fourth recommended place is the Sejong Arts Center.
Although Sejong is known as an administrative city, as it grows, spaces for citizens to enjoy culture and the arts are being developed. The Sejong Arts Center is at the heart of this movement.
This complex cultural performance facility features five floors above ground and one below, with a large auditorium seating 1,071 and professional stage, sound, and lighting facilities. Surrounding the building are public spaces like citizen squares and gardens for everyday use.
Thus, even on non-performance days, it’s worth visiting just to stroll around or admire the architecture. The best part is that cultural experiences are not just reserved for special occasions but are accessible in daily life.
If you can catch a performance, consider attending one with family or friends. For travelers, it’s a place to discover the cultural face of a new city, and for residents, it’s a venue for enjoying cultural activities in everyday life.
05. Suwonji Park
A park that connects memories of an old space in Jochiwon.
The last place I want to introduce is a bit special.
Unlike the representative attractions in Sejong's new city, Suwonji Park in Jochiwon offers a glimpse into the history of Sejong’s older areas and urban regeneration.
Suwonji Park is a neighborhood park located in the Pyeongri area of Jochiwon, featuring resting areas, exercise facilities, plazas, and youth-related facilities.
Its significance lies in its transformation from Pyeongri Park to Suwonji Park, as part of an urban regeneration effort to create a new cultural space alongside the nearby Jochiwon Water Treatment Plant. The cultural space project aims to connect the memories of the existing facility to a new citizen space.
Thus, Suwonji Park is not merely a "pretty park" but a place where the memories of an old city meet new culture.
If you’ve only explored Sejong’s new city, consider heading to Jochiwon. By exploring the old streets and markets around Jochiwon Station along with Suwonji Park, you’ll naturally realize that Sejong is not just a new city.
Traveling in Sejong, don’t just visit one place. Experience nature and relaxation at Sejong Lake Park, knowledge and architecture at the National Sejong Library, ecology and green culture at the National Sejong Arboretum, culture and arts at the Sejong Arts Center, and local memories and urban regeneration at Suwonji Park.
The reason I recommend these five places is that they are not just tourist spots but public spaces actively used in the daily lives of citizens.
Some people walk in the morning, some read books, children learn about nature, families enjoy performances, and others seek the stories of an old city. If you travel to Sejong, take your time in one place rather than rushing through famous spots. And if you live in Sejong, revisit familiar places as the seasons change.
Sometimes, the spaces we use every day can become the best travel destinations.
I hope these five places create a wonderful day for both first-time visitors and residents of Sejong.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/sejong_story/224392914717
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