Travel
See 3,000 butterflies this spring at Seoul Forest’s Butterfly Garden
Haps Magazine Korea
May 4, 2025
(Photo by Seoul City Government. Courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea.)
The Butterfly Garden in Seoul Forest is now open through October, offering visitors the chance to observe around 3,000 butterflies across more than 10 native species, including the swallowtail, yellow tip, and southern multicolored butterflies.
Originally launched in 2011 and expanded in 2013, the garden has become a popular ecological attraction, drawing approximately 300,000 visitors annually.
It is considered one of the best places in Seoul to see butterflies in a natural setting. The space has been carefully designed with over 6,000 host plants for caterpillars—such as Amur cork trees, mimosa trees, and kale—and 6,000 nectar-producing plants like lantana, lilies, and golden cosmos to support the full butterfly life cycle.
Special Children’s Day programs will run from May 4 to 6, including an “Insect and Plant Greenhouse Exploration” (May 4–5, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.), and a rare chance to meet a 37-year-old Sulcata tortoise up close (May 5–6, 1 p.m.–2 p.m.) on the lawn in front of the Butterfly Garden.
An educational program, “Beautiful Butterflies of Seoul Forest,” will also be held every Saturday from May 10 to 31 at 11 a.m., offering a 90-minute guided learning experience with a butterfly expert.
Those interested in participating can sign up through the Seoul Public Service Reservation website at yeyak.seoul.go.kr or register on-site.