Daegu Arboretum

Namoroka · CC BY-SA 4.0

The city's rubbish tip for seven years, now an arboretum with more than eighteen hundred plant species.

From 1986 to 1990 this ground was where Daegu dumped its rubbish — over four hundred thousand tonnes of it. When the tip closed the city laid a thick cap of soil over it and started planting, and in 2002 it opened as an arboretum. On top of the old landfill there are now more than eighteen hundred plant species, a cactus glasshouse, a herb garden, and an autumn chrysanthemum display the whole city turns out for. Entry is free. Daegu tells this story with some pride, and fairly — few cities manage to turn their tip into the place people walk on a Sunday.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Daegu Arboretum?

April–May and October (chrysanthemums)

How long do you need at Daegu Arboretum?

1.5–2 hours

What are the opening hours of Daegu Arboretum?

09:00–18:00 (to 17:00 in winter), closed Mondays

Did you know

The site was Daegu's landfill from 1986 to 1990, holding over 400,000 tonnes of waste.
It was capped with soil, planted, and opened as an arboretum in 2002.
More than 1,800 plant species grow across about 24 hectares.
Entry is free.

Travel tips

Late October is chrysanthemum season and the busiest time of year.
The cactus glasshouse is worth a look even in winter.
Parking is free but fills up on flower-season weekends.

Source: https://tour.daegu.go.kr/index.do?menu_id=00002913

Updated: 2026-08-05