Festivals and Events

Ritual Ceremony for the 500-Year Arborvitae in Garibong-dong

  1. Festivals and Events
  2. Ritual Ceremony for the 500-Year Arborvitae in Garibong-dong
Completion of the pavilion for Guro-gu's protected tree,
which is the oldest tree individual
  • Ritual Ceremony for the 500-Year Arborvitae in Garibong-dong image
  • Ritual Ceremony for the 500-Year Arborvitae in Garibong-dong image2

The arborvitae in Garibong-dong, 15 meters high and 2.5 meters in girth, is an old tree aged over 500 years old.

Considered the oldest individual tree in Korea, it was designated as Seoul's protected tree in 2004.

Legends say that the tree is inhabited by a big serpent that guards the town, and that any harm on the tree will lead to severe disasters.

The pavilion for the tree was completed on July 1, 2016, which was a campaign pledge of the 6th Guro-gu government elected by popular vote, as the tree was located in a crowded residential area and exposed to a poor environment and as there was the lack of space for ritual ceremonies for the tree.

Overview

  • Location 13-175, Garibong-dong
  • Height 15m
  • Girth 2.5m
  • Age 500 years