(ANN/THE KOREA HERALD) – As spring awakens, South Korea blossoms into a mosaic of flower festivals, each offering a unique spectacle of renewal and beauty.
From the delicate plum and cherry blossoms of Gwangyang and Gurye to the vibrant yellow canola fields of Jeju Island, these festivals are a celebration of nature’s reawakening.
Scattered across the country, they invite everyone to bask in the splendor of spring, weaving through trails of blooms or under canopies of pink light.
With a range of activities and sights, these floral events provide a perfect escape into the heart of spring, embodying the season’s essence in every petal and leaf.
Spring blooms at Everland
A walk on trails lined with spring flowers — 11 different types of plum blossoms — is a sure sign that spring has arrived.
At the Sky Garden in Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, a KRW5,000 ticket is all it takes to enjoy the harbingers of spring.
Plum blossoms in Gwangyang
All the way down south in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, yet another spring flower festival has just kicked off.
From March 8-17, Gwangyang is hosting one of the most-visited spring flower festivals in the country.
Admission to the 33-square-metre grove of plum blossom trees in Seomjingang Village — home to the largest number of such fragrant trees in the country — costs from KRW4,000 – 5,000. Fees are waived for ages 65 and above and veterans.
Japanese Cornelian cherry blossom trails in Gurye
Gurye County, also in South Jeolla Province, is another locale for scenic views — with flowers. The county touts trails lined with cornelian cherry dogwood, one of the first trees in Korea to flower in spring.
From March 9-17, the trail that cuts through villages and hidden spots is open to the public for free.
The 2.5-kilometre trail is mostly flat, needing about 50 minutes to complete.
Jeju Canola Flower Festival
Spring flowers extend as far to the south as Jeju Island. Canola flowers on Korea’s southernmost island, which recently wrapped up its camellia festival, will greet visitors looking for a change of season, through April.
At Hueree Park, visitors won’t just find a field of yellow canola flowers. Red plum blossoms and hydrangeas, set to bloom as early as April, will render a more spring-like atmosphere. Pets on leashes are allowed. Admission ranges in price from KRW10,000 -13,000 won.
Pink lights at Pocheon Herb Island
At 6 pm every day except Wednesdays, Herb Island, a botanical garden in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, is bathed in pink light through March.
A train ride across the compound housing the vast green-turned-pink park will be perfect for those who enjoy night-time illumination. The garden’s operator says the lighting is meant to emulate fireflies.
The garden is open from 2 pm to 10 pm on weekdays, staying open for an additional two hours on Fridays. It’s open from noon to midnight on Saturdays and holidays, closing two hours early on Sundays. The cost of admission ranges from KRW8,000 – 10,000.
