Recent Posts, Posted by Matt in ALL DESTINATIONS,Chungcheong,Festivals & Holidays,Gyeongsang,Jeju,Jeolla,Nature,Seoul, 37 Comments

Spring Flower Festivals in Korea 2010

After what felt like a never ending winter (we received 15 cm. of snow this past week!), today is the start of the Korean Peninsula’s first spring flower festival! Spring is finally (almost) here and it’s time to check out some of the many festivals celebrating the sansuyu (cornus flower), maehwa (flowering apricot) and, of course, the beotkkeot (cherry blossom). Without further delay, here are the best spring flower festivals in Korea!

Gwangyang Maehwa (Apricot Blossom) Festival
(Maehwa Village, South Jeolla Province)
March 13-21
Outside Jeju Island, this is Korea’s first spring flower festival. Located in Maehwa Village, near Gwangyang city, see about 83 acres of apricot trees, which cover the Baegunsan mountains with their white blossoms. In addition to flower watching, the festival features lots of music, dance and “experience programs.”
(more info: call +82-61-1330 or visit here [Korean only].)

Gurye Sansuyu (Cornus Flower) Festival
(Gurye, South Jeolla Province)
March 18-21
Gurye is famous for its teas, liquors and food made from the cornus flower, also known as the Japanese Dogwood. These flowers are said to protect the liver and skin. Gurye is a picturesque farming town located between Mt. Jirisan and the Seomjin River. In addition to the beautiful yellow flowers, visitors can enjoy performances, hands-on programs, fireworks and a national arm wrestling competition! There are also three important Buddhist temples and the Jirisan Mountain Hot Springs Resort nearby.
(more info: call +82-61-1330 or visit here [Korean only].)

Jeju King Cherry Blossom Festival
(Citizen Welfare Area, Jeju Island Special Self-Governing Province)
March 26-28
The Seogwipo area of southern Jeju Island is famous for its king cherry trees, known as the largest of the spring flowering favorites. Jeju’s festival includes music and typical island hospitality, with other spring flowers – such as sansuyu – also in abundance.
(more info: call +82-64-1330 or visit here [Korean only].)

Gwangju Spring Flower Expo
(Gwangju, South Jeolla Province)
March 26-April 4
It’s a bit different than seeing a natural landscape of flowers or flowering trees, but the city of Gwangju in South Jeolla Province aims to get a head start on nature with its Flower Expo, taking place at the Kim Daejung Convention Center. In addition to the flower shows enjoy a decorative flower function contest.
(more info: call +82-62-611-2124 or visit here [Korean only].)

Jinhae Gunhangje (Naval Port) Festival
(Jinhae, South Gyeongsang Province)
April 1-April 11 (UPDATED DATES)
The big daddy of all of the spring flower festivals, Jinhae’s world-famous flowering cherry trees boast the world’s largest concentration of the spring favorite. The festival dates back to 1952 and celebrates Korea’s greatest naval hero, Admiral Yi Sun-shin. At the festival, climb aboard a recreated turtle ship, a modern naval ship, view the Naval Academy Museum, and just enjoy the beautiful harbor and cherry trees! Don’t miss the “Romance Walk” near Jinhae Station. Read a prior post about the festival here.
Note: Please note that the dates were recently changed!
(more info: call +82-61-1330 or visit here.)

Hwagae Marketplace Cherry Blossoms Festival
(Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province)
April 2-4
Situated near Ssanggyesa Temple in Hadong Village, this festival is famous for the beautiful riverside road also known as “Marriage Road.” The festival is located near the Hwagae Marketplace, which is famous for serving area delicacies, such as king crab broth and sliced raw sweetfish. If you’d prefer to stick to the cherry  blossoms, there are plenty of those to see as well.
(more info: call +82-55-1330 or visit here.)

Yeouido Spring Flowers Festival
(Yeouido Island, Seoul)
April 7-11
Seoul’s best location to see cherry blossoms is on Yeouido Island. Specifically, the road behind the National Assembly building is lined with hundreds of mature cherry trees that were planted before many people even lived on the island. For a few short days every spring, the island erupts into a riot of pale pink blossoms, and some four million people are expected to visit.
(more info: call +82-2-1330 or visit here.)

Cheongpunghoban Cherry Blossoms Festival
(Cheongpungho Lake, North Chungcheong Province)
April 9-11
Lake Cheongpungho is the site of this spring festival, which features not just cherry blossoms, but also azaleas, forsythias and other wild flowers. Beyond the beautiful spring blooms, the festival features great performances, exhibitions, competitions and various activities on the nearby lake.
(more info: call +82-43-1330 or visit here.)

Jeju Canola Blossoms Festival
(Siminbokji Town, Jeju Island Self-Governing Province)
April 10-11
Jeju Island’s southern location means it’s the first place to experience spring, and the burst of spring color. Starting in February, Jeju’s landscape is covered in the bright yellow yuchae, or canola blossoms. At this festival, visitors can purchase various locally-made canola flower items and celebrate the coming of spring!
(more info: call +82-64-1330 or visit here [Korean only].).
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