Cherry blossoms from Jeolla to Gyeongsang
Visitors at the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival take pictures surrounded by cherry blossom trees last year. This year, the 50th Jinhae Gunhangje Festival will kick off on Sunday and run until April 10. [NEWSIS]
The 50th Jinhae Gunhangje Festival
Sunday to April 10
Over two million people visit the cherry blossom festival in Jinhae, South Gyeongsang, from all over the world, arriving at the southern province to walk along the tree-lined streets and picturesque mountain paths.
As there are so many cherry blossom trees in Jinhae during the spring, petals blowing in the wind make for a beautiful scene. The Jinhae Gunhangje Festival also includes a military band parade in addition to various cherry blossom-themed events.
This year’s program includes a K-pop concert at 6 p.m. today at the Jungwon Rotary; a multimedia fireworks show on Sunday at 8 p.m. at Jinhaeru; a cherry blossom lighting festival from Sunday to April 10 at the Yeojwacheon stream; and the Jinhae military band and honor guard festival from April 6 to 10 at the Jinhae District Public Stadium.
From Seoul, take an intercity bus from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal to Jinhae Bus Terminal. The bus runs 12 times a day and it takes about four hours and 20 minutes.
For more information, visit http://gunhang.changwon.go.kr or call (055) 225-2341.
Uiseong Cornelian Cherry Flower Festival
Sunday to April 15
Uiseong in North Gyeongsang is known for its garlic. But in the springtime, the cornelian cherry flower steals the spotlight.
The town will hold the Cornelian Cherry Flower Festival for its fifth year this year for 16 days from tomorrow to April 15. There will be about nine programs during the festival, starting with the ritual for a good harvest as well as a singing contest, walkathon and even a dialect speaking contest.
To participate in the programs, you can register online at http://tour.usc.go.kr. To get to Uiseong from Seoul, take the bus at the Eastern Seoul Bus Terminal to Uiseong. It will take about three hours and 10 minutes.
For more information, visit http://tour.usc.go.kr or call (054) 830-6099.
Seomjin River Cherry Blossom Festival
Tuesday and Wednesday
Famous for its Hwagae Jangteo, or Hwagae Market, the area around the Seomjin River in North Jeolla boasts rows of cherry blossoms in the spring.
The tunnel-forming cherry blossom lane is also a fantastic drive if you are thinking of taking a car down to Gurye County. While driving down the cherry blossom lane, there’s a clear view of the Seomjin River to your right while a tunnel made by the white cherry blossom trees blocks out the sky.
The festival has about 20 different programs ranging from singing competitions and samulnori, or Korean percussion performances, to cherry blossom arts and crafts and a trek along the Seomjin riverside.
To get to the event hall from Seoul, take the bus from Nambu Bus Terminal to Gurye Bus Terminal. It takes about four hours. For more information, visit http://festival.gurye.go.kr or call (061) 780-2255.
International Horticulture Goyang Korea 2012
April 26 to May 13
This international horticulture festival will be held under the theme of the “World Goyang Flower Olympiad,” in connection with the 2012 London Olympics.
The Eco Olympiad Hall, the main flower exhibition hall of the festival, is designed to embody and promote the Olympic spirit of the past, present and future in an indoor space.
The space is also divided into seven themed areas including ancient Olympiad temples, an Olympic torch sculpture, heroes’ joy and great voyages. The outdoor Continental Olympic Garden will be decorated with a mosaic of Olympic stars.
The event will also feature a world flower garden parade, a world flower festival party, a street festival and diverse cultural performances. During the festival, various flower-themed events and cultural performances are held, and visitors can buy flowers from all over the world.
From Seoul, you can take subway line No. 3 to get to Jeongbalsan Station. Take exit No. 1 and walk to the park for about 10 minutes.
For more information, visit www.flower.or.kr or call (031) 908-7822.
By Yim Seung-hye [sharon@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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