A Complete Guide to Seasonal Festival Travel in Korea


Crowds-at-the Jinhae-Gunhangje-Festival-with rows-of-cherry trees-in full-bloom
A sea of visitors at the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, with rows of cherry trees adorned in full bloom.






Introduction: How the Four Seasons Create the Perfect Journey

Greetings, dear readers. Today, I’m pleased to share a short briefing on Korea’s seasonal regional festivals.

Korea is a country blessed with four distinct seasons, each offering a completely different travel experience. Seasonal festival travel in Korea combines the beauty of nature with cultural celebrations, local flavors, and seasonal activities that can only be enjoyed at specific times of the year.

In spring, the nation bursts into vibrant colors with blossoms; in summer, beaches and rivers come alive with energy; in autumn, the scenery turns into a masterpiece of red and gold; and in winter, snow and ice transform landscapes into magical wonderlands. This guide presents must-visit festivals for each season, along with practical travel information—covering transportation, accommodations, local cuisine, nearby attractions, and estimated budgets—to help you plan your trip with confidence.


Spring: A Season Where Flowers and Traditions Bloom

1. Jinhae Gunhangje Festival (Jinhae-gu, Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do)

  • Period: Late March – Early April

  • Highlights: Korea’s largest cherry blossom festival, featuring over 360,000 cherry trees in bloom

  • History: Began in 1952 as a celebration honoring Admiral Yi Sun-sin and has since become one of Korea’s most iconic spring events.

  • Transportation: Take the KTX to Changwon Jungang Station, then a 30-minute bus or taxi ride.

  • Accommodation: Hotels and guesthouses in Jinhae or nearby Changwon/Masan.

  • Dining Recommendations: Seafood pancakes at Jinhae Jungang Market, seasoned sea squirt bibimbap.

  • Nearby Attractions: Gyeonghwa Station railway, Yeojwacheon Stream Romance Bridge, Jehwangsan Park.

  • Budget: Approx. 80–120 USD for a one-day trip from Seoul.

During peak bloom, roads become congested, so public transportation is highly recommended. Yeojwacheon is especially breathtaking at night, so consider staying into the evening.


2. Gurye Sansuyu Blossom Festival (Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do)

  • Period: Mid–Late March

  • Highlights: Vast fields of golden cornelian cherry blossoms covering the entire village

  • History: Gurye is Korea’s largest producer of sansuyu (cornelian cherries), and the festival was created to celebrate the bloom and boost the local economy.

  • Transportation: Take the Jeolla Line to Gurye-gu Station, then a 20-minute bus ride.

  • Accommodation: Pension houses or traditional hanok stays near Jirisan Mountain.

  • Dining Recommendations: Black pork barbecue, mountain vegetable set meals.

  • Nearby Attractions: Hwaeomsa Temple, Seomjingang Riverside Cherry Blossom Road.

  • Budget: Approx. 120–160 USD for a 2-day trip.

This festival is ideal for travelers who prefer a calm, less commercialized atmosphere.


3. Gangneung Danoje Festival (Gangneung, Gangwon-do)

  • Period: Early June (around the 5th day of the 5th lunar month)

  • Highlights: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage; traditional games, performances, and folk markets

  • Transportation: Take the KTX to Gangneung Station, then a 10-minute bus ride.

  • Accommodation: Hotels or guesthouses near Gyeongpo Beach.

  • Dining Recommendations: Chodang soft tofu dishes, spicy jang kalguksu (knife-cut noodles).

  • Nearby Attractions: Gyeongpo Beach, Ojukheon House, Gangneung Coffee Street.

  • Budget: Approx. 150 USD for a 2-day trip.

This is an excellent choice for family travelers, with many hands-on cultural activities.


Summer: When Cool Waters Meet Passionate Celebrations

1. Boryeong Mud Festival (Daecheon Beach, Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do)

  • Period: Mid–Late July

  • Highlights: Mud massages, mud slides, mud soccer, and other unique experiences

  • History: Started in 1998 to promote the skincare benefits of Boryeong’s natural mud.

  • Transportation: KTX to Daecheon Station, then a 10-minute bus ride to the beach.

  • Accommodation: Beachside pensions and motels.

  • Dining Recommendations: Grilled oysters, spicy stir-fried octopus.

  • Nearby Attractions: Muchangpo Beach, Daecheon Port.

  • Budget: Approx. 150 USD for a 2-day trip.

✔This festival has a high proportion of international visitors, giving it a global, vibrant atmosphere.


2. Haeundae Summer Festival (Busan)

  • Period: July – August

  • Highlights: Beach concerts, fireworks, and nighttime swimming

  • Transportation: KTX to Busan Station → Subway Line 2 to Haeundae Station.

  • Accommodation: Luxury resorts and hotels along Haeundae Beach.

  • Dining Recommendations: Busan milmyeon (wheat noodles), Haeundae grilled beef ribs.

  • Nearby Attractions: Gwangalli Beach, Dongbaekseom Island, Taejongdae Park.

  • Budget: Approx. 200 USD for a 2-day trip.


3. Naerincheon Rafting Festival (Inje, Gangwon-do)

  • Period: July – August

  • Highlights: Whitewater rafting in pristine mountain rivers, camping opportunities

  • Transportation: Intercity bus from Dong Seoul Terminal to Inje Terminal (2 hours).

  • Accommodation: Riverside campgrounds and pensions.

  • Dining Recommendations: Buckwheat noodles, fresh trout sashimi.

  • Nearby Attractions: Inje Birch Forest, Baekdamsa Temple.

  • Budget: Approx. 120 USD for a 2-day trip.


Autumn: A Season Rich in Color and Flavor

1. Seoraksan Autumn Foliage Festival (Sokcho, Gangwon-do)

  • Period: Mid–Late October

  • Highlights: Stunning foliage seen via cable car or hiking trails

  • Transportation: Intercity bus to Sokcho Terminal, then local bus or taxi.

  • Accommodation: Hotels near Sokcho Beach or pensions in Yangyang.

  • Dining Recommendations: Abai sundae (stuffed squid sausage), raw fish bibimbap.

  • Nearby Attractions: Sokcho Beach, Yeonggeumjeong Pavilion, Naksansa Temple.

  • Budget: Approx. 150 USD for a 2-day trip.


2. Andong International Mask Dance Festival (Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)

  • Period: Late September – Early October

  • Highlights: Traditional Korean mask dance and global folk performances

  • Transportation: KTX to Andong Station.

  • Accommodation: Hanok stays in Andong.

  • Dining Recommendations: Andong jjimdak (braised chicken), heotjesatbap (ritual-style rice set).

  • Nearby Attractions: Hahoe Folk Village, Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy.

  • Budget: Approx. 140 USD for a 2-day trip.


3. Seoul Lantern Festival (Cheonggyecheon, Seoul)

  • Period: November

  • Highlights: Hundreds of illuminated lantern installations along the Cheonggyecheon stream

  • Transportation: Subway to Jonggak or Gwanghwamun Station, short walk to the venue.

  • Accommodation: Hotels in central Seoul.

  • Dining Recommendations: Bossam (boiled pork with wraps) in Jongno, traditional tea houses in Insadong.

  • Nearby Attractions: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village.

  • Budget: Approx. 40 USD for a day trip.


Winter: The Magic of Snow and Light

1. Taebaeksan Snow Festival (Taebaek, Gangwon-do)

  • Period: January

  • Highlights: Giant snow sculptures, sledding, and snow-covered mountain hikes

  • Transportation: KTX to Taebaek Station.

  • Accommodation: Motels or resorts in Taebaek.

  • Dining Recommendations: Gondre rice, grilled dried pollock.

  • Nearby Attractions: Taebaeksan National Park, Yongyeon Cave.

  • Budget: Approx. 140 USD for a 2-day trip.


2. Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (Hwacheon, Gangwon-do)

  • Period: January

  • Highlights: Ice fishing, sledding, fresh trout sashimi and grilled trout

  • Transportation: ITX to Chuncheon Station, then shuttle bus to Hwacheon.

  • Accommodation: Local pensions and guesthouses.

  • Dining Recommendations: Grilled trout, beef bone soup.

  • Nearby Attractions: Peace Dam, Paroho Lake.

  • Budget: Approx. 160 USD for a 2-day trip.


3. Boggwangsa Temple Winter Lantern Festival (Gimje, Jeollabuk-do)

  • Period: Winter solstice in December

  • Highlights: Traditional Buddhist lantern displays and cultural experiences

  • Transportation: Train to Jeonju Station, then bus to Gimje.

  • Accommodation: Motels in Gimje city.

  • Dining Recommendations: Jeonju bibimbap, bean sprout soup.

  • Nearby Attractions: Byeokgolje Reservoir, Moaksan Mountain.

  • Budget: Approx. 40–60 USD for a day trip.


Conclusion: The Joy Continues as the Seasons Change

Seasonal festival travel in Korea allows you to experience both the changing beauty of nature and the unique local culture in each region. By centering your trip around a seasonal festival, you will enjoy a deeper, more memorable journey than by visiting standard tourist attractions alone.

When planning your next vacation, instead of asking, “Where should I go?”, consider asking, “Which festival defines this season?” The answer will lead to a more satisfying and meaningful travel experience.

I hope today’s journey through Korea was enjoyable for you. I’ll be back next time with even better content. Thank you.

Location: 미국 뉴욕

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