15th Maehwa (Plum Blossom) Festival Preview

By Carl Hedinger

Need to get out of the city after the long, cold winter? Head out to the eastern edge of Jeollanam-do bordering Gyeongsangnam-do for a touch of beautiful maehwa. English speakers refer to these little beauties as plum blossoms, and since the maehwa is the earliest flower to bloom, its opening signifies spring’s arrival in Korea. A festival celebrating the maehwa has been taking place for the past 15 years. The original festival in 1997 lasted three days and, due to popular demand, has since expanded to its current nine-day format.

The festival always begins when plum blossoms cover the entire area surrounding the Seomjin Village or “Maehwa Village,” as it is known during the festival. This village sits between a high mountain and a beautiful river. On one side lies Baegunsan, a mountain famous for its hiking trails and home to nearly one thousand species of plants, and the Seomjingang, a fishing hotspot that also boasts a nice beach area with bleachers, rests on the opposite side. Both the mountain and river provide an excellent vantage to take beautiful photos. A short walk away from the Village center is a large walkway which overlooks a dam and surrounding mountains.

When the maehwa bloom, be prepared to take lots of photos, as this area’s natural beauty is truly admirable. If the lovely flowers are not enough, activities abound during the festival. The main feature is the “Flower Way Concert”. For the more competitive spirit, there will be photo, food, and drawing contests.  If it’s not possible to make a visit during the festival, be sure to come around throughout the spring and summertime as the wildlife awakens from its wintry slumber.

During my own visit in mid-February, I spoke with a kind woman at the local tourist information office in Gwangyang, and she mentioned that the maehwa were only at “10 percent bloom”. Having seen the blossoms when they were just getting started, I can assure readers that the festival time (March 17-25) will provide a breathtaking experience.

The best way to reach the Maehwa Festival is to first travel to Gwangyang (1 ½ – 2 hours). Then take a city bus from Gwangyang to the festival (40 min – 1 hour). Plenty of information, including an English tourist map, is available at the Gwangyang bus station.

If this area seems nice, there are more places nearby that can provide an enjoyable experience. Close to Gwangyang is Suncheon, which is known for its Ecological Park and many species of birds. Another great location is Namhae, which many people in Gyeongsangnam-do frequent as a watery getaway from the city. While the Gwangyang area may not have the lights and the glamour of a big city, this festival truly shows the splendors of Korea’s countryside and even an occasional glimpse into the past.

Special Thanks to Jayeon Jeong for providing travel details.

More details can be found on our events calendar.