Spring in
Korea is the time of flower festivals, lantern festivals and more to brighten up the peninsula along with the bright sunshine and warmer breezes welcoming the warmer months to come. Here are the festivals you should seek out to get in the renewal and rebirth spirit that spring is known for.
Spring in Korea is almost defined by the cherry blossom, and this festival is undoubtedly one of Korea’s most popular festivals. People will travel the length of the country, and even from abroad, to take pictures in front of the most photogenic trees during the cherry blossom. The beautiful blooms on Cherry Blossom trees make Korea famous all over the world, so it is no wonder that this festival is one of the most popular springtime festivals in the country.
Although the cherry blossom only lasts in each location for a very short period of time, its spread from south to north takes around a month or more.
Time: April 1- April 10, 2019
Nonsan Strawberry Festival
Strawberries are the spring fruit in Korea. This festival has everything from strawberry jam, chocolate covered strawberries and more strawberry treats to fields of strawberries to pick and eat until your bellies are full. Shuttle buses take festival-goers to nearby strawberry fields to pick up and fill up on as many red fruity pieces of goodness as they can.
Time: March
Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival
According to many religions, when Moses parted the sea it was a true miracle. A similar phenomenon occurs naturally on the island of Jindo in the south-west of Korea. Once a year, the strong neap tide pulls the sea away revealing a path, almost three kilometers long, from Jindo to the nearby Modo Island. The resulting phenomena is extremely unusual, so people gather from all over the country to marvel at the parting of the sea.
Jindo is a long way from most major cities, so while you visit the festival, make sure that you take the chance to explore the rest of the island. Jindo is famous for the extremely loyal Jindo breed of dogs. It is famous also for the battle of Myeongnyang among lovers of Korean history, where Admiral Yi Sun-Shin defeated the
Japanese navy against the odds.
Time: May 16-May 19, 2019
Yeon Deung Hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival)
The Lotus Lantern Festival celebrates the birth of Buddha and in Seoul the celebration is just spectacular. The highlight of the celebrations is a massive parade through the streets of downtown
Seoul with thousands of lanterns in the shapes of lotus flowers, elephants, dragons and more Buddhist visuals. Women in Hanboks walk alongside Buddhist monks in robes and it is not just Korean Buddhists that attend. Buddhists from around the world come to stand alongside people of all faiths and walks of life to celebrate life and light. After the parade, the crowds gather with the parade walkers to dance in the streets.
Time: May 11-May 13, 2019
Read more:
Best places to travel in Asia in January
Yeongdeok Snow Crab Festival
Yeongdeok is known for its snow crabs, so it is no surprise that this festival occurs every year in the Yeongeok area. If you are a lover of snow crab, this is certainly the festival for you, whether you would like to take a stroll through the public snow crab auction, get on a snow crab fishing boat, or participate in a lively snow crab cooking competition, there is truly something for every snow crab lover at this festival.
Snow crab used to be a delicacy served to Korean kings, and it is still a much-loved seafood featured in many Korean dishes today, check out this festival and celebrate the delicious origins of snow crab in Korea.
Time: March 22 - March 25, 2019
Source Internet
