In Korea, chrysanthemum was traditionally one of the most favored flowers along with plum blossom, orchid and bamboo. It stands for honesty, chastity, purity and noble-mindedness. Similar symbolism can also be found in the nearby nations of China, from which Korea received the seeds, and Japan, to which Korea later passed the seeds on. Now autumn is precisely the season to enjoy those flowers in full bloom. Check out these chrysanthemum festivals throughout Korea.

Masan Gogopa Chrysanthemum Festival

Masan, Gyeongsangnam-do (South Gyeongsang Province) is where the first commercial cultivation of chrysanthemums took place in Korea back in 1960. It now boasts the best expertise in raising the flower. So far 13 percent of all chrysanthemum cultivation takes place in Masan, earning US$400,000 worth of exports overseas per year.

Masan's chrysanthemum festival, first held in 2000, celebrates its eighth year under the theme “Flower & Island & Sea” from Oct. 24 to Nov. 2 at Dotseom (island) Ocean Recreation Park this year. A total of 5 billion chrysanthemums will delight the visitors around Dotseom and the downtown of Masan city.

There will be a collection of chrysanthemums that come in shapes of rainbow, moon and even Sungnyemun (Namdaemun) Gate in Seoul, expressing the hopes of its speedy reconstruction since the fire earlier this year.

The opening ceremony is preparing itself for a percussion performance, concerts, a parade of yachts and a nighttime laser show. Other unique activities include viewing chrysanthemum art products, sampling chrysanthemum food, a flower and butterfly exhibition, fairy light structures and others. During the festival there will be no charge for entry to Dotseom Park, parking lot or ferry rides.

For more information visit http://festival.masan.go.kr/gagopa/ (Korean)
Masan's English webpage: http://english.masan.go.kr/main/
Related Organizing Committee: 055-220-3051/3054 Korea Travel Phone (Interpreting service): 1330

By car:
(1) Expressway between Daejeon-Tongyeong---> Namhae Expressway---> Dongmasan IC---> Masan Station---> Yukho Plaza--->Coast RoadDotseom Terminal
(2) Namhae Expressway Seomasan IC --->Seokjeonsa Road---> Coast Road---> Dotseom Terminal
By ship: Masan passenger boat terminal (055-245-0117)
Masan Harbor Terminal <--->Dotseom (Operates 24 hours a day, 10 min. ride)
(During the festival hour, operates from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.) 

*For more information on transportation click

Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival

Iksan City in Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla Province) will host the Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival at Iksan Joong-ang (Main) Sports Park, Eoyang-dong from Oct. 30 to Nov. 9. Some 9,000 chrysanthemums and another 7,500 autumn flowers will be displayed.

The flowers will be arranged in the shapes of famous characters, including Korean popular historical figures and overseas animation characters like Shrek and Princess Fiona.

Also on at the same time, from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, there is the 2008 Iksan Seodong Festival that commemorates a dramatic love story between King Mu (580-641) of the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – A.D. 660) and Princess Seon-hwa of the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. – A.D. 935). It will also have its own flower decorations, together with a re-enactment of a royal wedding ceremony twice a day.

During the festival visitors can try out wine and tea made out of chrysanthemum. Food stands will sell local specialties like sweet potato, sticky yeot (traditional white toffee) and other delicacies. People can also enjoy a chrysanthemum contest, autumn concert and farming photo exhibition.

A youth dance competition, percussion performance, street parade, nong-ak (farm band), a puppet play, face painting and other programs, too await the tourists.

For more information visit: http://www.gukhwa.or.kr/ or contact: 063-859-4332 (Korean only: for free phone interpreting service, call the Korea Tourism Organization at 1330).

Transportation by car:
(1) South coast Expressway: Gunsan –Dongunsan IC --> toward direction of Iksan City  Wonkwang University ---> Crossroads of ET Land (Electro Land Co. Ltd.,) ---->Joongang (main) Sports Park
(2) Honam Expressway ---> Iksan IC--->Geumma --->toward direction of City Hall--->Joongang (main) Sports Park

*Those going by bus or train can search for Iksan Station in Jeollabuk-do.

Gochang Chrysanthemum Festival

Some 30 billion golden chrysanthemums will be sprawled out in a 990,000 square meter space at Gochang Chrysanthemum Festival for a whole month from Oct. 22 to Nov. 23.

The festival which takes place in the hometown of the famous Korean poet Seo Jeong-joo (1915-2000, penname Midang) is just half an hour away from Baekyangsa Buddhist Temple, near Mt. Naejangsan, famous for its beautiful maple leaves in autumn. 

One of the highlights of the festival is the harvesting of edible chrysanthemums, whose seeds and leaves can be used for making tea and mixed with other dishes. The harvest time is from Nov. 17 to 23.

Family members can also walk around the large chrysanthemum field, take photos of some 200 newly improved kinds of chrysanthemum. Tourists can also join in picking flowers, making flower necklaces, kite-flying and other folk plays around the field. A flower coach and mini elephant train are there for those interested. Booths will be erected to sell local agricultural specialties. 

For more information visit: http://www.gcfestival.com (Korean only) or contact 063-564-9779 (For free interpreting, phone 1330). For more details, visit the English webpage of Gochang County.

Transportation by car
 (From Seoul) Yangjae IC ---> Expressway between Gwacheon & Euiwang---> Ilsan Outer Circular Highway --->West Seoul IC ---> South Coast Expressway--->Mt. Seonunsan IC---> Entrance of Mt. Seonunsan---> Shimwon-myeon direction---> Midang Literature House

By express bus
Seoul to Gochang: runs 18 times a day at 40 minute intervals (3 hours 40 mins)
Seoul to Jeongeup: runs 21 times a day at 20 minute intervals (3 hours)

2008 Korea Grand Chrysanthemum Festival

Hampyeong-gun in Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla Province) is best known for its Butterfly Festival every spring. Now it's catching up on flowers with chrysanthemums spread out in a 61,000 square meter space at Hampyeong Ecological Park in Daedong-myeon, Hampyeong from Oct. 29 to Nov. 23.

Some of the giant flower sculptures at the festival include a half-scale copy of Sungnyemun Gate, a magic castle, Cheomseongdae Observatory, the Eiffel Tower, Tower of Pisa, a pyramid, Geobukseon (Turtle Ship) and the Great Wall of China.

There will be a live display of insects like dragonflies, locusts and grasshoppers, together with chrysanthemum crafts. Butterfly-shaped mini trains will roam around the place and children will savor the traditional snacks of roasted chestnuts, beans, sweet potatoes and others. Folk games, traditional crafts, chrysanthemum tea follow.

For more information, visit the English webpage of Hampyeong-gun (county) or the English website of Hampyeong Ecological Park (information on transportation included). Also call 061-320-3364 for further questions (Korean only). For free phone Interpretation service, call 1330.

By Kim Hee-sung
Korea.net Staff Writer