In 2024, I had the chance to attend the Goryeosan [go-row-san] Mountain Azalea Festival in Ganghwa-do, South Korea. This event is one of South Korea’s most celebrated flower festivals, drawing crowds that rival those at the Biseulsan Azalea Festival and the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, taking over Korean Instagram for the month of April.
The Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival is the closest major flower festival to Seoul and Pyeongtaek (near Camp Humphreys and Osan Airbase), located just a 2 to 2.5-hour drive away on Ganghwa-do Island, north of Incheon. Unlike some other festivals, you can’t just drive up and see the flowers from the road. The azaleas bloom along the trails and at the mountain’s peak, so reaching them requires a hike. On a difficulty scale, I’d rate it as easy to moderate; however, if you’re not expecting a hike, it might feel more challenging than anticipated.
*We attended this event on April 7th, the second day of the nine-day festival. Unfortunately, it was a bit early in the blooming season, so many flowers hadn’t fully opened, and we reached the peak around noon. As a result, compared to others who visited the following weekend in the morning, my photos appear hazier with bushes with fewer blooms. For a more vibrant view of the festival, I recommend checking out this blog post in Korean for the images. *
Dates, Location and Parking:
Festival Dates:
- April 6~14, 2024 -> 2025 dates to be published in the late winter
Location on a Map
Main Parking Lot (Free parking)
There will be flaggers and lots of signs with arrows directing you to the parking area.
- Dolmen In Bugeun-Ri 인천광역시 강화군 하점면 부근리 330-2 https://naver.me/xX7HSZV1
- Although you can park at the temple during other times of year, that parking lot is closed during the festival.
ARRIVE BEFORE 10AM -> parking gets pretty complicated if you don’t get a spot at the main parking area. The official government website, states (in Korean) that’s there are additional parking areas in the town, but that involves taxi/bus arrangements.
Hiking to the Flowers
The hike is about 5-6 km round trip, split between road walking and trail hiking. The peak stands at 376.5 meters, with parking available near sea level. There is a steady elevation gain throughout, as the trail gradually climbs to the summit.
The path is well-marked with plenty of signage and fellow hikers – and at times its very crowded. While there are several trails and routes to choose from, most people either do a straightforward out-and-back or take the loop trail from the main parking area. The official map, included below, shows multiple starting points; however, parking is limited in these areas, and taking these alternative routes means missing out on amenities like food, local shops, and restrooms at the main entrance.
A highlight of this festival is that it has ample parking, comparable to that of a smaller American festival. This is worth mentioning because, more than once, I’ve tried to attend flower festivals in Korea only to be stuck in traffic for hours or unable to attend due to a lack of parking.
We had barely started on the trail—just about five minutes in—when we came across a pop-up restaurant operating out of a plastic greenhouse. We ordered a large bottle of local makgeolli and a seafood pancake, which were both delicious, though perhaps not the ideal way to kick off a hike. I hadn’t realized it was a proper hike when I invited everyone, so consider this article a heads-up: it’s a real hike, and pre-gaming with makgeolli and pancakes might not be the best idea! However, it’s definitely worth stopping by for a snack on the way back.
The first half of the hike follows a paved road lined with yellow and pink flowers. It’s fairly steep but manageable. Be sure to bring plenty of water, as the path is quite exposed to the sun. The trail eventually veers left, transitioning into a true hiking path. However, this turn is optional; you can continue straight along the road to reach Baekryeonsa Temple [백련사]. If you choose this route, the incline is gentler up to the temple, followed by a short but steep climb to the main area of the flower festival.
If you choose to turn left onto the hiking trail, you’ll have more opportunities to walk among the flowers compared to the paved road, though they appear in clusters rather than continuously. I highly recommend taking this route on either the ascent or descent to enjoy the flowers up close and in a more natural setting.
At the junction of these two trails, you’ll find several bathrooms and viewing platforms offering views of the mountain peak and sweeping flower-covered hillsides. From here, you’ll descend along the ridgeline and follow the boardwalk and stairs to reach the peak. This area is what makes the festival so renowned. While we arrived on the first weekend, slightly before all the flowers had fully bloomed, the experience was still fantastic.
This mountain is not part of the 100-Mountain Challenge, but it is included in the 100+ Mountain Challenge and is located close to Manisan [마니산], which is on the 100-Mountain Challenge. It’s just a short drive away and the only mountain on the island included in any major hiking challenge. Since both peaks have elevations under 500 meters, I believe it’s entirely doable to hike both in a single weekend.
The best photo spots can be found in the areas near the peak, and beyond it slightly. If I was to do a picnic on the peak, it’s the area just beyond the peak area that I felt had the best atmosphere and fewer people overall.
Accommodations and Food Recommendations
- Most Likely to be English Friendly: Everrich Hotel – $80-$120 per night. Nice Couple Weekend Get Away Spot in a Proper Hotel Room (Nicest accommodation on the island).
- Traditional Korean Pension: Jun Live Pension in Gangwha – $70-$80 per night for a queen room. Has the option to have a BBQ. Unique feature: it has an outdoor gym.
- Prettiest Landscaping and Vibes / Guest House Pension: Ganghwa mj hauseu – $90-$100 per night for a double room guest house. If you book ahead of time and want to do a group trip, this is the place I would book multiple rooms. Each couple can have their own guest house and come together for food, drinks and activities.
- Cheapest/ Budget Option: Saipan Motel with Sea View – $40-$50 for a double room, right near the water. It’s a motel, nothing fancy but super cheap.
MUST SEE CAFE ON THE ISLAND!
Before you leave the island, don’t forget to check out one of my favorite cafes: Jo-yang-bang-jik [조양방직].
Photos do not to this place justice, it is completely covered in antiques and random items. It’s by far the most complexly designed cafe I have been to, properly ever. And somehow it pulls off a mix of random but seemingly artfully selected designs. Each area has its own ‘theme’ – one of those places you could go every weekend and still discover new things. They have an above average pastry selection as well as coffee – its more expensive than an average Twosome Place coffee shop, so the Koreans love to flame that fact in their reviews, but in my opinion it’s a ‘pay for the experience’ sort of up charge and its nothing too outrageous. I can’t recommend this place enough. And the bathrooms, they are bizarre. I can’t even describe it, full Alice in Wonderland energy, you just need to see it for yourself.
Park in a local public lot and walk, most of them have free parking.
[NAVER Map] 조양방직 Joyang Textile 인천 강화군 강화읍 향나무길5번길 12 조양방직 https://naver.me/GAL3QA0c
Happy Trekking!
-Aurora
