Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival awakes spring flowers with a festival from March 17 to 25. The plum blossoms, maehwa in Korean, can be seen covering the mountains and the areas along the Seomjingang River. Along with Gurye Sansuyu Festival, Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival is one of the main spring flower festivals that represent Jeollanam-do.

This year’s festival includes many programs, such as Maehwa Flower Road Fashion Show, Plum Cooking Show, and street performances. During the opening ceremony on March 17, models wearing plum blossom-embroidered hanbok will walk the runway at Mawhwa Flower Road Fashion Show. In addition, a cooking show using plums as the main ingredient and Healthy Eats Talk Show with Hong SsangRi, a famous plum industry businessman, will take place. Also, a Youth and Hope Concert will present the audience with heartwarming music, especially dedicated to youths who are turning 20 years old as of this year in celebration of the festival’s 20th anniversary.

Cheong Maesil Farm, main attraction of Maehwa Village is open all year round for those who want to enjoy views of plum blossoms.

For those that would like to get around the 5-km long festival areas more comfortably, shuttle bus with a 1-day pass (unlimited rides) will be available for 1,000 won.

Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival Kicks Off Spring March 17

☞ Period: March 17-25, 2018
☞ Address: 575-12, Sinwon-ri, Daap-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do
(전남 광양시 다압면 신원리 575-12)
☞ Directions: From Central City Terminal (Honam Line) to Gwangyang Intercity Bus Terminal
(Central City Terminal (Honam Line) → Gwangyang Intercity Bus Terminal): First bus 7:10, last bus 22:20 (approx. 3 hr 40 min travel time)
(Gwangyang Intercity Bus Terminal → Cheong Maesil Farm): Exit out of Gwangyang Intercity Bus Terminal, walk approx. 160 m to Senior’s Welfare Center Bus Stop. Take Bus No. 18 to Sinwon Bus Stop (33 stops). Walk approx. 580 m to Sinwon Parking Lot (approx. 9 min walk).

☞ Main programs
- Opening Ceremony Maehwa Flower Road Fashion Show: March 17, 2018. 14:00 -16:00 / Main stage next to Suwoljeong Pavilion
- Plum Cooking Show: March 18, 2018. 10:00-17:00 / Main stage next to Suwoljeong Pavilion
- Plum Cooking Concert together with the chef: To be determined (To be announced after checking chef’s schedule)
- Youth and Hope Concert: March 18, 2018. 14:00 - 16:00 / Main stage next to Suwoljeong Pavilion
- Healthy Eats Talk Show with Hong SsangRi: 10:00 everyday throughout the festival period / Main stage next to Suwoljeong Pavilion
- Cheong Maesil Farm: Open 24 hr, all year round
☞ Fee: Free
☞ Shuttle bus to the festival:
- Sinwon Parking Lot / Departs every 5-10 min.
- 1-day pass: 1,000 won

☞ Gwangyang City Hall website: www.gwangyang.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
☞ Related columns
- Spring Festivals 2018 (March - May)
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay)