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Lotus blossoms are in full bloom at the Hoesan White Lotus Habitat, South Jeolla Province. The blossoms peak in July and August.
/ Korea Times Photos
by Shim Hyun-chul |
By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter
Wet fog seeps through the lotus leaves, and a drop of rain glides down the green surface. Rain drops speed up their rhythm and break the silence shrouding the white lotus habitat.
Hoesan White Lotus Habitat in Ilro-eup, Muan-gun, South Jeolla Province, is the largest of its kind in Asia, stretching over an area of 330,000 square meters and a circumference of 3 kilometers. The habitat was originally a reservoir for farming water during the Japanese colonial era (1910-45). It became home to white lotuses in 1997 following a lotus festival.
The blossoms began to grow here in the 1950s, after a neighboring villager planted a dozen or so seeds. That night, the villager is said to have dreamt of 12 white cranes resembling the fair lotuses and took great care of them.
The habitat features walkways that enable visitors to stroll through the flowers, and a 280-meter-long bridge provides a view of the place. In addition to white lotuses, the habitat houses some 30 kinds of lotuses and 50-odd types of flora, and is often visited for biological studies.
White lotuses do not bloom in one given time frame; rather, they repeat a cycle of blossoming and fading, and their fair glory peak around July and August. Accordingly, Muan-gun hosts a festival around that time, and this year's edition opens from Aug. 6 to 9.
The festival features not only lotuses but also provides a showcase for lotus-related businesses. There are also various events such as a cooking competition for lotus dishes and hands-on activities such as making lotus soaps, lotus blossom parasols and lotus dyes. Also not-to-miss is a boat ride through the lotus blossom lake.
For more information, visit tour.muan.go.kr/english or call (061) 450-5226.
shim@koreatimes.co.kr
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