Fall flowers to sweep away holiday stress: Three public gardens across Korea in full bloom

Goseokjeong flower garden in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province / Courtesy of Cheorwon County

The Chuseok holiday may come too early this year for autumn foliage, but across Korea, fields of seasonal flowers are already bursting into bloom. A family trip to one of these colorful gardens could be the perfect remedy for “holiday syndrome.” Here are three recommended destinations to enjoy the season.

Goseokjeong autumn flower garden in Cheorwon

Goseokjeong flower garden in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, awaits visitors a day before its autumn opening in August. Yonhap

In Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, a vast 160,000-square-meter garden blooms every autumn at Goseokjeong. Once a military training ground until 2008, the site was transformed over more than a decade by local residents and the army into a public flower park, opening in 2021. Despite being only four years old, it has already welcomed more than two million visitors, including over 600,000 last fall alone.

The roar of tank engines and clatter of treads are gone, replaced by a sea of blossoms. Divided into about 20 sections, the garden showcases 10 varieties of flowers — including celosia, globe amaranth, zinnia, kochia, cosmos, verbena, pink muhly, gaura, silver grass and sunflowers. Most species reach full bloom in early October, except for sunflowers, which are nearing the end of their season.

The scenic Hantan River flows nearby, and visitors can discover wooden sculptures crafted by locals hidden among the flower beds. A tractor-pulled “can train” offers a relaxing ride through the garden, and visitors can borrow floral crowns free of charge for photos. The park, which closes in summer and winter, is at its best in autumn.

The autumn flower garden is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Nov. 2, with extended hours until 9 p.m. on weekends and during the Chuseok holiday. The garden is closed on Tuesdays. Admission is 10,000 won ($7.20) for adults.

Pampas Festival at Cheongsan Arboretum in Taean

Pampas grass grows taller than adult visitors at Cheongsan Arboretum in Taean, South Chungcheong Province. Yonhap

Cheongsan Arboretum in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, is holding its annual Pampas Festival. While the arboretum has existed since the 1990s, the fall festival has been a highlight since 2016, when pampas grass — a type of silver grass native to South America — was first planted in 2010 and reached maturity six years later. Towering up to 3 meters, the feathery silver plumes are a rare sight in Korea.

The arboretum’s pink muhly fields are another highlight, creating a dreamy contrast with the towering pampas grass. Hundreds of species of wildflowers bloom throughout the 100,000-square-meter grounds, and scenic paths lined with golden cypress and metasequoia trees make for popular photo spots. Visitors can also stop by a lotus pond, and since 2022, a family of alpacas has become a charming attraction.

The Pampas and Pink Muhly Festival runs through the end of November and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last entry one hour before sunset. Admission is 12,000 won for adults.

‘Flower Star Journey’ on Mt. Gamak in Geochang

The sunset is seen beyond Star Wind Hill on Mt. Gamak in Geochang, South Gyeongsang Province. Courtesy of Geochang County

At 900 meters above sea level, the “Flower Star Journey” on Star Wind Hill in Geochang, South Gyeongsang Province, offers a breathtaking floral experience. Under the theme “Into the purple sunset,” the star of the show is the vibrant purple aster chrysanthemum — about 300,000 of them spread across 50,000 square meters. Nearby, 40,000 square meters of gujeolcho (Korean chamomile) fields and a maze of silver grass add to the scenery, while towering wind turbines complete the hill’s romantic atmosphere.

Launched in 2021, the festival now draws 200,000 to 300,000 visitors annually. The highlight comes at sunset, when the combination of asters and the glowing sky transforms the mountain peak into a sea of purple. After dark, visitors can enjoy media façade displays and other nighttime attractions.

During the Chuseok holiday from Oct. 4 to 11, live busking performances will be held twice daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Visitors who collect stamps from seven locations throughout the festival can receive a sweet apple jelly candy as a prize.

The Flower Star Journey runs until Oct. 12, with no set opening hours, and admission is free.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.