If your favorite colors are pink and purple then you HAVE to visit the Gunpo Royal Azalea Festival (군포철쭉축제). Spring in Korea brings out all the best flower festivals and Koreans undoubtedly love the azaleas. In Korea, the meaning of the azalea signifies the start of spring. In many countries and cultures, it is also viewed as a symbol of thoughtfulness, kindness, and femininity.
Koreans love events to take pictures and no one is going to judge you when taking selfies or photos with your friends. Korea in spring is very short, so once you catch wind of the flowers blooming or at peak you have a very small window to view them. If you’re tired of Seoul, (or you just want an excuse to go somewhere) look no further and check out the Gunpo Royal Azalea Festival.
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When is the Gunpo Azalea Festival?
Last year, the festival took place from April 28, 2023 – April 30, 2023. The 2024 Korean spring festival updates are yet to be announced.
Where is the Gunpo Royal Azalea Festival?
The festival is located in Gunpo City or Gunpo Shi. It’s near the Gunpo Station Market at Yanngi Park.
Why should you visit the Gunpo Azalea Festival?
I may be a bit biased since Gunpo was the first city I lived in when I came to Korea. I loved living there and my apartment was amazing! I was located right in the main square where everything happened.
Before I lived in Korea, I had never seen azaleas that had quite such a vibrant bloom. It was a feast for the eyes to see these neon purple and pink blooms completely cover a mountain. It was like something out of a fairytale.
When to visit the Gunpo Festival?
During the weekends, the mountain gets absolutely PACKED. I’m talking shoulder to shoulder and there are sometimes more people there than flowers. No joke. If you can, make it out during the week before the crowds come in during the weekend. There will still be people, but not as much when everyone has the weekend off.
What To Expect At The Gunpo Azalea Festival
The weekend usually features a variety of performances and cultural events. You’ll see many of the townsfolk dress in Korean traditional costumes. There’s a parade, a ceramics display, and so much more. For more information, check out the official festival website here.
How to Get There
Take Line 4 to Sanbon station. Walk out of the station to the main square. You’ll see loads of azaleas around the square and fountain. Walk toward the end of the square and take a left. Walk down for about 10 minutes, cross the street and make another left at (intersection).
Take Line 4 to Surisan Station. Walk out Exit 3. Walk for about 5-7 minutes and you’ll see it on your left.
Address: 407 , Beonyeong-ro, Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi-do 경기도 군포시 산본동 1152-10
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9 Comments on Gunpo Royal Azalea Festival
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The splash image of your framed by the flowers is breathtaking! You are so photogenic, I’m incredibly envious of you! And damn that Royal Azalea Festival is a sight to behold! I wish I could’ve been there in person. I love seeing you take a hold of every moment this time in Korea is presenting you. No doubt you’re gonna renew your contract 😉 Keep on living the dream!
I’m definitely staying another year! There’s so much I need to do before I leave! I know I’m definitely staying until the Olympics in 2018! It’s one for the bucket list! 😉
Oh wow! How absolutely gorgeous! Can you believe I only recently learned the name of these flowers. Up until this Spring I used to refer to them as the ‘brightly coloured flowers’.
They are incredibly vibrant and Korea seems to really know how to give people a good show when it comes to their flower festivals. It’s so nice to see more about flower festivals (especially ones other than the cherry blossoms!).
Great post Gina!
x
I luckily learned the name of this flower from a co-worker who wanted to talk about them and took the trouble to look up the name for me. Hahaha. I love flowers so much and sometimes I feel like I was born to be a flower child. Hahaha. I love cherry blossoms but I also love other flowers too!
I agree with Izzy! You are so photogenic. And these photos are gorgeous. I just moved to SoKo and I’m looking forward to explore what the country has to offer. Thank you for sharing this 🙂
Thanks so much, Hanani! I really appreciate your kind words! I’m looking forward to seeing your adventures in Korea! You’re gonna love it here!
What a bright post you’ve got there! Yes, anyone who is not living in Korea can only dream of seeing these waves of flowers. I’m in Daejeon and haven’t seen so many of them in one place yet, but thanks to these gorgeous flowers my campus is “the prettiest place in Korea” according to some students (but I think they haven’t been out much, haha). Thanks for sharing and happy spring!
Happy Spring, Alla! Any flower can make something gloomy into something lovely. I would have to see your campus to see the “prettiest place in Korea!” It makes me happy to hear that a flower can make someone so happy and feel where they are is the most lovely.
Beautiful pictures, Gina. I wonder if you would give permission to use one of them in my blog and upcoming book. It is not a picture book. I just want something to represent the beauty side of Korea when I write about moving here. Thanks for your consideration. Kent