[Changwon, Gyeongnam] Festivals of joy and laughter

[Changwon, Gyeongnam] Festivals of joy and laughter

Chosun.com Media Reporting Team media@chosun.com

Once an industrial zone packed with soulless factories, Changwon, one of the largest cities in Gyeongnam, has reborn as a lively city of rich culture, thanks to diversely-themed festivals held each year.

# Changwon, the heaven of cherry blossoms

There are many cherry blossom festivals held each spring in Korea, but nothing beats the Jinhae Gunhangjae Festival, usually held in late March to mid-April.

<Changwon is one of the most popular spots in the country to savor cherry blossoms.>

The spring festival dates back over half a century by coast guards, and even to this day, marines take part in the event by showing off their parades.

During the festival period, you’ll find many other cultural programs on the sideline as well.

<A Navy parade at the Jinhae Gunhangjae Festival.>

# Autumn in Changwon, where festivals bloom

There are two significant festivals in Changwon: the Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival, and the Changwon Festival.

At the former festival, you’ll find around 100 million chrysanthemums wherever you go, all that come with various performances and fireworks above the sea.

What especially catches visitors’ attention is the iconic Daryundaejak, an art piece enlisted in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the largest number of lowers bloom from a single chrysanthemum root. Last year, 1,507 flowers were recorded to have bloomed on that sole root.

<Last year’s Gagopa Chrysanthemum Fesitval>

The highlight of Changwon Festival is the parade, in which about 6,000 people participate, most from professional performance teams.

<A parade at Changwon Festival>

# From Seoul to Changwon

 

Bus rides from the Dong Seoul Terminal or the Seoul Express Bus Terminal to the Changwon Bus Terminal take around four hours. There are also four train stations in Changwon - Changwon Station, Masan Station, Jinyeong Station, Changwon Central Station - so hitting the railway from the Seoul Station is another option to reach there.