The Gunggeorang Cherry Blossom Festival takes place annaully each spring in the Mugeocheon area, located in Mugeo-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan, South Korea. In this article, I've gathered details about the 2024 Gunggeorang Cherry Blossom Festival, as well as highlighting restaurants and attractions in the vicinity.
Gunggeorang Cherry Blossom Festival Details
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This year, in 2024, the festival will run for two days, from March 29th to March 30th. Admission is free, and there's a lot to enjoy, including celebratory performances, trying on hanbok, a craft market, photo zones, art exhibits, food markets, and food trucks.
The starlight tunnel, photo zones, and cherry blossom lights will be lit until March 31st, so make sure to visit during the weekend to catch the cherry blossoms in full bloom and snap plenty of photos.
- Location: 15 Samho-ro, Nam-gu, Ulsan(area of Samho-dong Community Center), Mugeo Ecological Stream
- Period: March 29, 2024, to March 30, 2024
If you couldn't make it to the festival, don't fret! While you might have missed the event itself, the cherry blossoms are still in bloom.
This year, cherry blossom blooming across the country was delayed by over a week. As of today, at the Gunggeorang Cherry Blossom Festival, more than half of the cherry blossoms are still in bud state. They're expected to be in full bloom by the following week, perfect timing for the first weekend in April, when Mugeocheon(meaning Mugeo Stream) will be adorned with a shower of light pink petals.
Restaurants near Gunggeorang
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| Image source: Naver map |
One nearby gem is Yukhyang, which tranlates to "the scent of meat."
It's situated close to Haeyeon Park, just left of Paris Baguette bakery near the Sinbok Intersection bus stop.
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| Image source: Naver map |
At Yukhyang, you can indulge in grilled beef ribs, as seen in the photo above. For approximately US$30 per person, enjoy unlimited refills, with the staff grilling the meat right before your eyes. And remember, there's no tipping culture in Korea.
My family and I visited before the COVID-19 pandemic and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Plus, there's a playroom for young children to enjoy while waiting for the meat to grill. Many Korean restaurants offer such playrooms, providing a safe and entertaining space for children while their meals are prepared.
In addition to Yukhyang, the area Mugeo Stream, where the festival takes place, is bustling with various restaurants and charming cafes. Even outside of festival season, the scenic trails around Mugeocheon offer a delightful opportunity to soak in the spring atmosphere with a leisurely stroll and a cup of coffee at a nearby cafe.
Attractions near Gunggeorang
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| 이미지 출처: 한국경제 |
While Mugeo-dong is renowned for Ulsan University's downtown area rather than solely for the Gunggeorang Cherry Blossom Festival, there's also the Ulsan Sports Park.
More commonly known as Munsu Stadium, this complex offers facilities for various sports, including a soccer stadium, swimming pool, tennis court, shooting range, and baseball field. With its artificial lake, wide walking paths, and flower-lined trails, Munsu Stadium is perfect for jogging, leisurely walks, or simply soaking up the sun on one of its many benches.
Living nearby, my family and I often spend sunny weekend afternoons at Munsu Statium, enjoying activities like inline skating, cycling, and lesurely walks. It's a fantastic destination year-round and definitely worth a visit.
How to reach Gunggeorang Cherry Blossom Festival
To reach the festival along Mugeocheon, head towards Ulsan University. For instance, if you're arriving at Ulsan Station via KTX, you can hop on buses 357, 327, 5004, 337, or 304 at Ulsan Station. Whichever bus you choose, disembark at 'Ulsan Daehakgyo ahp'(in front of Ulsan University).
From Busan, take bus 1127 from Nopo Station on Busan Line 1 and alight in front of Ulsan University. Alternatively, take the Donghae Line to Taehwagang Station, then catch a bus from Taehwagang Station to Ulsan University.
Buses heading towards Ulsan University are available from various locations across Ulsan.
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