Where to go in March?

Best travel tips out of Seoul, enjoy the early spring^^

Gwangyang Maehwa Village

Head out to Gwangyang, the eastern edge of Jeollanam-do bordering the South Sea where the annual maehwa (apricot flower) festival will take place March 23–31. In springtime, Maehwa Village, the festival site, becomes a most splendid landscape as the apricot flowers burst into bloom. Picture-taking is by far the most popular thing to do, as families and friends preserve their memories of a beautiful spring day.
A maehwa blossom photo contest, opportunities to learn traditional Korean drawing, and a variety of other craft-filled opportunities will also go on at the event. This festival truly shows the splendors of Korea’s countryside and even an occasional glimpse into the past.

what to eat?
Hungry festival goers can indulge in the smorgasbord of local specialties as well as food and drink made with maesil (apricot fruit and flowers). Judging from the many bulgogi restaurants in Seoul that flash “Gwangyang” in their signage, Gwangyang is in a sense regarded as a mecca of this dish.

what else to see there?
Close to Gwangyang is Suncheon, which is known for its ecological park and many species of birds.
Yeosu, the site of the flamboyant world expo last year, sits just around the corner in the region.

Gurye Sansuyu Festival

The small town of Gurye in southwest Korea is best known as a gateway to Jirisan National Park.
In March, though, it becomes a destination worth visiting in its own right when the area around Sandong Township hosts Gurye Sansuyu Festival (Mar 22–30), dedicated to the yellow blossoms of the sansuyu (cornel tree). Sandong is home to the country’s largest colony of sansuyu trees.
The flowers are made into tea, alcohol, and food, all of which can be sampled at this festival.
The festival wouldn’t be complete without a hike on Mt. Jirisan to appreciate the yellow splendor blanketing the mountain. 

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Dosanseowon Confucian Academy

Let's go to Andong. 

 

I will show you a place you must visit in Andong.

Sacred place of Korean Spiritual Culture

 

 

Dosanseowon, located in Togye-ri, Dosan-myeon, Andong-si, Gyoungbuk, was built to admire and memory the scholarship and virtue of Toegye Leehwang (Seonjo 7). Its buildings are decorated neatly and simply, which properly reflects his attitude and personality as a scholar.
In the structural viewpoint, Dosanseowon divided into Dosanseodang and Dosanseowon. Dosanseodang is the place he, by himself, taught his followers, whereas Dosanseodang was built after his death.


Dosan Confucian Academy was established in 1574 (7th year under the reign of King Seonjo), by the disciples and others who cherished their memories of the premier Lee Hwang.

 

Dosan Lecture Hall was an academy where Toegye Lee Hwang taught his students and concentrated on his academic studies. In 1574 (the 7th year under the reign of King Seonjo (1567~1608)) of the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910), Confucian scholars established a shrine called Sangdeoksa. In 1969, it was designated as a National Treasure No. 170. After placing the mortuary and performing the sacrificial rites, they finished the Lecture Hall by building Jeongyodang (National Treasure No.210) and the West and East Wings (where scholars could study). When the Lecture Hall was finished King Seonjo bestowed the sign.

When you enter the main entrance there is Dosan Lecture Hall on the right. The structure of the building is simple with the square pillars and simple structures of the girders inserted in the crosspieces. If you go up behind the Lecture Hall and pass the Jindo Gate, there is Gwangmyeongsil where books are stored. You can also find the main building, Jeongyodang and the West and East Wings.

Behing Jeongyodang there is Sangdeoksa and Jangpangak, a tree to print the ‘Dosan 12 Songs’. Okjingak, which was rebuilt in 1970, is now an exhibit building for the relics of Toegye such as his stationary, furniture, and his favorite books etc.

 

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Jindo Miracle Searoad Festival

Let's go to Jindo!

Last year I visited this island to see  the magical sea parting phenomenon in Jindo island. every year it happens around the end of March or April. This year Miracle Searoad Festival will be on 3/29 through 4/2 in Jindo island.

There will be many great events to take part in before the sea parting starts. You can see a maritime ship parade, traditional Korean dance and Pansori performance, traditional 5000 year old group dance performance (강강술래), and much more.

The highlight of this festival is the sea parting, so we will make sure not to miss this. We will head to the edge of the sea just around 4:30 am and join the locals who want to ‘walk on water' with torchlight.’ As the sea pulls away a sandbank emerges and the path is revealed. You will be able to walk on the 40 metre wide path for about 2.8 kilometres.

 

 The world-famous Magical sea way is only the phenomenon exposes 2.8km-long sea way between Hoedong-ri, Gogun-myeon and Modo-ri, Uisin-myeon when water is lowered because of tides. However it is still mysterious in its regular width of about 40m under the water. The tides come in and out 2 times a day. Though there are the differences of tide’s speed and wave such as Typhoon, this risen pit has formed. Every year, about 400 thousand Korean and foreign tourists rush to see this miracle, a fully exposed sea way for 1 hour. It is known as worldwide spot where the most people gather to see a temporary happening.

You may have heard of Jindo dogs. These dogs are very special to Korean people, because of their intelligence, fierce loyalty and bravery. Originally bred as hunting dogs, now they are more often simply pets. At the festival we will be able to see some of these dogs perform as well as be available for us to pet.
 

This magical sea way, called as the modern Mose’s miracle, became world-famous when French ambassador in Korea, Mr. Pierre Randi visited Jindo in 1975 and write about this phenomenon in French paper. In 1996, a Japanese pop singer Dendoyosimi recorded big hit with the song “Jindo story", based on this sea way. Numbers of Japanese tourists has increased sharply thereafter

Jindo county presents many characteristic folk arts to visitors. The performance includes Nationally Designated important intangible cultural properties such as Ganggangsullae (Circle Dance), Jindo Ssitgimgut (Shaman Rite), Field song, Jindo Dasiraegi and Jeollanam Provincially Designated intangible cultural properties like funeral song and drum play. Besides, there are various events to please tourists growing larger year by year.



If you have time end of this month I can recommend you to visit Jindo, you will definitely like it.

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