Nature & seasonsGurye, Jeollanam-do

Jirisan Piagol Autumn Foliage Festival in Gurye, Jeollanam-do, South Korea

지리산 피아골 단풍축제 · Jirisan Piagol Danpung Chukje

Nov2026
7 –8
Sat–Sun Daily hours not published. Fixed times on the county leaflet: 50th-anniversary tree planting Sat 7 Nov 10:00–10:30, foliage rite Sat 7 Nov 11:00–12:00, children's drawing contest Sat 12:00–15:00 (lower primary) and Sun 11:00–14:00 (upper primary).
UpcomingStarts in 7 days

7–8 Nov 2026 · Daily hours not published. Fixed times on the county leaflet: 50th-anniversary tree planting Sat 7 Nov 10:00–10:30, foliage rite Sat 7 Nov 11:00–12:00, children's drawing contest Sat 12:00–15:00 (lower primary) and Sun 11:00–14:00 (upper primary).

The Jirisan Piagol Autumn Foliage Festival (지리산 피아골 단풍축제) is a two-day weekend festival in Piagol, a valley on the Gurye side of Jirisan National Park in Jeollanam-do whose autumn leaves are among the 'ten views of Jirisan'. Gurye County's site gives Saturday–Sunday 7–8 November 2026 for the 50th edition, at Piagol Maple Park in Toji-myeon, opening with a commemorative tree planting at 10:00 and the traditional foliage rite at 11:00 on 7 November. From Seoul, take a bus from Nambu Terminal to Gurye (about 3 h 13 m, ₩31,600 deluxe), then the hourly ₩1,000 county bus to Piagol.

Not yet confirmed for the 2026 edition: opening hours or show times, prices, the programme or line-up, shuttle buses, road closures or parking. Check the organizer's page before you go.

At a glance

Dates7–8 Nov 2026Upcoming · 50th edition per Gurye County's leaflet (posted 21 Oct 2026; the county page still marks the festival 'in preparation'). K-Festival magazine's October 2026 issue (p. 93) printed 31 Oct–1 Nov 2026, a 'village concert', a healing foot bath and a retro zone; the county's own leaflet gives 7–8 Nov and does not list those items. Stage line-up not published.
HoursDaily hours not published. Fixed times on the county leaflet: 50th-anniversary tree planting Sat 7 Nov 10:00–10:30, foliage rite Sat 7 Nov 11:00–12:00, children's drawing contest Sat 12:00–15:00 (lower primary) and Sun 11:00–14:00 (upper primary).
AdmissionNo admission fee is mentioned on the 2026 leaflet, and none was reported for past editions; food, market goods and some hands-on activities may be paid (2026 prices not published). Spending ₩30,000 or more locally earns a Piagol souvenir.
VenuePiagol Maple Park, Piagol valley전라남도 구례군 토지면 내동리 924 (남산길 13)
Nearest stationGuryegu Station (구례구역), Korail Jeolla Line (KTX, Saemaeul, Mugunghwa)Not walkable: Guryegu is outside Gurye town; take a taxi to Gurye Public Bus Terminal, then the county bus to Piagol
From Seoulabout 3 h 13 min · BusLeave from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal · One-way fare from ₩31,600 · Back to Seoul the same nightFull route · Festivals by travel time from Seoul
OrganizerJirisan Piagol Foliage Festival Promotion Committee, supported by Gurye County지리산피아골단풍축제추진위원회 (후원: 구례군, 구례향교, 재경토지면향우회, 토지면청년회)
Usual timingA Saturday and Sunday in early November: 4–5 Nov 2023, 1–2 Nov 2025 and, for the 50th edition, 7–8 Nov 2026. Browse October / November festivals.
Last checked27 October 2026Checked against 17 sources · See sources

What it is like

Piagol is a deep valley on the southern flank of Jirisan, where streams from between Nogodan and Samdobong run down towards the Seomjin River. Its autumn colour is counted among the 'ten views of Jirisan', and the valley is known for 'samhong', the three reds: the red mountain, the red water that reflects it, and the people who seem to turn red among the leaves. The name is usually traced to 'pibat-gol', a valley of millet fields once farmed by slash-and-burn settlers; during the Korean War the valley held a partisan headquarters, and the fighting there is part of its story too.

The festival is a small, local weekend event rather than a big-stage spectacle. Gurye County's 2026 leaflet calls this the 50th edition, held on 7–8 November at Piagol Maple Park (피아골 단풍공원) in Naedong-ri, Toji-myeon. On the Saturday a commemorative tree planting for the 50th edition (10:00–10:30) is followed by the foliage rite (단풍제례, 11:00–12:00), at which residents in traditional dress pray for the county's peace and prosperity. Around the park there are a children's drawing contest, a treasure hunt along the road from Jikjeon village to Pyogomakteo (hidden 'treasures' are swapped for local produce), dalgona and roasted-chestnut making, traditional games, a fire-safety class for children, a bouncy castle, a photo contest, a food street, a youth-run local market and a stamp tour with a souvenir. Yeongoksa temple, just up the road, hosts a special flower exhibition by the Korea Flower Arrangement Association for the anniversary.

The point of coming, though, is the valley itself. From the Yeongoksa area a gentle trail follows the stream: about 2 km return to Pyogomakteo for beginners, 4 km return to Samhongso pool, and 8 km return to Piagol Shelter for experienced hikers. For how Jirisan's colours are running this year, see this site's autumn foliage guide (Guides › Autumn foliage in Korea 2026), which tracks Jirisan's observed and forecast peak dates; the Korea Tourism Organization gives mid-October to early November for Piagol.

The caveats: the festival is entirely in Korean and the 2026 stage line-up and daily hours had not been published by 21 October. The valley road is narrow, parking is limited to about 690 places in five lots, and the county asks drivers to follow parking attendants when lots are full, so the county bus from Gurye is the easier choice. A monthly festival magazine printed 31 Oct–1 Nov for 2026, but the county's own leaflet gives 7–8 November.

Highlights

  • Piagol valley in full autumn colour, one of the 'ten views of Jirisan', famous for its 'three reds' of mountain, water and people
  • The 50th edition in 2026: a commemorative tree planting (10:00) and the traditional foliage rite (11:00) on Saturday 7 November
  • Easy stream-side trail from the Yeongoksa area: 2 km return to Pyogomakteo, 4 km to Samhongso pool, 8 km to Piagol Shelter
  • Family programme: children's drawing contest, treasure hunt for local produce, dalgona and roasted chestnuts, traditional games, bouncy castle
  • Special flower exhibition by the Korea Flower Arrangement Association at Yeongoksa temple for the 50th edition
  • Food street, youth-run local market and a stamp tour with a souvenir

Who it suits. Best for walkers and photographers who want Jirisan's autumn colour with a local village-festival atmosphere, and for families with children; less suited to visitors who want big concerts, English-language programmes or an easy drive on a busy weekend.

Getting there

From Seoul

Bus: eight a day from Seoul Nambu Terminal (Line 3, Nambu Bus Terminal station) to Gurye Public Bus Terminal (06:40, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00 premium, 14:30, 16:20 premium, 17:40 and 19:30 regular in Gurye County's bus timetable dated 1 Oct 2026, checked 21 Oct 2026), about 3 h 13 m, ₩31,600 deluxe, ₩41,100 premium, ₩24,300 regular. From Gurye, the county bus on the Yeongoksa–Piagol route leaves every hour from 06:40 to 19:40 and costs ₩1,000; its ride time is not published. Train: KTX from Seoul Station to Guryegu Station, about 2 h 40 m–3 h 20 m, ₩40,100 standard, then a taxi to Gurye Public Bus Terminal for the county bus.

From Busan

Buses link Busan Seobu (Sasang) Terminal and Gurye Public Bus Terminal, about 2 h 35 m, ₩20,400 (the county's route map gives ten a day and 3 h 10 m to Yeongoksa or Jikjeon including the county bus). By rail, take a train from Bujeon to Suncheon and change to Guryegu.

From Incheon Airport

Gurye County's bus timetable (dated 1 Oct 2026) lists a bus from Gurye to Incheon Airport (deluxe and late-night deluxe, ₩52,900); airport-to-Gurye times were not checked. Otherwise go into Seoul and take the bus from Nambu Terminal.

Last leg from Guryegu Station

Korail Jeolla Line (KTX, Saemaeul, Mugunghwa). Not walkable: Guryegu is outside Gurye town; take a taxi to Gurye Public Bus Terminal, then the county bus to Piagol

Festival shuttle

No 2026 shuttle was published. In 2023 cars were restricted on the foliage road between Pyeongdo and Jikjeon villages and shuttle buses ran from Pyeongdo to the Yeongoksa car park and Jikjeon (frequency not stated). The regular county bus runs hourly from Gurye to Piagol.

Getting home

County buses leave Piagol for Gurye every hour, the last at 20:10, and the last bus from Gurye to Seoul Nambu leaves at 19:50 (Gurye County bus timetable dated 1 Oct 2026, checked 21 Oct 2026), so take a county bus from Piagol by about 18:10. By train, the KTX from Guryegu to Seoul Station takes about 2 h 40 m–3 h 20 m; a new KTX timetable starts on 1 November, so check the last train in the Korail+ app (코레일+) or at Guryegu Station before the festival day.

Parking

The county's festival traffic map lists five lots: Jikjeon village (about 280 cars), Yeongoksa (80), the national park's paid lot (80), Yeongok school (100) and Maple Park (150), with coach parking. The 2026 leaflet names the Jikjeon village restaurant area, the national park's Yeongok branch paid lot and Yeongok school, and asks drivers to follow parking attendants when lots are full.

How to switch Naver Map and Kakao Map to English

Google Maps shows train, subway and bus routes in Korea but not walking or driving directions yet, so for the walk from the station Naver Map or Kakao Map is more reliable.

Before you go

1330 · Travel hotline

The Korea Tourism Organization’s helpline answers in English, Japanese and Chinese around the clock, and in several other languages from 08:00 to 19:00. Dial 1330 from a Korean phone, or +82-2-1330 from a phone registered abroad.

112 / 119 · Emergencies

112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. Both are free from any phone. Police on 112 can add an English or Chinese interpreter to the call.

T-money card

Buy one at a convenience store such as GS25, CU or 7-Eleven and top it up there with cash. It pays for subways and buses in most cities, and for most taxis.

Maps

Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for walking and bus directions; Google Maps does not yet give walking directions in Korea. Both apps can be switched to English. Naver Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → Language (Japanese and Chinese also available). Kakao Map: Menu (≡) → Settings → App settings → Language. If the option is missing, change your phone’s language and reopen the app. Small shop names and some reviews stay in Korean.

Trains and buses

Book trains on Korail’s English site and express buses on Kobus. Holiday weekends sell out first.

Checked 18 October 2026.

Tickets, prices and practical details

2026 prices in Korean won
ItemPriceNote
Entry—No admission fee is mentioned on the 2026 leaflet; not stated either way
Booking
No booking is mentioned for 2026. The photo contest runs through the festival's KakaoTalk open chat, linked by QR code on the leaflet. Inquiries: Gurye County.
English on site
No English-language programmes, signs or interpretation are documented; the rite and stage events are in Korean.
Crowds
No visitor figures were found. The county asks drivers to follow parking attendants when the lots are full, and in 2023 the foliage road between Pyeongdo and Jikjeon villages was closed to cars during the festival.
Best time to go
Saturday morning for the tree planting and rite (10:00–12:00), then walk up the valley; the KTO gives mid-October to early November for Piagol's colour.
What to bring
Walking shoes for the stream-side trail, a warm layer, cash for market stalls and a phone with KakaoTalk for the photo contest.
Toilets
The 2026 site map shows toilets at the festival site; the Piagol valley trail has restrooms (KTO).

2026 program

  • Sat 7 Nov 10:00–10:30tree planting to mark the 50th festival, at Piagol Maple Park
  • Sat 7 Nov 11:00–12:00foliage rite (단풍제례) praying for the county's peace and prosperity (leaflet location: 토지면 내동리 산12-3)
  • Children's drawing contest of the Piagol scenery: lower primary Sat 12:00–15:00, upper primary Sun 11:00–14:00
  • Autumn treasure hunt between Jikjeon village and Pyogomakteo: bring a hidden 'treasure' to the festival site for local produce
  • Hands-ondalgona, roasted chestnuts, traditional games, children's safety class with the volunteer fire brigade, bouncy castle
  • Photo contestpost photos taken at the festival in its KakaoTalk open chat; selected entries win prizes
  • Stamp tour (festival site, hands-on programme, photo contest, food street, local market) with a souvenir while stocks last; a Piagol souvenir for spending ₩30,000 or more locally
  • Special flower exhibition 'Piagol, dyed in foliage and K-Flower' by the Korea Flower Arrangement Association at Yeongoksa
  • Food street ('autumn table'), youth local market, photo zones, rest area with mats and beanbags, stage and event zone

50th edition per Gurye County's leaflet (posted 21 Oct 2026; the county page still marks the festival 'in preparation'). K-Festival magazine's October 2026 issue (p. 93) printed 31 Oct–1 Nov 2026, a 'village concert', a healing foot bath and a retro zone; the county's own leaflet gives 7–8 Nov and does not list those items. Stage line-up not published.

Editions

YearDatesStatusNotes
2026 7–8 Nov 2026 confirmed Piagol Maple Park (피아골 단풍공원) and the valley road towards Yeongoksa and Jikjeon village; the rite's leaflet location is 토지면 내동리 산12-3. The 2025 rite was held at Pyogomakteo.
2025 1–2 Nov 2025 ended Piagol Maple Park, Pyogomakteo, Jikjeon village and the valley towards Samhongso.
2023 4–5 Nov 2023 ended Yeongoksa car park and the Piagol area. Cars were restricted on the foliage road between Pyeongdo and Jikjeon villages, with shuttle buses from Pyeongdo to the Yeongoksa car park and Jikjeon.

Before or after the festival

Places you can fit in before or after the festival without missing the shuttle or the last train or bus back.

  • Gurye five-day market (구례5일장)Before or after

    One of the region's biggest five-day markets, where Jirisan wild greens, medicinal herbs, sansuyu, chestnuts and persimmons are sold and stalls serve red-bean porridge and sugure gukbap. It runs only on dates ending in 3 and 8: Sunday 8 November is a market day (05:00–19:00), Saturday 7 November is not. Off the 06:40 bus from Nambu (at Gurye about 09:53) you have about 45 minutes before the 10:40 county bus. Tip: buy produce on the way home rather than carry it up the valley.

    Getting there: About 10 minutes on foot from Gurye Public Bus Terminal, where the county bus to Piagol leaves; free

  • Yeongoksa Temple (연곡사)Before or after

    A Jirisan temple founded, by tradition, in 543 and burned in the Imjin War, in 1907 when Righteous Army leader Ko Kwang-soon made it his base, and again in the Korean War; its carved stone stupas include two National Treasures, the east and north stupas. For the 50th festival it hosts the flower exhibition 'Piagol, dyed in foliage and K-Flower'. Go after Saturday's 11:00 rite or on Sunday morning. Tip: KTO says any heritage fee is cash only, so carry some won.

    Getting there: About 1 km up the valley road from Piagol Maple Park, about 15 minutes on foot; the county bus also runs this way

  • Piagol valley trail to Samhongso (피아골 삼홍소)After

    Piagol's stream-side foliage trail, one of the 'ten views of Jirisan', climbing the valley to Pyogomakteo (about 2 km return), Samhongso pool (about 4 km) or Piagol Shelter (about 8 km). After the rite and lunch, Pyogomakteo or Samhongso fits an afternoon; November afternoons are short, so turn back in good time and be down for a county bus by about 18:10 if you need the 19:50 last bus to Seoul. Tip: KTO notes seasonal trail closures; check with the park office (061-782-1177) first.

    Getting there: On foot up the valley road from the festival site past Yeongoksa; the festival's treasure hunt runs on this trail between Jikjeon village and Pyogomakteo; free

  • Getting awayAfter

    County buses leave Piagol for Gurye every hour, the last at 20:10; for the last bus to Seoul Nambu at 19:50, take one by about 18:10 (Gurye County bus timetable dated 1 Oct 2026). The valley-road car parks fill and attendants direct cars, so the county bus is the easier way out. By train, take a taxi from Gurye to Guryegu and check the last KTX in the Korail+ app (코레일+) before you go.

Questions travelers ask

When is the Jirisan Piagol Autumn Foliage Festival 2026?

Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026, the 50th edition, at Piagol Maple Park in Toji-myeon, Gurye (Gurye County's leaflet). A festival magazine printed 31 October–1 November, but the county gives 7–8 November.

What time does it start?

On Saturday 7 November the 50th-anniversary tree planting is at 10:00 and the foliage rite at 11:00–12:00. Daily opening hours and the stage line-up had not been published by 21 October 2026.

How do I get there from Seoul?

Take a bus from Seoul Nambu Terminal to Gurye (about 3 h 13 m, ₩31,600 deluxe; eight a day from 06:40), then the county bus to Piagol, which leaves Gurye every hour from 06:40 to 19:40 for ₩1,000. Or take the KTX to Guryegu (about 2 h 40 m–3 h 20 m, ₩40,100) and a taxi to Gurye terminal.

Can I do it as a day trip?

Yes. The 06:40 bus from Nambu reaches Gurye at about 09:53 and county buses leave for Piagol at 10:40 and every hour after; the ride time is not published, so you may miss the start of the 11:00 rite. Take a county bus back from Piagol by about 18:10 to catch the last bus to Seoul at 19:50 (Gurye County bus timetable dated 1 Oct 2026).

Is there parking?

About 690 places in five lots along the valley road (Jikjeon village 280, Maple Park 150, Yeongok school 100, Yeongoksa 80, national park paid lot 80). When they are full, follow the parking attendants; the county bus is easier.

Will the leaves be at their best?

KTO gives mid-October to early November for Piagol. For this year's Jirisan observations and forecasts, see this site's autumn foliage guide.

What else would help you plan this trip?

Tick what you'd like us to add, or tell us in your own words. We read every suggestion.

What else would help you plan this trip?
Beyond festivals, what else should we cover for your trip to Korea?

Sources and verification

Facts checked
27 October 2026, against the sources listed below.

This page is desk research from the sources below, not a firsthand report of the 2026 edition. Confidence in the current facts: medium.

  1. Gurye County tourism — 지리산피아골단풍축제 (festival page)municipal — 2026 festival 'in preparation', 7–8 Nov 2026 (Sat–Sun), two days; 2026 leaflet; Piagol among the ten views of Jirisan; samhong (mountain, water, people); name from 피밭골; partisan HQ in the Korean War; course Yeongoksa, foliage road, Seokjugwan, Hwaeomsa, sansuyu village
  2. Gurye County — 제50회 피아골단풍축제 2026 leaflet (image on the festival page, posted 21 Oct 2026)municipal — 50th edition, 7–8 Nov 2026, Piagol Maple Park; tree planting 10:00–10:30, rite 11:00–12:00 at 내동리 산12-3; drawing contest Sat 12:00–15:00, Sun 11:00–14:00; treasure hunt Jikjeon–Pyogomakteo; hands-on list; photo contest via open chat; stamp tour; ₩30,000 spend souvenir; Yeongoksa flower exhibition; parking; site map with toilets; organiser and supporters
  3. Gurye County — Piagol festival traffic guide (undated graphic on the festival page)municipal — Seoul Nambu → Gurye bus then county bus to Yeongoksa or Jikjeon; Busan Seobu 10 a day, 3 h 10 m; Gwangju U-Square buses; parking Jikjeon 280, Yeongoksa 80, national park paid lot 80, Yeongok school 100, Maple Park 150, coach parking
  4. Gurye County — 버스시간 및 요금 (county and intercity bus timetable dated 1 Oct 2026, page updated 12 Oct 2026)municipal — Yeongoksa–Piagol county bus hourly from Gurye 06:40–19:40, from Piagol 07:10–20:10; county bus ₩1,000 flat; Gurye ↔ Seoul Nambu times both ways; Seoul fares ₩24,300 regular, ₩31,600 deluxe, ₩41,100 premium; Busan ₩20,400; Incheon Airport late-night deluxe ₩52,900; terminal 061-780-2730
  5. Newsis 2025-10-24 — '레트로, 복고감성'…내달 1~2일 '지리산피아골단풍축제'news — 49th edition 1–2 Nov 2025 at Piagol Maple Park; retro theme; rite, calligraphy, taekwondo, gugak, Samhong concert, busking, magic, saxophone; fashion show, singing contest, retro tearoom, costumes, chestnuts, dalgona, treasure hunt; food booths; sansuyu fruit festival in Sandong
  6. Telltrip 2025 — 구례 지리산 피아골 단풍축제, 11월 1일부터 이틀간 표고막터와 삼홍소 계곡 일원서 개최 (travel site)news — 49th edition 1–2 Nov 2025; theme; venues Maple Park, Pyogomakteo, Jikjeon village, valley to Samhongso; rite at Pyogomakteo 10:00 on 1 Nov; gentle trail from Yeongoksa to Samhongso
  7. Welfare Hello hometown news — 지리산 피아골 단풍축제 (2023 post)other — 47th edition 4–5 Nov 2023 at the Yeongoksa car park and Piagol; car restrictions Pyeongdo–Jikjeon; shuttle buses Pyeongdo–Yeongoksa car park–Jikjeon
  8. KTO tourist data — 피아골계곡 (ktriptips mirror)kto — Piagol valley in Jirisan National Park; foliage mid-Oct to early Nov, one of the ten views of Jirisan; trails 2 km to Pyogomakteo, 4 km to Samhongso, 8 km to Piagol Shelter (return); restrooms; seasonal trail closures; enquiries 061-782-1177
  9. KTO tourist data — 연곡사(구례) (ktriptips mirror)kto — Yeongoksa, 피아골로 774, Toji-myeon; coordinates 35.2535, 127.5877; parking; founded 543 by Yeongi (tradition); burned in the Imjin War, in 1907 (Righteous Army base of Ko Kwang-soon) and in the Korean War; east and north stupas among 2 National Treasures and 4 Treasures; heritage fee cash only; homepage yeongoksa.kr
  10. Google Maps — 피아골단풍축제 (남산길 13)map — Festival place at 남산길 13, Toji-myeon; plus code 8Q796HWR+365 (≈35.2451, 127.5906), about 1 km down the valley road from Yeongoksa
  11. Kakao Map — 피아골단풍공원map — Piagol Maple Park, 구례군 토지면 내동리 924; festival entry at 남산길 13 / 내동리 924
  12. transportation.asamaru.net — 서울남부터미널 → 구례공영버스터미널 timetable (data 18 Oct 2026)other — 8 departures 06:40–19:30; 3 h 13 m; ₩31,600 deluxe, ₩41,100 premium, ₩24,300 regular
  13. transportation.asamaru.net — 구례공영버스터미널 departures (page modified 12 Oct 2026)other — Gurye → Seoul Nambu 8 a day (06:50–19:50), last 19:50 regular arriving 23:38; Gurye → Busan Seobu 4 a day, about 2 h 35 m, ₩20,400; matches the Gurye County timetable dated 1 Oct 2026
  14. Seoul Station → Guryegu train timetable, 19–25 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the national timetable feed)other — KTX 2 h 37 m–3 h 20 m, ₩40,100 (October 2026 timetable, before Korail's 1 Nov 2026 timetable change; its last-train times are not used)
  15. There She Goes Again — Visiting the Gurye Sansuyu Festival (blog, updated 2023)blog — Guryegu Station is outside Gurye; taxi from the station to Gurye bus terminal
  16. Korail press release: 코레일-에스알 9월 1일 하나로 (31 Aug 2026)official — KTX and SRT merged into KTX from 1 Sep 2026; fares cut about 10%
  17. KTO tourist data — 구례5일장 / 구례전통시장 (3, 8일) (ktriptips mirror)kto — Market days 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28; 05:00–19:00; 5일시장작은길 20, Gurye-eup; about 10 minutes on foot from Gurye bus terminal; Jirisan wild greens, herbs, sansuyu, chestnuts, persimmons; patjuk and sugure gukbap; one of the largest five-day markets in the area

What we could not confirm

  • K-Festival magazine (October 2026, p. 93) printed 31 Oct–1 Nov 2026 with a village concert, foot bath and retro zone; Gurye County's leaflet posted 21 Oct 2026 gives 7–8 Nov and a different programme. The magazine's enquiry number 061-780-2224 was not checked.
  • Daily opening hours, the stage line-up and any 2026 shuttle or car restrictions not published by 21 Oct 2026; recheck the county page in early November.
  • First year not verified: the magazine says the festival dates from 1976; the county numbers 2026 as the 50th edition. 2024 (48th) dates not found.
  • County bus ride time from Gurye terminal to Piagol, and exactly where the route's 'Piagol' terminus is (Jikjeon village is likely), not published.
  • Coordinates are from Google Maps' festival pin (plus code), not from KTO; KTO did not list the festival as of 21 Oct 2026, so there is no content id for the watch map.
  • KTO now labels the province 전남광주통합특별시 (from 1 July 2026); the record keeps Jeollanam-do per site convention.
  • Japanese and Chinese names not verified on a KTO foreign-language page.
  • Last train back from Guryegu to Seoul on 7–8 Nov 2026 under the Korail timetable from 1 Nov 2026 not verified (none found on 28 Oct 2026). The Gurye County bus timetable (dated 1 Oct 2026) could not be reopened on 27–28 Oct 2026; on 28 Oct a mirror of the national feed (modified 12 Oct 2026) still showed the same Gurye→Seoul Nambu times, last 19:50.
  • Yeongoksa's opening hours and whether a heritage fee is charged, and any autumn 2026 closure of the Piagol trail, were not verified; the temple's site (yeongoksa.kr) could not be opened.

Changes: 2026-10-21 — Added to the site: 50th edition on 7–8 Nov 2026 per Gurye County's leaflet (a magazine had printed 31 Oct–1 Nov), with programme, parking and buses from Seoul. · 2026-10-21 — Transport: removed the October-timetable KTX last train from Guryegu (a new KTX timetable starts on 1 November); bus times kept from Gurye County's bus timetable dated 1 Oct 2026. · 2026-10-27 — Transport check: KTX ride time to Guryegu rounded (about 2 h 40 m–3 h 20 m) and the October-timetable last-train time dropped from the source note; county bus times (Gurye County timetable dated 1 Oct 2026) kept; 7–8 Nov last KTX still unverified. · 2026-10-28 — Nearby rewritten as 'Before or after the festival' (shuttle and last-train fit); transport: county and Seoul bus times kept from Gurye County's timetable dated 1 Oct 2026 (Gurye–Seoul times matched the national timetable feed on 28 Oct), app name corrected to Korail+ and way-home advice added; 7–8 Nov last KTX still unverified; prices: no change.

Send a correction with a source

Sansuyu (cornelian cherry) trees in yellow bloom around a reservoir and pavilion in Gurye's sansuyu village Expected
Expected2027
Mar
usual window
NatureGuryeFreeAbout 3 h 10 min from Seoul

Gurye Sansuyu Flower Festival

The Gurye Sansuyu Flower Festival is a free nine-day spring festival in the sansuyu (cornelian cherry) villages of Sandong-myeon, Gurye, Jeollanam-do, where more than 110,000 trees turn the foot of Jirisan yellow. The 27th edition ran 14–22 March 2026 around the Jirisan Hot Spring Tourist Site; the 28th is expected in mid-March 2027, with dates set by the bloom and not yet announced.

Nokdong Coastal Ferry Terminal at Nokdong Port in Goheung, where the drone show is held Happening now
Apr – Oct2026
4 –31
Sat–Sat
LightsGoheungFreeEnds todayAbout 4 h 40 min from Seoul

Goheung Nokdong Port Drone Show

The Goheung Nokdong Port Drone Show (고흥 녹동항 드론쇼) is a free drone light show over Nokdong Port in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, with Sorok Bridge behind it, held every Saturday at 21:00 from 4 April to 31 October 2026 (900 drones, busking from 20:00) and on the last Friday of each month in Goheung-eup. As of 19 October 2026 the season's last shows are Saturday 24 October, Friday 30 October (Goheung-eup) and Saturday 31 October; the 2027 season is expected from April.

Lotus flowers at Semiwon, the festival's venue Happening now
Sep – Oct2026
1 –31
Tue–Sat
NatureYangpyeongEnds today

Semiwon Water Lily Festival

The Semiwon Water Lily Festival (세미원 수련문화제) is a two-month autumn festival at Semiwon, Gyeonggi-do's first designated local garden, on the Han River at Yangsu-ri in Yangpyeong, where Victoria, Australian and tropical water lilies take over from the summer lotuses. The 2026 edition runs 1 September to 31 October, 09:00–18:00 daily, with Saturday janggu-and-guitar performances, lotus-themed exhibitions and craft classes.

Happening now
Sep – Oct2026
11 –31
Fri–Sat
NatureYeosuFreeEnds todayAbout 3 h from Seoul

Namdo K-Garden Festival

The Namdo K-Garden Festival is a provincial garden festival that Jeollanam-do started in 2025 and moves between counties; the 2026 edition is a free night garden show of about 40 gardens on Yeomun Culture Street and Yeoseo Mikwan Plaza in central Yeosu. It runs every day from 11 September to 31 October 2026, 15:00–21:00, with the gardens lit after dark.

Jinnamgwan, the long 1599 naval hall in Yeosu and a National Treasure, seen across its lawn Happening now
Oct – Nov2026
9 –8
Fri–Sun
LightsYeosuFreeUntil 8 NovAbout 3 h from Seoul

National Heritage Media Art at Jinnamgwan, Yeosu

National Heritage Media Art at Jinnamgwan is a free evening light show in Yeosu's old harbour district: projections and media façades on Jinnamgwan, a 1599 naval hall and National Treasure, on the Gosodae memorial site and on the turtle-ship replica in Yi Sun-sin Square tell the story of Admiral Yi Sun-sin. It runs 9 October–8 November 2026, 19:30–21:30 nightly except Tuesdays and special closure days around the 19 October Yeosu–Suncheon memorial, with an AI 'Yi Sun-sin', a stamp tour and weekend flea markets.

Chrysanthemum displays around a pond at Hampyeong Expo Park during the 2012 festival Happening now
Oct – Nov2026
23 –8
Fri–Sun
NatureHampyeongFreeUntil 8 NovAbout 3 h from Seoul

Hampyeong Grand Chrysanthemum Festival

The Hampyeong Grand Chrysanthemum Festival (대한민국 국향대전) fills Hampyeong Expo Park in Hampyeong, Jeollanam-do, with giant chrysanthemum sculptures, bonsai halls and autumn flower fields. The 2026 edition, themed 'Chrysanthemum Garden of Myths', runs 23 October–8 November, 10:00–18:00.