At a glance
| Dates | 30 Oct – 15 Nov 2026Happening now · Host: Yeongam County, enquiries 061-470-2259. No opening ceremony, stage programme or 2026 theme had been published by 18 October 2026 in the sources found. |
|---|---|
| Hours | 10:00–18:00 (KTO listing) |
| Admission | Free. The Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall on the grounds is also free (10:00–17:00, closed Mondays and public holidays).Admission: Free · Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall: Free |
| Venue | Wolchulsan Gichan Land전라남도 영암군 영암읍 기찬랜드로 19-10 |
| Nearest station | Gwangju Songjeong Station (KTX), then a bus from Gwangju U-Square (광주송정역), Korail Honam high-speed line (KTX from Yongsan)Not walkable; cross Gwangju to U-Square terminal, take a bus to Yeongam (about 1 h 20 m), then a taxi to Gichan Land |
| From Seoul | about 4 h 27 min · Bus + TaxiLeave from Central City Terminal · One-way fare from ₩42,100Full route · Festivals by travel time from Seoul |
| Organizer | Yeongam County영암군 |
| Usual timing | Just over two weeks from the last days of October to mid-November, ending on a Sunday: 28 Oct–12 Nov 2017, 26 Oct–11 Nov 2018, 29 Oct–13 Nov 2022, 28 Oct–12 Nov 2023, 26 Oct–10 Nov 2024, 30 Oct–16 Nov 2025 (per a visitor's post) and 30 Oct–15 Nov 2026. Cancelled in 2020 because of COVID-19 and not held again until 2022. Browse October / November festivals. |
| Last checked | 29 October 2026Checked against 28 sources · See sources |
What it is like
Yeongam is a rural county in the southwest of Jeollanam-do, known above all for Wolchulsan, a craggy, rocky mountain that became Korea's 20th national park in 1988. Each autumn the county plants out Wolchulsan Gichan Land with chrysanthemums. The park sits at the foot of the mountain on the edge of Yeongam-eup, the county town. In summer it is a water-play spot, and it also holds the Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall, which honours Kim Chang-jo, the master credited with creating gayageum sanjo, a solo form for the Korean zither. The festival has been held at Gichan Land since 2016.
The 2026 edition runs 30 October to 15 November, 10:00–18:00, with more than 200,000 chrysanthemums of 23 varieties. They are spread through the park rather than gathered in one hall. Chrysanthemum bonsai stand around the memorial hall, and near the children's playground there are flower sculptures, from Yeongam-themed pieces to familiar cartoon characters. You will also find a chrysanthemum tunnel, flower paths and silver grass photo zones. Booths and a sales hall sell Yeongam farm produce and local specialties. In 2025 the walking loop ran about 800 m, from the entrance over Dobaek Bridge, through Gichan Land and back.
Recent editions added evening attractions. In 2023 there was a 'Moonlight Waterfall' light show over the water-play area and a drone show. In 2024 there was an LED night trail, a laser-and-fog 'aurora' and concerts by well-known singers. For 2026, KTO's data mentions night photo zones and lighting, but the published hours stop at 18:00 and no stage programme had been announced by 18 October. If you plan to stay after dark, check with the county (061-470-2259) first.
This is a big regional show. The county counted about 280,000 visitors in 2023 and more than 700,000 in 2017, and after the 2023 festival it kept the displays up for two more weeks. Entry is free, and a large car park by the entrance was free in 2025.
Honest caveats: Yeongam is a long way from Seoul. Only a few direct buses a day head back to Seoul, the last in the afternoon, so a day trip means returning through Gwangju. Festival information is in Korean only, and the displays are arranged exhibits in a park, not a natural flower field. The upside is that Wolchulsan's trails, Gurim hanok village and the Korea International Circuit are all close by, so the festival fits easily into a night or two in the southwest.
Highlights
- More than 200,000 chrysanthemums of 23 varieties spread through Wolchulsan Gichan Land at the foot of Wolchulsan (2026)
- Chrysanthemum bonsai around the Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall, and flower sculptures near the children's playground ranging from Yeongam-themed works to cartoon characters
- A chrysanthemum tunnel, flower paths and silver grass photo zones; KTO's 2026 data also lists night photo zones and lighting
- Free entry, with booths and a sales hall for Yeongam farm produce and local specialties
- Wolchulsan National Park next door: the Cheonhwangsa course to Cheonhwangbong (809 m) is about 5.6 km and 4 hours round trip, and the park's suspension bridge hangs 120 m above the ground
- Runs for just over two weeks in 2026 (30 October–15 November), so it spans three weekends
Who it suits. Best for flower lovers, photographers and families touring the southwest of Jeollanam-do, especially anyone pairing the festival with a hike on Wolchulsan or a night in Gurim hanok village. Less suited to a quick day out from Seoul, since the trip takes about 4.5 hours each way, or to travellers who need information in English.
Getting there
From Seoul
Direct deluxe express buses link Seoul Central City Terminal (Honam Line) and Yeongam Bus Terminal in about 4 h 27 m (₩42,100), but only a few run each day, so check the times at the terminal or in an express-bus booking app before the festival day. By rail, take the KTX from Yongsan to Gwangju Songjeong (about 2 h, ₩42,000 standard class), cross Gwangju to the U-Square bus terminal and take one of about 16 daily buses to Yeongam (about 1 h 20 m, ₩9,400). Gichan Land is on the edge of Yeongam-eup, the county town; take a taxi from the terminal (distance not verified).
From Incheon Airport
Airport-to-Yeongam buses were not checked; go into Seoul and take the direct bus from Central City, or the KTX to Gwangju Songjeong. In the other direction, an overnight bus runs from Yeongam to Incheon Airport Terminals 1 and 2 (about 4 h 30 m, ₩64,900); check its departure time at Yeongam terminal.
Last leg from Gwangju Songjeong Station (KTX), then a bus from Gwangju U-Square
Korail Honam high-speed line (KTX from Yongsan). Not walkable; cross Gwangju to U-Square terminal, take a bus to Yeongam (about 1 h 20 m), then a taxi to Gichan Land
Festival shuttle
No 2026 shuttle was published in the sources found. In 2024 a shuttle bus linked the festival with the Yeongam camping expo at the Korea International Circuit on 26–27 October.
Getting home
The listed hours end at 18:00. The last direct bus from Yeongam to Seoul Central City leaves well before closing. To stay until closing, go back via Gwangju: buses from Yeongam to Gwangju U-Square run into the evening (about 1 h 18 m, ₩9,400), and from Gwangju you continue by express bus from U-Square or by KTX from Gwangju Songjeong. These bus times were not checked against the operators' current timetables, and a new KTX timetable starts on 1 November 2026, so check the last bus at Yeongam terminal and the last train in the Korail app (코레일+) before the festival day.
Parking
A large free car park beside the festival entrance (visitor's post, 2025). The 2026 parking plan was not published.
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
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Admission | Free | Free (KTO listing) |
| Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall | Free | Free; open 10:00–17:00, closed Mondays and public holidays |
- Booking
- No ticket or booking is needed. Enquiries: Yeongam County, 061-470-2259 (Korean).
- English on site
- No English festival information or interpretation was found; the KTO listing and county notices are in Korean.
- Crowds
- About 280,000 visitors in 2023 and more than 700,000 in 2017; weekends are the busiest.
- Best time to go
- A weekday to avoid weekend crowds. The 2026 run spans three weekends, from 30 October to 15 November.
- What to bring
- Comfortable shoes for the walking loop (about 800 m in 2025) and the lanes and steps towards Dobaek Bridge; a warm layer for late-afternoon chill at the foot of the mountain.
- Step-free access
- In 2017 and 2023 strollers and wheelchairs could be borrowed on site; 2026 arrangements were not published.
2026 program
- Chrysanthemum exhibitionmore than 200,000 pieces of 23 varieties, with chrysanthemum sculptures, a chrysanthemum tunnel and flower paths around Gichan Land
- Chrysanthemum bonsai around the Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall
- Flower sculptures near the children's playground, from Yeongam-themed works to familiar character figures
- Silver grass photo zones; night photo zones and lighting (KTO data)
- Booths and a sales hall for Yeongam farm produce and local specialties
Host: Yeongam County, enquiries 061-470-2259. No opening ceremony, stage programme or 2026 theme had been published by 18 October 2026 in the sources found.
Editions
| Year | Dates | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Just over two weeks from the last days of October to mid-November 2027, most likely ending on a Sunday, if the pattern of 2022–2026 holds. Not announced as of 18 October 2026. | expected | No 2027 announcement found as of 18 October 2026. |
| 2026 | 30 Oct – 15 Nov 2026 | confirmed | Wolchulsan Gichan Land, Gichanland-ro 19-10, Yeongam-eup, with displays spread through the grounds rather than in one zone. |
| 2025 | 30 Oct – 16 Nov 2025 | ended | A large free car park beside the entrance. |
| 2024 | 26 Oct – 10 Nov 2024 | ended | Pressian (8 October 2024) gave a 15-day run from 26 October; a travel article of 29 October 2024 gives 26 October–10 November. |
| 2023 | 28 Oct – 12 Nov 2023 | ended | Wolchulsan Gichan Land and the Yeongam-eup area. The chrysanthemum and night-lighting displays stayed up until 26 November 2023. |
| 2022 | 29 Oct – 13 Nov 2022 | ended | First edition in three years, after the COVID-19 break (the 2020 festival was cancelled). |
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.
A red suspension bridge about 510 m up Wolchulsan, slung 120 m above the ground between two rock peaks of the national park, reached by about 900 m of steep stone steps from the Cheonhwang trailhead (about 40 minutes up, 1.5–2 hours round trip). Go in the morning: entry to the course stops at 15:00 in October and 14:00 from November, so you are at the festival well before it closes at 18:00. An autumn trail closure starts on 15 November, the last day; ask the park office (061-473-5210).
Getting there: Taxi to the Cheonhwang trailhead (Cheonhwangsa-ro 280-43); on foot 5.2 km by section 1 of the Gichan Moetgil trail; park entry free
A museum of trot, Korea's long-running popular-song genre, inside Gichan Land: the music's story from the 1930s to the 2000s with songs of each era to listen to, a hall of fame and an exhibition on singer Ha Choon-hwa, whose father's donated records founded it. Open 10:00–18:00 like the festival but closed on Mondays (2 and 9 November); adult ₩6,000. A good indoor break between the flower displays.
Getting there: In Gichan Land, about 130 m from the festival grounds; on foot
- Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall (가야금산조기념관)Before or after
A free museum for Kim Chang-jo, credited with creating gayageum sanjo, a solo form for the Korean zither, in Korea's only music-themed park (opened 2014), with his shrine, birthplace site and an outdoor stage. It opens 10:00–17:00, an hour shorter than the festival, and is closed on Mondays (2 and 9 November). Chrysanthemum bonsai are set out around it during the festival, so see the hall before 17:00.
Getting there: On the festival grounds; on foot, free
- Getting awayAfter
The listed hours end at 18:00. Take a taxi back to Yeongam Bus Terminal: the last direct bus to Seoul leaves well before closing, so go back via Gwangju U-Square (about 1 h 20 m) and on by express bus, or by KTX from Gwangju Songjeong. Check the last bus at Yeongam terminal and the last train in the Korail+ app (코레일+) before the festival day.
Questions travelers ask
When is the Wolchulsan Chrysanthemum Festival 2026?
30 October to 15 November 2026, 10:00–18:00, at Wolchulsan Gichan Land in Yeongam-eup, Yeongam County, Jeollanam-do.
Is the Wolchulsan Chrysanthemum Festival free?
Yes. Entry is free, and so is the Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall on the grounds (10:00–17:00, closed Mondays and public holidays). You pay only for food and local produce at the booths.
How do I get there from Seoul?
Take a direct deluxe bus from Seoul Central City Terminal to Yeongam (about 4 h 27 m, ₩42,100), or the KTX from Yongsan to Gwangju Songjeong (about 2 h) and then a bus from U-Square to Yeongam (about 1 h 20 m, ₩9,400). From Yeongam terminal take a taxi to Gichan Land.
Can I do it as a day trip from Seoul?
Only just. The festival closes at 18:00. Direct buses back to Seoul are few, and the last one leaves well before closing. To stay later, take a bus to Gwangju U-Square and continue to Seoul by express bus or by KTX from Gwangju Songjeong; check the last bus at Yeongam terminal and the last train in the Korail app (코레일+) before the festival day. Staying overnight in the area is easier.
How many chrysanthemums are there?
More than 200,000 pieces of 23 varieties in 2026, shown as bonsai, flower sculptures, a flower tunnel and flower paths. Earlier editions had about 240,000.
Is the festival lit up at night?
The 2023 and 2024 editions had night lighting, light shows and night trails. KTO lists night photo zones and lighting for 2026, but the published hours are 10:00–18:00, so ask the county (061-470-2259) before planning an evening visit.
Is there parking?
In 2025 there was a large free car park beside the entrance. The 2026 parking plan had not been published by 18 October 2026.
Sources and verification
Facts checked
29 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.
- KTO TourAPI listing 월출산 국화축제 (contentId 2039752)kto — 2026 dates 30 Oct–15 Nov; hours 10:00–18:00; free; venue 월출산 기찬랜드, address 영암읍 기찬랜드로 19-10; coordinates 34.7919, 126.6856; organizer Yeongam County; phone 061-470-2259; no homepage; chrysanthemum works and flower sculptures, bonsai near the Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall, sculptures near the children's playground, silver grass photo zone and flower paths, Yeongam-themed and character sculptures
- K-Trip Tips (KTO data mirror) — 월출산 국화축제 (2039752), listing last updated 12 Oct 2026kto — 2026: 23 varieties, more than 200,000 pieces, chrysanthemum sculptures; night photo zones and lighting; booths and a Yeongam specialty shop; Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall 0 m and Korea Trot Music Center 44 m from the festival; theme shown as '국화, 빛으로 피어나다!'; rechecked 19 Oct 2026: still 30 Oct–15 Nov, 10:00–18:00, free, no opening ceremony, concert, shuttle or parking details
- Telltrip (여행을 말하다) — 23종 국화가 곳곳에 깔리는 가을 꽃 축제 (15 Oct 2026)news — 2026 dates 30 Oct–15 Nov, a little over two weeks; 10:00–18:00; free; host Yeongam County; 061-470-2259; 23 varieties, about 200,000 plants; chrysanthemum tunnel; bonsai at the Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall; character sculptures; silver grass photo zones; sales hall; memorial hall 10:00–17:00, free, closed Mondays and public holidays; Gichan Land at the foot of Wolchulsan
- Festival listing site (xn--ok0b236bp0a.com) — 월출산 국화축제other — 2026 dates 30 Oct–15 Nov shown as planned; 10:00–18:00; free; 23 varieties, more than 200,000 pieces; theme shown as '국화 향기 따라 물드는 월출산의 가을'
- Fanmaum community post — 2025 월출산 국화축제 visit (2 Nov 2025)blog — 2025 dates 30 Oct–16 Nov; about 800 m loop from the entrance via Dobaek Bridge through Gichan Land; melon and pear sculptures; Kim Chang-jo, founder of gayageum sanjo; pink muhly; large free car park by the entrance; says the festival began in 2007 as the Wangin Chrysanthemum Festival
- Daum (travel article) — "1억 송이의 국화가 펼쳐진다" 놓치지 말아야 할 가을 꽃 축제 4곳 (29 Oct 2024)news — 2024 dates 26 Oct–10 Nov; theme '국화의 빛으로 가을을 밝혀라'; about 240,000 chrysanthemum pieces; night road with lighting and aurora effects; chrysanthemum concert and street performances
- Pressian — 2024 월출산 국화축제 (8 Oct 2024)news — 2024 festival from the 26th for 15 days at Wolchulsan Gichan Land; theme; LED night road and laser-and-fog AURORA; performers Jeong Tae-chun & Park Eun-ok, BEN, ALi, Hong Ji-yoon; youth trot song festival; shuttle bus to the camping expo at the Korea International Circuit on 26–27 Oct; organized by Yeongam County
- Metro Shinmun — 2023 월출산 국화축제 wrap-up (15 Nov 2023)news — 2023 dates 28 Oct–12 Nov (16 days); about 280,000 visitors; theme '국화, 빛으로 피어나다!'; about 240,000 chrysanthemums; Moonlight Waterfall at the water-play area; drone show; stroller and wheelchair rental; displays extended to 26 Nov
- Financial News (News1) — 2022 월출산 국화축제 (19 Oct 2022)news — 2022 dates 29 Oct–13 Nov (16 days); about 240,000 chrysanthemums; theme; opening ceremony 29 Oct; Kim Chang-jo outdoor stage; more than 20 hands-on programmes; stamp tour; mascots Gichan-i and Gichan-sun; first edition in three years
- Hankyung (Yonhap) — 영암 월출산 국화축제 코로나로 취소…조형물 등 도심 곳곳 전시 (8 Oct 2020; headline as shown in search results)news — 2020 festival cancelled because of COVID-19; sculptures displayed around the town instead
- Webtoon Guide (news reprint) — 2018 월출산 국화축제 (23 Oct 2018)news — 2018 dates 26 Oct–11 Nov at Gichan Land; 27 varieties, about 240,000 chrysanthemums; sculptures of Wang In and Kim Chang-jo; opening marked 30 years of Wolchulsan National Park
- Pressian — 2017 월출산 국화축제 preview (16 Oct 2017)news — 2017 dates 28 Oct–12 Nov (16 days) at Wolchulsan Gichan Land; about 170,000 pots of 23 varieties plus about 25,000 along the route; previous year about 550,000 visitors; wheelchair and stroller rental
- Pressian — 2017 월출산 국화축제 closes (14 Nov 2017)news — More than 700,000 visitors in 2017; second year at Gichan Land after 2016
- Dailian — 전남 영암 travel feature (6 Jul 2025)news — Wolchulsan the 20th national park (June 1988); Cheonhwangbong 809 m; Cheonhwangsa course 5.6 km, about 4 h round trip; suspension bridge 54 m long, 120 m high; Gichan Land water play; Korea International Circuit, Samho-eup, first FIA Grade 1 track, 5.615 km, 1.222 km kart track; Gurim hanok village, 2,200+ years, Wang In, hanok stay, Ha Jeong-ung Art Museum
- Yeongam Bus Terminal departures (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-15)other — To Seoul Central City (Honam Line): 10:35 (arr 15:02) and 16:05 (arr 20:32), deluxe ₩42,100, 4 h 27 m; to Gwangju U-Square 17 a day incl. 18:25, 18:50, 19:43, 20:10, 21:02, regular ₩9,400, about 1 h 18 m; Incheon Airport T1 and T2 00:35, ₩64,900, 4 h 32 m / 4 h 34 m
- Gwangju U-Square → Yeongam bus timetable (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-17)other — 16 buses a day, first 05:50, last 21:00; 1 h 20 m (1 h 12 m on the 12:15); regular ₩9,400
- Gwangju U-Square → Seoul Central City express bus timetable (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-07)other — 92 buses a day; late departures 21:15, 22:00, 22:30, 23:20 and 00:00
- Gwangju Songjeong → Yongsan train timetable, 16–19 Oct 2026 (third-party mirror of the MOLIT/data.go.kr national timetable feed, page last modified 2026-10-16)other — Last departure 21:22 KTX-Sancheon 442, arriving 23:26 (about 2 hours)
- Hankyung: 9월 1일부터 서울~부산 KTX 5만4400원…운임 평균 10% 인하 (31 Aug 2026)news — KTX and SRT run as KTX from 1 Sep; former SRT trainsets renamed KTX-Sancheon; Seoul–Busan ₩59,800→₩54,400, Yongsan–Gwangju Songjeong ₩46,800→₩42,000; Suseo seats +30%; booking unified in Korail+
- Korail press release: 코레일-에스알 9월 1일 하나로…안전 최우선, 더 편리한 고속철도의 시작 (31 Aug 2026)official — Integration and integrated running from 1 Sep 2026; KTX and SRT merged into KTX; average KTX fare cut about 10%; Suseo-axis seats up about 30%; 5% mileage; Korail+ app (Korail Talk + SRT app) launched 3 Aug
- Korail — 열차운임/시간표 (official timetable and fare downloads)official — Index of current Korail timetables: 1호선 weekday/holiday (from 1 Sep 2026), 경춘선 ITX-청춘 (from 1 Sep 2026), 수인분당선 (from 22 Aug 2026), 경강선 (from 23 Mar 2026), KTX (15 May 2026 and 1 Nov 2026 editions), 일반열차 (1 Sep 2026)
- Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism — 지역축제: 2026 월출산 국화축제ministry — 2026 dates 30 Oct–15 Nov, 10:00–18:00, Wolchulsan Gichan Land, free; the listing gives no transport, shuttle or parking information (checked 21 Oct 2026)
- KTO tourist data — 월출산국립공원 (ktriptips mirror, contentId 127672)kto — Homepage wolchul.knps.or.kr; entry hours summer (Mar–Oct) 04:00–15:00, winter (Nov–Feb) 05:00–14:00; trail closure periods 2 Mar–30 Apr and 15 Nov–15 Dec (may be adjusted); no entry fee; Cheonhwangsa-ro 280-43 (listing updated 30 Jun 2026)
- Telltrip — 전남 영암 ‘월출산 구름다리’…천황사서 40분, 해발 510m 위 아찔한 비경 (15 Aug 2025, updated 11 Jun 2026)news — Red suspension bridge at about 510 m between Saja-bong and Mae-bong, about 120 m above the ground; about 900 m and 40 minutes from the Cheonhwang visitor centre (Cheonhwangsa-ro 280-43), 1.5–2 hours round trip, steep stone steps; national park entry free; course entry 05:00–15:00 Apr–Oct and 06:00–14:00 Nov–Mar; park office 061-473-5210
- Dailian 2024-10-17 — 깊어가는 가을, 걷기 좋은 '영암길'이 당신을 초대한다news — Gichan Moetgil section 1 runs 5.2 km from the Wolchulsan Cheonhwangsa car park to Gichan Land
- KTO tourist data — 한국트로트가요센터 (ktriptips mirror, contentId 2657848)kto — Trot history from the 1930s to the 2000s with songs of each era, hall of fame, Ha Choon-hwa exhibition, founded on records donated by her father; 10:00–18:00; closed Mondays, 1 Jan, Seollal and Chuseok; adults ₩6,000; Gichanland-ro 19-10, within 134 m of Gichan Land; homepage yeongam.go.kr/home/trot (listing updated 30 Jun 2026)
- KTO tourist data — 가야금산조테마공원 (ktriptips mirror, contentId 2732489)kto — Korea's only music-themed park, opened 2014: Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall, Kim Chang-jo's shrine, birthplace site, pavilion, outdoor stage; 10:00–17:00; closed Mondays, 1 Jan, Seollal and Chuseok, Labour Day; free (listing updated 7 Oct 2026)
- newsWA (뉴스와) — 가을 정취 가득한 전남 영암 월출산 국화축제 (25 Oct 2026)news — 2026 dates 30 Oct–15 Nov at Wolchulsan Gichan Land; outdoor area 10:00–18:00; Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall closes 17:00, closed Mondays and public holidays; both free; 23 varieties, about 200,000 chrysanthemums; 061-470-2259; may change with weather or site conditions; no opening ceremony, night hours, stage programme, parking or shuttle given
What we could not confirm
- Japanese and Chinese names: no KTO or official Japanese/Chinese name was found (names.ja, zhHans and zhHant left null).
- 2026 theme unconfirmed: the KTO data mirror shows '국화, 빛으로 피어나다!' (the 2023 theme) and another listing shows '국화 향기 따라 물드는 월출산의 가을'.
- Whether the grounds stay open and lit after 18:00 in 2026: KTO lists 10:00–18:00 but also night photo zones and lighting; a 2025 visitor post called the grounds always open.
- 2026 opening ceremony, concerts and stage programme had not been published by 18 October 2026.
- Distance and taxi time from Yeongam Bus Terminal to Gichan Land were not verified.
- Departure times of direct buses from Seoul Central City to Yeongam were not checked (only the Yeongam→Seoul times).
- The Mokpo route (KTX to Mokpo, then bus or taxi to Yeongam) and the Busan route were not verified; the timetable mirror's Yeongam–Mokpo entry looked implausible.
- firstHeld left null: a visitor post says the festival began in 2007 as the Wangin Chrysanthemum Festival, and Pressian says 2016 was the first year at Gichan Land; no edition count was found.
- No official festival website: KTO lists no homepage, and the Yeongam County site was not opened.
- 2026 parking, shuttle buses, restrooms, accessibility, rain policy and pet rules were not published.
- The KTX fare and journey time are copied from existing records (accessed 16 Oct 2026); a new KTX timetable starts on 1 November 2026.
- The 2020 cancellation is supported only by a Hankyung headline seen in search results; the article itself did not load.
- Last bus and train back on the festival dates (30 Oct–15 Nov 2026): Yeongam → Seoul Central City and Yeongam → Gwangju U-Square bus departures, express buses from U-Square and the last KTX from Gwangju Songjeong under the timetable from 1 November 2026, checked against the operators' own timetables.
- Whether the Wolchulsan autumn trail closure from 15 November covers the Cheonhwangsa–Cloud Bridge course, and the taxi time and fare from Gichan Land or Yeongam terminal to the Cheonhwang trailhead, were not verified.
- Gayageum Sanjo Memorial Hall closing days: KTO (7 Oct 2026) lists Mondays, 1 Jan, Seollal, Chuseok and Labour Day, while the record elsewhere says Mondays and public holidays; none falls on a festival day except Mondays 2 and 9 November.
Changes: 2026-10-18 — Added to the site: fact-first record (dates, hours, prices, getting there, sources). · 2026-10-19 — Rechecked before the 2026 edition: no changes found. · 2026-10-19 — Added a photograph from the Korea Tourism Organization (Korea Tourism Content Lab), KOGL Type 1. · 2026-10-21 — Transport: removed bus clock times taken from a third-party timetable mirror (not verified against the operators' current timetables); kept journey times and fares and added a reminder to check the last bus and train before the festival day. · 2026-10-27 — Nearby rewritten as 'Before or after the festival' (shuttle and last-train fit); transport: added how to leave after the 18:00 close (taxi to Yeongam terminal, back via Gwangju, check last bus and train); no clock times in getThere to verify; prices: no change (free entry per KTO and the culture ministry). · 2026-10-29 — Rechecked before the 2026 edition: no changes found (still 30 Oct–15 Nov, 10:00–18:00, free; no shuttle, parking or stage programme published).
