When asked about their favourite season of the year, it is more often than not that many people try to steer away from mentioning winter. Would you seem to know the reason, t-mates? Is it perhaps because at times it feels distant somehow, due to the lack of warmth the weather radiating? Or could it be because of the melancholy that comes around with it?
Whatever the reason could be, you know that it is not always the truth, don’t you know, t-mates? By all accounts, winter is not always so cold and gloomy, if one knows how to spend it wisely. After all, it is just a matter of where and what to do, to get rid of the cold.
Thus, you should consider celebrating the season to the fullest, t-mates! Apparently, there are tons of ways to do it and you don’t need to squint so hard to find them. Here, let’s have a peek into one of the most prominent festivals in Korea during winter, the Lighting Festival at the Garden of Morning Calm.
Yes, you heard it right, t-mates! The festival is held in South Korea. We have organized all the information you would need to know about the Lighting Festival at the Garden of Morning Calm. Eager much? The page will show you around very well, let’s scroll it all the way to the bottom!
A Brief History of the Garden of Morning Calm
Before we dip further into the matter, why don’t we have some time to get to know the Garden of Morning Calm itself? Let’s have a better knowledge just when and how exactly the garden came to live. Promise, we will make it brief!
The Garden of Morning was not accessible to the public from the start. Matter of fact, professor Sang-Kyung Han of Sahmyook University as the founder of the garden founded it on May 11th 1996 to be a private garden. One where he had been flourishing his idea of a world-class garden.
As time goes by, the Garden of Morning Calm is now open to everyone. It has become one of the most popular tourism destinations in South Korea. If we were to describe the garden briefly, then let’s say it has a timeless and unique beauty. The beauty itself has a purpose to represent the classic elegance of Korea. One could notice it easily by the way the design focuses on showcasing the curves, spaces and asymmetric balance.
Learn More About the Lighting Festival
The Lighting Festival is an annual gaiety held at the Garden of Morning Calm. It is where you could find so many flickering lights in various colours adorning the trees in the garden. They are everywhere, t-mates! You wouldn’t have the chance to miss them out during your visit to the Garden of Morning Calm.
Winter does not sound so dark and gloomy anymore, does it, t-mates? Well, wait until you find the best spots to have some pictures taken then you will see. Just like as the name suggests, the place will introduce you to a colourful tranquillity. Very much romantic as it is!
Each visit allows you to hang around the garden for about one to two hours. So, you should have it to the fullest, t-mates! The gold and pink lights will guide you during your visit here. They will be your lovely companion.
Keep in mind that there will be some steep hills at the garden due to the weather. Hence you are encouraged to bundle yourself up with warm clothes and comfortable shoes, as well as gloves to protect yourself from the cold.
The 4 Seasons at the Garden of Morning Calm
Although the lighting festival only happens once every year, precisely in the winter, but the Garden of Morning Calm is opened for the public throughout the year. Each season has their own charm that will allure you just as much. Curious to take a glance at them, t-mates? Come this way, we will take you to see the Garden of Morning Calm in four seasons.
Bloom Alongside the Flowers in Spring
Spring is the favourable season for most people. It is when the flowers are blooming, showing us just how immensely magnificent the work of mother nature is. Some of you would agree it’s the best time of the year yet.
Spring comes in Korea around April to July, with their yellow adonis, Korean winter hazel and witch hazel beautifully blooming at the Garden of Morning Calm. A time for you to witness the plants blossoming in vigour under the warmth of the sun, bringing such fresh signs of spring.
Expect to see the Wild Flower Exhibition during your visit in spring and get ready to taste the pleasant flavour of it. The exhibition itself is held under a diverse set of themes with a variety of rare and precious wildflowers as well as the plants. Doesn’t this sound pretty promising?
There are going to be more than 60 types of flowers you probably have never seen before. Let’s rejoice amongst the beauty of these splendid wildflowers, shall we, t-mates?
Capture the Smiling Flowers in Summer
Surely everyone is aware of the divine pleasures trailed behind us during the warmest season of all. Everything seems to be more elated to be done in the summer full of laughter and merriment. Moreover, when you are about to visit a garden in one fine summer.
The flowers start blooming from the end of May in South Korea. Therefore, in order to catch them smiling under the summer sun, you have to come here around June or July, t-mates! Charming flowers are going to be after you here! Here, let us spell them for you to take notes of them. There will be hydrangea, clematis, rose, lily, peony root, and many more in the Eden Garden, Pond Garden, Morningcalm Walk, Moonlight Garden, Sunken Garden, and J’s Cottage Garden.
One of the pleasant sights that will greet you all along the summer at the Garden of Morning Calm is the Iris Festival. The festival which displays a garden packed with the violet of iris. Catch yourself be inundated by the beauty of iris in diverse colors, shapes, and patterns in the Morning Square or Pond Garden.
A Photoshoot Session During the Autumn
Fall season at the Garden of Morning Calm would not leave you fall into a woe. But, instead, the pretty colours of autumn carved in the leaves will leave you sigh in contentment. The garden is surrounded by Chuk-Ryeong Mountain, that it makes everything feel more alive.
Best believe, the view is going to mesmerise you beyond words, t-mates! The touch of chrysanthemum flowers is what feels like a cherry on top for it. Under the scrutiny of the vast sky, they will shine the most with their red leaves.
Here’s a suggestion that definitely should come into your mind; a photoshoot session with Korean Hanbok for your Instagram feed! Tempting, isn’t it? You can rent the traditional clothing at the Garden of Morning Calm from September 28th to November 30th. Each rent comes with a duration of either one hour and thirty or more than three hours. Be there before 4 pm to leisurely pose for the session.
The Shining Lights in Winter
The world has turned into a snow globe once again, covering you up with snow flurries from head to toe. While it sounds like a load for some people, you should feel no worries to be one of them. Let’s spend a dazzling winter at the Garden of Morning Calm and hear the sound of flowing water just under the ice. It will surely put your mind in peace!
Remember how the Lighting Festival begins during winter time? Yep, that is how you know the idea of a dark winter night is not at all necessary here at the Garden of Morning Calm. The garden will once again take you wonder by wonder where nature and lights harmonized together.
The festival takes place here at the Garden of Morning Calm from December to March each year. It’s better for you to visit the garden around sunset as nobody wants to cram into the crowd, right, t-mates?
Entrance Tickets
One more essential information for your itinerary is of course the entrance ticket that will earn you full access to the Garden of Morning Calm. Check out the price below for both individual and group tickets. The price applies throughout the four seasons of the year.
Individual
- Adult: 9,500 KRW
- Youth 7,000 KRW
- Kid: 6,000 KRW
Group
- Adult: Weekdays discount 8,500 KRW
- Youth: Weekdays discount 6,000 KRW
- Kid: Weekdays discount 5,000 KRW
Youth tickets are addressed to the middle and high school students, while kids’ tickets are for those who are 36 months old to elementary students. Note to be taken is that you need to make a reservation beforehand if your group is more than 30 persons and you are meant to visit during weekdays. The reservation could be made through 1544-6703 (Korean Number).
How to Get There
First and foremost, let’s book a flight to Seoul at tiket.com. That way, it will be easier to assist you to get there by all the accommodations provided in South Korea. The several ways to reach the Garden of Morning Calm are by bus, subway, ITX (intercity train express), or taxi.
By Bus
Depart together with the bus from Dongseoul bus terminal or the Cheongnyangni transfer center no.1 to arrive at Cheongpyeong terminal. Check out the intra city bus timetable here so you won’t miss the schedule.
Another option for those who want a more hassle-free trip is taking the Gapyeong City Tour Bus. The bus is available to take from Cheongpyeong Terminal/Station to the Garden of Morning Calm. You only have to pay 6,000 KRW for a one-day pass.
By Subway
To get there by subway, you can take a subway bound to Cheongpyeong Station by the Gyeongchun line.
By ITX
Take ITX-Cheongchun or Intercity Train Express Cheongchun from Yongsan Station or Cheongnyangni Station to Cheongpyeong Station. But make sure to book your ticket in advance.
By Taxi
The most convenient way to reach the Garden of Morning Calm is going there by taxi as it will only take you 20 minutes. However, you should keep in mind that it will definitely cost you a higher price. You have to pay around 15,000 KRW from the town of Cheongpyeong.
Places to Eat
Hunger strikes amidst your exploration in the garden? Worry less, t-mates! There are going to be a bakery, a restaurant, and a café to fill your tum-tum. Let’s enjoy a relaxing time looking over the garden accompanied by the pleasant smell of freshly baked breath. Perhaps you would also want to have a cup of coffee at the Hanok-style roasting house.
There is also a restaurant that serves healthy Korean dishes if you are more into full course meals. Yummy for the tummy! Then once the visit is over, let’s head to the nearby shops to buy some herbs and plants as your souvenirs, t-mates!
Pro Tip!
The earlier, the lesser crowd! So, come here way before the lighting is brought to life. Write it down on your note that the switch of the lights will be turned on around 17.20 pm.
Have an entire free day in Korea, t-mates? Why don’t you try a one-day tour instead? The tour will take you to Nami Island, Petite France and the Garden of Morning Calm all throughout the day. It will cost you less this way since you only have to pay one unlimited bus pass to those three attractions.
Decorate Your Instagram Feeds in Korea
South Korea that is well known for its mixture of traditional and modern vibes has dozens of sites that one should go to attain the aesthetically pleasing Instagram feed. So, if you are going to be in Seoul sometime later, it’s better for you to try out these hot spots in the city for your Instagram dream!
Since the country is promoting a safe vacation under our current circumstances, let’s head to tiketsafe.com to have a better knowledge about it. Be more comfortable during a safer holiday, t-mates! But, before anything else, it’s better for you to book a flight first at tiket.com, just for the dream to be closer to you!
Have a safe holiday, t-mates!
