Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival / Schedule, Venue, Admission, How to Get There from Seoul & Must-Enjoy Programs
Every summer, flower festivals are held throughout Korea, but if you are looking for the most beautiful place to admire lotus flowers in South Korea, many people will recommend the Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival in Chungcheongnam-do.
Gungnamji, where more than ten million lotus flowers bloom in full glory, is a historic site that dates back to the Baekje Kingdom. Visitors can enjoy endless fields of lotus flowers during the day and spectacular nighttime illuminations and performances after sunset, making it one of Korea’s most popular summer festivals, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
It is especially popular as a summer travel destination because it offers something for everyone, including family trips, romantic dates, visits with parents, and photography.
📅 Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival Schedule
- Festival Period: July 3 (Fri) – July 5 (Sun), 2026
- Night Illumination Period: Late June through mid-July
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Venue: Gungnamji (Seodong Park), Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
- Admission: Free
- Parking: Free parking available (parking lots may fill up early during busy hours)
🌸 What Is the Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival?
The Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival is one of Korea’s leading summer flower festivals, held at Gungnamji, the nation’s first artificial garden.
Gungnamji is believed to be Korea’s first artificial pond, created approximately 1,400 years ago by King Mu of Baekje. It remains a historic site that continues to preserve the garden culture of the Baekje Kingdom.
The festival is named after “Seodong,” the childhood name of King Mu of Baekje, and features a variety of performances and parades inspired by the famous love story between Seodong and Princess Seonhwa of Silla.
One of its greatest attractions is that visitors can enjoy not only beautiful lotus flowers, but also Baekje history, culture, nighttime scenery, and live performances all in one place.
🌺 Must-See Attractions
🌸 More Than Ten Million Lotus Flowers
The entire Gungnamji pond becomes covered with breathtaking lotus flowers.
A wide variety of lotus species, including pink lotus, white lotus, and water lilies, bloom throughout the park, making every corner a perfect place for unforgettable photos.
The lotus flowers are at their most beautiful in the morning, making it the ideal time for photography.
✨ Night Illuminations
After sunset, Gungnamji transforms into a completely different atmosphere.
Brilliant LED lighting and media art blend beautifully with the lotus flowers, creating a magical nighttime landscape unlike anything seen during the day.
The illuminated night view of Gungnamji is one of the must-see highlights of any trip to Buyeo.
🎆 Multimedia Performances
During the festival, visitors can enjoy:
- Live music performances
- Media shows
- Water performances
- Fireworks displays
- Drone shows and nighttime parades
along with many other exciting programs.
🚣 Hands-On Experience Programs
The festival also offers a variety of interactive experiences.
- Lotus canoe experience
- Lotus craft making
- Baekje cultural experiences
- Lotus leaf crafts
- Traditional Korean games
- Photo zones
It is an excellent festival for families visiting with children.
📸 Best Places for Photos
The most popular photo spots include:
- Gungnamji Wooden Bridge
- Poryongjeong Pavilion
- Lotus flower fields
- Lakeside walking trails
- Night illumination photo zones
- Scenic viewpoints
The most beautiful photos can be taken just after sunrise and around sunset.
🚗 How to Get to Buyeo from Seoul
① By Express Bus (Highly Recommended)
Take an express or intercity bus from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal to Buyeo Intercity Bus Terminal.
- Travel Time: Approximately 2.5–3 hours
- Fare: Approximately KRW 18,000–23,000
- From the terminal, Gungnamji is about a 5-minute taxi ride or a 20-minute walk.
② By Car
From Seoul:
Gyeongbu Expressway → Cheonan–Nonsan Expressway → Buyeo IC
- Travel Time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
- Distance: About 180 km
It is recommended to arrive early in the morning during the festival.
③ By KTX
Seoul Station → Gongju Station (KTX)
From there, you can continue by:
- Intercity bus
- Taxi
- Rental car
It takes approximately 40–50 minutes to reach Gungnamji.
🍜 Local Foods to Enjoy in Buyeo
No trip to Buyeo is complete without trying its local specialties.
Recommended dishes include:
- Lotus leaf rice
- Gukbap (Korean rice soup)
- Baekje-style Korean set meal
- Buyeo Makguksu (buckwheat noodles)
- Grilled eel
- Freshwater spicy fish stew
- Local cafés
Enjoying the local cuisine after admiring the lotus flowers will make your trip even more satisfying.
🏛 Nearby Attractions Worth Visiting
As the last capital of the Baekje Kingdom, Buyeo is home to many historic landmarks.
Popular attractions to visit along with the festival include:
- Busosanseong Fortress
- Baengma River
- Jeongnimsa Temple Site
- Buyeo National Museum
- Baekje Cultural Land
- Nakhwaam Cliff
There is more to see than can comfortably fit into a single day.
If possible, a 2-day, 1-night trip is highly recommended.
💡 Helpful Travel Tips
✅ Lotus flowers are at their most beautiful between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
✅ The nighttime scenery becomes even more beautiful after sunset.
✅ The festival gets very crowded, so arriving early in the morning is recommended.
✅ Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat for a more enjoyable visit.
✅ Since it is summer, don’t forget to bring sunscreen, water, and a portable fan.
The Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival is much more than simply a flower festival. It is one of Korea’s premier summer festivals, where visitors can experience Baekje history and culture, beautiful natural scenery, spectacular nighttime illuminations, and a wide variety of hands-on activities all in one place.
Although it is only about a two-and-a-half-hour trip from Seoul, making it suitable for a day trip, your journey will be even more rewarding if you also explore nearby attractions such as Busosanseong Fortress, the Baengma River, and Baekje Cultural Land.
If you would like to create unforgettable summer memories surrounded by the refreshing fragrance and beauty of blooming lotus flowers, be sure to add the Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival to your travel itinerary this summer.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. When is the Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival held?
A. The Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival is one of Korea’s most representative summer festivals, held every year in early July at Gungnamji (Seodong Park) in Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do. Since the exact dates may vary each year, it is recommended to check the latest festival schedule before your visit.
Q. Is there an admission fee for the Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival?
A. Admission to most festival areas is free. Some hands-on experience programs may require a separate participation fee, but everyone can freely enjoy the beautiful lotus flowers of Gungnamji, along with a variety of performances and cultural activities.
Q. How do I get to the Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival from Seoul?
A. Taking an express or intercity bus from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal takes approximately 2.5–3 hours. By car, the journey takes about 2.5 hours via the Gyeongbu Expressway and Cheonan–Nonsan Expressway. If you travel by KTX, get off at Gongju Station and continue to Gungnamji by bus or taxi.
Q. When is the best time to see the lotus flowers at Gungnamji?
A. The lotus flowers at Gungnamji usually reach their peak bloom in early July, and the best time to admire them is between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM. In the evening, spectacular illuminations and media art create a completely different atmosphere, offering another unforgettable experience.
Q. Is the Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival a good festival to visit with children?
A. Yes. With its spacious walking trails, beautiful lotus gardens, Baekje cultural experiences, live performances, and photo zones, the festival offers plenty of activities for families and is a popular summer travel destination for visitors with children.
Q. Is this a good Korean festival for international visitors?
A. Absolutely. The Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival is one of Korea’s most popular summer festivals, where visitors can experience both Korean history and nature. Its beautiful lotus flowers, Baekje cultural heritage, exciting performances, and stunning nighttime scenery make it a favorite among international travelers as well.
Q. Will the festival still take place if it rains?
A. Most festival programs continue to operate even in rainy weather. However, some performances or experience programs may be modified or canceled due to severe weather conditions such as typhoons or heavy rain. Checking the latest announcements before your visit is recommended.
Q. What other attractions should I visit while traveling in Buyeo?
A. Along with the Seodong Lotus Festival, you can also visit Busosanseong Fortress, the Baengma River, Jeongnimsa Temple Site, Buyeo National Museum, Baekje Cultural Land, and Nakhwaam Cliff for a more rewarding trip. Although a day trip is possible, a 2-day, 1-night itinerary is highly recommended if you want to fully explore Buyeo’s rich history and natural beauty.
