The dream of all of us is to go and visit Korea one day but, since it is not just around the corner, we must necessarily study every detail to make our trip unforgettable. First you need to understand when to leave, if you don't have work or school constraints that force you to a specific period, then you can have fun choosing the season that comes closest to your taste, especially in relation to the places you want to visit and the activities you intend to practice.
It will certainly be a wonderful journey that will see you wander between super-technological cities, villages that will show you ancient traditions, large national parks and splendid islands with crystal clear seas.
First of all, it must be said that in Korea the climate is continental and there are 4 distinct seasons, like in Italy, but the variations in the climate here are pushed to the nth degree.
Let's discover one season at a time…
Winter (November to March):
it is quite cold due to the Siberian winds and in Seoul temperatures can reach -15 degrees. This period is considered low season, so it is perfect for those who want to save money and love snowy landscapes with few tourists, plus Seoul is splendid during the Christmas holidays. Main events:
- Hallasan Snowflake Festival: takes place in January on Hallasan, the mountain on Jeju island that can be climbed and where you can watch traditional arts performances;
- Lunar New Year: Korean New Year which falls between January and February;
- Bulifighting Festival: a rodeo that takes place in March in the small town of Cheongdo, south of Daegu.
Spring (from April to May):
temperatures rise, cherry blossoms color the green areas of cities and rural areas. This period sees a notable influx of visitors, albeit to a lesser extent than in the summer, and it is still possible to take advantage of excellent discounts on flights and hotels. Unfortunately, sand storms from the Gobi desert may occur during this period.
Main events:
- Cherry blossoms festival (early April): takes place in the port city of Jinhae, along the south-eastern coast of Korea, during the cherry blossom season, lasts a week and is full of events and shows;
- Dr Wang In festival (April): takes place in Yeongam and is dedicated to the figure of Dr Wang In who moved to Japan and introduced knowledge of his country into Japanese culture. Rites, ancient ceremonies, art exhibitions and Korean wrestling matches take place there;
- Boseong Tea Festival (May): takes place in Jeollanam-do, the main tea producing region;
- Buddha's birthday (May): throughout the country the birth of Buddha is celebrated with celebrations and ceremonies in temples specially decorated with lanterns;
- Moses Miracle (May): on the island of Jin-Do every year the tide uncovers a thin strip of land that allows the connection with the island of Modo. This gives rise to the opportunity to organize parades, competitions, games and dance shows;
- Royal ancestral rites festival (first Sunday of May): in Seoul in the Jongmyo sanctuary the Joseon royal dynasty is honored with rituals and traditional music and dance performances.
Summer (from June to September):
in this period the temperatures rise dramatically, but you can find refreshment on the splendid Korean beaches and try naengmyeon, noodles in cold broth with ice cubes or Korean ice creams with bizarre flavors for us Westerners. July then marks the beginning of the rainy and typhoon season. A sad point is that in this high season, prices are high and it is necessary to book well in advance. Main events:
- Dano Festival (early June): takes place in Gangneung and offers the opportunity to attend shamanic rites and masked dances;
- Boryeong Mud festival (mid-July): festival held on Daecheon beach, born in the nineties to promote the cosmetic virtues of the mud in the area;
- Ginseng festival (August): takes place in Geumsan, the main ginseng production centre.
Fall (from September to October):
towards the end of September the first cool, dry Siberian winds begin to blow, temperatures drop and the climate becomes drier. The trees are tinged with incredible colors and the foliage attracts tourists a bit like cherry blossoms in spring. All this makes this the best time to visit South Korea. You can taste numerous specialties based on chestnuts, sweet potatoes and pumpkin.
Main events:
- Harvest Moon Festival – Chuseok (between September and October): it is one of the most heartfelt festivals in Korea, lasting three days, where families take the opportunity to meet up;
- World Culture Expo (from September to November): takes place in Gyeongju, along the shores of Lake Bonum and includes shows, art exhibitions and various entertainment;
- Andong Mask Dance Festival (October): Held in the town of Andong and the nearby village of Hahoe and consists of traditional dance and theater performances;
- Kimchi festival (end of October): held in Gwangju, where you can taste many varieties of this Korean national dish.
From this overview we can deduce that every season has positive and negative sides; therefore, personal tastes can make a difference but one thing is certain, in any period we decide to go we will certainly be surrounded by the magic of this splendid country!
Monia Bernardini
Cover photo credit: tawatchai07