Sancheong-gun Decides to Cancel This Year's Hwangmaesan Azalea Festival

Request to Refrain from Visiting the County, Strictly Follow Quarantine Rules When Hiking

Hwangmaesan Azaleas [Image source=Sancheong-gun]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] The ‘Sancheong Hwangmaesan Azalea Festival,’ a representative spring flower festival in Gyeongnam, will not be held this year again to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 7th, the county announced that it would cancel the Hwangmaesan Azalea Festival, which was held annually from late April to mid-May.

This measure is to participate in social distancing and to ensure the safety of not only local residents but also visitors. The county also canceled the Hwangmaesan Azalea Festival last year.

However, the county does not plan to close Hwangmaesan.

A county official said, “We decided to cancel the festival for safety. We ask that you refrain from visiting as much as possible to participate in social distancing and to end COVID-19 early,” adding, “If you must visit, please strictly follow quarantine rules such as wearing masks, maintaining distance, prohibiting gatherings of five or more people, and regulations for visitors on tourist buses.”

Meanwhile, Sancheong Hwangmaesan is famous for its azalea colonies in spring and silver grass in autumn. Recently, new facilities such as a night starlight tunnel, photo zones within the park, and a campground have been created in Mirinae Park, a mountain park, attracting many visitors even on regular days.

In particular, last year it was selected as one of the 17 hot places for wedding and life-shot photography in Gyeongnam, gaining attention as a dating spot and photo location for couples.

This year as well, it is recommended as one of the 16 non-face-to-face safe tourist destinations in Gyeongnam, known as an outdoor tourist spot where individuals, small groups, and families can maintain distance from other tourists while enjoying spring flowers and resting in nature.