Gokseong World Rose Festival, A Special June Trip Filled with the Scent of Roses - The Festival Has Ended, But the Seomjingang Train Village Is Even More Beautiful

A More Special Discovery After the Rose Festival Ended

I went to the Gokseong World Rose Festival with a friend during the first week of June! Although the festival ended on May 25, we thought, 'Maybe we can still see the roses?' and decided to go... It was truly amazingㅠㅠ It might have been even better than during the festival period?

Come to think of it, it must have been hard to properly enjoy the festival due to the crowds, but since we went on a weekday, we could leisurely look around. The entrance fee is 5,000 won for adults, and it was totally worth it!

Convenient Travel to Gokseong by KTX

You can directly reach Gokseong Station from Seoul by KTX, making it very accessible. The Seomjingang Train Village is right next to Gokseong Station, so you can arrive within 5 minutes on foot! No worries about parking, and you can enjoy the charm of a train trip.

A Fantastic World Created by 1,004 Types of Roses

As soon as you enter, a photo zone with an Eiffel Tower model decorated with roses catches your eye. People were lining up to take photosㅋㅋ Of course, we took a shot too!

But the real highlight was the Rose Park. They say it spans 75,000㎡ and features 1,004 types of rare European roses, and everywhere you look, it's roses, roses, roses! The subtle scent of roses wafting in the breeze really lifted my spirits.

What was particularly fascinating was the variety of colors and sizes of the roses. Red and yellow roses are a given, but there were also purple, pink, and even almost black roses. Each had a different name, and reading them one by one was quite fun.

Photo Zones Everywhere, Perfect for Life Shots

There's a fountain in the center of the Rose Park that gives a refreshing feel, and various photo zones are set up around it. Especially, taking photos in places like the rose tunnel is really beautiful!

The Lake and Somangjeong, A Relaxing Rest Area

In the middle of the Rose Park, there's an artificial lake that adds a sense of relaxation to the park. In the middle of the lake, there's a pavilion called 'Somangjeong,' where you can play a drum! We kept hearing the 'thump thump' sound while we were there, which was quite atmospheric.

There are plenty of benches around the lake, making it a great place to sit and relax. Sitting under the cool shade of the trees, enjoying the scent of roses, was truly healing.

The Uniqueness of the Train Village, Watching Passing Trains

True to the name Seomjingang Train Village, you can see actual trains passing by! If you time it right, you can capture a train passing through the rose fields in your photos. The excitement I felt as a child when I saw trains came back to lifeㅋㅋ

They say you can also ride a steam locomotive or a rail bike, so I definitely want to try that next time!

Rose Cacao Experience Center and Observatory

At the end of the Rose Garden, there's a Rose Cacao Experience Center. It's also an observatory, and the view of the entire Rose Park from above is truly spectacular!

They also sell cacao products, making it a great place to buy souvenirs.

Beautiful Roses Even in June

As of my visit on June 3, the roses were still in full bloom! There's no need to be disappointed just because the festival is over. In fact, with fewer people, you can enjoy a more leisurely visit and take as many photos as you want.

However, it might be okay until mid-June, but they could start to wither after that. So if you want to see the roses, go soon!

Visitor Information and Tips

Visiting Tips

• Transportation: 5 minutes on foot from Gokseong Station by KTX! Highly recommend using public transportation
• Best Time: May to June is the peak season for roses, still beautiful after the festival
• Duration: 2-3 hours if you take your time
• Photo Zones: Eiffel Tower model, rose tunnel, and around the lake are perfect for life shots
• What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, hat, sunscreen (lots of outdoor activities)

Nearby Attractions

If you're in Gokseong, also visit Simcheong Story Village and Gokseong Dolmen Park. Going to Namwon to see Gwanghallu Garden is also a great itinerary!

Honest Overall Impression

At first, I wondered, 'Is it okay since the festival is over?' but I was really satisfied after visiting! There are so many things to see that the 5,000 won entrance fee was totally worth it, and above all, the scent of roses was really nice. It's a perfect place to walk around slowly while chatting with a friend.

It's great for couples, families, and friends. Especially, many seniors were visiting too. With good accessibility and plenty to see, I highly recommend it as a day trip destination!

I want to visit again during the rose festival period next time. I'm curious about what events they have then. The Gokseong World Rose Festival was a truly satisfying trip 💖