Gwangyang Maehwa Festival: From Admission to Shuttles, All in One Go

Operation of a 'Car-Free Festival Venue', Free Shuttles, and Urban Area Shuttles

The 25th Gwangyang Maehwa Festival, which is the earliest spring festival in South Korea, is just one week away.

Gwangyang City is preparing for the festival by ensuring that all aspects of its operation—including admission, parking, and shuttle buses—are ready so that visitors can enjoy a festival that brings together nature, culture, history, and cuisine in a safe and convenient way.

Gwangyang Maehwa Festival Guide Leaflet. Provided by Gwangyang City

◆Admission Fees and Exemption Information

The admission fee for the 25th Gwangyang Maehwa Festival is 6,000 won for adults and 5,000 won for teenagers. Tickets can be purchased at on-site ticket booths from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Admission is free for visitors aged 65 or older, children aged 6 or younger (when accompanied by a guardian), Gwangyang City residents under 19, people with disabilities, national and war veterans, and basic livelihood security recipients, upon presentation of valid documentation. In addition, guests who use Baegunsan Natural Recreation Forest, Seomjingang Star Light Sky, Geumcheon Valley Camping Site, Gubongsan Forest Camping Site, and Baaldo Star Light Camping Site will also receive free admission tickets.

After purchasing an admission ticket, visitors can receive a local gift certificate of the same value as a refund. These gift certificates can be used during the festival at festival booths (excluding street vendors), participating stores in Daap-myeon, Gwangyang Seafood Distribution Center, Jungma Market, and other designated locations.

◆6,000 won Adult Admission... 'Car-Free Festival Venue', Free Shuttles, and Urban Area Shuttles

Operation of a 'Car-Free Festival Venue' and Expanded Parking

To ensure visitor safety and a comfortable environment, the festival will operate as a 'car-free venue.' Private vehicles will be restricted in the Dosa Parking Lot–Maehwa Parking Lot and Seomjin Parking Lot–Maehwa Parking Lot sections, except for event/emergency vehicles, large buses, and vehicles of village residents.

There are a total of 8 parking lots with 3,150 spaces, an increase of 250 spaces compared to last year. Large vehicles can use 70 spaces at Dosa Parking Lot and 70 spaces at Dosa Embankment Parking Lot, while other parking lots are designated for small vehicles only. The Dunchi Parking Lot is located about 1.5 km from the festival site, and the Small Dunchi Parking Lot is about 3 km away.

◆Free Shuttle Buses and Support for Mobility-Impaired Visitors

Free shuttle buses will operate between the festival venue and parking lots.

The Dunchi Parking Lot–festival site (1.5 km) route will have 8 buses on weekdays and 15 buses on weekends. The Small Dunchi Parking Lot–festival site (3 km) route will operate 5 buses on weekends (March 14–15, 21–22). Operating hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, and from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends.

The 'Maehwa-gil Fun Run' program will also be held along these routes. Participants who walk from the Dunchi Parking Lot to the Gang Village Community Center and verify their participation will receive a handkerchief as a souvenir.

Additionally, for people with disabilities and elderly visitors, dedicated vehicles will operate from Dunchi Parking Lot to the main festival venue—one vehicle on weekdays and two on weekends—from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

◆Urban Area Shuttle Bus Operation on Weekends

During the festival weekends (March 14–15, 21–22), an urban area shuttle bus will run six round trips a day along the Gwangyang Terminal–Gwangyang City Tourist Information Center–Gwangyang Maehwa Village route.

Departures from Gwangyang Terminal are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; at Jungma-dong Tourist Information Center, boarding is available 30 minutes later. For the return trip, buses depart 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours after the corresponding departure time, and passengers must return on the same vehicle they boarded.

Vehicles are 45-seater buses with unassigned seating, and the fare is 5,000 won per person for a round trip. Advance reservations can be made via the 'MY Gwangyang' app from March 9 to 21, and passengers must present their reservation details in the app when boarding.

A Gwangyang City official stated, "This year's festival has been prepared with the utmost priority on visitor safety and convenience at every stage, from admission to parking and shuttle buses. By operating free shuttles and urban area shuttles, we aim to reduce traffic congestion and create a festival environment that anyone can easily access."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.