Okjeong Lake Turns Crimson... Imsil Bung-eo Island to Remain Open on the 26th Without Closure

Peonies and Poppies in Full Bloom: 160,000 Visitors in May
Peak Season Expected Through the End of the Month; Summer Flower Planting Underway

The Peony and Poppy Garden at Okjeong Lake Bung-eo Island Ecological Park in Imsil County, North Jeolla Province, is in full bloom, drawing national attention as a prime spring flower destination. With the recent surge in visitors, Imsil County has decided to keep the park open on May 26, its regular closure day.

Photo by Imsil County Office

Recently, vibrant red peonies and poppies have been blooming around the Okjeong Lake Suspension Bridge and Bung-eo Island Ecological Park, completing a picturesque early summer landscape. The striking contrast between the blue lake and the crimson flower fields has quickly spread on social networking services (SNS), making it a trending spot for "once-in-a-lifetime photos."

According to Imsil County on May 20, since the park opened in March, more than 160,000 visitors have come to Bung-eo Island Ecological Park and the suspension bridge. On weekends, an average of 7,000 to 8,000 people visit daily, and last weekend saw a record of about 17,000 visitors. The park is becoming a leading local tourist attraction, drawing not only group tours but also families and individual visitors.

Currently, the ecological park features 24,000 peonies planted across 6,000 square meters, with an additional 30,000 peonies in full bloom on a 7,200-square-meter peony field in Unjong-ri, Unam-myeon. Moreover, a newly established 10,000-square-meter poppy garden, created last autumn, has also started to bloom, further attracting tourists.

Okjeong Lake's surroundings are especially known for their floral landscapes, attracting tourists throughout the year. Last autumn, cosmos and pink muhly grass were the highlights, while this spring, peonies and poppies have taken center stage. To maintain the tourism momentum into the summer, the county plans to plant over 20 types and 20,000 summer flowers, including zinnias, globe amaranths, cannas, delphiniums, and sunpatiens.

The park is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last entry permitted one hour before closing. Although the park is regularly closed on Mondays, it will be open on May 26 as a special exception.

Sim Min, Governor of Imsil County, said, "Right now, Bung-eo Island looks like a vast garden adorned with spring flowers," adding, "We decided on special operations so more visitors can enjoy the spring at Okjeong Lake before the flowers fade."

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