Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival
At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we are always in the mood to celebrate. We are getting ready to welcome spring by travelling to Korea to celebrate Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival.
Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival is a famous festival, which celebrates the blooming of apricot flowers. It takes place every spring in the city of Gwangyang, in South Jeolla Province. Specifically, in the village of Maehwa, home of the largest number of apricot blossom trees in Korea. This edition will be held from the 17th to the 25th of March.
In Korea, the maehwa flower is one of the first signs that announce the arrival of spring. Traditionally, it is known as one of the four noble plants or sagunja, together with the orchid, the chrysanthemum and bamboo.
Apricot flowers, just like cherry blossoms, start blooming in early March, when the air is still slightly cold. Spring festivals start in mid-March, when spring flowers are blossoming. Precisely, Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival is one of the first festivals that is held to celebrate spring.
Gwangyang is filled with maehwa during the eight days the festival lasts and it also produces, distribute and sell apricot products. Tourists can enjoy a walk beneath the apricot blossoms and also sample and purchase local organic apricot products.
During Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival, locals also provide visitors information about apricots. Koreans highly appreciate apricot or maesil, they use it in many dishes: from sweet and sour sauce, marinade, kimchi and vinegar, to jelly, juice and alcoholic drinks.
Different themed activities for kids and adults also take place during the event: concerts, Nanta (a non-verbal comedy show), a marathon, bike races, a photographic exhibition, a cooking competition and local maesil food tasting.
Welcome spring at the luxury resort in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa. Can you imagine a better plan to kick off Easter holidays than surrounded by our tropical gardens?
