Taebaek Sunflower Festival

Taebaek Sunflower Festival — One Million Blooms on an 800m High Plateau

Guwau Village, Taebaek, Gangwon Province is covered in yellow for one month during summer. One million sunflowers are planted on 160,000㎡ of hilly terrain, spreading flower fields along the ridges. The fact that the average midsummer temperature is 23-24℃, cooler than in the plains, is a significant advantage of this festival.

At a Glance

Admission Fee

Since there is no separate parking fee, families can bring their cars without incurring additional costs. It is more accurate to check the age criteria for free admission for preschoolers and the senior discount criteria by calling 033-553-9707 before your visit.

How to Get There

Access is not difficult even by public transportation. Both the station and terminal are a 5-minute taxi ride away.

When to Visit

It is most accurate to check the blooming status directly before departure. The festival organizers upload field photos almost daily on the official website's Sunflower Gallery bulletin board. If you check how much the flowers have bloomed that day through photos, you won't make a wasted trip.

Time: Opens from 7 AM. The light is clear and there are fewer people in the morning. Since fully grown sunflowers generally face east, it is better to stand on the east side of the field looking west to capture the flower faces in direct light.

Season: Being a high-altitude area, blooming is later than in the south. While many sources recommend late July onwards, it varies each year depending on the weather, so checking the gallery above is a priority.

Weather: At an altitude of about 800m, it is cool in the mornings and evenings. Even in midsummer, a light jacket is useful.

Checklist of Essentials

The fact that there is little shade in the sunflower fields and the trails extend about 3.5km serves as the criteria for preparing your essentials.

• ☑ Hat · Parasol — However, red umbrellas are rented for free at the site. They are also known as photo props.
• ☑ Water · Snacks — There are no places to buy drinks other than the festival snack bar and Guwau Cafe (NineOX).
• ☑ Light Outerwear — Being a plateau, there is a temperature difference in early mornings and at dusk.
• ☑ Comfortable Shoes — 3.5km of hilly trails.
• ☑ Sunscreen — UV rays are strong at high altitudes.

If you want to avoid the heat, you can walk in the shade by entering the Ecological Forest Trail (pine and larch trees) to the right of the sunflower fields.

Attractions and Activities

It's not just flower fields. Outdoor sculpture exhibitions, painting exhibitions, and photo exhibitions are held concurrently, and a cosmos hill, a pond, and stone walls are included in the walking route. Experience programs include sunflower tea and fermented liquid tasting, making fermented liquid, animal feeding, and planting seeds and wild flower seedlings.

Why Guwau Village?

Guwau (九臥牛) Village gets its name from the phrase 'shape of nine lying cows'. Being a high-altitude area of about 800m, it is cool even in summer and has a large daily temperature range. It is not run by Taebaek City but is a private-led festival operated by the Sunflower Cultural Foundation and Taebaek Guwau Agricultural Cooperative Corporation, continuing for its 22nd year.

Exploring Taebaek Together

It's a good idea to see the sunflowers in the morning and then add an afternoon itinerary.

For overall regional information, see Taebaek, and for nearby literary attractions, follow up at Taebaeksanmaek Literary Museum.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When is the period for 2026? It is from July 17 (Fri) to August 17 (Mon), and there are no holidays during this period.
• How much is the admission fee? Adults 7,000 won, students·seniors·disabled 5,000 won, groups of 20 or more 5,000 won, and preschoolers are free.
• Is there a separate parking fee? No. Parking is free.
• What time can I enter? It opens at 07:00, closes at 19:00, and the last entry is at 18:00.
• Can I get there by public transport? It's a 5-minute taxi ride from Taebaek Station or Taebaek Intercity Bus Terminal. The call taxi number is 033-552-4747.
• How do I know if the flowers have bloomed today? The festival organizers upload field photos almost daily on the official website's Sunflower Gallery. Please check before you depart.
• Is it very hot? Being a plateau about 800m above sea level, the average midsummer temperature is 23-24℃, cooler than in the plains. However, there is no shade in the flower fields, so a hat or (free rental at the site) umbrella is needed.
• Are pets allowed or how does it operate in case of rain? There is no public announcement, so confirmation is required by calling 033-553-9707.