Morning Calm Arboretum Five-Color Starlight Garden Festival: Enchanting Light Performance Adorning Winter Nights
Every winter, the Morning Calm Arboretum, which boasts Korea’s beautiful four seasons, hosts a special festival colored with brilliant five-colored lights. This is the ‘Five-Color Starlight Garden Festival.’ Throughout the vast arboretum spanning about 100,000 pyeong (approximately 330,000 square meters), diverse illuminations and art pieces come together to present a fantastic experience as if entering a fairy tale.
This festival goes beyond simply appreciating beautiful illuminations; nature, art, and light harmoniously blend together to gift visitors with unforgettable winter night memories. For couples, it will be a romantic date course; for families, a special winter outing; and for friends, an excellent opportunity to capture lifetime shots.
However, before visiting the festival with an excited heart, it’s important to know in advance how to enjoy it more conveniently and fully. I will guide you in detail through this article about useful information regarding the festival overall, especially the transportation that many people are curious about.
Five-Color Starlight Garden Festival: When Should You Go? (Period and Hours)
The Five-Color Starlight Garden Festival usually starts from late November or early December and continues until mid-March of the following year. Since the exact period may vary each year, it’s essential to check the latest information through the Morning Calm Arboretum official website before visiting.
Operating Hours:
- Daytime: Arboretum regular operating hours (varies by season)
- Nighttime (Festival Period): Usually operates from around 5 PM to 9 PM or 10 PM at night. (Weekend and holiday hours may be extended.)
Tip: In winter when days are short, it’s recommended to arrive between 4:30 PM and 5 PM to appreciate both daytime scenery and nighttime illuminations. Weekend evenings can be very crowded, so considering a weekday evening visit is also good.
Morning Calm Arboretum Five-Color Starlight Garden Festival: Perfect Transportation Guide
Although the Morning Calm Arboretum is somewhat distant from Seoul, you can conveniently visit using various transportation options.
1. Using Public Transportation
The most recommended method is to travel to ‘Gapyeong Terminal’ or ‘Cheongpyeong Terminal’ and then use local buses.
Travel from Seoul to Gapyeong/Cheongpyeong:
- ITX-Cheongchun Train: Depart from Yongsan Station, Cheongnyangni Station, etc. to Cheongpyeong Station or Gapyeong Station. Takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour, and booking in advance allows you to secure good seats.
- Metropolitan Bus: From Gangbyeon Station, Jamsil Station, etc., you can travel toward Gapyeong/Cheongpyeong using routes 1330-2, 1330-3, 1330-4, 1330-5, etc. (Takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours)
- Subway: Using the Gyeongchun Line double-track railway, you can depart from Sangbong Station, etc. to Cheongpyeong Station or Gapyeong Station. (Takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours)
Travel from Gapyeong/Cheongpyeong Terminal to Morning Calm Arboretum:
- Local Bus: Taking bus 31-5 from Cheongpyeong Terminal or Gapyeong Terminal will take you directly to the Morning Calm Arboretum entrance. Since dispatch intervals can be somewhat long, it’s important to check the bus schedule in advance. (Takes about 30-40 minutes)
- Taxi: If you missed the bus or want to travel faster, you can use a taxi from the terminal. (Takes about 15-20 minutes, fare is around 15,000-20,000 KRW)
Additional Tips:
- Festival Special Shuttle Bus: During the festival period, there may be special festival shuttle buses operating from major points in Seoul (e.g., Jamsil, Hongdae, etc.) to the Morning Calm Arboretum. While there is some cost, it’s one of the most convenient ways to travel. Check related information on the Morning Calm Arboretum website or travel communities.
- Gapyeong Tourism Taxi: Using tourism taxis operated by Gapyeong County allows you to conveniently tour major attractions. It’s worth considering if you plan to visit surrounding attractions (Petite France, Nami Island, etc.) along with the Five-Color Starlight Garden Festival.
2. Using Private Car
Using a private car allows more free and comfortable travel.
- Navigation: Search for ‘Morning Calm Arboretum’ to arrive.
- Parking: A large parking lot is available within the arboretum. However, parking spaces may be insufficient on weekends and during peak season, so it’s good to arrive early or consider using public transportation.
- Parking Fee: Free
- Surrounding Road Conditions: During the festival period, especially weekend evenings, the arboretum access road and surrounding roads can be very congested. It may take longer than expected to travel, so it’s good to depart with plenty of time.
Precautions:
- In winter, there is a risk of road icing, so installing snow tires or preparing winter equipment is recommended.
- On weekend evenings, you may need to park in designated areas according to parking attendants’ instructions.
Five-Color Starlight Garden Festival: You Must Know This! (Admission & Activities)
1. Admission Ticket Information
- Price: Various fare systems apply including general admission, youth/children, senior/disabled discounts, etc. Winter festival period fares may differ from regular seasons, and are around 10,000-12,000 KRW for adults. (Must check website for exact fares)
- Booking: On-site purchase is possible, but online booking may offer discount benefits or reduce waiting time.
- Discount Information: There may be discount information for local residents, specific card holders, affiliated business customers, etc., so carefully check the website before visiting.
2. Activities You’ll Regret Missing
The Five-Color Starlight Garden Festival goes beyond simply appreciating lights, offering diverse themes and attractions.
Main Theme Gardens:
- Korean Garden: Subtle lighting harmonizing with traditional Korean architecture creates a serene atmosphere.
- Moonlight Garden: A photo spot where you can feel a dreamy atmosphere with giant moon sculptures.
- Hagyeong Garden: Boasts a beautiful view where you can overlook the entire light festival of the arboretum from a high place.
- Valley/Bonsai Garden: Lighting presentations utilizing natural terrain and charming bonsai trees blend together to present a unique charm.
Photo Zones: Capture lifetime shots in front of beautiful lighting and sculptures set up throughout. Especially at night, the lighting is maximized, allowing you to take fantastic photos.
Cafe and Amenities: There are cafes and restaurants within the arboretum where you can rest while drinking warm beverages. (In winter, well-heated indoor spaces feel even more precious.)
Weekend Special Events: On weekends, small performances or experience programs may be held. Check the event schedule before visiting.
3. Five-Color Starlight Garden Festival: Must Pack These! (Tips)
- Warm Clothing is Essential: Since you’ll be spending long periods outdoors in winter, it’s good to prepare thick outerwear, hats, gloves, scarves, and even hot packs. Warm socks and shoes are also important so your feet don’t get cold.
- Camera/Smartphone Battery: Battery drains quickly in cold weather. Bring plenty of portable chargers.
- Use Tripod: For night photography, using a tripod is recommended to get clear photos without shaking. (However, during crowded times, be careful not to cause inconvenience to other visitors.)
Night Photography Tips:
- ISO Sensitivity: Not raising it too high allows you to get photos with less noise.
- Aperture: Adjust F-value (aperture value) to create light ray effects.
- Long Exposure: Long exposure photography that expresses moving light as lines creates wonderful results.
- Early Visit: If you want to avoid weekend evening crowds, it’s recommended to arrive between 4 PM and 5 PM around sunset to appreciate the daytime scenery along with the lighting changes.
- Food Bring-In: Check in advance the regulations on food items that can be brought into the arboretum. (Generally, simple snacks are allowed, but lunch boxes, etc. may be restricted.)
Morning Calm Arboretum Five-Color Starlight Garden Festival: FAQ
Q1. Is the Five-Color Starlight Garden Festival viewable even in rain? A1. Yes, most lighting is waterproofed, so viewing is possible even in rain. However, operations may be suspended during severe weather such as heavy rain or strong winds, so it’s good to check weather information before visiting and refer to official website announcements.
Q2. Is companion animal entry allowed? A2. The Morning Calm Arboretum restricts companion animal entry for ecological preservation. However, service dogs such as guide dogs are allowed entry.
Q3. Can I see the lighting outside the festival period? A3. The Five-Color Starlight Garden Festival is a lighting festival specially held in line with the year-end and New Year season. Night lighting does not operate after the festival period ends.
Conclusion: Create Unforgettable Memories at Morning Calm Arboretum on Winter Nights
The Morning Calm Arboretum Five-Color Starlight Garden Festival is one of the best choices for domestic winter travel destinations. Don’t miss the opportunity to create special memories with loved ones in a beautiful light performance.
What to Do Right Now:
- Check Event Period: Check exact festival period and operating hours on the Morning Calm Arboretum official website.
- Plan Transportation: Choose the most convenient transportation method for you between public transportation or private car, and if necessary, book in advance or identify routes beforehand.
- Prepare Warm Clothing: Pack warm clothes and items carefully to prepare for winter cold.
I hope this article serves as a solid guide for your Morning Calm Arboretum Five-Color Starlight Garden Festival visit plan. I support you in enjoying a happy winter night in the enchanting world of lights!
EXTERNAL_LINKS: Morning Calm Arboretum homepage
