About this festival
Wangin (known as Wani in Japan) is believed to have sailed from the Yeongam coast to the Yamato court carrying Chinese classics and the Thousand Character Classic. The festival honours this connection with a colourful street parade led by dancers, pungmul percussionists, and flag bearers, all framed by cherry blossoms lining the roads near his birthplace. A National Wildflower Exhibition is co-hosted during the 2026 festival, adding another draw for nature visitors. Wangin's story makes this one of the more intellectually interesting cultural festivals in Jeonnam.
Getting there
Take the KTX from Seoul to Mokpo Station (about 2 hours 20 minutes), then a local bus to Yeongam (about 40 minutes). The festival site at Wangin Cultural Complex is a short taxi ride from Yeongam Bus Terminal.
Tips
The festival falls during peak cherry blossom season, so accommodation in Yeongam books up weeks ahead. Most signage is in Korean, but the parade is a visually rich experience that needs no translation. The Wangin Cultural Complex has basic English-language exhibits about the scholar's historical significance.
Dates by year
- tentative
2027
April 4 – 7, 2027
Source: Manual editorial. Last verified 2026-05-09.