Ilrimsan in Boseong County, South Jeolla Province, was blanketed in soft-pink azaleas, drawing visitors from all over the country.
Boseong County reported that the 22nd Ilrimsan Azalea Cultural Festival, held from May 2–4 around Ilrimsan in Ungchi-myeon, wrapped up with roughly 50,000 attendees.
The festival, organized by the Ilrimsan Azalea Cultural Festival Committee, aimed to showcase Ilrimsan’s spring scenery—home to the nation’s largest azalea colony—and to spotlight Boseong’s forest culture and local agricultural specialties.
Azaleas at Ilrimsan’s 667-meter summit (about 2,188 ft) hit peak bloom during the event, turning the mountain into a must-see spring hiking destination for nature lovers and sightseers.
On the festival’s second day, May 3, organizers performed the signature Mountain Spirit Ritual. Lee Sang-chul, acting mayor of Boseong County, served as the lead officiant; Kim Geun-jong, chairman of the Boseong County Forestry Cooperative, acted as the secondary officiant; and Song Seok-eui, chair of the festival steering committee, served as the concluding officiant. Around 100 local residents and hikers joined the ceremony to pray for Boseong’s development and the well-being of its people.
Booths selling agricultural goods and local specialties, along with a lineup of food trucks, kept the crowds fed and boosted interest in regional flavors.
Expecting heavy traffic, Boseong County stationed guides along main access roads and at likely congestion points, while managing vehicle flow and parking. Officials say those measures helped the festival run smoothly and safely with minimal disruptions.
Song Seok-eui, chair of the festival steering committee, said, "Thanks to visitors who came from across the country, we were able to conclude this year's festival safely. We'll keep refining the program so the Ilrimsan Azalea Cultural Festival can grow into a signature spring flower festival."
