How About a Summer Trip to Jeolla With Lotus Blossoms, Flowing Streams, and Inviting Islands?

Lotus and Water Festivals Fill the Summer Calendar
Accommodation Discounts Promote Immersive Tourism
From Naju Usupje and Jangheung Water Festival to Wando and Yeosu Beaches
Spotlight on Summer Destinations Where Nature and Culture Meet

Editor's NoteWith the full-scale summer vacation season beginning, the entire Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City is preparing to welcome travelers. From the end of July through August, the region will host a series of events such as lotus festivals, water festivals, streamside activities, marine leisure programs, and cultural exhibitions, all aimed at attracting summer tourists. This year, in celebration of the "2026 Jeonnam-Gwangju Year of Visiting Islands," island tourism content has been expanded, and additional benefits, such as accommodation and experience discounts, have been added. As a result, more travelers are choosing to stay at least one night in the region, moving beyond quick sightseeing toward immersive tourism experiences.

Lotus Blossoms at Their Peak...The Red Lotus Journey Continues Through August

Summer travels in Gwangju and Jeonnam begin where the lotuses bloom.

The "Naju Usupje Red Lotus Festival," which kicked off with an opening ceremony on July 23, continues until August 9. At Usupje, the largest natural red lotus habitat in the country with an area of 430,000 square meters, a guided ecological exploration program is provided each weekend. Visitors can walk along the 3.5 km deck trail and admire the fully bloomed red lotuses up close.

Usupje has established itself as an ecological tourism site where visitors can not only enjoy lotus blossoms, but also learn about the reservoir's ecosystem and the region's history. Recently, it has gained popularity on social media as a "summer photo spot," leading to a surge in family visitors as well as younger travelers.

The blooming red lotus flowers at Naju Usupje, the largest natural habitat of red lotus in the country, are attracting visitors. Provided by Naju City

The lotus journey continues in Yeonggwang, which is famed for its gulbi (dried yellow corvina fish).

The Boeun River Lotus Pond in Baeksu-eup, Yeonggwang-gun, has reached peak bloom since mid-July. While there is no flashy festival, the pond, filled with lotuses, willow trees, and walking paths, offers a serene summer landscape that continues to attract visitors seeking tranquility.

As recent travel trends shift toward "healing" and "relaxation," destinations that allow for a leisurely escape in nature are gaining attention rather than those with large-scale events. Accordingly, the Yeonggwang Lotus Pond is emerging as a new tourism spot.

Valley Water Play and Forest Baths: Beating the Heat in Nature

No summer is complete without cooling off at a picturesque valley. Naju Geumseongsan Ecological Water Playground will be open until August 17. Utilizing Geumseongsan's valley water, this natural-style playground features pools and rest facilities for both children and adults.

Naju City will operate the Geumseongsan Ecological Water Playground until August 17. The photo shows the operation of the Geumseongsan Ecological Water Playground in the summer of 2025. Photo by Naju City

Especially popular is the option to explore the nearby National Naju Forest Center and Geumseongsan Ecological Forest, making it possible to enjoy water play, forest bathing, and nature experiences all in one day. As more tourists favor eco-friendly retreats, destinations where one can experience both valleys and forests are standing out over urban waterparks.

Similarly, the cypress forest of Jangseong Chukryeongsan, Damyang Bamboo Forest (Juknokwon), and Yeongam Gichan Land are also well-known summer destinations for visitors to enjoy phytoncides and valleys together.

Beaches by Day, Night Views by Night...Endless Joy Throughout the Day

The sea is another star of summer travel. A total of 52 beaches across Jeonnam and Gwangju will remain open through August 23.

At Wando Sinji Myeongsasimni Beach, visitors can enjoy clean sands worthy of the international eco-friendly "Blue Flag" certification, along with marine healing programs. Goheung Namyeol Sun-rise Beach has become a popular surfing destination, while Yeosu Ungcheon Beach offers a variety of marine leisure activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and dinghy sailing, all popular among active tourists.

Wando Myeongsasimni Beach, a representative summer travel destination of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeonnam.

After sunset, the night scenery of Yangnim Historical and Cultural Village in Gwangju, the nightscape of Suncheonman Bay National Garden, and the "Mokpo Marine W Show" at Mokpo Peace Plaza (scheduled for August 1) offer travelers a lively evening atmosphere. Gwangju and Jeonnam's tourism competitiveness lies in their ability to provide both natural experiences by day and cultural performances by night.

Diverse Festivals Continue Through July and August

During the summer, regional festivals are held in both Gwangju and Jeonnam.

Leading the season is the Jeongnamjin Jangheung Water Festival, Korea's representative summer festival, which takes place in Jangheung from July 25 through August 2. With attractions such as the Water Battle Parade, water fights, water leisure programs, K-pop concerts, and rock festivals, it has become a festival enjoyed by both families and young people.

On July 31, "Island-Set Singing Contest" will be held on Anjwa Island, Shinan, while "Island-Mer Camp," which combines camping with island tourism, will be held on Yeonhong Island, Goheung, on August 28. Both are key programs of the "2026 Jeonnam-Gwangju Year of Visiting Islands" and showcase new possibilities for island tourism.

If the scorching weather feels overwhelming, indoor exhibitions also offer a respite.

At the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City Agricultural Museum, a special exhibition titled "Minhwa, Tinged in Green" runs through August 13. Visitors can enjoy 22 pieces of folk and colored paintings by authors from the Korea Color Painting Association free of charge, making it a popular family culture itinerary this summer.

Discount Benefits for Accommodation Reservations

Once you've enjoyed all the sights and activities of Gwangju and Jeonnam, it's time to take advantage of accommodation discount benefits.

Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City has revamped its previous Jeonnam Tourism Platform (JN TOUR) into the Jeonnam-Gwangju Tourism Platform (JG TOUR) to boost local tourism and promote longer stays. In celebration of the summer vacation season, events such as the "Namdo Accommodation Discount Big Event" and "Jeonnam 1+1 Tour" will be held.

The "Namdo Accommodation Discount Big Event" offers discounts of up to 120,000 won for up to three nights, depending on the reservation amount, when users book and pay for accommodations via the Jeonnam-Gwangju Tourism Platform app.

This offer is available to residents outside the Jeonnam-Gwangju region.

The "Jeonnam 1+1 Tour" allows users who purchase an eligible experience product via the Jeonnam-Gwangju Tourism Platform app to bring a companion for free—that is, two people can participate for the price of one. Various activities such as yacht tours, the Duryunsan cable car, and green tea foot bath cafés are available. Each participant can purchase up to two tickets, allowing a maximum of four people to benefit.

Both programs are available to those who sign up as members of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Tourism Platform app.

Anyone can participate in the "Jeonnam 1+1 Tour" regardless of their residency. By booking and paying for accommodations or experience products via the accommodation special promotion page or the main "1+1 Tour" menu on the app's main screen, travelers can take advantage of the offer. The "Jeonnam 1+1 Tour" is available until September 30, but it may end early if the budget is exhausted.

Oh Mikyung, head of the Tourism Division of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City, said, "This event was organized to reduce the accommodation costs for travelers during the summer vacation season and to provide them with diverse experience opportunities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.