The Goyang Flower Festival At Ilsan Lake Park

Each spring and autumn, the Ilsan Lake Park in Goyang, Korea, a city just outside of Seoul is decorated with flowers for a gorgeous flower festival that is the perfect way to welcome the new colorful season. We went a few years ago and have kept going back each year to just watch as it has gotten bigger and better each year.

Here’s a little guide to Ilsan Lake Park and how to enjoy a day out in the area.

Get ready to explore the Ilsan Lake Park this spring or autumn to take advantage of the beautiful flower festivals:

• How To Get There
• The Ilsan Lake Park Flower Festials
  • International Horticulture Goyang Korea Festival (고양 국제꽃박람회)
  • Goyang Autumn Flower Festival (고양가을꽃축제)
• What To Know About Ilsan Lake Park (일산호수공원)
  • Cactus Greenhouse (고양 선인장전시관)
• What To Do Nearby
  • One Mount Water Park (원마운트 워터파크)
  • Aqua Planet Ilsan (아쿠아플라넷 일산)

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you.)

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How To Get There

Address: 595 Hosu-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 고양시 일산동구 호수로 595)

By public transportation: Though Goyang is a suburb of Seoul, you might be surprised to learn that the subway system does indeed go out there. The best station to choose to get to Ilsan Lake Park is Jeongbalsan Station on the orange line. Take either exit 1 or 2 to head to the park.

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The Ilsan Lake Park Flower Festivals

Ilsan Lake Park actually hosts two major flower festivals in the year. The annual spring flower festival hosted at Ilsan Lake Park is the International Horticulture Goyang Korea (고양국제꽃박람회) and the annual fall flower festival hosted at Ilsan Lake Park is the Goyang Autumn Flower Festival (고양가을꽃축제). Two festivals, two different names, two seasons, same location.

International Horticulture Goyang Korea Festival (고양 국제꽃박람회)

The International Horticulture Goyang Korea Festival (고양 국제꽃박람회) was first held in 1997 and has attracted almost 6 million people to their international flower exhibition since then. This flower festival started it all and became one of the biggest flower events in Korea. After the success of the spring event, the fall flower festival was kicked off. The Ilsan Lake Park that the flower fest sits around is draw enough to this spot and is worth a visit any time of the year, but with the addition of the flower plots and photo-op spots, it’s a great day out.

Over 300 organizations, groups and companies come together to put on the spectacular flower power show and decorate the boardwalk around the lake as well as the paths that intersect nearby. There are indoor gardens and artistic floral arrangements, cultural concerts and performances.

The art installations provide some cool backgrounds for photos and of course the flowers stun in all manner of shades, shapes and sizes. From the more common daisies to the beautiful iris, daffodils and roses, your favorite flower is probably being showcased proudly.

This is one of the first opportunities of the year to enjoy the gorgeous flowers near Seoul. Want to celebrate the coming of spring in Korea? Head here. If you want to find some other spots that are amazing to see flowers, check out this complete post with all of the flower spots from the hidden spots to the must-see around Seoul, Korea.

• When: This festival usually takes place for the first two weeks of May.
• Admission: Pre-reservation: 8,000 won / On-site ticket 12,000 won / Special discount 8,000 won * Special discount: children (ages 3-18) & senior citizens (ages 65 & older)
• Website: www.flower.or.kr

Goyang Autumn Flower Festival (고양가을꽃축제)

Goyang Autumn Flower Festival is an annual festival that has been taking place since 2011. With autumn flowers like chrysanthemums, cosmos, sunflowers, and zinnias at their peak in the garden and flower artworks in the indoor exhibition hall, visitors can enjoy fall in Korea to the fullest.

Similar in set up, the flowers are along the boardwalk of the Ilsan Lake Park making for a beautiful area to meander smelling the floral aromas and enjoying the views. The festival also offers various performances, flower market and traditional experiences. Unlike the spring festival though, the autumn festival is free so take advantage of this budget friendly day out.

• When: Usually the first two weeks of October.
• Admission: Free
• Website: www.flower.or.kr

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What To Know About Ilsan Lake Park (일산호수공원)

Islan Lake Park is more than 991,000 square meters and is one of the largest man-made parks in Asia. There is a large fresh water lake in the center that the park wraps around with a 4.7km long bike path, play ground for children and plenty of space to spread out for a picnic. There is a musical fountain, 100 species of wild flowers and a dense forest of 200,000 trees, too. Take a wander and enjoy the natural surroundings. It’s a beautiful park to spend a day in.

Cactus Greenhouse (고양 선인장전시관)

One part of the park that I really enjoyed and that I missed the first TWO times I went, was the Cactus Greenhouse. It’s a pretty massive greenhouse with all kinds of different cacti growing everywhere. And some are truly gigantic. I had no idea they could grow as big as some of these.

If you head to the flower festival in the upcoming weeks, be aware that the cactus greenhouse is on the opposite side of the lake from the flower festival so just head on around and when you see the children’s playground, you’ll know you’re near.

We had a great visit and one of my friends took the opportunity to teach my little person that there’s water inside of a cactus, but was also sure to remind her not to touch them because they can prick. Good reminder for all. Enter at your own risk and don’t touch the greenery.

It is pretty stunning to look upon though and a quite spot on the opposite of the lake from the main entrance and boardwalk that many enjoy. Like the idea of greenhouses, check out these other amazing greenhouses in Korea.

• Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 9:00am ~ 5:30pm

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What To Do Nearby

If you do plan to spend the day in the area, there are some other great things to do so you can spend a bit of time outdoors, and indoors. Here are some other spots to check out.

One Mount Water Park (원마운트 워터파크)

One Mount is the largest multi-cultural space in the northwest metropolitan region. There are three buildings with two underground floors and nine above-ground floors, for a total surface area of 161,602 square meters. They aim to be the best playground in the world so be prepared to have some fun fun fun!

One Mount features a shopping mall, snow park, water park, and a members-only luxury sports club, and also organizes various performances, events, and parties throughout the year. The water park is a huge urban water park that offers an array of both indoor and outdoor attractions. There are nine water amusement facilities, with recreational facilities including a thrilling slide reaching 40 meters in height, a wave pool, a waterplay facility, and a running-water pool. Water also regularly splashes throughout the park, adding an element of excitement.

We’ve visited the snow park and it was a great way to get on the ice for a bit with a little one. A great spot for families.

• Address: 300 Hallyuworld-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 고양시 일산서구 한류월드로 300)
• Hours: Weekdays: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm; Weekends: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm

Aqua Planet Ilsan (아쿠아플라넷 일산)

At the north end of the park is this awesome aquarium called Aqua Planet Ilsan. It’s really more than just an aquarium though. There is sea life and sea creatures but there are also birds and a petting zoo on the rooftop with goats, sheep and ponies that children can ride.

The first section is devoted to all things jellyfish and it is cool. Walk through a tunnel of jellyfish and then see the colorful exhibit beyond. Sharks, sting rays and more swim this way and that. Head through and you’ll come to a massive “Deep Blue Ocean” tank where lectures and classes take place. Sit wide eyed and gawk at the beauty of the sea creatures.

A touch pool allows children to learn more about fish, seashells and other creatures. From there, head over to see penguins, beavers, seals and other animals. Head up to the rooftop and feed goats, sheep and ride some ponies… or if you’re a kid. This is a great spot to spend a couple hours inside with plenty to see. For More Information.

• Address: 282 Hallyu world-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 고양시 일산서구 한류월드로 282)
• Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm
• Admission:
  • Weekdays: Adults: W23,000; Children & Senior citizens: W21,000
  • Weekends & public holidays: Adults: W29,000; Children & Senior citizens: W26,000
• Discounted Tickets: If you want to head here, make sure you get your tickets online in advance so you can get a great deal on the price. Koreans always buy their tickets online because there are so many discounts available that you won’t get in person. Be like the locals!

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Have kids interested in animals and outings? Here are some other great spots you can head to:

• Check out these four spots I recommend if your kids like art and/or science.
• Or visit a themed kids cafe like the Pororo Kids Cafe or the Tayo Kids Cafe.
• Head out to the Alpaca World!
• Visit the Lotte World Kids Park Undersea Kingdom

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