The Gochang Green Barley Field Festival is a famous festival of Gochang-gun centered on the green barley field. One of the main ecological resources of Gochang-gun is Jeollabuk-do. Since it was first held in 2004, it has been building a long history as the No. 1 festival for landscape agriculture in the country. With an average of 500,000 people visiting each year,.
It is said that the most beautiful period of barley’s growth is the ‘Green Barley’ period. During this period, when barley takes on its most fantastic form, like a huge green sea,. The ‘Gochang Green Barley Field Festival’ takes place every year from mid-April to mid-May on approximately 770,000㎡ of land in the area of Hagwon Farm in Gongeum-myeon, Gochang-gun.
The sight of green barley fluttering in the spring breeze reminds us of something similar to music made by notes dancing on music paper. So the 21st festival used ‘Green Barley Fields’ and ‘Music’ as its themes. Under the slogan ‘Green Wave Music Note’, it will be more colorful and exciting. The Gochang Green Barley Field Festival is from April 20th to May 12th.
Throughout the festival period, you will be able to experience programs that satisfy all five senses. Seeing the vast green barley fields with green barley and rapeseed spreads out to your eyes; listening to various busking music made by a professional performance team and Gochang residents gives you a sense of hearing; eating food made from our local agricultural specialties gives you a sense of taste; and the barley playground and barley sprout growing experience.
What to do in the festival
- Celebratory performance with rapeseed and barley fields in the background
- On weekends and public holidays, the Green Barley Nongak Play (Korean traditional music) is held by the Gochang Nongak Preservation Society, a World Cultural Heritage.
- Busking performance on the road between barley fields
- A variety of cultural performance events, including exciting art bus performances
- Treasure hunt
- Making barley bread
- Growing barley sprouts
- SNS photo zone operation
- Eating local food made from Gochang region agricultural products
And the highlight of the green barley field festival is the green barley field experience trail walk, which allows people to experience culture and romance along the trick art road, the road between the barley fields, the sunset road, and the greeting road. A 1.5-kilometer car-free street has been created to encourage visitors to visit the eco-friendly green barley field. They have created a healing space where tourists can feel the atmosphere of an open, green barley field. In addition, they have prepared a diverse and differentiated food corner using local agricultural specialties during the festival, and they also plan to operate a booth to sell and promote high-quality agricultural specialties.
Why you must see the Gochang Green Barley Field Festival
Green barley fields are a breathtaking sight, captivating visitors with their scenic landscapes and seasonal charm. Stretching as far as the eye can see, these fields present a vast expanse of lush greenery that symbolizes growth and renewal. The uniformity of the barley plants creates a mesmerizing pattern that blankets the landscape, while the undulating terrain adds depth and dimension to the scenery.
What truly enhances their beauty is the play of light and shadow throughout the day. As the sun traverses the sky, it casts ever-changing patterns across the fields, bathing them in a warm golden glow during sunrise and sunset. These dynamic lighting effects add a magical aura to the environment, captivating observers and inviting them to linger and explore.
Upon closer inspection, the intricate details of the barley plants become apparent, adding to the fields’ allure. The delicate leaves and slender stalks create a textured carpet that beckons exploration, while the subtle variations in color and density add depth and complexity to the landscape.
Beyond their visual appeal, green barley fields evoke a deep sense of connection to nature. Standing amidst the fields, visitors are enveloped by the sights, sounds, and scents of the natural world. The gentle rustle of the barley in the wind, the earthy fragrance of the soil, and the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside evoke a profound sense of peace and tranquility.
In essence, green barley fields embody the perfect harmony of natural beauty and seasonal vitality, offering a captivating experience that leaves a lasting impression on all who behold them.
How to get there.
Take a bus from Gangnam Express Bus Terminal in Seoul to Gochang, then transfer to a local bus to Mujang at Gochang Express Bus Terminal, and finally, either board a city bus from Mujang to Seonsan or opt for a taxi directly to the festival site.
However, because this is a very difficult and complicated process, I recommend using a car to get there. There is also a parking lot at the festival site.
Summary of the festival
1. Main program: Opening ceremony, music performance
2. Additional programs: Busking, Barley experience programs, etc.
3. Participation programs: Treasure hunt, Barley playground, K-pop random play dance, etc.
5. Location: 150 Hagwonnongjang-gil, Gongeum-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk Province
6. Entrance fee: None
7. Period: April 20 to May 12, 2024