Travel
Korea Destinations: Jinju Garden Expo opens June 18 at Wola Mountain Forest Garden
Haps Magazine Korea
June 17, 2026
(Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
The 2026 Jinju Garden Expo will open on June 18 at Wola Mountain Forest Garden, launching a four-day celebration of gardens, nature, and outdoor culture.
Running through June 21, the expo is themed “Jinju Gardens: Growing, Experiencing, and Sharing Together” and also marks the recent designation of Wola Mountain Forest Garden as a registered local garden.
The site has already attracted strong interest ahead of the official opening, with colorful hydrangeas in full bloom throughout the grounds and more than 60,000 visitors reported during the pre-opening weekend.
The opening ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. on June 18 at the newly created Gaon Plaza, with around 400 guests, including garden professionals, local officials, and residents, expected to attend.
A performance by the Jinju City Traditional Music Orchestra will precede the ceremony, followed by the official opening of the garden and recognition of award-winning citizen garden projects and organizations that contributed to the expo.
Throughout the event, visitors can explore a variety of themed garden displays, including designer gardens, community gardens, and citizen-created gardens. Additional programs include a garden industry exhibition, garden culture conference, special art exhibitions, guided tours, and hands-on activities.
The expo grounds also feature extensive hydrangea displays and landscaped gardens, while evening visitors can enjoy illuminated installations, including Jinju lanterns, silk lanterns, and moonlight garden displays.
A related hydrangea festival, the “Suguk Suguk Festival,” will continue at Wola Mountain through June 28, offering additional seasonal activities and attractions.
Due to expected traffic congestion during the event, traffic management measures will be implemented along sections of the road connecting Geumsan-myeon and Jinseong-myeon.
Shuttle buses will operate from the Gyeongnam Office of Education Science Education Center and Wola Intersection to improve visitor access to the venue.