From the Kkongdang Barley Fields in April to the Time Travel Festival in October: Gunsan's Four-Season Festival Calendar

Gunsan's spring peaks as deep green ears of barley fill in where the cherry blossoms fell. The 'Ongnyeo Intersection Green Barley Field' around Naecho-dong (102 Ongnyeo-ro) is a spring photo spot, open free of charge all year round at all hours. Each time the wind blows, the whole wide field ripples like green waves.

Every year around April–May, the Kkongdang Barley Festival, themed on white waxy barley, Gunsan's signature specialty, is held around Miseong-dong and Ongnyeo Intersection. You can enjoy the spring mood with walks between barley fields, barley pipe playing and barley food experiences. However, there is no separate parking lot right in front of Ongnyeo Intersection Green Barley Field, so it is safer to find a temporary parking space nearby and walk in.

The heat of early summer nights runs hottest by the inner harbor. Around June, the 'Gunsan Craft Beer & Blues Festival' takes place around the Gunsan Modern History Museum and Jinpo Marine Park. Local craft beer brewed from Gunsan barley malt and live blues music turn the port's nights into a festival.

In the peak summer vacation season, three beaches in the Gogunsan Islands call travelers with different charms. 'Seonyudo Beach' has sand as fine as glass beads (with a full public parking lot). 'Mongdol Beach' makes a rattling sound as the waves roll its pebbles. 'Okdol Beach' hides snugly below the hillside of Seonyudo-ri. All are always open free of charge and cool down the West Sea summer.

The golden time for a Gunsan trip is clearly autumn. The Gunsan Time Travel Festival is held every year around October, centered on the 'Gunsan Time Travel Village' around Naehang 1-gil in Jangmi-dong. It is the city's signature festival, filling the old downtown alleys with 1930s costumes, parades and modern history mission games.

In the same autumn season, the Gunsan Spicy Noodle Soup Festival is held around Spicy Noodle Soup Street on Dongnyeong-gil (an area dense with places such as 'Gaebok-dong Jungsikdang'). A handwritten letter festival follows on Mailbox Street in Sinchang-dong, and the whole city buzzes with food and culture.

From November, when cold winds blow, to February of the following year, winter birdwatching trips around the Geumgang Estuary Bank and the Geumgang Future Experience Center take over the baton.

If you like walks among flowers and fields, aim for the green barley fields and Wolmyeong Park in April–May. If you prefer sea play and outdoor beer festivals, aim for the inner harbor and Seonyudo Island beaches in June–August. To enjoy festival energy and food at once, aim for Time Travel Village and the spicy noodle soup street on Dongnyeong-gil in September–October. Planning this way makes for the fullest trip.