Summer Flowers at Cheomseongdae, Gyeongju
Whilst you'd probably rather be sat beneath the aircon this summer in Korea (a wise decision), I can assure you that it's worth braving the heat once in a while and heading outside to see what summer has to offer. Yes, the flower fairy here and this time I overcame the heat, humidity and sun (it was a struggle, not gonna lie) to see beautiful summer blooms in the historic city of Gyeongju. So which flowers typically bloom in the summer in Korea?
Sunflowers
There are several famous sunflower spots in Korea, but if you don't drive or live locally, it can be quite difficult to visit them. When I realised that there was a café in Gyeongju which is famous for its sunflowers, I decided to take a trip there. What I didn't know was that there are several places around the city where you can see fields of golden sunflowers. Gyeongju truly is the city of sunflowers.
Basilla Cafe
Perhaps one of the most well-known and popular places to enjoy Gyeongju's sunflowers is Basilla Café. Located to the east of the city and close to Bulguksa Temple, this Hanok style café quietly overlooks the picturesque Hadong Reservoir. As mentioned, the café's exterior may be built in a Hanok style but it has a modern interior, with large windows and simple concrete floors. The building has multiple floors so there is plenty of indoor seating, that is if it's not peak sunflower season! If you'd like to sit inside in the aircon I recommend arriving early because otherwise you'll have no choice but to sit outside.
Sitting outside isn't all bad though because there is the option of sitting up in the balcony area, or you can sit at the tables with yellow parasols on the lawned area and enjoy the sea of the yellow flowers up close. There are a total of three sunflower fields at this café, but it seems that they are rotated throughout the summer. When I visited, flowers in only one field were at their peak, whilst the flowers in another field had wilted. It looked as though the third field had recently been planted so there should be a new batch later this month.
There is also another flower patch next to the sunflower field, boasting vibrant reds and yellow blooms. These flowers are called Celosia, or sometimes they're known as 'Fire Feather' thanks to their resemblance to a feather or even a flame. If you get the angle right, you can get pictures of these striking blooms against the backdrop of a sea of yellow sunflowers and the lush forested mountain.
Whilst Basilla Café is probably best known for its sunflowers, another yellow flower blooms here in the spring time. Canola fields are quite common in Korea and you'll see photos of them popping up during April and May. This is also a great spot to see them and of course take some Insta-worthy pictures.
Just thought I'd mention this here as it's super important to know! I've mentioned on several occasions that Korean summers are extremely hot and UV is very high, so you will need to wear sun cream, and maybe bring a UV umbrella or wear a hat to avoid getting burnt. There's no shade in the fields! Also, be mindful that there might be some bees who also want to enjoy the flowers, so be careful not to disturb them too much!
Cheomseongdae
Cheomseongdae Observatory is a national treasure of Korea and possibly the most famous landmark in Gyeongju. The observatory was built during the Silla Dynasty under the rule of Queen Seondeok (r. 632-647), and is the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia. This alone makes the monument very impressive and a must-see when visiting Gyeongju.
What makes this site even more beautiful is the surrounding garden and flower fields which change with the seasons. Here you can also find sunflowers, with some lining the fence beside Cheomseongdae. Although Cheomseongdae remains constant and unchanging, the flowers continue to come and go with the seasons. Aside from sunflowers, the garden is planted with seasonal flowers all year round, so it's always colourful and pretty.
If you walk a short distance to the east of Cheomseongdae, you'll see the Sunflower Complex. Here is another large field of sunflowers, this time with Gyeongju's most historical sites as its backdrop.
Crape Myrtle
Alike the sunflowers, you really can't miss this plant in the summer in Gyeongju. Usually a vibrant pink, Crape Myrtle takes the form of large shrubs or small trees. If you know your plants, you might say that they closely resemble Lilac, but sadly they don't give off a scent.
You can generally find these plants dotted around the city, usually lining a road or pathway, but if you'd like to take some time and enjoy them fully, you can head to Cheomseongdae where they grow together as a cluster to the west of the observatory.
Lily Turf
Native to China, Japan and Korea, I guess you could say that these dainty flowers are Asia's answer to Europe's bluebells. Upon seeing these flowers you could mistake yourself for being in a fairy tale. With deep green leaves that carpet a forest's floor and purple flowers that jut upwards like little turrets, these plants create a mystical vibe wherever you see them.
If you'd like to take a stroll through these magical flowers, I recommend heading to the Hwanseong Park Forest Trail - a little south of Cheomseongdae. Not only will the shade of the trees give you some relief from the sun, but the purple hues will calm your mind.
There are many reasons to visit Gyeongju and the city is beautiful no matter what the season. But if you're longing to see Korea's summer flowers all in one place, I strongly recommend a visit.
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