Mureungbyeol Yuchonji Lavender Festival

A limestone quarry turned into a violet lakeside garden

When I first stepped into Murung Byeol Yucheonji, the first thing that caught my eye was not the lavender, but the gray cut rock face. An emerald-colored lake spreads out below the sheer limestone wall, and in front of it lies a lavender field in violet, making the contrast look unreal. This place is a former cement quarry site in Donghae City that had been mining limestone for nearly 50 years, from the late 1960s until 2017, and was later transformed into a tourist attraction. Two lakes, Cheongok Lake and Geumgok Lake, formed naturally where the quarry pits were left filled with water.

The festival is held every June. In 2026, it will run for nine days from June 13 to 21 under the theme "Lavender in Bloom with Starlight." About 13,000 English, sweet, and French lavender plants are planted across a garden of around 20,000㎡, creating a purple wave. Since lavender usually blooms from June to early July, mid-June is the best time to visit. This year, the main event area has been moved from the existing lawn plaza to "Baramsumteul," which borders the lavender garden, so visitors can watch performances and relax against a backdrop of flowers.

A foreign traveler's day — from arrival to nighttime lighting

If you are going by public transportation, start from Donghae Station. It takes about 20 minutes by taxi from the station, and by bus you can take No. 111 and get off at the Murung Entrance bus stop. However, since buses do not run very frequently, it is best to check the schedule in advance. Parking is free for private cars, but on weekends traffic can back up from the entrance road and the parking lot can fill up, so arriving early in the morning is recommended.

Admission is 6,000 KRW for adults, 3,000 KRW for children and teenagers aged 7 to 18, 2,000 KRW for infants, and 4,000 KRW for seniors, people with disabilities, and national merit recipients. Gangwon residents get a 50% discount, groups of 20 or more get a 20% discount, and Donghae residents enter free on weekdays. The garden is large and has slopes, so visitors with tickets can ride the Murung Byeol Train that circles the complex, which makes walking much easier.

The site mainly provides Korean-language guidance, so there are not many English signs, but you do not need much language ability to walk through the lavender fields, take photos, and enjoy the food. During the day, programs such as lavender classes, personal color analysis, singing bowl meditation, and acoustic busking are held, and after sunset the atmosphere changes completely. With night operations until 10 p.m. (last admission is usually one hour earlier), the lavender fields with landscape lighting and a laser show offer a completely different view from daytime.

Cement ice cream and lake activities

What you absolutely have to try here is "cement ice cream." It is black sesame-flavored ice cream sold only at this location nationwide, and its gray color really looks like cement, perfectly matching the identity of a closed mine. It is so popular that an average of 1,000 are sold on weekends and you may have to wait in line for more than 30 minutes, so it is a good idea to buy it early when the line is short. Lavender milk ice cream is also available separately.

On the lake, you can enjoy water leisure such as electric duck boats and pedal kayaks, as well as experience facilities like sky gliders, alpine coasters, luge, and zip lines. These activities require separate fees from the admission ticket, and it is best to check the exact prices for each item on the official website.

• Sneakers: The garden is large and has uphill sections and slopes, so comfortable shoes are essential
• Protection from sun and rain: There is little shade, so a hat or parasol is useful (free umbrella rentals are also available)
• Cash: Most places accept card payments, but some booths may take cash only, so bring a small amount of cash
• Reservation: Some experiences such as lavender classes may require advance booking or may fill up on-site

So who is it recommended for?

The scenery of heavy industrial traces from a closed mine, violet flower fields, and an emerald lake all in one place is rare even in Korea. It is a great fit for people who love photography, people who want to leave the city and walk quietly, and couples or families who want to enjoy both day and night. However, since English guidance is not abundant, it may be more comfortable to bring a translation app. Murung Byeol Yucheonji in June, when the violet color is at its peak, is a place worth spending an entire early-summer day at.