April 26, 2026 – May 06, 2026

The Hampyeong Butterfly Festival is one of Korea's most beloved spring events, transforming Hampyeong Expo Park in South Jeolla Province into a living butterfly garden for 11 days (April 26 - May 6). Dozens of butterfly species including rare Korean natives inhabit dedicated ecological zones alongside themed flower gardens and insect exhibitions. The festival draws families from across the country and is particularly famous among nature photographers. Hampyeong is about 40 minutes by bus from Gwangju; shuttle services run directly from Gwangju Bus Terminal during the festival period.

The Festival

The Hampyeong Butterfly Festival is one of Korea’s most distinctive regional festivals, held in Hampyeong, South Jeolla Province during peak butterfly emergence season (April 22 – May 11). The festival celebrates the town’s role as a center for butterfly ecology, with live butterfly exhibitions, caterpillar observation programs, botanical gardens, and educational displays about Korea’s native butterfly species. The butterfly release ceremonies — where thousands of butterflies are released in a cloud of wings — are the signature moments of the festival.

What to Expect

The festival is a genuinely educational and visually unusual experience, particularly appealing for families and anyone interested in natural history. The exhibition tents house live butterfly habitats where visitors can walk among hundreds of flying specimens. The surrounding Hampyeong wetland and botanical area is beautiful in spring. Food stalls and folk performances add to the atmosphere. The festival draws visitors specifically because nothing quite like it exists elsewhere in Korea.

Getting There

• From Seoul: Express bus from Central City Bus Terminal to Hampyeong (about 3 hours)
• From Gwangju: Bus to Hampyeong (about 1 hour) — Gwangju is the nearest major city
• Accommodation: Hampyeong is a small town; staying in nearby Gwangju and day-tripping is common
• Best timing: Weekday visits avoid the worst weekend crowds; the butterfly release programs fill up quickly