Discover the Beauty of Jeonbuk’s Okjeongho Eco Park: Spring Blooms Attract 76,000 Visitors!

Okjeongho Carp Island Ecological Park in Imsil County, North Jeolla Province, is blooming into a regional hotspot as spring flowers pop and visitor numbers climb.

Imsil County reported on the 28th that since reopening in March, the park has welcomed more than 76,000 visitors — roughly a 4% increase from the same period last year. That rise suggests the site could be evolving from a seasonal stop into a year-round destination.

To meet growing demand, the county has invested in landscape upgrades and expanded plantings. The ecological park now showcases about 20 species and roughly 50,000 flowering plants — anemones, poppies, and hydrangeas among them — arranged by zone to create scenic paths that highlight the waterfront views.

From mid-April, phlox and azaleas bloom in succession, giving visitors more reasons to linger. The sweeping phlox carpets, in particular, act as a striking visual centerpiece across the park.

Peonies and poppies are expected to come into full bloom in May. A peony plot of about 5,500㎡ (≈59,200 sq ft) and a poppy colony of roughly 10,000㎡ (≈107,600 sq ft) will add new attractions and likely draw even more visitors.

Yosan Park, located at the entrance, also features phlox beds, strengthening visual continuity along the route into the ecological park.

During peak season, the park is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; in winter it closes one hour earlier. Visitors may enter up to one hour before closing.

Imsil County plans to leverage springtime interest to encourage longer stays and will continue to build out seasonal programming to boost the area’s tourism competitiveness.