[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Check out these four spring destinations this May

Judging by the sunlight and the temperature, it seems like the recent few days' weather this May is mimicking that of the early summer days. Cafes are rushing to serve summer drinks and clothing shops are quickly switching up the wardrobes.

The purple lavender field is a major photogenic spot at Hani Lavender Farm in Goseong, Gangwon. [HANI LAVENDER FARM]

The toasty weather and the sunshine of the past few days remind us that summer is just around the corner. Cafés are serving summer drinks, and clothing brands are rolling out their summer lines, not to mention the plethora of social media posts showing people enjoying mini spring trips with their loved ones. If you are also looking for a perfect spot for a weekend getaway this month, the Korea JoongAng Daily has these four recommendations.

Hani Lavender Farm

Lavender field at Hani Lavender Farm is a must-visit for those visiting Goseong, Gangwon. [HWANG JEONG-HEE]

Hani Lavender Farm is just the place for you if you are interested in surrounding yourself with therapeutic herbs. The farm’s heavenly scent from its glorious flowerbeds only adds to the experience. The lavender fields at the farm in Goseong, Gangwon, bloom to the fullest around mid to late June. The farm, already open to visitors, is also known for its purple lavender ice cream and other natural products. Visitors can also find themselves surrounded by other flowers like hydrangea.

@hani_lavenderfarm786-5 Eocheon-ri, Ganseong-eub, Goseong, GangwonHours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (entrance closes an hour before closing time)Admission fee: 6,000 won for adults, 5,000 won for middle and high school students and adults aged over 64, 3,000 won for elementary school students and 2,000 won for babies 36 months old or older Phone number: 033-681-0005Website: https://www.lavenderfarm.co.kr/src/main/indexpage.php

Gangneung Danoje Festival

The Gangneung Danoje Festival is designated both as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and National Intangible Cultural Heritage. [YONHAP]

The Gangneung Danoje might be the most local experience for visitors coming to the city in Gangwon. The festival, which runs from late May to late June, showcases Korea’s cultural and traditional heritage through events that celebrate Dano, a holiday in Korea that falls on May 5 of the lunar calendar. The holiday is celebrated with spiritual rituals that show appreciation for the deity and celebrate the successful rice planting that spring. The Gangneung Danoje is a perfect example of such traditions. This year’s festival, running from Wednesday to June 25, features entertaining and amusing events for all visitors. You can also participate in the brewing of sacred liquor, or shinju in Korean, offered to the gods. You can also opt to donate 15,000 won to the city and get a voucher for the liquor.

@gangneungdanoje1, Danojang-gil, Gangneung, GangwonGangneung Danoje Training CenterPhone number: 033-641-1593Website: https://www.danojefestival.or.kr/default.asp

Gokseong International Rose Festival

Roses welcome the visitors at the Gokseong International Rose Festival, Gokseong, South Jeolla. [JANG JEONG-PIL]

The annual Gokseong International Rose Festival will shatter your image of roses being a red flower. The festival in Gokseong, South Jeolla, showcases over 1,000 types of roses across 19 acres of land, allowing its visitors to enjoy every shade of color you can imagine in roses. The festival runs from Saturday through May 29, with multiple programs awaiting visitors, including a waltz parade through the garden and performances featuring famous musicians. If you wear red clothing for the festival, in line with the festival’s theme ‘Red,’ you will receive a gift. Also exciting is that the festival is taking place at Gokseong Seomjin Train Village, a well-known tourist destination in the county with its fairytale-like setting. The village has its own animal farm, rose garden and rail bikes, including steam locomotives.

252-16 Gichamaeul-ro Ogok-myeon, Gokseong, South JeollaAdmission fee: 5,000 won for those aged 13-64, 4,500 won for babies of 48 months old or older and kids aged 12 and under and for adults aged 65 or older.Hours: Gokseong Seomjin Train Village extends its opening time to 10:00 p.m. during the festival. (Ticket booth is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)Phone number: 061-363-8379Website: https://www.gokseong.go.kr/tour/festivity/rose

Geochang Changpowon

Hydrangeas brighten the paths of Geochang Changpowon, Geochang, South Gyeongsang. [GEOCHANG CHANGPOWON]

Geochang Changpowon, the first legally designated regional park in South Gyeongsang, is a waterfront ecological park named after the plant Changpo, or water iris. The park, per its name, is known for its water iris garden and flowerbeds of various kinds of flowers, including daisies, hydrangeas, peonies and more. This is a great time of the year to visit the garden as spring flowers are in full blossom. The park also has six different gardens, each containing plants from various climate zones, including a tropical botanic garden and a Mediterranean garden. You may also rent bikes to ride around the park, including the standard single-rider bikes to tandems for two, four and six.

21-1 Changpowon-gil Namsang-myeon, Geochang, South GyeongsangHours: Geochang Changpowon: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., tropical botanical garden, natural energy learning center: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Closed every Monday except for the park)Free admission except for the Kids Cafe (3,000 won for kids, 2 hours) Phone number: 055-940-8840Website: https://www.geochang.go.kr/changpowon/index.do

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BY KIM DONG-EUN [kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr]