Exploring Turtle Village in Chungnam: A Hidden Spring Gem
Chungnam is home to many beautiful places to visit in spring.
There are countless famous spots known for cherry blossoms, and the double cherry blossom locations can get overwhelmingly crowded.
However, there is a charming village where you can enjoy both cherry blossoms and daffodils without the large crowds.
This is my second visit to Turtle Village, located in Hongseong.
▲ The entrance of the village is filled with daffodils.
During my last visit, I was impressed by the daffodils lining the roads long before reaching Turtle Village.
One downside is the lack of parking space; while many visit the spring flower spots, parking is quite limited in Turtle Village.
It seems there is no dedicated parking area, so many people end up parking on the roadside.
It would be great if more parking spaces could be made available for visitors.
Turtle Village
○ 422-41 Geobuk-ro, Guhang-myeon, Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
○ Operating hours: No specific hours
○ Entrance fee: Free
○ Parking: Free (limited space)
So, why is this village named Turtle Village?
The name Turtle Village is not just a nickname; it is also part of the actual address, Geobuk-ro.
The word 'Guhang' means turtle neck, referring to the village's terrain resembling a turtle's neck.
Although I couldn't quite see what part resembles a turtle, the village's name is indeed validated.
▲ The small zoo in Turtle Village
This time, I noticed a new small zoo in Turtle Village that wasn't there during my last visit.
While the daffodils and cherry blossoms provide plenty to see, the addition of new attractions makes the village even more enjoyable.
▲ Gusan Temple inside the village
Inside the village is Gusan Temple, which appears to be the only parking area available for Turtle Village.
However, since this area is a hotspot for enjoying daffodils and cherry blossoms, be cautious while driving due to the number of visitors.
While we also came to enjoy the flowers, I think it would be better to park elsewhere to ensure the safety of other visitors.
I can't confirm the exact meaning of Gusan Temple in Chinese characters, but I cautiously predict it may also be related to turtles.
▲ The horse rock resembling a turtle
There are quite a few large rocks scattered throughout the village.
They look somewhat out of place, like rocks found in a seaside village, creating a unique landscape.
From a distance, I thought one of the rocks looked like a turtle, which led me to mistakenly believe that this was the reason for the village's name.
Upon closer inspection, I learned it is called Horse Rock, and there is a legend associated with it.
???? Legend of the Rock
Long ago, a famous general went to battle with his beloved horse. The general fought bravely but died in battle, and only his horse returned.
When the horse returned and conveyed the news of the general's death, it also passed away, and a large rock is said to have emerged from the spot where it died.
People named this rock Horse Rock, and it is believed to be associated with General Jeong Un-sang.
If you are looking for a meal in Hongseong, consider visiting here.
▲ The birthplace of Nam Gu-man
The village also has the birthplace of Nam Gu-man, who was born in Turtle Village and served as the Prime Minister during the Joseon Dynasty.
▲ Jangchungyeonggak
This is Jangchungyeonggak, where cultural heritage items 147 and 127 of Chungcheongnam-do are preserved.
Notably, Seokcheon Hanyudo is a genre painting created during the reign of King Yeongjo, depicting a realistic portrait of Jeon Il-sang, who served as the provincial governor.
It was appraised at 1.5 billion won after appearing on the KBS program 'Genuine Goods' in 2011.
▲ The bamboo forest in Turtle Village
During my previous visit, I was satisfied with the flower viewing in Turtle Village, but I was pleasantly surprised by the well-maintained bamboo forest.
It offers an atmosphere that rivals famous bamboo regions or areas in Japan.
However, during this visit, access was restricted due to construction, which was a bit disappointing.
If you can enter the bamboo forest during your visit, I highly recommend it for some great photo opportunities.
▲ The iconic spot in Turtle Village
Despite Turtle Village's fame for flowers, it is smaller compared to larger flower spots like arboretums.
Nevertheless, many visitors are drawn to Turtle Village for its unique photo spots, where daffodils bloom below and cherry blossoms above.
This picturesque scene is unlike any other, ensuring that anyone who takes a photo here will have a memorable shot.
Just sitting on a bench and capturing a photo can fulfill your purpose for visiting Turtle Village.
Although you might need to wait a bit due to its popularity, it’s heartwarming to see others taking turns to capture each other’s photos.
Most importantly, Turtle Village allows free access to enjoy the daffodils and cherry blossoms, which is a significant advantage.
Since this is a residential area, it feels a bit guilty to visit for free.
There are also cafes in Turtle Village, so purchasing items from local shops would be a nice way to support the community.
It’s not easy to time your visit when both daffodils and cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
During my last visit, the daffodils were in full bloom, but the cherry blossoms hadn’t bloomed yet, which was a bit disappointing.
This time, I was finally able to see both the daffodils and cherry blossoms together.
How about taking this opportunity to update your profile picture with a beautiful shot from the flower-filled Turtle Village?
Please note that the photos were taken on Saturday, April 11, 2026, and the blooming status may have changed since then.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/sinmunman/224260548444
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