Jinju Lantern Festival 2014

This weekend Yen and I went south to Jinju for the annual lantern festival. It commemorates the 1592 siege of Jinju by the Japanese, when the Korean army lit up lanterns to watch the river and prevent the Japanese army from crossing the river. The Japanese eventually took Jinju, but the event is still commemorated every year.

Jinju is around two hours southeast but it is noticeably warmer (they have palm trees there). The town itself is fairly sleepy but comes alive for these two weeks. In fact, if I were to go again for the festival I would go midweek, the crowds were intense even by Korean standards, and I'm not someone who is usually bothered by crowds. The only other issue was accommodation. While it was available, prices reflected the demand, with a normally 30,000 won room going for 80,000, no exceptions.

The lanterns themselves are amazing, and seen from Jinju fortress it is spectacular. Both sides of the Nam river are packed with lights, shops and tourists and no matter where you go you see something really cool.

We arrived around 5pm, got an overprices room (though it was a short walk to both the bus terminal and the river). We then headed down to the river to take a few pictures. It started off quiet enough but once night fell and the lights came on, yikes.

daytime

artificial gate during the late afternoon

some lanterns

lights are on and crowds begin to show

twilight

The river around 6:45

again

Inside Jinju fortress

The river at night

a few people showed up

many lights

artificial gate lit up

Singapore's contribution

the red light district :P

a few people over here too

The next day we got up a bit late and headed out around 11. We opted for Starbucks breakfast (I need real coffee) and explored the town and then headed to the fortress during the day, when the crowds were more manageable and it was possible to enjoy the views. 

Jinju itself is small, and while it was once the most important city on the south coast, it was eclipsed by Busan over a century ago. It has the feel of a small provincial town. It was nice, but as a tourist a weekend is probably enough. 

The picture really summarizes Jinju the city

palm trees

the river around noon

Fortress grounds

smokin and playin

the fortress entrance

This general wants you

Mega Powers vs. Mega Bucks 

OOOOHHH YEEEAHHHH

Yen on the castle wall

Jinju

Pavilion

Jinju lantern festival is definitely one of the cooler things I've done, and I'm very glad Yen talked me in to it. With winter coming there won't be many more weekends to do stuff like this until March or April. It is also one of the few things I have never done in Korea, and realistically this was my last chance to do it.