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The Korea Times

By Lee Hae-rin
The arrival of 2025 marks the Year of the Snake. The snake, the sixth sign among the 12 zodiac signs, has long been feared and worshipped by the Korean people as a symbol of revival, wise improvements and new beginnings.
According to Korea’s National Geographic Information Institute, the country has 208 places with names associated with snakes.
In celebration of what Koreans call the Year of the Blue Snake, here are some snake-themed travel destinations in Korea.

1. Make a wish to the snake couple at World Cup Park
Since 2018, World Cup Park in Seoul has continued the tradition of making large sculptures of the year’s zodiac animal with silvergrass from the park.
This year, a husband snake and a wife snake, representing a harmonious appearance for the Year of the Blue Snake, are the main characters of the exhibition.
About four tons of silvergrass were used to make the sculpture, and children and their families helped make the snakes’ bodies and eggs.
At night, the snakes are lit up with LEDs and surrounded by other light fixtures shaped like snowflakes, stars and water drops throughout the entire park.
The park also features a wishing tree on which visitors can hang wishes they have written down.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, which falls on January 29, traditional Korean games such as throwing rings and yut, a traditional Korean board game, will be played. Anyone can take part with no prior reservation needed.
2. Seaside walk at Cheongsapo in Busan

Cheongsapo is a charming seaside town in the southeastern port city of Busan. It is known for lighthouses and seafood restaurants. The name means “blue sand dune”, but it was originally derived from “blue snake”, according to local folklore.
The story goes like this: a very long time ago, there lived a good couple there who loved each other very much. One day, the husband went out to sea to catch fish and died in an accident.
The wife climbed a pine tree in the town every day and waited for him, believing that her husband would soon return.

The dragon king of the ocean admired her unwavering devotion and sent a blue snake, which soon led her to the water channel and to her husband.
Visitors can view the Cheongsapo seaside more closely from the Cheongsapo bridge observatory, which resembles a blue snake.
The quiet and relaxing town also features small alleys with many fancy coffee shops.
3. Camellia trail at Tongyeong’s Jangsa Island

Jangsa Island in South Gyeongsang province is shaped like a snake.
Located within the Hallyeohaesang National Park, the island boasts over 100,000 camellias and silver magnolias along with fairy pitta birds, sickle neofinetia plants and seongnan orchids.
More than 200 kinds of native flowers and 1,000 kinds of plants bloom on the island during all four seasons.
Jangsado Sea Park features a trail that goes up and down hills, guiding visitors west and east for a breathtaking panoramic view along a course that resembles a coiled-up snake.
Once visitors reach the top, a statue of a woman lies at an angle looking at the sea. Here, the island offers a view of the group of neighbouring islands.

4. Hiking at Baemsagol in Namwon
Baemsagol, at the foot of Mount Jiri in Namwon, North Jeolla province, is the country’s best-known destination associated with snakes.
The deep, grand valley stretching over 9km (5.5 miles) resembles a large snake crawling out of the mountain.

Stretching from Banyabong peak to Tokkibong peak, the valley is renowned for its seasonal charms. Azalea flowers fill the valley in spring, while later on in the year the hills are ablaze with autumn hues.
The valley also features over 100 large waterfalls, small streams, and wide rocks with room for hundreds of people to sit together, attracting visitors, especially during summer.
Read the full story at The Korea Times.


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The Cheongsapo bridge observatory in Busan is just one of the snake-themed destinations you can visit in South Korea in the Year of the Snake, or any time. Photo: courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization

A sculpture of two snakes made with silvergrass at Seoul’s World Cup Park to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Photo: Seoul City Government

The Cheongsapo bridge observatory resembles a blue snake in line with the folklore of the seaside town. Photo: Shutterstock

Lighthouses at Cheongsapo. Snakes aside, the seaside town has plenty of charm and coffee shops. Photo: courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization

The camellia trail on Jangsa Island, which is shaped like a snake. Photo: courtesy of South Gyeongsang Provincial Government

A hilltop view from Jangsa Island of nearby islands. Photo: courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization

Autumn colours along a trail in the Baemsagol valley, whose shape resembles that of a snake slithering out of the mountains. Photo: Instagram/@ho_gon_kim

Why Year of the Snake 2025 won’t follow Lunar New Year’s Eve. It’s ‘the moon’s fault’

A family eats at home, as many do on Lunar New Year’s Eve. Photo: Shutterstock 

There’ll technically be no Lunar New Year’s Eve to ring in the Year of the Snake in 2025. We look at why, and how this will affect celebrations. Photo: Shutterstock

Lunar New Year’s Eve is an important day in the Chinese calendar, and is when families typically get together for reunion dinners. Photo: Shutterstock 

People shop for Lunar New Year decorations in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Photo: Eugene Lee

Year of the Snake 2025 predictions for 12 zodiac signs. How is your health, luck, wealth?

Feng shui master Tong Pik-ha predicts the varying fortunes of people born under the 12 Chinese zodiac signs in the coming Year of the Snake. Illustrations: Victor Sanjinez

Why do people born in the Year of the Snake make good lovers, friends and colleagues?

People born in the Year of the Snake are caring friends – once you break the ice. They are also romantic lovers and also one of the best colleagues to have in a crisis. Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Feng shui master Tong Pik-ha at her office in San Po Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The independent Snake is very good at networking, Tong says. Photo: Jonathan Wong

People who are born in the Year of the Snake are very enterprising. Illustration: Adolfo Arranz

Why the Year of the Wood Snake starting in 2025 could bring major change, and more luck

A snake at a farm in Bangkok, Thailand. The next lunar new year will be a Year of the Wood Snake, which comes around every 60 years. The previous one, in 1965, saw dynamic change and upheaval. Are we in for more of the same? Photo: Getty Images

Snakes made of palm leaves are displayed in Shanghai to celebrate the previous Year of the Snake in 2013. Photo: Getty Images

Following the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, people line up to vote, most for the first time, in Alabama in the US in 1966. Photo: Getty Images

Angry depositors protest and clash with police outside the office of the chairman of the Canton Trust and Commercial Bank in 1965, the previous Year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Photo: Chan Kiu

Lifestyle

Travel & Leisure

From a Seoul park to nature spots, these serpentine sites make for great Lunar New Year travel ideas. They aren’t known for real snakes


From a Seoul park to nature spots, these serpentine sites make for great Lunar New Year travel ideas. They aren’t known for real snakes.


Tourism

Travel Destinations

South Korea

Korea Times