Korea · Autumn
Pink muhly in 2026: check current fields and access before following old recommendations
Before travelling for pink muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris), check where and when the photograph was taken. TBC’s 7 September 2026 report described removal of Gimcheon’s Jikjisa-cheon field and a 2025 planting survey. A past colony record does not establish this year’s survival, flowering or access. This guide separates historical records from current trip decisions rather than ranking confirmed blooming fields.
Planning your visit
Gyeongju City’s official blog featured pink muhly around Cheomseongdae on 6 October 2026 and explicitly dated the photographs to 1 October. This establishes an official record of the field this year, but does not guarantee peak colour or access on your travel date. Yangju’s September 26–27 and October 3–4 festival dates have ended. Current pink-muhly planting at Haneul Park is also unconfirmed; it is not the same plant as the silver grass in its festival.
What pink muhly is, and why the ministry wants less of it
TBC cited a 2025 National Institute of Ecology survey of 92 sites covering about 220,000 m² across six provinces/metropolitan areas. For Gimcheon’s roughly 14,000 m² field, a city official cited drainage and maintenance difficulties and potential obstruction during heavy rain as reasons for removal. The report also described a 2019 grade-2 ecological-risk assessment followed by a 2020 recommendation against new planting. These are attributed historical findings, not a current removal order for every field or a survey of this year’s flowers.
Stops to choose for your route
- Cheomseongdae, Gyeongju: use the 1 October photo record as context, then check flowering and access for your date. Our suggested plan combines Cheomseongdae and nearby walks rather than making a long journey solely for the flowers.
- Yangju’s September 26–27 and October 3–4 festival dates have ended.
- Suncheon Bay National Garden (순천만국가정원) — planted inside the 2013/2023 expo garden; the same ticket covers the reed bay downstream. Not individually re-verified for 2026. Suncheon Bay guide.
- Busan, Eulsukdo (부산 을숙도) — the Nakdong estuary island west of the city; a well-known field, not individually re-verified for 2026.
- Hapcheon, Sinsoyang sports park (합천 신소양체육공원) — a rounded hill rather than a flat field, so the plumes stack in the frame; not individually re-verified for 2026.
- Chilgok, Gasan Supia (칠곡 가산수피아) — a private garden in the hills north of Daegu with an admission charge; not individually re-verified for 2026.
- Jeju, Hueree (제주 휴애리) — a private farm park on the island's south side with an admission charge; not individually re-verified for 2026.
- Consider Haneul Park as a silver-grass alternative. Its silver-grass festival dates do not establish a pink-muhly location or flowering period. Haneul Park guide
- Current pink-muhly planting at Haneul Park is also unconfirmed; it is not the same plant as the silver grass in its festival.
- Before you go — Compare the manager’s latest notice with dated, identifiable photographs. If only old photos are available, the current state is unconfirmed; that alone does not prove removal.
Open the Cheomseongdae pink muhly field on Naver Map (Korea's default map app — Google Maps is unreliable for transit and walking directions here).
Season, sites & status
| Season | Gyeongju City’s official blog featured pink muhly around Cheomseongdae on 6 October 2026 and explicitly dated the photographs to 1 October. This establishes an official record of the field this year, but does not guarantee peak colour or access on your travel date. |
|---|---|
| Field and festival verification status | Gyeongju, Cheomseongdae flower complex: planted by the city from 2017, expanded to 4,170 m² by 2021 with photo zones and paths; the historic zone is open and unticketed. Yangju, Nari Farm: the 2026 Cheonilhong Autumn Festa on 26–27 September and 3–4 October; globe amaranth is the headline flower and pink muhly is reported but not confirmed with the organiser. Hours and any admission are on the official site. |
| Check before you go | Suncheon Bay National Garden, Busan Eulsukdo, Hapcheon Sinsoyang, Chilgok Gasan Supia, Jeju Hueree — all reported, none individually re-verified for 2026 here. Gimcheon's Jikjisa-cheon field (about 14,000 m²) had been removed according to TBC’s report of 7 September 2026. Look for a dated post from the last fortnight. |
| Ecological status | Rated ecosystem-risk grade 2 by the National Institute of Ecology in December 2019 (spread to be monitored, no confirmed harm). Ministry of Environment asked cities and counties to refrain from new planting in 2020. 2025 survey: 92 sites, about 220,000 m², Gyeongsangbuk-do largest at over 42,000 m². |
Gyeongju and Yangju also require a current planting, flowering and access check. Compare a recent photograph’s date and location with the manager’s notice. This guide does not claim a verified 2026 field visit at any colony. If flowering is unconfirmed, choose another walk or garden visit rather than travelling on the promise of pink grass.
Check before you pay
Questions for planning this visit, not allegations against any business.
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Quick answers
When is pink muhly season in Korea in 2026?
Gyeongju City’s official blog featured pink muhly around Cheomseongdae on 6 October 2026 and explicitly dated the photographs to 1 October. This establishes an official record of the field this year, but does not guarantee peak colour or access on your travel date. Yangju’s September 26–27 and October 3–4 festival dates have ended. Current pink-muhly planting at Haneul Park is also unconfirmed; it is not the same plant as the silver grass in its festival.
Is pink muhly banned in Korea?
No. The National Institute of Ecology rated it ecosystem-risk grade 2 in December 2019, which means its spread is to be monitored rather than that harm is confirmed, and in 2020 the Ministry of Environment asked cities and counties to refrain from new planting. Existing fields were not ordered removed, though some cities are now removing theirs for their own reasons.
Which fields need checking before I travel?
Gyeongju and Yangju also require a current planting, flowering and access check. Compare a recent photograph’s date and location with the manager’s notice. This guide does not claim a verified 2026 field visit at any colony. If flowering is unconfirmed, choose another walk or garden visit rather than travelling on the promise of pink grass.
What is the best time of day to photograph pink muhly?
Our photography suggestion is to consider low-angle sunlight, while checking your date’s sunset, weather and park closing time. Weekday quiet and a particular flower colour are not guaranteed. Stay on the path rather than stepping into plantings for a photograph.
Sources & data: The photograph illustrates the plant species, not current flowering at a Korean site. Historical colony records and ecological reporting do not establish this year's access or bloom. · TBC · 2026-09-07 · Edaily · 2020 · VISITKOREA · Gyeongju · Newspim · 2021-09-26 · Yangju · 2026 · Gyeongju City · 2026-10-06 (photo: 2026-10-01)
Schedules and prices can change; use the linked official notices for your travel date. Route choices and time allowances are editorial suggestions.
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