Wonju Bangye-ri Ginkgo Tree Festival 2026 (until Nov 8): Free Entry, Hours, Bus 1-1 and Tips

Every autumn, one tree in the middle of the fields of Munmak, western Wonju, turns completely gold. The Bangye-ri Ginkgo Tree (반계리 은행나무) is Natural Monument No. 167, and Wonju City estimates it is about 1,319 years old. Around it, the city is holding the 2026 Wonju Bangye-ri Ginkgo Tree Festival from October 26 to November 8, with small concerts, food stalls and a flea market.

Why it's worth the trip

• One tree, one view: there is no park to walk through. It is a single giant ginkgo standing on open ground, so the whole crown is easy to see and photograph from every side.
• Short season: the leaves turn gold for only a short time each autumn, and the festival runs only until November 8.
• Check the color before you go: Wonju City streams a live video of the tree on its tourism site, so you can see how yellow it is that morning.
• Free and simple: entry is free, and you can combine it with lunch from the food stalls and a look around the flea market.

When

• Festival dates: October 26 – November 8, 2026 (14 days)
• Festival hours: 11:00–17:00
• The tree itself: open 24 hours, all year
• Main stage, remaining shows:
• November 1 (today): healing busking, 14:00–15:30
• November 6: healing busking, 14:00–15:30
• November 8: Maeji Nongak (farmers' music) and a crossover ensemble, 14:00–15:00

Cost

• Free. VISITKOREA lists the tree as free to visit, with no closing day. Bring cash or a card for the food stalls and the flea market.

Getting there

• Address: Bangye-ri Ginkgo Tree Plaza, 1495-1 Bangye-ri, Munmak-eup, Wonju (원주시 문막읍 반계리 1495-1)
• From Seoul to Wonju: Wonju City lists express buses from Seoul between 06:10 and 22:40 (about 1 hour 30 minutes), and trains from Cheongnyangni Station. Plan the last leg to Munmak-eup (문막읍) with Naver Map or KakaoMap.
• Public bus 1-1: from October 17 to November 8, Wonju adds 8 extra round trips on route 1-1 on weekends and public holidays only. On weekdays, the regular timetable applies. The bus runs Munmak-eup Administrative Welfare Center ↔ Bangye-ri Ginkgo Tree ↔ Daedun-ri, and the ride to the tree takes about 10 minutes.
• Extra 1-1 departures from Munmak-eup Administrative Welfare Center: 09:30, 10:25, 11:25, 12:15, 14:05, 14:55, 15:50, 17:00
• Main boarding stops in Munmak: the Administrative Welfare Center (문막로 90), Munmak Catholic Church (문막로 60), Munmak 2-ri (문막로 68) and Munmak Market (문막로 72)
• The official timetable lists the trips toward the tree. Check your return bus at the stop or in a map app before you leave.
• By car: about 340 temporary parking spaces around the plaza are open from October 21 to November 20. Bangye Elementary School opens its field for tour-bus parking on October 31, November 1, 7 and 8. Wonju suggests using the Bangye IC or Daedun IC junctions when coming via Munmak IC.

Tips

• Crowds: weekends near peak color are the busiest, and Wonju asks visitors to take public transport. A weekday morning is calmer.
• Protect the tree: it is a natural monument. Stay outside the low fence and do not climb the supports or break branches.
• Dress warmly: the tree stands in open fields, and November wind can be cold.
• Light: it gets dark early in November. Plan to leave before sunset if you rely on buses.

Going alone?

The nearest omeetu meetup spot is Wonju Central Market (원주 중앙시장) in downtown Wonju. Open a meetup there to find others heading to Bangye-ri, or join one already planned for the same day. Meet first in a busy public place, and keep chats inside the app. Teen members have limits on meetups between 22:00 and 06:00, so plan an early return.

Questions on the day

• Wonju City Tourism Division: 033-737-5123
• Wonju tourist information call center: 033-742-2111 (09:00–18:00)
• Emergencies in Korea: 112 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance), 1330 (travel hotline with English support)

Official notice: Wonju Tourism – 2026 Bangye-ri Ginkgo Tree Festival