Crape Myrtle Flowers Blooming in Jeonju Hanok Village

Crape Myrtle flowers bloom from July to September, around a hundred days. In Korean, the flower is called ‘baekilong’, which literally means ‘blooming for a hundred days’. Every summer, you can spot the blooming crape myrtle flowers everywhere in Jeonju Hanok Village.

Other names of crape myrtle

It says that ‘crape myrtle flowers bloom in hot summer days, under the brutal Sun. The elegant pinkish hue of the flowers stands out amongst the greens of the summer’.

Crape myrtle originates from the Southern China. A historic record says that the tree was first planted in Korea around the end of the Koryo Dynasty (918-1392). Despite its name ‘baekilhong’ the flower doesn’t stay for a hundred days once it blooms. In fact, the flowers continue to bloom and fall throughout the summer months, giving people impression that the flower stays bloomed for that long.

In Japan, crape myrtle tree is called ‘slippery tree’, because even monkeys can slip off while climbing the tree’s slippery trunk. The tree is also called ‘ticklish tree’, because the leaves seem to move when people scratch the tree trunk.

Following the crape myrtle flowers: Jeonju Hanok Village, Omokdae Pavilion, Gyeonggijeon Palace, Jeondong Cathedral

The crape myrtle flowers are more beautiful when blooming amongst the hanok buildings. I take a walk around Jeonju Hanok Village, following the blooming crape myrtle flowers.

My first destination is Omokdae Pavilion. This is where Taejo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897) held a banquet after a huge victory against a Japanese invasion. Two crape myrtle trees are guarding the huge stone table by the Emperor Gojong of Korea.

My next destination is Jeonju Hyanggyo (Confucian School). There’re more crape myrtle flowers are blooming here.

Although it was early morning, the visitors in hanbok (Korean traditional costume) are gathering at Gyeonggijeon Palace. I loved the harmony of hanok, hanbok, and the blooming crape myrtle flowers.

My morning walk ended at Jeondong Cathedral, the first site of Catholic martyrdom in Korea. The crape myrtle flowers look elegant against the old red brick of the cathedral.

Visit Jeonju Hanok Village while the crape myrtle flowers bloom!

Such morning walk around Jeonju Hanok Village is my favorite way to enjoy the crape myrtle flowers. I find the flowers blooming amongst the black tiled roofs of hanok buildings very ‘instagrammable’. Visit Jeonju Hanok Village while the flowers are blooming!