Massive crowds flock to South Korea’s largest pigeon competition in Jinhae, where thousands of birds soar freely amid warm spring weather. Visitors from across the nation and abroad marvel at the spectacle, petting pigeons and releasing them skyward.
Event Overview
The 64th Jinhae-gun Pigeon Competition kicked off with public access on March 27, transforming the Kyonghwa-eup venue in Changwon into a hub of activity. Organizers report smooth operations with no incidents, even as attendance surges beyond expectations. Temperatures exceeding 20 degrees Celsius have drawn families eager to witness pigeons swarming the skies.
Over 320,000 visitors are projected for the event, which continues until early May 5. Pigeons blanket famous sites like the 1-meter-wide, 5-meter-high ‘Romans Darius’ walkway, delighting attendees who sense their unique charm.
Crowd Reactions and Highlights
Attendees express awe at the sheer volume of birds. Ohn Chun-ji, 37, stated, “Pigeons exist nationwide, but those here hold special sentiment.” She added, “Even rolling my eyes, it’s amazing to see pigeons flying so high.”
Foreign tourists join locals in pinning and releasing pigeons, creating joyful moments. Venue officials note that 80% of total pigeons were released as ‘full flights’ on opening day, marking the first such scale post-pandemic despite last year’s economic uptick.
Safety and Logistics
To handle the influx, the site accommodates around 6,000 vehicles, with shuttle buses running every 5-10 minutes. A joint task force for baggage screening has doubled staff to ensure safety. An organizer remarked, “Spring venue pigeons alone could exceed Jinhae’s 320,000 visitors.” They affirmed, “We’ll maximize capacity to accommodate everyone safely.”
The competition emphasizes family-friendly content beyond pigeon viewing, including renowned foods and emotional highlights, securing its status as a must-visit spring event.
