The arrival of 2025 marks the Year of the Blue Snake in the sexagenary cycle. The snake, the sixth sign among the 12 Asian zodiac signs, has long been feared and worshipped by the Korean people as a symbol of revival, wise improvements and new beginnings.

According to the National Geographic Information Institute, Korea has 208 regions with names associated with the legless creature.

In celebration of the Year of the Snake, here are some selected snake-themed travel destinations.

A sculpture of two 2025-shaped snakes made of 4 tons of silver grass stands at World Cup Park in Seoul, Dec. 29. Yonhap

Make wish to 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 silver grass 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 4 tons of silver grass were used to make the sculpture, and children and their families participated in the production of the snakes' bodies and eggs.

The snake couple each boasts a large size of 3.5 meters in height and 4 meters in length, and the four eggs laid by the snake are 1 meter in height and 1.5 meters in length.

At night, the snakes are lit up with LEDs, surrounded by other light fixtures shaped like snowflakes, stars and waterdrops throughout the entire park.

The park also features a wish tree where visitors can write down their wishes and hang them. During this year's Lunar New Year holiday, which falls on Jan. 29, traditional Korean games such as throwing rings and playing "yut" (Korean traditional board game) will also be available.

Anyone can participate in all programs of this event without a prior reservation, and the lighting viewing time is from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. every evening.

An aerial view of the Cheongsapo bridge observatory in Busan / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization

Seaside walk at Cheongsapo in Busan

Cheongsapo in the southeastern port city of Busan is a charming seaside town, traditionally 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: A very distant time ago, there lived a good couple here who loved and cared very much for each other. One day, the husband went out to sea to catch fish, and died in an accident.

The wife climbed a pine tree in the village 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 that led to her husband.

Lighthouses at Cheongsapo in Busan / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization

The place where visitors can view the beautiful Cheongsapo seaside more closely is the Cheongsapo bridge observatory, shaped like a blue snake itself.

The quiet and relaxing town also features small alleys with many fancy coffee shops.

A sea view from Jangsa Island in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization

Camellia trail at Tongyeong's Jangsa Island

Tongyeong's Jangsa Island in South Gyeongsang Province, which is about 1 kilometer west of Geoje Island, has the shape of a snake, hence its name meaning "long snake" in Chinese characters.

Located within the Hallyeohaesang National Park, the island boasts over 100,000 camellias and silver magnolias along with natural monuments like the fairy pitta, sickle neofinetia and seongnan orchids.

More than 200 kinds of native flowers and 1,000 kinds of various plants also bloom on the island during all four seasons.

A trail features camellia trees at Jangsa Island in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province. Courtesy of South Gyeongsang Provincial Government

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 neighboring islands of the South Sea at a glance, including Sodeok Island, Daedeok Island, Maemul Island, Somaemul Island, Gayak Island, Guk Island and Soji Island.

An aerial view of Baemsagol, a valley in Namwon, North Jeolla Province, Sept. 16, 2022 / Korea Times photo by Choi Heung-soo

Valley hiking at Baemsagol in Namwon

Baemsagol, located 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 9 kilometers resembles a large snake crawling out of the mountain and has many snakes, or "baem" in Korean, so it was named.

Stones are stacked atop a boulder along a stream at Baemsagol in Namwon, North Jeolla Province, Sept. 16, 2022. Korea Times photo by Choi Heung-soo

Stretching from Banyabong Peak and Tokkibong Peak, the valley is renowned for its seasonal charms. The hills are ablaze with autumn hues in the fall, while azalea flowers fill the valley in spring.

The valley also features over 100 large waterfalls and small streams as well as wide rocks with room for hundreds of people to sit together, attracting visitors, especially during summer as a vacation destination.