The book was wrong on the first point. There are plenty of interesting sights, as this album demonstrates. But it was right about the Buddah's birthday. Kangnung does do it up right, with tremendously colorful festivities.

The Buddha's birthday celebrations take place on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. Lanterns, sometimes with signed prayers written on them, are hung as symbols of the Buddhist's quest for enlightenment. Also on this day, monks and lay persons alike practice tapdori, or circling the pagoda, and offerings are made.