As the spring wind blows, the pinkish white petals magically scatter and slowly spread out on the ground; these are cherry blossoms (벗꽃), the delicate and ephemeral flowers that many people chase for. When the cherry blossom season arrives, it also marks the end of winter as the temperature become mild and pleasant, and the people start to go outdoors and the streets become lively again. Cherry blossom viewing certainly has become one of the top activities in Korea during the spring season.
Typically, the blooming starts in the Southern region in late March and then move into the Northern region in mid-April. Seeing cherry blossoms in Korea is not as difficult as you might think; in fact, it is almost anywhere along the streets and especially in the parks.
In this post, we’ve rounded up a list of great locations where you can marvel at these breathtaking blooms in Korea. Let's begin from the south and slowly move upward!
1. 10ri Cherry Blossom Road/Wedding Road (Hwagae) |
| The Magical Moment at Sasang Park |
Typically, the blooming starts in the Southern region in late March and then move into the Northern region in mid-April. Seeing cherry blossoms in Korea is not as difficult as you might think; in fact, it is almost anywhere along the streets and especially in the parks.
In this post, we’ve rounded up a list of great locations where you can marvel at these breathtaking blooms in Korea. Let's begin from the south and slowly move upward!
The 10ri Cherry Blossom Road, also known as the Wedding Road is one of our top 3 favourite places for cherry blossom in Korea. This scenic road with an endless view of cherry blossom stretch over 6 km from Hwagae Market to Ssanggyesa Temple is simply glorious. And the people believe that "if a couple walking down this road together hand in hand, they live happily together forever". This is the place where the Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival will be held. | Location: Click here for Map
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| Tea Plantation |
2. Gyeonghwa Station (Jinhae)
Geyonghwa Station is one of the top attractions during the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, especially for those who love trains and railway. This 800m-long stretch of railway at Gyeonghwa Station was lined with cherry blossom trees provide a lot of photo shooting opportunities. | Location: Click here for Map
3. Yeojwacheon Stream (Jinhae)
Yeojwacheon Stream is another popular cherry blossom attraction during the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival. This 1.5 km-long stream is lined with cherry blossom trees on its both sides. This is one of the scenic spots you shouldn't miss. | Location: Click here for Map
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| Street Art Installation |
4. Sasang Park (Busan)
Sasang Park is also one of our top 3 favourite places for cherry blossom in Korea. We discovered this beautiful place by chance while we were on our way to Hwagae by bus; immediately the next day, we made a trip there before heading towards Jinhae. This pedestrian and bicycle friendly park that stretches over a few of km is lined with stunning cherry blossom trees on its both sides. Go there early in the morning for a serenity moment! | Location: Click here for Map
5. Dalmaji-gil Road (Busan)
Dalmaji-gil Road is a sidewalk in the Haeundae district and it is also one of the most popular cherry blossoms viewing spots in Busan. In springtime, the cherry trees that line along the road bloom spectacularly and attract many to take a pleasant walk under these beautiful blossoming flowers. | Location: Click here for Map
6. Oncheon Stream Park (Busan)
The Oncheon Stream Park is a 10km pathway that runs along the banks of the river from Dongnae district to Yeonje district. This neighbourhood park provides the residents a big recreational area for walking, cycling, exercise and etc. In the spring season, the park turns into a festival ground and the walking course will be covered with colorful flowers and blooming cherry blossoms. | Location: Click here for Map
7. Bulguksa Temple (Gyeongju)
Bulguksa Temple is a UNESCO heritage site in Korea, and this majestic temple is also one of the top destinations in Gyeongju. When you are approaching the temple, you will be welcomed by the magnificent sight of the cherry blossoms around the compound. | Location: Click here for Map
8. Gyeongju Historic Area (Gyeongju)
Gyeongju Historic Area is the traditional city of Korea. In springtime, cherry blossom festival is held all over the city of Gyeongju. Around this historic area, not only you can see lots of blooming cherry blossoms, but also other colorful flowers like rape and etc. | Location: Click here for Map
9. Andong Hahoe Folk Village (Andong)
The Andong Hahoe Folk Village is another UNESCO heritage site in Korea and another one of our top 3 favourite places for cherry blossom in Korea. This village is popular for its traditional houses with a breathtaking scenery, especially during the peak of cherry blossom season; the passage to the village will be covered with charming cherry blossom. At Andong Hahoe Folk Village, you can travel back in time and immerse yourself in the peaceful and calm community from the Joseon Dynasty. | Location: Click here for Map
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| Traditional Houses with Cherry Blossoms |
10. Yeouido Park (Seoul)
Yeouido Park is a big recreational space in the Central district of Seoul, and this is the place where the annual Yeouido Spring Flower Festival will be held. Every year, this massive spring festival attracts many visitors from around the world to come and enjoy the lovely cherry blossoms, street performances, exhibitions, street food and etc. This is absolutely one of the most popular places for cherry blossom in Seoul or Korea. | Location: Click here for Map
Next, these are the bonus places that are not really famous for cherry blossom viewing, but most of the visitors come here for its attraction. However, you can still enjoy some cherry blossom beauty in these places during the spring season.
Bonus 1. Jehwangsan Park (Jinhae)
The Jehwangsan Park is also one of the attractions during the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, and quite often overshadowed by the Geyonghwa Station and Yeojwacheon Stream. This is where the Jinhae Tower is located and this 9th-storey tower provides a panoramic view of Jinhae city. | Location: Click here for Map
Bonus 2. Gamcheon Culture Village (Busan)
The Gamcheon Culture Village is a hillside village in the Saha district of Busan. This beautiful quaint village is well-known for its steep and narrow pedestrian stairways, vibrant and colorful houses, which becoming one of the top destinations in Busan in the recent years. The scenery of the village become even more stunning when the cherry blossoms bloom against the backdrop of the colorful village in the spring season. | Location: Click here for Map
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| Twilight at Gamcheon Culture Village |
Bonus 3. Beomeosa Temple (Busan)
Beomeosa Temple is a popular Buddhist temple with more than 1,300 years history, which is situated on the slope of the famous Mt. Geumjeongsan in Busan. A view of the picturesque temple structure with blooming cherry blossoms in spring is a great bonus. | Location: Click here for Map
Bonus 4. Apsan Park (Daegu)
Apsan Park is a large nature park, which is located at the foot of the Apsan Mountain in the south of Daegu. Many visitors who come here will go to the Apsan Observatory to capture the breathtaking panoramic view of Daegu. While you are going to take a cable car ride, you will be entertained by the lovely cherry blossoms along the way. | Location: Click here for Map
If you are flexible with your travel plan, I strongly advise you to start from the south and slowly move northward if you want to get the most out of your cherry blossom hunting in Korea. Personally, I have visited Korea twice during the cherry blossom season; based on my past experience, the estimated best time to visit the Southern region is between 30th March to 5th April, Central region is between 5th to 10th April and Northern region is between 10th to 15th April. Good luck to your cherry blossom hunting!
Related Posts:
- Jinhae Gunhangje Festival
- Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival
- The Best Breakfast in Busan
Written by: Q.J.
Photography by: Q.J. & K.K.