Spring at Changgyeonggung Palace
After the cold and colorless winter, spring is a welcome sight, with bright and colorful flowers at every turn. The sweet scent of blossoms permeates the air in both the heart of the city and the quietest of rural villages, making spring the best time to visit Korea. To make the most of this magical time of growth and renewal, read on to learn about the best places to visit.
Day trips around the Seoul metropolitan area
Yeouido's Yeouiseo-ro Road
Yeoui-do’s Yeouiseo-ro Road (Yunjung-ro Road)
Yeouiseo-ro Road (formerly known as Yunjung-ro Road), located behind the National Assembly Building in Yeouido, is one of the most popular destinations for viewing cherry blossoms. As cherry blossoms begin to fully bloom in early to mid-April, the 1.7 kilometer path lined with 1,800 cherry blossom trees transforms into a snow-white tunnel, accented with forsythia and other spring blossoms, just in time for Yeongdeungpo’s Yeouido Spring Flower Festival. Traffic is restricted in certain areas of Yeouiseo-ro Road during the festival period, allowing visitors to enjoy the cherry blossoms to their hearts’ content.
Address: Area of Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (Behind the National Assembly Building)
(서울특별시 영등포구 여의도동)
(서울특별시 영등포구 여의도동)
Namsan Park’s circuit road
Walking path in Namsan Park
Namsan Park’s circuit road, which connects Namsan Library, Namsan Octagonal Pavilion and the National Theater of Korea in Jangchung-dong, is a beautiful scenic route lined with forsythias, azaleas, and cherry blossoms. Although it stands at 262 meters above sea level, Namsan Mountain is a fairly easy walk and the blossoms make it that much more enjoyable. The walk begins from Namsan Library and takes about 40 minutes to reach Namsan Octagonal Pavilion located at the top of the mountain.
Address (Namsan Library): 109, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
(서울특별시 용산구 소월로 109)
(서울특별시 용산구 소월로 109)
Changgyeonggung Palace
Changgyeonggung Palace
Changgyeonggung Palace, one of the major royal palaces in Seoul, is a prime spot to view cherry blossoms. The palace creates a gorgeous backdrop for photos made by an assortment of cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, Korean bush cherry, sansuyu (cornus fruit) flowers, apricot blossoms and royal azaleas as they bloom among ancient architecture in the heart of Seoul. From time to time, visitors can spot a fantastic shower of cherry blossom petals raining over Okcheongyo Bridge.
Address: 185, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
(서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 185)
(서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 185)
Seokchon Lake
Seokchon Lake
The Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival is held every spring at Songpa Naru Park, a peaceful lake park that surrounds Lotte World. Seokchon Lake boasts approximately 1,000 mesmerizing cherry trees that form a tunnel of flowers around the lake, creating a fascinating scene in spring. Lotte World’s Magic Island appears to float in the middle of the lake. The festival offers events and family-fun activities for a perfect day out at Seokchon Lake. Nearby attractions include Lotte World Tower & Mall and Seoul Sky, Korea’s highest observation deck.
Address: 136, Samhaksa-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
(서울특별시 송파구삼학사로 136)
(서울특별시 송파구삼학사로 136)
Ilsan Lake Park
Ilsan Lake Park’s Wolpajeong Pavilion (Credit: Ilsan Lake Park)
Ilsan Lake Park is home to a large number of flowering shrubs and trees, including thousands of cherry trees surrounding the lake. After the sun sets, lights strung around the trees create a romantic atmosphere as the cherry blossoms and lights reflect on the lake. Daytime visitors can enjoy a picnic on the large lawn carpeted with soft green grass.
Address: 595, Hosu-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
(경기도 고양시 일산동구 호수로 595)
(경기도 고양시 일산동구 호수로 595)
Icheon Sansuyu Village
Icheon Sansuyu Village (Credit: Icheon-si)
Icheon is home to a huge number of sansuyu trees. These wild trees, many over 100 years old, are spread all over the city and found most abundant in the Baeksa-myeon area, which is referred to as Sansuyu Village. The Icheon Baeksa Sansuyu Flower Festival is held there every spring when the flowers bloom, coloring the village with vibrant yellow. The village has various walking paths that showcase the beautiful flowers.
Address: 17, Wonjeok-ro 775beon-gil, Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
(경기도 이천시 백사면 원적로775번길 17)
(경기도 이천시 백사면 원적로775번길 17)
Regional hot spots
Jinhae’s Yeojwacheon Stream
Yeojwacheon Stream
The city of Jinhae comes alive in spring when Jinhae Gunhangjae Festival takes place and approximately 360,000 cherry trees begin to bloom. Although the entire city is considered one of the top cherry blossom destinations, the most popular flower viewing areas are Anmingogae Hill, Jehwangsan Park, and Yeojwacheon Stream. In particular, an approximately 1.5-kilometer long section of Yeojwacheon Stream is lined with cherry blossoms, creating a tunnel of white petals. The sweet scent of canola flowers under the cherry trees will accompany visitors as they walk through the floral tunnel.
Address: Area of Yeojwa-dong, Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
(경상남도 창원시 진해구 여좌동)
(경상남도 창원시 진해구 여좌동)
Ssangyesa Temple Simni Cherry Blossom Road
Ssangyesa Temple Simni Cherry Blossom Road
The Simni (10ri) Cherry Blossom Road is a 6-kilometer road that stretches from Hwagae Market to Ssanggyesa Temple in Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. The road is often called the "wedding path" due to a belief that couples who walk along the road when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom will fall deeply in love with each other. It’s easy to see why people might believe this when the seemingly unending tunnel of light pink blossoms unfolds before you. The annual Hwagae Cherry Blossoms Festival takes place around this time when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom, adding a festive feeling to the road.
Address (Hwagae Market): 15, Ssanggye-ro, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
(경상남도 하동군 화개면 쌍계로15)
(경상남도 하동군 화개면 쌍계로15)
Cheongsando Island
Cheongsando Island
Cheongsando Island, part of the Dadohaehaesang National Park, is located about 19 kilometers south of Wando in Jeollanam-do. Cheongsando Island was designated as the first Asian "Slow City" and is home to the world’s first “Slow Road” as recognized by Cittaslow International, an organization aimed at promoting cities that preserve traditions and culture within a natural environment. With the arrival of spring, yellow canola flowers grow abundantly on the island and their fragrance fills the air. With clear blue skies, turquoise sea, and bright yellow flowers, the island remains a favorite springtime filming location for movies, dramas and TV commercials.
Address: Area of Cheongsan-myeon, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do
(전라남도 완도군 청산면)
(전라남도 완도군 청산면)
Jeju Seopjikoji
Seopjikoji
As Korea's southernmost land, Jeju Island is the first to see the blossoming of spring flowers, drawing in many tourists with the start of spring. Yellow canola flowers spring up far and wide on the island, creating picture perfect scenery in places like Seopjikoji. The view of natural fields of canola flowers set before the deep blue ocean is amazing. Visitors will be pleased to find uniquely shaped sculptures set in the fields of canola flowers for photos of their trip. Furthermore, pony rides are also available, an activity especially popular among families with children.
Address: 107, Seopjikoji-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
(제주특별자치도 서귀포시 성산읍 섭지코지로 107)
(제주특별자치도 서귀포시 성산읍 섭지코지로 107)
Yeongchwisan Mountain
Yeongchwisan Mountain (Credit: Yeosu City Hall)
Famous for the surrounding blue sea and beautiful islands, Yeosu is another popular destination for viewing spring flowers. Starting in April, pink azaleas color the ridges of Yeongchwisan Mountain, creating picturesque scenes against the deep blue ocean. The Yeongchwisan Azalea Festival is held annually in early April to celebrate spring.
