Been wanting to visit "the Land of the Morning Calm"? Then mark down the months of spring because it's the best time to head there. Spring in South Korea begins in April and lasts until June.
The weather is the most pleasant during these months at around 15 to 18 degrees Celsius, which is great for staying cool while sightseeing, especially when you're hitting all the best flower-viewing spots!
Speaking of flowers, spring is also the season of cherry blossoms in South Korea, but they can start blooming as early as March. The pale pink and white flowers, along with other spring blooms, are celebrated all throughout the country with different flower festivals that bring locals and tourists from all over the world together.
South Korea is also home to a unique type of cherry blossom, the King Cherry Blossom, and you can spot them everywhere on Jeju Island!
There are even more ace viewing spots that have hundreds of cherry trees, themed delicacies, and cultural activities to help ring in the season. Since it's the most-awaited in the country, make sure to plan your itineraries and book your tickets as soon as you can with this spring guide to South Korea.
Where are the best places to see cherry blossoms in South Korea?
Although you'll be able to spot heaps of cherry trees wherever you explore in the country, you can also enjoy cherry blossom festivals in South Korea during the spring, especially in massive parks. But don't forget to check the cherry blossom forecast before you visit the best places to see and experience cherry blossoms in South Korea, so you can plan accordingly.
Oh, and if you need more help, here are the best spots to see the pink flora in Korea:
1. Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, Gyeongssangnam-do
Bloom into the new season and the new year at Jinhae! Credits to @xiaohelely on Instagram
Venture away from Seoul for a day to experience the largest cherry blossom festival in the country. During April in South Korea [keyword variation: april in Korea], the village of Jinhae transforms into a pink wonderland for the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival.
The best spot to see them is the Yeojwacheon Stream, where 350,000 cherry trees line both sides of the stream. K-drama fans will especially love this spot as the stream's bridge was used in the filming of the 2002 drama "Romance," after which the bridge was renamed the 'Romance Bridge.'
There'll also be several stalls around for you to get your fix of cherry blossom-themed food in South Korea, like cherry blossom ice cream and cherry blossom bread.
Gyoenghwa Station is another great spot to see the cherry blossoms as the trees line the track on either side, and the train passing through makes for a beautiful, movie-worthy shot.
Klook Tip: The festival lasts for a few days, so make sure to avoid visiting during the weekends because it can get crowded with fellow cherry blossom lovers.
How to get there: From Seoul, head to the Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal for a four-and-a-half-hour bus ride.
Location: Tongsin-dong, Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongssangnam-do
2. Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival, Gyeongssangnam-do
By the way, the Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival offers this magical spring experience for free! Credits to @flowerbora
For a sweet escape from the city, join the Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival in Gyeongssangnam-do at the foothills of Jiri Mountain.
In spring, the area gets covered in a blanket of pink and white blossoms that give it a very romantic mood. It's a great destination for couples, as the highlight of the festival is the 10-ri Cherry Blossom Road, also locally known as Marriage Road.
It's a four-kilometre stretch of cherry blossom trees from Ssanggyesa Temple to Hwagaejangteo Market meant for couples to walk hand-in-hand through. According to an old legend, these couples are destined to get married and live happily together.
Don't have your other half? Feel free to make the journey with family as well because the path is filled with stalls selling local delicacies, like cherry blossom oysters, which are caught from the Seomjingang River.
How to get there: From Seoul, take a direct bus from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal to Hadong Bus Terminal. Once you arrive, it's a short walk to Hwagaejangeto Market, and it's all pink after that!
Location: Maekjeon-gil, Hadong-gun, Gyeongssangnam-do
3. Busan Democracy Park and Jeonju Wansan Flower Garden
You won't find King cherry blossoms anywhere else! Credits to @katya_rogozkina on Instagram
If you've wondered what makes the cherry blossoms in South Korea different from those in other countries, it's the King cherry blossoms, which are native here. The King Korean cherry tree produces larger, brighter blooms than regular ones and can be seen during April in South Korea at a few locations, like Busan's Democracy Park and Jeonju's Wansan Flower Garden.
Busan Democracy Park honours the contributions of the citizens of Busan during the 4.19 Revolution, the Buma Democratic Movement, and the June Democratic Movement. In the springtime, you can explore the park under hundreds of King cherry blossoms, while learning more about South Korean history.
Spring flowers everywhere you turn! Credits to @skyless_dawn on Instagram
Wansan Flower Garden is another great spot for viewing king cherry blossoms, as well as other flowering trees. Spot bright royal azaleas, apple flowers, yellow apricots, and more in this carefully curated garden. It was first created and maintained for over 40 years by a Mr. Kim Yeong-Seop, until he donated it to the City of Jeonju for everyone to enjoy during South Korea's cherry blossom season!
Klook Tip: Visit the garden sometime in mid-April when all the flowers are in full bloom.
How to get there:
For Democracy Park: Take bus no. 38, 43, 70, 135, or 190 to get off directly at the park.
For Wansan Flower Garden: From Jeonju Hanok Village, cross the Ssajeon Dari Bridge and walk about 100 metres to a set of stairs in a mural village. Head up the stairs to reach Wansan Flower Garden.
Location:
- Busan Democracy Park, 19, Minjugongwon-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
- Wansan Flower Garden, Dongwansan-dong San 124-1, Wansan-gu, Jeonju
4. Nami Island, Gangwon-do
You'll love walking among all the cherry trees at Nami Island. Credits to @kuhanipia on Instagram
A trip to Nami Island should be at the top of your South Korea bucket list or itinerary for its grouse nature views. The countryside destination changes scenery every season, and in the spring, the island is completely covered in cherry blossoms, creating a pink wonderland!
Make sure to stop by Cherry Tree Lane in front of the Water Stages Swimming Pool for the best pics. But if you just wanna spend a chill day on the island, we recommend a stroll through the tree-lined paths, a picnic by the water, and a spontaneous photoshoot by the filming locations used in the drama "Winter Sonata."
How to get there: From Seoul, take the ITX train from Cheongnyangni Station or Yongsan Station to Gapyeong Station. From there, hop on the Gapyeong City Tour Bus or take a taxi to Gapyeong Wharf to take a ferry to Nami Island.
Location: 1 Namisum-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do
5. Dream Forest and Yeouido Park, Seoul
Say hello to the spring flowers at Dream Forest! Credits to @azucena__zuniga_ on Instagram
If you're already in Seoul to cross off some bucket list items or get some K-beauty shopping done, you should know that you don't have to travel far from the city to see the lovely spring flowers. There are tonnes of places to see cherry blossoms in Seoul for an unforgettable spring trip.
Dream Forest is the fourth largest park in Seoul after Seoul Forest, Olympic Park, and World Cup Park. In the spring, the Cherry Blossom Path opens up to transport guests into a pink paradise that truly feels like it's from a dream. Within the forest, you'll find different attractions to make you fall deeper in love with nature, like the Aewoljeong Pavilion, the Wild Grass Garden, a Deer Garden, and Changnyeongwigung Ancestral Square.
Every day is a great day for a picnic during the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival. Credits to @alexandraolesen on Instagram
Yeouido Park is particularly famous for the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival and having the best spot for enjoying the 1,400 beautiful cherry blossom trees in the park. The best way to enjoy it: lay down your picnic blanket in front of the Han River to feel like a main character in a K-drama!
There are also a variety of food stalls, street performances, and exhibits to welcome the new season and help you reconnect with the outdoors.
How to get there:
For Dream Forest: Take Subway Line 4 to Miasamgeori Station (Exit 1), then take Local Bus 9 or 11 for 10 minutes until you reach the park. Or, take Subway Line 6 to Dolgoji Station (Exit 3), then take City Bus 147 for five minutes to the park.
For Yeouido Park: Take Subway Line 5 to Yeouinaru Station or Yeouido Station.
Location:
- Dream Forest, 173, Wolgye-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
- Yeouido Park, 68, Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
6. Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival
See King cherry blossoms up close. Credits to @s.elin___ on Instagram
Jeju Island is already a popular vacation spot thanks to its relaxing ambience and nature-focused experiences, but it gets even more beautiful in the spring as King cherry blossoms take over the island. The island's southern location and warmer weather allow its cherry blossom trees to bloom ahead of the rest of the country. Fun fact: King cherry blossoms actually originated in Jeju!
The Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Seogwipo's downtown areas, as well as tree-lined areas, like Jeonnong-ro, Jeju City, the entrance to Jeju National University, and Jangjeon-ri, Aewol-eup. The festival lasts three days and features local music, performances, and fun contests.
There are also dozens of stalls around selling cherry blossom-themed treats and souvenirs to commemorate your trip.
How to get there: 10-minute cab ride from Jeju International Airport
Location: Jeonnong-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
7. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul
See the spring flowers in full bloom at this grand palace. Credits to @chuaenlai on Instagram
The Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the most iconic sights in Seoul, thanks to its rich history and captivating scenery. It's the largest of the five palaces that were used during the Joseon Dynasty, so you can spend a whole afternoon roaming the palace grounds.
Visit its charming spots, like the Gyeonghoe-ru Pavilion and the Hyangwonjeong Pond, for a photo by the water. Make time to witness the iconic Changing of the Royal Guard and the Patrol Ritual for a better peek into the traditional life back then.
Although renting a traditional hanbok is a great way to gain free admission into the palace, they also make for cute pics with the cherry blossom trees scattered all around—an experience you can only get during spring in Korea.
How to get there: Board Subway Line 3 (Exit 5) and get off at Gyeongbokgung Station. The palace is a short walk from there.
Location: 161 Sajik-ro, Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Whether you decide to join the many cherry blossom festivals or spend a relaxing day under the trees at these viewing spots, you're sure to have a memorable spring in the country. Thanks to the bright, blooming flowers, you'll see some of Korea's top attractions with a different vibe in the spring. Plus, it's a perfect trip for families, couples, and mates because who doesn't love cherry blossoms?
Written by: Gabby Mendoza
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