5 best places to admire cherry blossoms in South Korea

When spring comes, the whole Korea is even more breathtaking as the sight of cherry blossoms blooming in every corner of the country. To have the best cherry blossom experience in Korea, don't forget to visit these 5 destinations below.

Jinhae Gunhangje Festival (Jinhae)

Perhaps the most popular place to see the cherry blossoms in all their glory is in the small military port of Jinhae near Korea’s south coast. Once a year, usually in early April, the city hosts thousands of tourists at its Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, the largest and most famous of the country’s cherry blossom festivals. In addition to the spectacular displays of cherry blossom trees, the festival also gives visitors the opportunity to tour a replica of one of Admiral Lee Sun-Shin’s famous turtle ships, a Korean warship that was used by the Royal Korean Navy from as early as the 15th century.

Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival (Hwagae)

Situated in the foothills of Jiri Mountain, Hwagae is about as rural and isolated as Korea gets. When April arrives, the region becomes blanketed in a snow of white and soft pink. The highlight of the festival is the “10ri Cherry Blossom Road,” a romantic, four kilometer long stretch of cherry blossom trees. It is also known by locals as “Marriage Road,” as it is said that lovers who walk hand-in-hand under the trees will get married and live happily ever after.

Gyeongju

Although Korea’s “museum without walls” doesn’t have a dedicated festival to celebrate the cherry blossom, the city of Gyeongju is still a great place to see the beloved flower. The city’s unique landscape, made up of giant tumuli, or ancient, grass-covered royal tombs, provides a colorful contrast to the blooms, while the trees make the beautifully preserved historical artifacts that dot the city even more picturesque than usual. To experience the best of Gyeongju in spring, rent a bike from one of the many rental shops near the central bus terminal.

Yeouido Spring Flower Festival (Seoul)

Seoul, too, has its fair share of cherry blossom viewing sites, and Yeouido, an island situated on the Han River, is the most accessible (and most visited) of the bunch. The focus of the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival is, of course, the cherry blossom trees, of which there are more than 1,400 in full bloom. There are also a variety of street performances, food vendors and countless exhibits, making the festival a great place to enjoy the great outdoors and defrost after a long, cold winter.

Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival (Seoul)

Another well known cherry blossom viewing site is Seokchon Lake in eastern Seoul. It is especially popular with photographers who are eager to capture shots of the cherry blossoms and their reflection in the lake. The roller coasters and Cinderella-esque castle of the nearby Lotte World theme park add to the backdrop.

See more: Top tourist attractions in Seoul, South Korea

Source: theculturetrip

Where to see cherry blossom in Asia

Spring is nearly coming, that means time to enjoy the cherry blossom in the air. In Asia, you can easily catch the scent of cherry blossom falling in the land. Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea are the best places to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossom in the upcoming springtime.

TAIWAN

Alishan National Scenic Area 

Alishan is popular throughout the year as people take a trip up the mountain railway to witness the sunrise over the sea of clouds. However, cherry blossom season from January to April is the absolute best time to visit. The area is awash with color, and it’s simply breathtaking. If you’re heading to the scenic area, make sure to take the old train up part of the mountain. The scenery is spectacular, and it’s quite the experience.

Wuling Farm

Home to several fruit farms and set in the spectacular mountainous countryside of Taichung, it really is the perfect setting to unwind. And during the early months of the year, the area is transformed into a veritable sea of pink flowers.

See more: A quick guide to see cherry blossom in Taiwan

SOUTH KOREA

Jinhae

Jinhae, located near Busan, hosts the oldest and biggest cherry blossom festival in Korea. The city has one of the biggest concentration of cherry blossom trees in the world and the blooming flowers on hundreds of thousands of cherry trees turn the scenery into a pastel dream. Jinhae Gunhangjae Festival is definitely worth visiting even from Seoul.

Yeouido Park

Check out the Yeouido Flower Festival which is famous for its celebration of 1,886 Korean cherry trees. Get ready to feast your eyes at all the delicate sakura blooms during the cherry blossom season. Yeouido Park, located alongside the Han River, is one of the best and most popular spots to celebrate the beginning of spring! The Spring Flower Festival is the biggest spring festival in Seoul and the Yunjunro Street is lined up with blooming cherry trees for up to 6 km, so there are plenty of spots for admiring the scenery.

JAPAN

Hanamiyama Park (Fukushima)

Hanamiyama Park was opened to the public in 1959 to give the local community the opportunity to see the mountain’s beautiful array of flowers. In spring, the mountain comes to life with plum, cherry, and forsythia blossoms, as well as a wide range of other flowers. In full bloom the flowers paint the mountain in a gentle shade of pink, creating a surreal, fantastic atmosphere.

Mount Fuji

The only thing better than one Japanese national icon is two Japanese national icons – and for a couple of months each year you can get two for the price of one as Mount Fuji is surrounded by cherry blossom. There are numerous places from which to view Mount Fuji, but our favorites are Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes region. Fuji Five Lakes is perhaps better than Hakone when it comes to Sakura, and two of the best spots are the northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko and the Chureito Pagdo, built in the hills of Fujiyoshida City.

Shinjuku Gyoen (Tokyo)

Tokyo is famous the world over as a hyper-modern metropolis packed with high-rise buildings and flashing neon lights, and whilst this is true – there is also a surprising wealth of green spaces where you can take time out from the hustle and bustle of the city to relax. One of the best places to see cherry blossom in Tokyo is undoubtedly Shinjuku Gyoen, which is home to over one thousand cherry trees of both early- and late-blooming varieties, meaning that the sakura season here lasts longer than elsewhere in the city.

Source Internet