Spring Blossoms in Korea: Floral Festivals Bloom Until May

Situated in the temperate zone, South Korea offers breathtaking cherry blossom views that are no less impressive than Japan's. Different from the stereotypical image of cherry blossoms in Japan, the blossoms throughout Korea—from mountains to city streets—are largely uniform in color and shape, covering entire areas in pure white. Sunlight streaming through the branches, buds, and petals creates an extremely spectacular and dazzling sight. As winter gradually fades away in Korea, spring arrives with its warm weather and blooming flowers. Along with the spring rains that symbolize the arrival of the season, the Meteorological Agency has forecasted the dates when spring flowers will bloom. Cherry blossoms can already be seen on Jeju Island as early as March 21.

The 2010 floral season in Korea is expected to arrive about three days earlier than last year. News of the blooming flowers first comes from Jeju’s Seogwipo, the southernmost part of the country. Forsythia and azaleas are predicted to start blooming on March 11 and 12 respectively, while the Seoul area is expected to see blossoms around March 27 and 28. In April, you can visit Yangyang to admire peach blossoms, set against distant mountains and blue skies, creating a serene and leisurely atmosphere.

Cherry blossoms in Korea bloom progressively northward as temperatures rise. Jeju, where blossoms appear earliest, is expected to flower around March 21, followed by Busan on March 24, South Gyeongsang Province on March 26, North Jeolla Province around April 1, Gangwon Province on April 6, and Incheon on April 10. There are many representative spring flowers in Korea, and the country also hosts numerous spring festivals. In addition to the highly anticipated cherry blossom season—known as the “Queen of Spring Flowers”—various other festivals themed around traditional culture and recreational activities are held across the nation.

From March 13 to March 21, the “Gwangyang Maesil Festival” is held in the Maesil Village area of Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province. Around 100,000 pyeong of plum trees are planted on the slopes of Baekun Mountain in Maesil Village. When the plum trees bloom, the sight of falling blossoms is truly moving. From April 10 to April 11, the “Jeju Canola Flower Festival” takes place on Jeju Island, featuring dazzling golden canola flowers. Jeju, which feels the first spring breeze in Korea, sees a large influx of tourists eager to see the canola blossoms starting in February. The Jeju Canola Flower Festival, held to promote the beauty of the island’s iconic plant and related products, attracts numerous visitors every year and is one of Jeju’s most famous festivals.

In spring, Korea also hosts many festivals where you can enjoy local delicacies. These include the “Gwangalli Fish Market Festival,” “Gyeongju Traditional Liquor and Rice Cake Festival,” “Sansan Korean Herbal Medicine Festival,” and “Hadong Wild Tea Culture Festival.” For more information on Korean festivals, please visit the official website of the Korea Tourism Organization.

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