It’s often said that beautiful things are fleeting—and that perfectly describes cherry blossoms. The blooming period from full bloom to petal fall lasts only about a week, so we must cherish this beautiful time even more. Today, travel expert Xiu has compiled a list of popular cherry blossom spots in Korea, from Seoul and nearby Gyeonggi Province to South Gyeongsang Province, along with some cherry blossom festivals to tell you about. This cherry blossom season, let’s go enjoy the blooms in Korea together!
?Korea Cherry Blossom Spots at a Glance
Seoul
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Best blooming period: Early April to mid-April
When talking about cherry blossom viewing in Seoul, how can we miss the iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace? Here, the changing of the seasons is very noticeable—each season brings its own unique charm. In spring, be sure to wear a hanbok when visiting Gyeongbokgung. This scene is one of the most representative sights of spring at the palace. These are weeping cherry blossoms, quite different from other types, and when paired with the palace architecture, they create a feeling as if you’ve traveled back to the Joseon Dynasty.
*Fun Fact:During the Joseon Dynasty, Hyangwonjeong Pavilion was a place used for celebrations or receiving foreign envoys. Special guided tours are also held here every spring. Normally, Hyangwonjeong is not open to the public, but it is opened during special periods.
?Transportation: Exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Seoul Subway Line 3
?Official Website:Gyeongbokgung (English)
Yeouido
Best blooming period: Early April to mid-April
The hottest spot for cherry blossom viewing in Seoul is Yeouido. This long cherry blossom tunnel features around 1,500 cherry trees, with the entire street covered in blooms. Every early April, the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival is held here, attracting many vendors. You can enjoy street food while admiring the blossoms, or head to the large grassy area for a picnic under the blooms. At night, you can also see the cherry blossoms illuminated—a whole new perspective that’s highly recommended!
*Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival:Held annually in early April
?Transportation:
Exit 1 or 6 of National Assembly Station on Seoul Subway Line 9
Exit 1 of Yeouinaru Station on Seoul Subway Line 5
?Official Website:Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival
Namsan
Best blooming period: Early April to mid-April
Namsan is the symbol of romance in Seoul, home to the dating hotspot N Seoul Tower, the historic Namsangol Hanok Village, as well as Namsan Circular Trail and Namsan Park. In spring, Namsan is enveloped in cherry blossoms, making it a perfect spot for couples, friends, or family outings. You can hike up the mountain, take the cable car, or stroll down. Once at the top, visit N Seoul Tower for a panoramic view of Seoul. If you’re not into hiking, don’t worry—the trails on Namsan are gentle, and you might find yourself reaching the summit without even realizing it, all while leisurely snapping photos along the way.
? Transportation:
Hiking Trail – Exit 3 of Myeongdong Station, Line 4
Cable Car – Exit 4 of Myeongdong Station, Line 4
Gyeonggi Province
Bucheon Toseong Mountain Cherry Blossom Festival
Best Viewing Period: Early April to Mid-April
The Bucheon Toseong Mountain Cherry Blossom Festival is also a very famous floral event in Korea, located in Gyeonggi Province. In fact, you can get there by subway, making transportation very convenient. This festival has been running for 20 years, and although it only lasts two days, those days are truly spectacular. Alongside a variety of Korean street food, there are also many traditional Korean performances and activities to enjoy. It’s highly recommended for families to come together and celebrate. As night falls, the festival features its signature five-color illuminated night cherry blossoms.
*Bucheon Toseong Mountain Cherry Blossom Festival:Weekends in mid-April
? Transportation:
Seoul Subway Line 7, Chwihyang Station, Exit 8
Seoul Subway Line 7, Bucheon Sports Complex Station, Exit 4
? Official Website:Bucheon Toseong Mountain Cherry Blossom Festival
Ilsan Lake Park
Best Viewing Period: Early April to Mid-April
Ilsan Lake Park is Asia’s largest artificial lake park, offering different scenery in every season. Especially in spring, when cherry blossoms and forsythia bloom, it's as if they’re announcing that spring has arrived. The beautiful scenery of Ilsan Lake Park has also attracted many Korean dramas to film here, such as “You're Beautiful,” “W: Two Worlds,” “Dream High,” and the Korean variety show “Running Man” has also shot scenes here. Are you starting to get interested and want to see its true beauty for yourself?
When visiting Ilsan Lake Park, it’s recommended to ride a bike, take a stroll, or plan an afternoon picnic among the blossoms — all wonderful ways to enjoy the park.
? Recommended Activities: Walking, Picnicking, Cycling (Self-service bike rental area at Exit 2 of Jeongbalsan Station)
? Transportation: Seoul Subway Line 3, Jeongbalsan Station, Exit 2
Other Regions
Gyeongju | North Gyeongsang Province
Best Viewing Period: Late March to Early April
For those who love history and cherry blossoms, I highly recommend visiting Gyeongju to see the cherry blossoms. Gyeongju is known as the historical capital of Korea, where the most beautiful sights along the roads are various historical relics. In spring, adorned with cherry blossoms, it becomes even more picturesque and steeped in history. Moreover, Gyeongju is a city blanketed in cherry blossoms, with the entire urban area and sightseeing spots offering views filled only with cherry blossoms. You can start enjoying and photographing the blooms anywhere — isn’t that tempting?
Ten-Mile Cherry Blossom Road | Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province
Best blooming period: Late March to early April
Known as the most beautiful road in all of Korea when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in spring, the Ten-Mile Cherry Blossom Road is also famed as the "Road of Love." Legend has it that if a couple holds hands and walks together along this ten-mile stretch of cherry blossoms, they will grow old together. What are you waiting for? Bring the one you want to hold hands with for a lifetime here. Most of the cherry trees along the road are over 60 years old, creating a continuous canopy for ten kilometers. When a gentle breeze comes, the petals fall like snowflakes — it’s truly a breathtaking view you need to see at least once in your life.
Jinhae Gunhangje Festival | Jinhae, South Gyeongsang Province
Best blooming period: Late March to early April
Jinhae in Korea is planted with numerous cherry blossom trees and is known as the best place in the country to enjoy cherry blossoms. Every spring, it hosts the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, the largest spring festival in Korea, attracting over two million visitors. Originally held to commemorate Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s triumphant return after a difficult war, it has now become a cherished tradition in Jinhae. Here, you can enjoy cherry blossoms while experiencing traditional Korean activities, watching military band performances, and visiting the military academy, which is only open during the festival.
The Yosu Stream Starlight Festival is one of the main events of the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival. At night, the cherry blossoms are illuminated with lights and decorated with festive ornaments, creating an even more romantic atmosphere. It’s truly one of the classic cherry blossom viewing spots you shouldn’t miss.
Jeju Island
Best blooming period: Late March to mid-April
Finally, let us introduce Jeju Island to you. Jeju is the first place in Korea where you can see cherry blossoms, and it also features different varieties, such as the Jeju Halla cherry blossom, which has larger, pinker petals that resemble peaches — making them look even more adorable and lively. Moreover, the blooming period on Jeju is relatively long, with cherry blossoms visible from late March to mid-April. Jeju Island is also ranked as the top domestic vacation destination for Koreans. Come and experience the charm of Jeju in spring.
That’s all for our special feature on cherry blossom spots in Korea. We’ve gathered nine classic must-visit cherry blossom locations across Korea, from Seoul to Jeju Island. After seeing these, aren’t you eager to book a flight and fly to Korea for some cherry blossom viewing? With such a short blooming season, let’s not miss out. I’m off to book my ticket — see you in Korea.
Text by Katrina.C | Tripresso Travel Cafe Editorial Team