[K-TRAVEL] 2017 Edition: 5 Places You Have to Visit in South Korea During Spring!

The time of the year is here again! While we introduced some Spring festivals you should not miss last year, we’ve come up with another list for the 2017 edition if you’re planning a trip to South Korea to catch the cherry blossoms!

Spring is a popular season for traveling, boosting iconic cherry blossoms and picturesque scenery all over the country. Here are some destinations in South Korea that you have to visit if you are heading there for a Spring vacation!

1. Yeouido’s Yeouiseo-ro Road, Seoul’s symbolic cherry blossom tunnel!

This location is like a scene straight out of a Korean drama, an endless tunnel lined with cherry blossom trees on both sides. It stretches on for 1.7 kilometres, and contains 1,800 cherry blossom trees!

If you visit here at night, you’ll be serenaded with beautiful cherry blossoms that lit up in various colored lights, perfect for more photo opportunities! The flowers bloom from early to mid-April, so be sure to plan your visit wisely!

Getting here: 5 mins walk from National Assembly Station (Subway Line 9), Exit 1 or 6. Areas of Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (Behind the National Assembly Building).

2. Namsan Park’s Circular Road

The Namsan Park’s Circular Road is a beautiful scenic route lined with forsythias, azaleas, and cherry blossoms. The walk begins from Namsan Library and takes about 40 minutes to Namsan Octagonal Pavilion at the top of the mountain, boosting a magnificent view of Seoul.

Getting here: Chungmuro Station (Subway Line 3, 4), Exit 2. Take the Namsan Circulation Bus No. 02 or 05 and alight at National Theater of Korea Bus Stop. Walk 100m ahead and spot the Namsan Octagonal Pavilion.

3. Tulip Festival at Everland!

Everland holds the Tulip Festival annually to celebrate the arrival of Spring. In addition to Everland’s tulip and rose gardens, the whole park will be decorated with azaleas, forsythias, camellias and freesias. Guests are welcome to enjoy events such as parades and performances. At night, the flowers will be illuminated, making for some gorgeous displays.

Getting here: If you’re thinking of heading there, our recommended mode of transportation is to head to Gangnam Station in Seoul, and take Bus 5002 to Everland. The bus stop can be found if you keep walking straight out from Exit 10, it comes every 15 minutes from 6:20 a.m. to 23:00 p.m. and will take approximately 90 minutes to reach the bus parking lot of Everland, so don’t miss your stop if you fall asleep!

4. 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. During Spring, lights strung around the trees create a romantic atmosphere as the cherry blossoms and lights reflect on the lake after sunset.

A large field carpeted with soft green grass is free for visitors to picnic and savour the scenery. Visitors can also get their fill of flowers by stopping at the nearby International Horticulture Goyang Korea, exhibiting flowers from all over the world!

Getting here: Jeongbalsan Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 2. Walk for about 5 miniutes to arrive at Ilsan Lake Park.

5. Jinhae Gunhangje Festival at Jinhae’s Yeojwacheon Stream

The city of Jinhae comes alive in Spring when the Jinhae Gunhangjae Festival takes place and approximately 360,000 cherry trees begin to bloom. Though 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.

Getting here: Take an intercity bus to Jinhae from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal. Alight at Jinhae Intercity Bus Terminal, head straight for 30m and turn right onto Jungwondong-ro Road. Continue straight to the area of the festival.

Planning a trip to South Korea soon? Make sure you don’t miss the cherry blossom sightings there!