Korea’s cherry blossoms are the highlight of the spring season, and definitely worth a trip. But with such a short blooming period, these beautiful flowers are hard to catch. Luckily, there are spring festivals all over the country for the cherry blossoms that travelers can join in. Here’s a guide to the best time and place to catch the cherry blossoms this 2019!
Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival
If the cherry blossoms are your main agenda for your spring Korea trip, then catch the Jinhae Cherry Blossom festival. The largest and grandest of its kind in the whole country, the small naval town of Jinhae comes alive as over 350,000 cherry blossom trees come into full bloom. Jinhae’s flowers are also some of the most fleeting, but you can book a day tour ahead to guarantee a spot.
- Dates: Early April
Seoul: Yeouido Spring Flower Festival
This festival is ideal if you may not have the time to explore outside of Seoul. Yeouiseo-ro Street is easily accessible by public transport, with an impressive 1,886 cherry blossom trees in full blooms this time of year.
- Dates: Mid-April
Jeju Island: Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival
Jeju Island is often seen as a summer getaway, with its pristine beaches, sparkling oceans, and volcanic landscapes. But come spring time, you’ll find Korea’s first brush of cherry blossoms. Jeju’s Cherry Blossom Festival features lots of photo opportunities and programs tourists are sure to enjoy.
- Dates: March 23 – 30
Gangwon-do: Nami Island (Early April)
Discover rural Korea at this must-see tourist spot. Nami Island, which is just a short day trip from Seoul, is a scenic tourist spot and the setting of many famous K-Dramas. In spring, the entire island atmosphere is peaceful and romantic.
- Dates: April 6 – April 13
Taean: Taean International Tulip Festival
For an off-beat, but equally rewarding Spring festival, head to Taean for the world-famous Taean International Tulip Festival. The bright and vivid colors of the tulips, as well as a number of other exotic flowers are a cheery welcome to a new season.
- Dates: Mid-April – Early May
Now that you’ve got the timings down, which festival are you excited to experience? From Jinhae to Taean, you can surround yourself in nature’s most delicate blooms and pink petals to unleash your inner poet. Welcome Spring in the most spectacular way in Korea with KKday!
For more info, check out our other Korea cherry blossom guides below: