Korea Cherry Blossom Forecast: A Guide to the Best Spots & Festivals
When spring arrives, the first flower that comes to mind is undoubtedly the cherry blossom. Walking down streets dyed in brilliant pink, you can truly feel the arrival of spring. However, cherry blossoms reach their peak about a week after they first bloom and wither away just as quickly. Therefore, to fully enjoy the cherry blossoms, it's crucial to check the blooming and peak times in advance and plan your trip accordingly.
The timing of cherry blossoms can vary from the annual average depending on temperature changes. In this post, we will introduce the cherry blossom forecast along with 10 major cherry blossom spots and festivals across South Korea. Shall we discover the best destinations to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms this spring?
Top 20 Must-Visit Tourist Destinations in Samcheok, Korea - GybeLife
Discover the top 20 must-visit destinations in Samcheok, South Korea. Explore caves, beautiful beaches, unique parks, and scenic drives.
en.gybelife.com
7 Best Geoje Island Attractions for an Unforgettable Family Trip - GybeLife
Explore Geoje Island's 7 best family attractions. From Oedo Botania to Maemiseong Castle, find tips for your perfect South Korea island getaway.
en.gybelife.com
|
| Cherry Blossom Forecast |
Cherry Blossom Blooming Season
While the cherry blossom season varies by region depending on the local climate and temperature, the flowers generally bloom from late March to mid-April. Typically, Jeju Island and the southern regions are the first to bloom, followed by the central region and the metropolitan area, and finally, Gangwon-do and the northern regions see the blossoms at their peak.
Regional Cherry Blossom Forecast
Here is the estimated blooming schedule for each region based on average climate data.
| Region | Estimated Blooming Date | Peak Bloom Date |
|---|---|---|
| Jeju | Around Mar 20 | Around Mar 27 |
| Busan | Around Mar 24 | Around Mar 31 |
| Daegu | Around Mar 25 | Around Apr 1 |
| Gwangju | Around Mar 26 | Around Apr 2 |
| Jeonju | Around Mar 27 | Around Apr 3 |
| Daejeon | Around Mar 28 | Around Apr 4 |
| Seoul | Around Mar 31 | Around Apr 7 |
| Incheon | Around Apr 2 | Around Apr 9 |
| Chuncheon | Around Apr 4 | Around Apr 10 |
| Gangneung | Around Apr 5 | Around Apr 11 |
※ The blooming dates above are estimates based on averages and can change depending on actual weather and temperature conditions.
How Cherry Blossom Blooming is Predicted
The timing of cherry blossom blooming is primarily determined by temperature, precipitation, and sunshine duration. The warmer the temperature, the earlier the cherry blossoms bloom, and conversely, colder weather delays the blooming period. Generally, cherry blossoms begin to bloom when the average temperature exceeds 10°C (50°F).
Additionally, due to recent climate change, there has been a trend of earlier cherry blossom blooming. Therefore, if you are planning a trip, it is advisable to check the latest cherry blossom information released by meteorological agencies or related organizations before your departure.
Top 10 Cherry Blossom Spots & Festivals in Korea
While there are countless cherry blossom spots across the country, we have selected 10 representative locations that are especially popular. These places feature beautiful blossoms every year, and various regional cherry blossom festivals are also held.
Seoul – Yeouido Yunjung-ro Cherry Blossom Path
|
| Yunjung-ro |
- Festival: Yeouido Spring Flower Festival (early April)
- Features: Over 1,800 King Cherry trees bloom along the Yunjung-ro path, which can be enjoyed with a beautiful night view.
- Recommendation: Enjoy a cherry blossom walk during the day and the stunning illuminated scenery at night.
Busan – Dalmaji-gil & Samnak Park
|
| Samnak Park |
- Festival: Busan Samnak Cherry Blossom Festival (late March to early April)
- Features: Dalmaji-gil, famous for its driving course, and Samnak Park, a popular family outing spot.
- Recommendation: Enjoy a cherry blossom drive along the coastal road and have a picnic at Samnak Park.
Daegu – E-World 83 Tower & Duryu Park
|
| Duryu Park |
- Festival: Daegu Duryu Park Cherry Blossom Festival (late March to early April)
- Features: Cherry blossoms are in full bloom around Daegu's landmark, the 83 Tower, and Duryu Park.
- Recommendation: A place where you can enjoy both cherry blossoms and an amusement park.
Gwangju – Pungam Reservoir & Chonnam National University Campus
|
| Pungam Reservoir |
- Festival: Gwangju Pungam Reservoir Cherry Blossom Path Festival (early April)
- Features: A cherry blossom path harmonized with a lake, a favorite spot for Gwangju citizens.
- Recommendation: A walking path along the lake, perfect for leisurely enjoying the cherry blossoms.
Jeju – Jeonnong-ro & Halla Arboretum
|
| Halla Arboretum |
- Festival: Jeju King Cherry Blossom Festival (late March)
- Features: The first place in the country where cherry blossoms bloom, offering a spectacular view of King Cherry blossoms.
- Recommendation: Enjoy the cherry blossoms in Jeju's unique tranquil atmosphere.
Jinhae – Gyeonghwa Station & Yeojwacheon Stream
|
| Gyeonghwa Station |
- Festival: Jinhae Gunhangje Festival (early April)
- Features: Korea's largest cherry blossom festival. (Gunhangje means 'Naval Port Festival', celebrating the city's naval history.) It's a spectacular sight with blossoms along railway tracks and streams.
- Recommendation: The Gyeonghwa Station cherry blossom path where trains pass and the Yeojwacheon cherry blossom tunnel.
Gyeongju – Bomun Lake & Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond
|
| Bomun Lake |
- Festival: Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival (early April)
- Features: A harmonious blend of Silla historical sites and cherry blossoms, with the walking path around Bomun Lake being particularly popular.
- Recommendation: Explore Gyeongju's historical sites along with the cherry blossoms.
Gangneung – Gyeongpo Lake Cherry Blossom Path
|
| Gyeongpo Lake |
- Festival: Gangneung Gyeongpodae Cherry Blossom Festival (early April)
- Features: A cherry blossom spot where the lake and the sea come together.
- Recommendation: Ride a bike or enjoy a quiet walk along Gyeongpo Lake.
Jeonju – Jeonju Hanok Village & Wansan Park & Jeonju Zoo
|
| Jeonju Zoo |
- Festival: Jeonju Wansan Park Cherry Blossom Festival (early April)
- Features: Traditional cherry blossom scenery harmonizing with the Hanok Village, and the magnificent cherry blossom tunnel at Jeonju Zoo.
- Recommendation: A cherry blossom trip with a traditional vibe, complete with Jeonju bibimbap.
Incheon – Jayu Park & Wolmido Island
|
| Jayu Park |
- Festival: Incheon Jayu Park Cherry Blossom Festival (early April)
- Features: Enjoy cherry blossoms alongside architecture from the port opening period, and a cherry blossom path with the sea breeze of Wolmido.
- Recommendation: Enjoy the cherry blossoms at Jayu Park, the amusement rides on Wolmido, and the ocean view all at once.
TIP! Checklist for Planning Your Cherry Blossom Trip!
- Prepare for traffic: The cherry blossom season attracts large crowds, so using public transportation is recommended.
- Check the weather: The peak blooming period is short, so check weather information frequently.
- Research photo spots in advance: Finding popular photo spots beforehand can help you take even better pictures.
Recommended Cherry Blossom Trip Itineraries & Tips
Since the cherry blossom season is short, planning your travel itinerary in advance is important. Here are recommended travel itineraries for both public transport and car users.
Cherry Blossom Itineraries for Public Transport Users
Seoul Cherry Blossom Tour (Subway + Bus)
- Yeouido Yunjung-ro, Seokchon Lake, Seoul Forest
- Enjoy the Hangang River cherry blossom path, blossoms with Lotte World Tower in the background, and quiet park walks.
Busan Cherry Blossom Trip (Subway + Bus)
- Samnak Park, Dalmaji-gil, Haeundae Dongbaek Island
- Picnic spots, coastal road cherry blossom paths, and blossoms with the sea.
Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Trip (Express Bus + Taxi)
- Gyeongju Station, Bomun Lake, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Cheomseongdae, Bulguksa Temple
- Harmony of Silla historical sites and cherry blossoms, with a scenic drive around the lake.
Cherry Blossom Driving Courses for Car Users
Seoul-Gyeonggi Area Cherry Blossom Drive
- Namsan Circular Road, Yangjaecheon Cherry Blossom Path, Achasan Cherry Blossom Path
- Courses where you can enjoy the Seoul skyline and cherry blossoms together.
Busan-Gyeongnam Cherry Blossom Drive
- Jinhae Yeojwacheon Stream, Gyeonghwa Station, Changwon Anmin Hill
- A popular course where cherry blossom tunnels and railway scenery are in harmony.
Gangwon-do Cherry Blossom Drive
- Gyeongpo Lake, Jumunjin Coastal Road, Sokcho Yeongnangho Lake
- A driving course where you can appreciate cherry blossoms against the backdrop of lakes and the sea.
So far, we have summarized the nationwide cherry blossom forecast, recommended spots, and festival schedules. As the cherry blossom season is short, it is important to check the blooming times in advance and plan your trip accordingly.
This spring, make special memories with your loved ones while enjoying the beautiful cherry blossoms.