In April, Korea is in full bloom with streets blanketed in white cherry blossom petals, mountain ranges ablaze with yellow forsythias, nooks and crannies dazzling with sansuyu (cornus fruit) and more. Here is a list of the best places across the nation to visit this spring to enjoy Korea’s beautiful and colorful spring blossoms!

Spring Flower Sites in the Seoul Area

       Yeouido's Yunjung-ro Cherry Blossom Tunnel

Yunjung-ro Path, located behind the National Assembly Building in Yeouido, Seoul, is one of the most popular destinations for viewing cherry blossoms. As cherry blossoms begin to peak in early to mid-April, the 1.7 kilometer path lined with 1,400 cherry blossom trees transforms into a snow-white tunnel, just in time for the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival. Traffic is blocked off on some streets during the festival period, allowing visitors the opportunity to enjoy the cherry blossoms to their hearts’ content.

        Namsan Mountain's Cherry Blossoms and Forsythias

The Namsan Circular Road, which connects Namsan Library to Namsan Octagonal Pavilion and the National Theater of Korea in Jangchung-dong, is a beautiful scenic route lined with forsythias, azaleas, and cherry blossoms. Although it stands at 262 meters above sea level, Namsan Mountain is a fairly easy walk.

The walk from Namsan Library at the base to Palgakjeong Pavilion at the top of the mountain takes about 40 minutes. Alternatives to walking include taking Namsan Cable Car or Namsan Shuttle Bus to the top, both of which offer fantastic views of Seoul.

        Changgyeonggung Palace Cherry Blossoms

Changgyeonggung Palace, one of the major royal palaces in Seoul, is a prime spot for cherry blossoms. The palace creates a gorgeous backdrop for photos made by cherry blossoms as they bloom among ancient architecture in the heart of Seoul. From time to time, visitors can spot a fantastic shower of cherry blossom petals raining over the Okcheongyo Bridge. A diverse array of flowers, including maehwa (plum flowers), sansuyu (cornus fruit flowers), and royal azaleas are also in full bloom in April.

       Spring Flower at Ilsan Lake Park

Ilsan Lake Park, also known as "Flower Park," is home to a large number of flowering shrubs and trees, including 1,800 cherry trees. The majority of the cherry trees are near the island in the middle of the park. After the sun sets, lights strung around the trees create a romantic atmosphere as the cherry blossoms and lights reflect on the lake. A large lawn carpeted with soft green grass is open for visitors to enjoy picnicking. Other popular attractions near the park include cultural events at Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center and shopping at the Western Dome.

Spring Flower Hot Spots

       Jinhae Cherry Blossom Tunnel

When the 220,000 cherry trees in Jinhae are in bloom, the whole city is covered in white petals. Though the entire city is considered one of the top cherry blossom destinations, the most popular flower viewing areas are Anmin Road, Jehwangsan Park, and Yeojwacheon Stream. The Naval Academy Anmin Road (approx. 5.6 kilometers long) is lined by a long stretch of cherry trees and is relatively free of traffic, making it an ideal place for a springtime stroll.

Jehwangsan Park offers a breathtaking view of both the cherry blossoms and the ocean. A walk up the 365 stairs of the Ilnyeon Gyedan Staircase ("One Year Staircase") is a great way to get a little exercise and enjoy the cherry blossoms and forsythias that grow next to the stairs.

The headquarters of the naval base are known for their stately cherry trees and are open to the public only during the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival (Naval Port Festival). During the festival, a life-sized Geobukseon, or Turtle Ship, is on display.

However, among all of these beautiful places in Jinhae, Yeojwacheon Stream is known as the best place to enjoy beautiful flowers when the 1.5 kilometer long cherry blossom tunnel and accompanying canola flowers are in full bloom.

        Hadong's Ssanggyesa Temple Simni Cherry Blossom Road

The Simni (10ri) Cherry Blossom Road is a 6 kilometer road that stretches from Hwagae Market to Ssanggyesa Temple in Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. Cherry trees that are over 60 years old are in full bloom throughout the winding valley. The road is often called the "wedding path," because it is said that couples who walk along the road on a spring day when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom will fall deeply in love with each other. In addition, the annual Hwagae Cherry Blossoms Festival takes place around this time, offering more attractions for the people walking the path connecting Hadong Hwagae Market and Ssanggyesa Temple.

        Icheon Sansuyu Village

Icheon is home to a huge number of sansuyu (cornus fruit) trees. These wild-growing trees, many over 100 years old, turn the city every shade of yellow during the months of March and April. Baeksa-myeon is often referred to as “Sansuyu Village” for its abundant sansuyu trees.

In particular, Dorip-ri in Baeksa-myeon is popular for its charming stream, traditional Korean houses, and gorgeous sansuyu trees. The village is bisected by a scenic walking path and the mountain behind the village creates an impressive panoramic view. Sansuyu trees turn vibrant yellow with early spring blossoms and a striking red with berries in autumn. The Icheon Baeksa Sansuyu Flower Festival is held in Dorip-ri Sansuyu Town in Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do every April.

        Gwangyang Maehwa (Plum Flower) Maeul

In Gwangyang Maehwa Village, near Seomjingang River in Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do, about 100,000 plum trees start to blossom in early March, reaching their peak in the middle of the month. The plum orchards look like a carpet of pink cotton candy when seen from afar. During the Maehwa (Plum) Festival, large crowds of tourists from across the nation flock to the village.

        Canola flowers on Cheongsando Island

Located about 19 kilometers south of Wando, Jeollanam-do in the Dadohaehaesang National Park area is Cheongsando Island. With the arrival of spring, yellow canola flowers, called yuchae in Korean, grow abundantly on the island and their fragrance fills the air.

Cheongsando Island was designated as the first Asian "slow city" in 2007 and is home to the world’s first “Slow Road” as designated by Cittaslow International. With its clear blue skies, turquoise sea, and bright yellow flowers, the island remains a favorite springtime filming location for movies, dramas and TV commercials.

        Jeju Seopjikoji Canola Flowers

As Korea's southernmost province, Jeju Island is the first to see the blossoming of spring flowers. Starting in late February, yellow canola flowers spring up far and wide on the island, creating picture perfect scenery in places like the famous filming location, Seopjikoji, for the Korean drama "All In (올인)." Couples will be pleased to find heart-shaped benches set in fields of canola flowers for romantic photos of their trip. Furthermore, some tourist sites offer pony rides, which are particularly popular among families with children.

        Yeongchwisan Mountain Blossoming with Azaleas

Yeosu is another popular destination for spring flowers. Starting in February, azaleas in many hues cover the mountains, creating picturesque scenes against the deep blue ocean. Every year in early April, the Azalea Festival is held on Yeongchwisan Mountain (Yeosu) to celebrate the spring season.

Spring Flower Festivals at Amusement Parks

        Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival near Lotte World

Every spring, Songpa Naru Park (Seokchon Lake), located in southeastern Seoul, holds a cherry blossom festival with activities including a walking contest, a concert, face-painting, caricatures and more. The neighboring Lotte World also offers exciting amusement rides and other festivities, perfect for a family outing.

        Enjoy Spring Flowers at SeoulLand

In spring, SeoulLand transforms into a stunning landscape adorned with cherry blossoms, tulips, azaleas, and canola flowers with Cheonggyesan Mountain standing serenely in the background. The amusement park area, especially the 4 kilometer Cherry Blossom Road connecting Seoul Grand Park Station with Cheonggyesan Mountain as well as the road leading to the entrance of SeoulLand becomes an extraordinary site for spring flowers. At night, special light fixtures highlight the flowers, creating a spectacular sight perfect for dates.

        Everland Tulip Festival

Marking spring every year, Everland holds the Tulip Festival. In addition to Everland's tulip and rose gardens, the whole park will be decorated with azaleas, forsythias, camellias and freesias. Guests will also be able to enjoy events such as parades and performances. At night, the flowers will be illuminated with colorful lighting displays.