Where To See Cherry Blossoms In Korea 2024

Spring in Korea doesn’t really begin until those beautiful light pink cherry blossoms bloom. At least in my opinion. Are you looking for the cherry blossom blooming forecast? You’ve come to the right place. Let’s see cherry blossoms this spring.

There are numerous places to see cherry blossoms in Seoul and around Korea with some being more popular than others. You could really walk down the most mundane neighborhood and see cherry blossoms though so while you should and probably will seek to find some of the more major spots, also just keep your eyes peeled for trees along the way.

Last year, the first blossoms I noticed were down the back alleys of Yeonnam-dong near Hongdae. It’s definitely not a spot people recommend to see cherry blossoms, but like I said, they’re everywhere.

PS, if you love these iconic light pink cherry blossoms, you should also be on the lookout for the double cherry blossoms that are fluffier, pinker, and bloom a couple weeks after these beauties.

Called sakura in Japan and beot-kkot in Korean, cherry blossoms are often confused with other flowering trees including the peach blossoms and plum blossoms. I’ve been corrected a few times when people tell me what I shared was actually a peach blossom. Personally, I don’t mind as long as it’s a blossom, but yes, there are other flowering trees to be seen around the peninsula. My personal favorite is actually the King Cherry Blossom which you can see pictured in this guide to Andong. They are huge, fluffy and dark pink. Oh they’re gorgeous. But back to the guide at hand.

There’s lots of info here so feel free to skip around. Here’s what you’ll find in this post:

• What To Prepare
• When To See Cherry Blossom in Korea 2024
• Where To Find Cherry Blossoms In Seoul
  • Yeouido
  • Dream Forest
  • Ansan Mountain
  • Anyang Stream
  • Namsan Mountain
  • Seoul Children’s Grand Park
  • Seokchon Lake
  • Seoul Palaces
  • Seoul Forest
• Where To Find Cherry Blossoms In Korea
  • Anyang Art Park
  • Nami Island
  • Gyeongpo in Gangneung
  • Gangjin
  • Jinhae
  • Gyeongju
  • Andong
  • Hwagae
  • Jeju Island
  • Incheon Chinatown

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What To Prepare

Pack The Right Clothes: Seoul has four distinct seasons and spring can really be quite chilly and quite warm. Be prepared. Check out this post for what to pack when you come to Korea which will also fill you in on spring in Korea and what to wear.

T-Money Card/Discover Seoul Pass: To get around using the subways or buses or other public transportation options, you’ll need to get a T-Money card. This card allows you to put money on it and scan it at the turnstiles in subways and when you’re getting on and off buses and even works in taxis. HOWEVER, if you’ll be doing a lot of touristy things and visiting the touristy sites, then you might be better off getting the Discover Seoul Pass. This pass comes with a variety of perks like access to Hanbok rentals, palaces, view points and other major attractions AND it also works as a T-Money card. SO, if you’ll be touristy, grab the Discover Seoul Pass to get out and about. But do know how to use it. Here is a guide and itineraries for using the Discover Seoul Pass to the max.

Korea Rail Pass: If you want to get out of Seoul and plan to use the train more than twice, then the Korea Rail Pass is the economical/budget choice you want to have on hand. You can get back and forth between the popular Nami Island nearby the city or go as far as Andong or even Busan. The train line is the limits. Grab the card here and just head to the station with your confirmation and it’s as easy as that.

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When To See Cherry Blossom in Korea 2024

Cherry blossoms in South Korea from the end of March into April usually and they are rather fleeting so you want to try and plan ahead as best you can then jump as soon as you get confirmation that they are blooming. Here are is the projected cherry blossom forecast in Korea for 2024.

• Jeju Island: March 22
• Gwangju: March 27
• Jeonju: March 27
• Busan: March 27
• Yeosu, Jinhae: March 29
• Daejeon: March 31
• Gangneung: March 31
• Seoul: April 3
• Incheon: April 8
• Chuncheon, Nami Island: April 7

The blossoms start blooming in the southern parts and then work their way up over a week or so. If you plan to travel to see blooms, plan on going south for a weekend to see them down there and then move up. Watch the weather forecast closely because if there is a rain storm, it can often end the cherry blossom season early. We only get about two weeks of peak cherry blossom viewing so just go go go and rest later.

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Where To Find Cherry Blossoms In Seoul

There are cherry blossoms everywhere! There really are. In this guide you’ll find a mix of the most popular and the hidden local favorites. Read along and see which spot will most meet your needs. Some are more easily accessible, and some hidden behind waterfalls. Which will you prefer?

Yeouido (여의도)

One of the most popular places to see cherry blossoms in Seoul is Yeouido Island. There are more than 1500 trees that line the boulevards that circle the island and there’s a park nearby that has even more. If you want to see what the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival (영등포 여의도 봄꽃축제) looks like in action, check out this post I did a couple years back after attending. You can go whether the festival is on or not, so just hop on that subway when you’re free and head that way. The is one of the easiest parks to access so can get pretty busy in the spring.

If you’re planning to travel to Korea in the spring, stay in Conrad Hotel so you can visit this park just a block away. Another great thing to do while you’re in the area, take an Eland Cruise. The docks for this fun ferry ride is just in the park and it’s a fun addition if you’re headed to Yeouido.

• Festival Dates: Dates not yet set this year
• Address: Gukhoe-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 영등포구 국회대로)
• How To Get There: You can access the area via National Assembly Subway Station, or Yeouinaru Subway Station.

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Dream Forest (북서울 꿈의숲)

Last year was the first time we headed up to Dream Forest but we had a gorgeous scene before us. Get there early because it started getting busy around noon. Dream Forest was previously known as Odong Neighborhood Park. It is the fourth largest park in Seoul and beautiful in the spring, it’s also beautiful throughout the year, so just go!

• Address: 173 Wolgye-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul (서울 강북구 월계로 173)
• How To Get There: Head to Miasageori Subway Station and go out of exit 1. Walk north to the first intersection and turn right. The road will take you right into the park.

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• Address: 170-181 Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (서울시 서대문구 연희동 170-181)
• How To Get There: I’ve put the address to the waterfall on the mountain which is a great place to start because you can see the waterfall too! Lots of buses go nearby then you just have to walk back to the stream to find the mountain. Buses that go here include: 110A, 110B, 153, 7713, 7017, 7720, 7738, 567

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Anyang Stream (안양천)

• Address: 52 Mullae-dong 6-ga, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울시 영등포구 문래동 6가 52) (NOTE: This address is for the bathroom on the stream because it’s the only spot with an address so you don’t have to go exactly to this address… just in the vicinity.)
• How To Get There: Go to Omokgyo Subway Station and go out of exit 5. You’ll want to walk that direction toward the stream but you’ll need to go over the highway/busy road in the area.

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Namsan Mountain (남산)

A popular spot throughout the year because of N Seoul Tower sitting at the top, Namsan Mountain in the spring is gorgeous and rather than taking the gondola up to the top, many people opt to walk just to enjoy the numerous cherry blossom trees. If huffing your way up doesn’t sound appealing, take the gondola up anyway and then walk beneath the trees on the way down. Either way, enjoy the flowers in this easy to get to centrally located spot. This mountain also features yellow forsythias and purple azaleas too. Win win win!

• Address: 109 Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 용산구 소월로 109)
• How To Get There: Myeongdong Subway Station, exit 2 or 3 and then you’ll want to follow signs up to the cable car or hop in a taxi and ask them to take you up.

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Seoul Children’s Grand Park (서울어린이대공원)

Children’s Grand Park is actually popular for having more than just cherry blossoms. Enter to find azaleas and tulips too. Walk through the massive park to see the flowers in numerous shades from yellows and purples to the cherry blossom pinks. The park is a great place to spend the day as there’s also a botanical garden and a zoo too.

• Address: 216 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 광진구 능동로 216)
• How To Get There: Children’s Grand Park Subway Station, exit 1 or 2.

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Seokchon Lake (석촌호수)

Another easily accessible location to see cherry blossoms in Seoul is Seokchon Lake. The area also becomes home to the Soekchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival (석촌호수 벚꽃축제) when the trees in are in full bloom. The beautiful manmade lakes surround the popular and fun Lotte World Amusement Park which is a great bonus to visiting these flowers in the spring.

This park is also near Seoul Sky Tower which features the tallest observatory in Korea and the tallest hotel, Signiel Hotel. Spend the whole day or weekend in the area while enjoying the light pink hues of the cherry blossoms.

• Festival: Dates not announced yet.
• Address: 148 Jamsil-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 송파구 잠실로 148)
• How To Get There: Jamsil Subway Station, exit 2 or 3 and walk straight.

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Seoul Palaces

There’s something about taking pictures of blooms with traditional Korean eaves in the background. The grounds of all of the five palaces in Seoul feature cherry blossoms so you really can’t go wrong choosing one.

While Gyeongbokgung Palace is the most popular, Changdeokgung Palace is also widely known as featuring the gorgeous Secret Garden and the natural views there. Want to get away from the crowds, visit the more hidden Changgyeonggung Palace which actually features the most cherry blossoms of them all or Unhyeongung Palace and if you want to see a changing of the guard ceremony and visit an art museum within a palace, don’t miss Deoksugung Palace. They’re all beautiful and even more so in the spring with the flowers.

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Seoul Forest (서울숲)

Near the Brooklyn of Seoul, Seongsu-dong, Seoul Forest is pretty massive which means you can get some space and spread out within the park and see plenty of blooms. There are even deer you can feed too! Many locals will take a mat and food and enjoy a picnic in this park on spring days so why not do the same?

• Address: 273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 성동구 뚝섬로 273)
• How To Get There: Seoul Forest Subway Station and take exit 3 or 4.

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Where To Find Cherry Blossoms In Korea

Anyang Art Park (안양예술공원)

• Address: 131 Yesulgongwon-ro, Manan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 안양시 만안구 예술공원로 131 (석수동))
• By Subway: Top off the T-Money Card and head from Seoul down the blue line to Gwanak Subway Station. Go out exit 2 and walk toward the main road where you can see a bus stop outside near Paris Baguette. Take bus 900 just two stops. Get off and cross the street to find another bus stop. Take bus 2-1 which will go just three stops and drop you off right at Anyang Art Park’s parking lot and starting point. The buses take a total of 12 minutes but if you don’t want to switch twice and wait, getting a taxi from Gwanak Subway Station is easiest and it takes just 5 minutes and costs about W4,000.

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Nami Island (남이섬)

Nami Island is easily accessible from Seoul with buses that go there daily. It’s a fun place for families, a romantic spot for couples, and even has ziplines and other fun activities for the adventurer. From season to season the island is gorgeous and spring is no different. Cherry blossoms burst into bloom and the island that was built to celebrate nature, really does just that. You can also see nearby Petite France or Garden of the Morning Calm.

• Address: 1 Namisum-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 춘천시 남산면 남이섬길 1)
• How To Get There: There are shuttle buses that make the trip back and forth between Nami Island for the day as well as other buses. Check out that guide linked above for more transportation options.

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Gyeongpo in Gangneung

Gyeongpo, which people flock to in the summer for the gorgeous beach there, is also home to a lovely lake that is surrounded by 4.3 kilometers of cherry blossom trees. Take a trip to Gangneung this spring to see some beautiful flowering trees AND take in those ocean views. The white sand and blue waters are gorgeous and made even more appealing with the flowers in the background. The area is also home to a few popular Kdrama photo-ops, so take your time and enjoy the views.

• Address: 514 Changhae-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 강릉시 창해로 514)
• How To Get There: You can take a train from Seoul out to Gyeongpo and then make your way around on your own but you can also get a taxi driver for 3 hours to take you to all the hot flowering spots. Do the further away spots with the taxi and then see the lake before you jump back onto the train.

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Gangjin

This is definitely a hidden gem. Last year, I happened to be in the area in the spring and was just stunned by roads and roads lined with cherry blossoms. There were fields of gorgeous flowering trees and NO people in sight. It was really just amazing to see cherry blossoms without the hoards of people. You really can find cherry blossoms all over the country in the spring so just keep an eye out.

But if you want to head to Gangjin this spring, rent a car and make the trip. You’ll likely have a ton of trees all to your self! Update: I went back to the area this year (2020) and have continued finding just stunning places to visit. Don’t miss Nammireuksa Temple which is so Secret Garden-esque. So stunning in the spring.

• Address: Gangjin, Korea
• How To Get There: Take a bus from Central City Bus Terminal down to Gangjin. It’ll take approximately 4.5 hours.

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Jinhae

The Jinhae Gunhangje Festival (진해군항제) is one of the, if not THE most popular cherry blossom festivals in Korea. 360,000 cherry blossom trees burst into bloom across the city but the most popular places to take in the spring vibes are Anmingogae Hill, Jehwangsan Park, and Yeojwacheon Stream. The stream is 1.5 kilometers long and people flock here to feel as though they’re walking through a tunnel of cherry blossoms. This festival attracts more than two million visitors each year so if you’re okay with the crowds, this is definitely the place to be.

• Address: Area of Yeojwa-dong, Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 창원시 진해구 여좌동)
• Join A Tour: Jinhae gets pretty popular in the spring so it can be difficult to find a place to stay. One of the best options is to join a day trip (a long day trip). A day trip from Seoul with Trazy or this tour with Klook are great options.
• How To Get There: Take a bus from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal directly to Jinhae. The trip takes around four hours and costs around W25,000.

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Gyeongju

Gyeongju is a gorgeous and historic city with so much to see and in the spring it is just so so much better. The city is gorgeous in the spring with cherry blossoms but for some extra fun, the city is also hosts the Gyeongju Cherry Marathon. If you’re into running, then see the flowers as you whiz by.

• Address: Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do
• How To Get There: Take a train from Seoul Station to right down to Gyeongju for the easily and most convenient way to travel.

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Andong

Andong is another historic city that is a must see whenever you can but especially in the spring. The Andong Hahoe Village is surrounded by cherry blossoms of the white fluffy sort but there are also king cherry blossoms like the pink ones pictured above which are just stunning. These are my personal favorites. Make plans to head to Andong Hahoe Village this spring!

• Address: Andong, Korea
• How To Get There: Express buses depart from both the Gangnam Express Bus Terminal and the Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (also called the East Express Bus Terminal when translated). The trip is about three hours and buses run every 30 minutes to an hour so visitors can fairly easily rock up to the terminal and hop on the next bus without an issue.

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Hwagae

Gyeongsangnam-do is blanketed in beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring and and the most popular spot is the 10-ri Cherry Blossom Road which is also known as “marriage road”. A legend says that if lovers walk down this road holding hands when the flowers bloom, they will get married and live happily forever.

• Address: 58 Ssanggye-ro Hwagae-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 하동군 화개면 쌍계로 58)
• How To Get There: Take a train down to Yeousu and then you’ll need to catch a taxi for the last 20 kilometers.

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Jeju

If you’ll be headed to Jeju, make sure you book where you want to stay before you get there. Here’s a guide to where to stay on Jeju Island. Jeju Island is the first place in the country to burst into bloom thanks to being the southernmost place in the country. Spots to check out flowers on Jeju include the Jeju Sports Complex and in downtown Seogwipo which is also where you can see the King Cherry Tree which has the largest petals of all the cherry trees. The Jeju King Cherry Blossom Festival (제주 왕벚꽃축제) might just be the most beautiful thing to see in the spring.

• Address: Jeju, Korea
• How To Get There: To get to Jeju Island, you’ll likely fly in from Gimpo Airport or Incheon Airport on mainland Korea down to Jeju International Airport. Though if you’re in the region, you could fly in from another airport as well. Check out Skyscanner.com for the best rates. Then, you’ll want to rent a car. Renting a car does not have to be a hassle. If you don’t want to go directly with a local shop, check out Klook which offers a great deal on rental cars and works really well for tourists. It’s fast and efficient and you’ll land and be on the road in no time. If you won’t be renting a car, make sure to plan your airport transfer. If you’re headed somewhere in Jeju City, you can book a transfer here. 

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Incheon Chinatown

Jayu Park that sits just above Incheon’s Chinatown, the only official Chinatown in the country, has some gorgeous cherry blossoms trees in the spring and it’s an ideal location if you want to see flowers and plenty more. You can easily visit Chinatown or go to nearby Songwol-dong Fairytale Village.

• Address: 14 Chinatown-ro 52beon-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon (인천광역시 중구 차이나타운로52번길 14)
• How To Get There: Incheon Subway Station, exit 1. Cross the street and you’ll see Chinatown.

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