A Guide To Spring In Korea: Cherry Blossoms and More

Spring in South Korea is a time of renewal, rejuvenation, and cherry blossoms! If you’re a flower hunter, spring might be the best time to visit Korea. If you’ve been in Seoul throughout the winter, when spring comes, it is as if everyone has collectively awoken from a slumber.

The sun begins to warm everything up and energize people to get out too. It’s a time for moving, grooving, but also dust. Learn all you need to know about spring in Korea and what to expect in the spring in Seoul to make the most of your adventure to the Land of the Morning Calm.

Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival, Seoul, Korea

Spring is one of the top travel seasons in Korea. What to expect:

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When is spring in Korea?

Good question, spring in Korea falls from March to May. If you’re in the country, you’ll start to hear all of the songs that celebrate the season like Cherry Blossom Ending (벚꽃 엔딩) by Busker Busker and Flower Road (꽃길) by Big Bang.

Is it your first time visiting Korea?
Check out this Epic Travel Guide To Seoul For the First Time Visitor to get prepared.

What’s the weather like in the spring in Korea?

In the spring, the weather can be pretty pleasant. It’s warm in the sun but cool in the shade. While it is warming up, it can still definitely be cold if it’s cloudy or rainy. We start getting out picnic mats out and heading to the Han River parks to enjoy the season in the spring. It’s coming to life and it’s beautiful.

Let’s break it down by month to know what to expect when you visit Korea in the spring.

March weather in Korea

March is the beginning of spring in Korea, and the weather can be quite cool with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 13°C (41°F to 55°F). While it may still be a bit chilly, the snow from winter begins to melt away, and you can expect sunny days with clear blue skies which makes for stunning photo opportunities. The crisp air and lack of crowds make it the perfect time to go hiking and explore nature.

April weather in Korea

April is one of the most beautiful months in Korea as the cherry blossoms begin to bloom and of course everyone is looking forward to that sight. The temperatures start to warm up, ranging from 10°C to 18°C (50°F to 64°F). The cherry blossoms can be seen all over the country. This is a peak time for tourism, so expect large crowds at popular tourist attractions. However, the beautiful sights and festive atmosphere make it worth it.

May weather in Korea

May is the last month of spring in Korea and temperatures continue to warm up, ranging from 14°C to 23°C (57°F to 73°F). People in Korea start to shed those heavier jackets and coats in may and opt for lighter trench coats with t-shirts so they can adeptly switch from daytime fun to nighttime adventures. There are a lot of sunny days making it ideal for outside time.

Dust in Korea

The biggest issue in the spring is the dust. Be aware of the fine dust levels when you visit as yellow dust and fine dust can sweep across the country and can be unhealthy and cause various issues especially for the young, elderly, and those with asthma. Learn more about what to expect when it’s dusty in Korea and how to prepare.

Eungbongsan, Seoul, Korea: Forsythia Flowers, spring in Korea

What to pack for spring in Korea

What to wear? What to wear? What should I wear in the spring in Korea? Because spring is still cool if you’re in the shade or when it’s breezy, if you’re coming in early spring definitely still prepare warmer items. You will want to prepare clothing that works well for layered outfits so you can remove and add depending on the situation.

Once you hit May, it’s definitely warming up, but still cool in the evenings. We’re still wearing jackets for the Lotus Lantern Festival which is in May. There is a whole guide for what to pack when you visit Korea to check out.

Heavy jacket/Light jacket <– This really depends on whether you’re coming in the beginning of spring or later. Don’t underestimate the difference in temperature between the shade and the sun.
- Trench coats are quite popular in Korea in the spring.
Light sweaters/Sweatshirts
Uniqlo Heattech. If you want to wear pretty floral dresses, consider wearing Uniqlo Heattech beneath. These are my go-to in the winter, but I definitely wear them into the spring as well when I’m starting to get my lighter clothes out but need to stay warm.
Jeans/Pants
Scarves

Public holidays in the spring

It’s important to be aware of public holidays when traveling in Korea, as many businesses and attractions may be closed or have different hours.

Here are the major public holidays to be aware of during the spring in Korea:

March 1st – Independence Movement Day
April 30th – Buddha’s Birthday
May 1st – Labor Day
May 5th – Children’s Day

While you will find that most things are open on these days, it’s good to know that during the holidays, you’ll find even more people out and about as the locals are also not working.

On Children’s Day, for example, parks and amusement parks are especially busy as families often head out to celebrate together all day. On Buddha’s Birthday, the temples around the country will be especially busy for worshippers.

Major spring festivals and events in Seoul

Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is a vibrant and exciting destination to visit any time of year, but springtime is particularly special. The city is alive with color from the lotus lanterns strung up and for Buddha’s Birthday and energy as everyone welcomes the flowers and greenery. Here are some of the major events and festivals that travelers can look forward to when visiting Seoul in the spring.

Whether you’re interested in music, art, or culture, there’s something for everyone in Seoul. Be sure to check the dates of the festivals and events before planning your trip, as some may overlap or have limited availability.

Seoul Lotus Lantern Parade, Seoul, Korea

Lotus Lantern Festival (연등회)

The Lotus Lantern Festival is a major festival that takes place in May and one of my personal favorites. We attend every year, it is that stunning. It celebrates Buddha’s Birthday and involves more than 100,000 lanterns in varying shapes and sizes being paraded down the main street of Seoul. It’s the only event that I know of that actually shuts down the main thoroughfare of downtown Seoul.

The main event takes place near Jogyesa Temple, one of the most important Buddhist temples in Seoul. Visitors can see the stunning lantern displays and participate in traditional Buddhist ceremonies. There are a variety of events that take place over a month with the largest being the parade. Find out what to expect throughout the event in this guide to the Lotus Lantern Festival and parade.

Also, if you’re a resident and have the time, you can also volunteer to be apart of the festival. Find out how to volunteer for the Seoul Lotus Lantern Festival here.

When: May 11, 2024 – May 15, 2024
Address: Various locations in downtown Seoul from Jogyesa Temple down through Jongno. Check out the guides listed above for more information.

Jogyesa Temple, Seoul, Korea: Hallie Bradley

Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival (여의도 봄꽃축제)

The Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival is arguably the most popular festival in Seoul during the spring. It takes place in early April, coinciding with the blooming of the cherry blossoms in Yeouido Park. Walk down a street lined with gorgeously huge cherry blossoms. Go a bit later than the festival and tiptoe through the fallen petals. Visitors can enjoy street performances, food stalls, and other activities while taking in the beautiful sights.

Address: Yeouiseo-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 영등포구 여의서로)
When: The festival dates change each year but usually fall in the first or second week of April.

Seoul Jazz Festival (서울재즈페스티벌)

The Seoul Jazz Festival is a major music event that takes place in May each year. It features performances by both local and international jazz artists, and the festival is held at Olympic Park. It’s an event that sells out quickly each year as people dive right into enjoying nature and the spring surroundings with great music.

Address: Olympic Park, 424 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 송파구 올림픽로 424)

Seoul Drum Festival (서울드럼페스티벌)

The Seoul Drum Festival is a unique event that takes place in May each year. It features drumming performances from a variety of cultural and musical backgrounds. From traditional Korean drumming to modern fusion beats, there’s something for everyone at this festival. The festival also includes other cultural activities, such as traditional dance performances and food stalls.

Address: Nodeul Island, 445 Yangneong-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 용산구 양녕로 445)

The best spring festivals in Korea

Cherry Blossom Festivals (벚꽃축제)

There are so many cherry blossoms to find in Seoul and around Korea. If I added them here, they’d make this post much much longer. I have already written cherry blossom articles specifically because they are so popular and are a must see in Korea in the spring.

If you’re looking for cherry blossoms, check out these cherry blossom guides:
15 of the most picturesque places to find cherry blossoms in Seoul
Where to find cherry blossoms around South Korea

Nonsan Strawberry Festival (논산딸기축제)

Strawberries are the most delicious in Korea in late winter into early spring and you’ll want to devour them. They’re sold everywhere in buckets and they can be giant and they are oh so juicy. If you want to go to the next level with your strawberry enjoyment, check out the Nonsan Strawberry Festival. Pick to your belly’s delight!

Address: 319-10 Daegyo-dong, Nonsan-si, Chungcheongnam-do (충청남도 논산시 중앙로 522)

Gurye Sansuyu Festival (구례산수유꽃축제)

Held in March each year, this festival is the largest and most popular sansuyu, or cornelian cherry, festival in the country. The entire area is painted in yellow, the perfect sunny sight to welcome spring. It’s one of the earliest flowers to bloom in the spring so people flock to the area to start celebrating the coming of spring to the peninsula.

When: March 9, 2024 – March 17, 2024
Address: 1019-36 Jwasa-ri, Sandong-myeon, Gurye, Jeollanam-do

Icheon Baeksa Sansuyu Festival (이천백사 산수유꽃축제)

While the Gurye Sansuyu Festival is the largest sansuyu festival in the country, it isn’t the only one. Closer to Seoul sits Icheon where there is a very scenic village that is covered in sansuyu flowers each spring. There are cultural events, fun traditional swings and seesaws and folk games to play on the mountain. Find out more about the Icheon Baeksa Sansuyu Festival.

Address: 17 Wonjeok-ro 775 Beon-gil, Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (경기도 이천시 백사면 원적로775번길 17 (백사면))

Jeju Fire Festival (제주들불축제)

Not all of the spring festivals are based on the celebration of blooms. Visit Jeju Island in early March to see a firy event with fireworks and bonfires to bring good fortune and protect from evil. If you’re hoping to kick off the year with well wishes, this is the place to do that.

Address: San 59-8 Bongseong-ri, Jeju-si, Jeju-do (제주 제주시 애월읍 봉성리 산59-8)

Gwangyang Maehwa Festival (광양매화축제)

The best place to see beautiful plum blossoms in Korea, the Gwangyang Maehwa Festival is a countryside of hills covered in delicate white blossoms in the spring and offers flower ice cream and other local delicacies to enjoy. These blooms look similar to cherry blossoms but bloom just a couple weeks prior so if you’re visiting too early for the cherry blossoms, this is the best place to go perhaps.

When: March 8, 2024 – March 17, 2024
Address: 1563-1 Seomjingangmaehwa-ro, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 광양시 다압면 섬진강매화로 1563-1)

Jindo Miracle Sea Parting Festival, Korea

Jindo Miracle Sea Parting Festival (진도 신비의바닷길축제)

A unique festival held twice a year off Jindo Island in Korea, visitors to the Jindo Miracle Sea Parting Festival can see the natural sea parting that reveals a 2.8km long pathway to another island. The festival is fun, muddy, and definitely something only for the most adventurous as it sits at a very far distance from Seoul on the southern coast of Korea.

When: March 11, 2024 – March 13, 2024
Address: Areas of Modo-ri, Uisin-myeon and Hoedong-ri, Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 진도군 고군면 회동리 및 의신면 모도리 일원)

Wonmisan Azalea Festival (원미산 진달래 축제)

This mountain just south of Seoul is transformed into a purple sea of blooms. The Wonmisan azaleas are one of the most beautiful places to see azaleas near Seoul. We’ve visited just before the festival, during the festival, and just after. It’s fairly easy to get away from the crowds in the tall azalea bushes and enjoy even during the festival period.

Address: 21-1san, Chunui-dong, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do (경기 부천시 춘의동 산21-1)

Juknokwon (죽녹원), Bamboo Forest, Damyang, Jeollanam-do, Korea

Damyang Bamboo Festival (담양대나무축제)

This annual festival that takes place in the Damyang bamboo forest celebrates the rich culture of bamboo in Korea and you can expect to see a variety of bamboo themed activities, crafts, and musical performances. Trek through the bamboo forest and enjoy the tranquility.

Address: 119 Jungnogwon-ro, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 담양군 담양읍 죽녹원로 119 (담양읍))

Taean International Tulip Festival (태안 세계튤립축제)

This spring festival has gotten more and more popular over the years and showcases 1.5 million tulips from around the world. This is a popular festival in the Taean region of Korea so try to head there early in the day to avoid traffic which can get backed up headed to the peninsula.

If you don’t want to travel to Taean for the tulip festival, also note that Everland hosts a tulip festival each spring as well with 1.2 million tulips to enjoy.

Address: 400 Kkotjihaean-ro, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do (충청남도 태안군 안면읍 꽃지해안로 400)

Hapcheon Hwangmaesan Royal Azalea Festival (황매산군립공원)

This festival is getting more and more popular as people realize just how beautiful azalea covered mountains can be in the spring in Korea. This azalea garden is the largest in the country and stunning if you can visit. Head to the top of the 1108 meter mountain for views out over the flowers to the peaks beyond. It will awaken you your spirit in the spring.

Address: 4 Hwangmaesangongwon-gil, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 합천군 가회면 황매산공원길 4)

Gokseong Rose Festival (곡성 세계장미축제)

With over 30,000 roses of more than 200 species, Gokseong is the place to go if you love the sight of roses. Enjoy the various shades of the flowers, rose themed exhibitions, food, and traditional performances.

Address: 232 Gichamaeul-ro, Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 곡성군 오곡면 기차마을로 232)

Boseong Green Tea Fields, Boseong, Jeollanam-do, Korea

Boseong Green Tea Festival (보성다향대축제)

The Boseong green tea fields are a sight to behold all throughout the year but are especially popular in the spring. Take part in tea-making workshops and ceremonies and hike through the terraces of green tea in the area.

Address: 775 Nokcha-ro, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 보성군 보성읍 녹차로 775)

Things to do in the spring in Korea

Strawberry Buffets

Strawberry season in Korea is from winter into spring and in the spring, major hotels in the city of Seoul like JW Marriott host delicious strawberry themed buffets which include cakes, drinks, and plenty of Instagrammable views too. There’s even an annual barbie and strawberry themed buffet if you want to fill super girly and fun.

Baseball games

Spring means the start of the KBO league baseball games in Korea. There are nine teams in the KBO league and let me tell you, the fans are absolutely dedicated. Expect a different atmosphere than you might find in the States as there are cheerleaders, fans with bags on their heads, noise makers, and even specific songs they’ve made up for their teams. Also, they’ll be eating squid and a few other delicacies that might be a bit different than you expect. But the game itself is the same and an absolute blast to experience.

In Seoul, games are played at the Jamsil Baseball Stadium and Mokdong Baseball Stadium

Daega Farm, Strawberry Picking, Namyangju, Korea

Cherry blossom marathon

Are you a runner? You can experience the beauty of cherry blossoms in Korea while also partaking in a great event in Gyeongju. The Gyeongju Cherry Marathon is an annual marathon has four courses: 5km, 10km, 21.09km, and 42.19km. Head to Gyeongju in the spring and take part in this great race through a historic city decorated with spring cherry blossoms.

Cherry blossom themed gifts and souvenirs

If you travel to Korea in the spring, you will be rewarded with not only cherry blossoms to see but also a ton of cherry blossom themed gifts and souvenirs to take home. While there are already some wonderful gift options from Korea including gorgeous pieces of najeonchilgi and O’Sulloc tea sets, in the spring, there are some extras! Some places that present entire cherry blossom Daiso and Starbucks. Definitely stop in when you’re passing by and see what they have.

You should also stop into the local convenience stores while you’re at it because you can find a variety of cherry blossom themed snacks each year as well. In the past there has been things like cherry blossom Pepero, cherry blossom popcorn, cherry blossom CocaCola and more. See what you can find this year!

Rent bikes and go for a ride

The spring is a great time to explore Seoul by bike. Rent a bike down on the Han River and see the fauna and flora come back to life, or rent the bikes in downtown Seoul to get from point A to point B as it’s not warm enough.

Visit the Cheonggyecheon Stream

The Cheonggyecheon Stream begins to come alive in the spring as lanterns are hung and exhibitions take place to celebrate. Nice to walk along year round, it’s especially beautiful in the spring with lanterns in celebration of Buddha’s Birthday. You can walk from Gwanghwamun Square down to Gwangjang Market for lunch or go all the way out to the Han River along the stream path.

Visit a Korean palace

The palace grounds have an abundance of beautiful cherry blossom trees, magnolia trees, and azaleas to enjoy. Rent a Hanbok to get free entrance and then take some beautiful spring photos at the famous Gyeongbokgung Palace, the popular Changdeokgung Palace, the hidden Changgyeonggung Palace, or the unique Deoksugung Palace.

Spring flower hunting in Seoul

Spring is all about flowers for many of us… well me. It’s a glorious time when you can see not only cherry blossoms, but also beautiful mountains covered in azaleas, King cherry blossoms, sansuyu flowers, canola flowers, and magnolia flowers. The country awakens with colorful blooms in the spring and while there are some very popular destinations to see them, there are even more not so popular destinations where you’ll find them too.

Buramsan Butterfly Garden, Seoul, Korea: Hallie Bradley and daughter with azaleas.

Korea Cherry Blossom Blooming Schedule 2024

Best places to see flowers in Seoul in the spring

Eungbongsan for forsythias

Eungbongsan is one of the most beautiful forsythia covered spots in the city. This small “mountain” which is more of a hill is family-friendly and is covered in forsythias in early spring. Head up and then down to see the flowers as the trains go by. Find out more about the forsythias on Eungbongsan Mountain.

Wonmisan for azaleas

Azalea bushes can be found all over the city of Seoul, but one of the prettiest places to see them all clumped together covering a mountainside near Seoul is Wonmisan. It’s one of the most picturesque hillsides you’ll ever see. Find out more about the azalea covered Wonmisan Mountain.

Buramsan Buttery Park for azaleas

Another azalea covered hillside, the Buramsan Butterfly Park which sits on the side of Buramsan Mountain is beautiful and features as zig-zagging wooden path that you can walk along and feel as as though you’re walking on a cloud of azaleas. Find out more about the azaleas in Buramsan Butterfly Park.

Seonyudo Island, Seoul, Korea: Hallie Bradley

Anyang Stream for cherry blossoms

There are plenty of super popular places to see cherry blossoms in Seoul so I wanted to touch on some other spots to see them that most tourists don’t know about. Anyang Stream in the Mokdong area is a beautiful path that is lined with cherry blossoms each spring. You can walk for quite a while just enjoying the views.

Ansan Mountain for cherry blossoms

Another area that has become more popular in recent years and isn’t just locals anymore is Ansan Mountain. This mountainside features a waterfall and you hike up through a beautiful forest of cherry blossoms. There is also a garden of tulips that makes it extra picturesque.

Address: Bongwon-dong Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 서대문구 봉원동)

Seonyudo Island for cherry blossoms

Seonyudo Island sits in the middle of the Han River and is a rather quiet place to visit most of the year. It’s a fun island to traverse and kid-friendly with playgrounds and remnants from the past that make it especially good for a game of tag. But it also features beautiful cherry blossom trees and the weeping willow style cherry blossom trees as well for something different.

Address: 95 Yanghwa-dong Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (영등포구 양화동 95)

Dream Forest for cherry blossoms

The fourth largest park in Seoul, Dream Forest is in northern Seoul and though surrounded by dense forest, is rather empty in the park except for the outstanding number of cherry blossom trees that circle the open lawns. Follow the cherry blossom lined path and make a loop around the park before heading up to the observatory to get the views from above.

Address: 173 Wolgye-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul

Dream Forest, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, Korea: Cherry Blossoms

Seoul Forest for tulips

If you love spring tulips, then the place to visit in Seoul is Seoul Forest. Each spring, you can find a beautiful garden of tulips from April to mid May. The Keukenhof of Seoul? Not quite, but gorgeous nonetheless.

Address: 273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 성동구 뚝섬로 273 (성수동1가))

Spring in Korea flower hunters FAQ

When is the best time to see cherry blossoms in Korea?

The best time to see cherry blossoms in Korea is from March to early April though the dates can change slightly depending on the weather. The best time to see cherry blossoms in Seoul in usually late March into the first couple weeks of April. You’ll definitely want to check out the annual blooming projections before your trip.

How do you know when flowers are blooming in Korea?

The best way to check for the best updates and on the ground blooming in real-time is to search Instagram in my experience. If you search the flower type or a location name in Korean, you’ll see the up to date posts and be able to decipher if things are blooming now or will be soon. Koreans are avid online users and post consistently so it’s easy to get updates in real-time generally.

You’re ready for a trip to Korea in the spring if you ask me. Make sure you pack appropriately so you can get out and about and enjoy the flowers and weather in Seoul this spring in Korea.

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