Cherry Blossom Aesthetics and Where To Find Them
We don’t know about you, but going to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Korea is one of the top items on our bucket list. The idea of walking through a sea of fluttering pink and white flower petals while breathing in the refreshingly brisk air gives me a feeling of serenity.
As special as these whimsical, floral trees are, they are only in full bloom for a short amount of time. The cherry blossoms start blooming in late March and last only until mid-April. How can you possibly be able to pick and choose which cherry blossoms to see if they are available for such a short time? Well, it depends on when you go. Really. Surprisingly enough, cherry blossoms start blooming in the South and work their way north. For instance, if you travel to Jeju Island, but find that the cherry blossom trees are looking a bit bare, try traveling a little more north towards Busan. You may be able to catch the cherry blossoms still in bloom.
Don’t have any idea on where to spot these beautifully delicate flowers? We’ve got you covered:
Seomjin River Cherry Blossom Festival
Located in Jeolla, the Seomjin River offers a calm, quiet space for you to take in your surroundings. Here, they keep their cherry blossom festival simple with activities such as tradition drum performances and face painting. The Seomjin River is truly a place where you can enjoy the simple things in life.
Jinhae Gunhangje Festival
Among all of the cherry blossom festivals that South Korea has to offer, the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival has to be one of the most popular. Jinhae started out as a naval base; however, in the Spring, the streets are lined with street performers as well as food and merchandise vendors. Of course, the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival wouldn’t be complete without their parade that commemorates the historic victory of Admiral Yi Sun Shin.
Gyeongju
Moving away from the hustle and bustle of the city, one can enjoy the beauty of nature in this quieter part of town. Although the sights in Gyeongju are beautiful year round, the cherry blossoms bring in an extra touch of enchantment. For those who are athletically-inclined, there is the annual Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Marathon. You’ll need to train extra hard for this one because the cherry blossoms alone are enough to take your breath away.
Duryu Park
What do SHINee’s Key, Red Velvet’s Irene, SEVENTEEN’s S. Coups, and Monsta X’s Jooheon all have in common? They’re all from Daegu! With so many events happening in Duryu Park, we would be surprised if they have never been there. Even if you didn’t want to see the cherry blossoms, Duryu Park has a little something for everyone, ranging from athletic to cultural facilities.
Yeouido Park
Yeouido Park, located near the famous Han River, is said to one of the prettiest cherry blossom streets in the city of Seoul. Around mid-April, Yeouido holds its Spring Flower Festival where there have performances, art displays, calligraphy and crafts for the many visitors.
Seokchon Lake
A lake? Right in the middle of the city? Yes, please! Seokchon Lake holds a lot of potential for photographers with its whimsical trees and city buildings in the background. While you’re at it, might as well hop into Korea’s famous Lotte World since it’s right next door.
Where do you want to visit the beautiful cherry blossoms?
Let us know in the comments below!
Written by Sarah Wong
