Where to See the Best of the 2018 Cherry Blossom Festivals in Korea – Seoulistic

Where to See the Best of the 2018 Cherry Blossom Festivals in Korea

The cherry blossoms are about to bloom in Korea, and it’s time to make plans to catch the best cherry blossom festivals in Seoul as well as outside of Seoul. They’re only here for a little over a week, so be sure to catch them, or you’ll have to wait until next year!

For 2018, the cherry blossoms in Korea will start to bloom at the end of March and the festivals will run till the beginning of April. There are many festivals throughout the country, and we’ve picked the best cherry blossoms festivals in Seoul and outside of Seoul. And for those that want to avoid crowds, we’ve highlighted areas that don’t have festival crowds, but still have beautiful flowers to enjoy.

(Btw, it’s not just cherry blossoms! There are more beautiful flower festivals in Korea with other types of flowers. Click here to find out when and where you can see these other spring flower festivals.)

Where to See the 2018 Cherry Blossoms in Seoul

(For cherry blossom festivals outside of Korea, click here or scroll down)

1. Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival (Jamsil)




 

Photo Credit: 핫플레이스

Festival Dates: April 5th to April 13th, 2018

Seokchon Lake at Jamsil Station has one of the best places to view cherry blossoms in Seoul. The lake itself is definitely beautiful on its own, but with the white cherry blossoms as an added backdrop, it adds to the leisurely romance. Lotte World is right there, so it’s also great for kids and dates.

Click here for maps, videos and other details.

2. Cherry Blossom Festival at Yeouido, Seoul

 

Photo Credit: 멋대로

Festival Dates: April 6 to April 13, 2018

The most popular cherry blossom festival in Seoul is held at Yeouido, which has a beautiful park sitting right on the side of the Han river. It’s perfectly situated for a day out in the sun and to sit under some beautiful cherry blossoms. Also, since this is a festival, there are street vendors, night lights and lots of people. Avoid this place if you dislike big crowds.

Click here for maps, videos and info on how to get there.

3. Cherry Blossom Festival at Seoul Grand Park

Seoul Grand Park is a huge and spacious space to enjoy the best cherry blossoms Seoul has to offer. And while this place will draw crowds, you can still walk through the park comfortably without being bumped by camera-distracted people every few moments. It’s a great place for families as there’s a zoo and an amusement park as well.

Click here for maps, videos and info on how to get there.

4. Cherry Blossoms at the Royal Palaces

Seoul’s Royal Palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung and Jongmyo Shrine) were designed for kings. And no palace would be complete without an annual spring bloom. While not all of the palaces have cherry blossoms, there’s a variety of spring flowers that bloom such as apricot blossom, maehwa, royal azalea, persimmon blossom, and peony.

(Not a festival, but flowers will bloom late March, early April.)

Click here for maps, videos and info on how to get there.




5. Cherry Blossoms at Seoul Forest

Seoul Forest is situated right in the middle of this hyper urban city, and it doesn’t draw the same crowds as the other cherry blossom festivals in Seoul, making it a perfect place for picnics. Fewer people and tons more space make it easy to sprawl out and maybe even toss a frisbee. Since nature is the theme, there are other spring blooms as well.

(Not a festival, but flowers will bloom late March, early April.)

Click here for maps, videos and info on how to get there.

6. Inwang Mountain Cherry Blossoms

Located a stone’s throw away from Gyeongbokgung Palace is Inwang Mountain. It’s a short and easy hike that’ll take less than 2 hours and tickle your cherry blossom fancy as you head up. While it’s not a full blown festival, the mountains side is beautifully accented with cherry blossoms every few feet. Come here for exercise, fresh air and a cherry blossom filled hike.

(Not a festival, but flowers will bloom late March, early April.)

Click here for maps, videos and info on how to get there.

7. Geumcheon-gu Cherry Blossom Road

Geumcheon-gu is a residential area on the outskirts of Seoul, and that means you’ll have the chance to enjoy more cherry blossoms without the crazy crowds. For those in south-western Seoul, hop on over and check out their famous cherry blossom road, a 3km pathway to cherry blossom nirvana.

Click here for maps, videos and info on how to get there.

8. Hapjeong Cafe Street (Hongdae Area)

Hapjeong is the calmer, more relaxed version of Hongdae. And that means enjoying a tasty and warm latte under a white cherry blossom tree. And while this is not a cherry blossom festival, the street is lined with beautiful cherry blossom trees, making an outdoor afternoon latte perfect for this area.

(Not a festival, but flowers will bloom late March, early April.)

Click here for maps, videos and info on how to get there.

Where to See the 2018 Cherry Blossoms in Korea

(Outside of Seoul)

2018 Cherry Blossom Festival on Jeju Island

Festival Dates: March 31st to April 8th, 2018

Jeju Island is the first place in Korea to see the cherry blossoms, so if you can’t wait, check out the Jeju Wangbeot Cherry Blossom Festival. Unlike some of the other festivals, there’s a stage for traditional Korean dance performances, as well as other multi-cultural shows. The flowers bring out peace and love on this island.

Click here for maps, videos and info on how to get there.

2018 Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival

This festival is one of the most famous in all of Korea. If you’re near Busan, or even in the small city of Changwon, you’ll be lucky to check out this much instagrammed cherry blossom festival. The 2018 Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival has the background for most beautiful Korean drama mama shots, with moats, bridges and trains all backdropped with beautiful and delicate petals.

Click here for maps, videos and info on how to get there.

2018 Everland Cherry Blossom Festival

Of course, the biggest amusement park in Korea has their own cherry blossom festival as well. Come here with loved ones to take roller coasters rides that’ll make you sick, and then see the beautiful cherry blossoms to life your spirits back up.

Click here for maps, videos and info on how to get there.

2018 Eworld Cherry Blossom Festival in Daegu

Festival Dates: March 24th to April 8th

Dagu’s Eworld Cherry Blossom Festival is another one of Korea’s more famous festivals to be sprinkled by white happiness. If you’re a night owl, this is a great one to see with one of the best night views in the country.

Click here for maps, videos and info on how to get there.

Gangneung Gyeongpodae Cherry Blossom Festival

Estimated Festival Dates: Beginning of April

Gangneung is a beautiful coastal city on South Korea’s east coast with fresh breezes, excellent seafood and at this time of year, wonderful cherry blossoms. If you’re looking for a short getaway from Seoul, it only takes about 2 hours by bus, and the cherry blossoms are the perfect reason to go.

Click here for maps, videos and info on how to get there.

(Click here for other types of spring flower festivals in Korea.)

Keith
Keith
Keith Kim is a Korean-American who has been living in Korea for almost a decade. Being in a unique position as both a Korean and a non-Korean, he's put all his experience and knowledge for surviving in Korea in Survival Korean . Read it to learn how you can survive in Korea. Follow him on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

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