Spring in Korea is a magical time when the entire country bursts into pink and white bloom. As the weather warms, cherry blossoms (벚꽃 beotkkot) decorate streets, parks, and mountains, drawing locals and travelers out to enjoy the scenery. This time let’s get to know where to catch the best cherry blossoms in 2025, highlight top viewing spots (including addresses in English and Korean), and some travel tips for a smooth trip
2025 Cherry Blossom Bloom Schedule
Cherry blossoms in Korea bloom from south to north, typically over late March to mid-April. The bloom is brief – about a week from first blossom to full bloom – so timing is everything. Here’s the 2025 forecast by region:
Jeju Island
Jeju, Korea’s southern resort island, sees the nation’s first cherry blossoms. In 2025, blooms are expected to start around March 22 with full bloom by about March 29. Jeju’s famous native “King Cherry” trees (왕벚나무) bloom a bit later than the mainland’s and only stay at peak for 2-3 days, so plan carefully. Jeju’s mild coastal climate means an early spring – a perfect kick-off for cherry blossom season.
Busan & Gyeongsang/Jeolla Regions)
The southern coastal and inland regions follow closely after Jeju. Cities like Busan, Jinhae (Changwon), and Daegu will see blossoms opening by late March (around March 23-26) and reaching full bloom in very early April. For example, Busan’s trees are predicted to flower ~March 23 and peak by the end of March. Jinhae’s cherry blossoms – celebrated in Korea’s biggest spring festival – usually bloom around the last week of March and hit full bloom by about April 1 . If you’re visiting coastal Jeolla provinces (e.g. Yeosu, Suncheon) or Gyeongsangnam-do in late March, you’ll catch these early bloomers at their finest.
Central Korea (Seoul & Surrounding Regions)
Central regions, including Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and the Chungcheong area, welcome cherry blossoms in early April. Seoul’s first blooms are forecast around April 1, 2025 with full bloom about a week later, around April 8. Daejeon and other central cities should see blossoms between late March and the first days of April, with peak bloom by the second week of April. If you plan to be in the capital region in the first week of April, you’re right on time – the whole city will be covered in petals by the first weekend of the month.
Northern & Mountain Areas
Colder northern locales and high elevations bloom last. In places like northern Gangwon Province (e.g. Chuncheon) and higher mountain parks, cherry blossoms may not start until early April and will reach full bloom in the second week of April. For instance, Chuncheon’s bloom is expected around April 4 with peak around April 11. Likewise, areas in northeast Gangwon or higher altitude spots can have blossoms lingering into mid-April. Tip: If you miss the main wave in Seoul or Busan, heading to these cooler regions a week later (or seeking out late-blooming king cherry trees) can extend your blossom-chasing adventure.
Note: Cherry blossom forecasts can shift due to weather. A warm spell can make flowers open early, while a cold snap or spring rain might delay or shorten the peak. It’s wise to monitor local updates as your trip approaches, but the above timeline is a good rule of thumb for 2025.
Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Korea
Korea is filled with fantastic spots to enjoy cherry blossoms – from famous festival sites to quiet streets draped in petals. Here are some top viewing locations across the country, each with its own charm. (We’ve included exact addresses in English and Korean for easy navigation!)
Jinhae Gunhangje Festival (Jinhae, Changwon City)
Jinhae is a cherry blossom paradise in Korea, hosting the renowned Gunhangje Festival every spring. This coastal town turns pink with about 360,000 cherry trees in bloom, attracting visitors from all over the country (and world!). The signature sight here is Yeojwacheon Stream (여좌천) – a small creek overhung with cherry blossom tunnels. Stroll the wooden boardwalks along Yeojwacheon, and don’t miss the photogenic “Romance Bridge” where yellow canola flowers bloom beneath pink cherry petals, creating a stunning color contrast. Another must-see is Gyeonghwa Station (경화역), an old train station where railroad tracks are lined with cherry trees – when the petals fall, it feels like a pink snowfall! Jinhae’s festival vibe is lively: expect street food stalls (try the seasonal cherry blossom ice cream), cultural performances, and even navy band parades, as the festival began as a memorial to Admiral Yi Sun-sin. It’s one of Asia’s most famous blossom festivals and for good reason – the entire city becomes a celebration of spring.
Address: Tongsin-dong, Jinhae-gu, Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 창원시 진해구 통신동)
Yeouido Spring Flower Festival (Yeouiseo-ro, Seoul)
Yeouido Island in Seoul is home to the capital’s most famous cherry blossom festival. Every April, Yeouiseo-ro (여의서로) – the road behind the National Assembly building – is closed to traffic and opened for pedestrians to wander under a canopy of blooming trees. With up to 1,600 cherry trees lining the street (illuminated with colorful lights at night), you’re guaranteed a stunning sight. The atmosphere here is festive: people spread picnic mats, enjoy food from booths, and watch street performances against a backdrop of fluffy blossoms. It does get crowded – no surprise, as nearly 4 million people visit the Yeouido festival each year – but the cheerful energy is contagious. Besides cherry trees, you’ll also see azaleas, forsythia, and other spring flowers in full bloom, making Yeouido a multi-color spring wonderland. For a unique viewpoint, consider taking a short Han River cruise at sunset after strolling the blooms. And if you stay into the evening, the lit-up blossoms against the night sky are simply magical.
Address: Yeouiseo-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 영등포구 여의서로)
Seokchon Lake Park (Jamsil, Seoul)
If you’re in Seoul, another iconic spot is Seokchon Lake in Jamsil. This lake, encircled by cherry trees, offers a blend of nature and city – the blossoms frame the skyline, including the towering Lotte World Tower nearby. During the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival (석촌호수 벚꽃축제) in early April, pathways around the twin lakes (East and West lake) are filled with couples and families taking walks under the blossoms. The sight of pink petals reflected in the calm lake water is truly romantic. There are often local music performances and food stalls during festival days, adding to the charm. Because the lake is in a residential area, it feels a bit more relaxed than Yeouido, though it’s still very popular (especially at night when the lakeside blooms are lit up). If you need a break, Lotte World Adventure (a theme park) and Lotte Mall are right next door for some indoor fun or dining with a view of the flowers from above.
Address: 47 Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 송파구 잠실동 47)
Jeju Cherry Blossom Spots (Jeju City, Jeju Island)
Jeju Island offers a unique cherry blossom experience featuring the rare King Cherry trees native to Jeju. These blossoms are slightly larger and a rich pink hue when in full bloom. The Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival (제주 왕벚꽃축제) usually takes place in late March when the island’s cherry trees hit their peak. The best spots are in Jeju City: head to Jeonnong-ro (전농로), a downtown street lined with cherry trees that create a gorgeous tunnel of blooms. This area is especially beautiful in the evenings of the festival, when the trees are adorned with lanterns and lights, and there are often street performances under the blossoms. Another Jeju highlight is the area around the Jeju Sports Complex and the entrance road to Jeju National University, where you can stroll under arching cherry trees in full bloom. What makes Jeju extra special is the simultaneous bloom of golden canola (유채꽃) fields – imagine bright yellow flower fields popping up next to cherry blossom-lined roads! It’s a photographer’s dream. The coastal scenery and gentle spring breeze of Jeju add to the charm – don’t forget to also enjoy Jeju’s spring delicacies and perhaps a cup of cherry blossom tea at a local café.
Address: Jeonnong-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do (제주특별자치도 제주시 전농로)
Haeundae Dalmaji Hill (Busan)
For a more panoramic cherry blossom view, Dalmaji-gil Road (달맞이길) in Busan is hard to beat. This winding road on a hillside near Haeundae Beach is nicknamed the “Moonlight Road,” famous for its coastal views and, in spring, a tunnel of cherry blossoms. A stroll (or drive) up Dalmaji Hill offers vistas of the sea on one side and hundreds of cherry trees on the other. There are several viewpoints and cozy cafés along the road where you can sip coffee while gazing at petals fluttering in the sea breeze. It’s especially lovely in the late afternoon when the sun starts to set over the ocean, casting a warm glow through the blossoms. The atmosphere here is peaceful and romantic – popular with locals on dates or friends out for a scenic walk. If you continue up the road, you’ll reach an area with galleries and the Dalmaji observatory. It’s a quieter cherry blossom spot compared to big festivals, but no less beautiful. And being in Busan, you can easily combine it with a day at Haeundae Beach or a visit to the famous Haedong Yonggungsa Temple nearby.
Address: 190 Dalmaji-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan (부산광역시 해운대구 달맞이길 190)
Travel Tips for Cherry Blossom Season
Visiting Korea during cherry blossom season is amazing, but it does require some planning. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your trip:
- Plan Ahead & Book Early: Spring is peak travel season in Korea (both for international tourists and locals on weekend flower-viewing trips). Hotels in popular areas can fill up fast and prices go up. For example, Seoul sees millions of visitors for the blossoms, and accommodations get scarce.
- Try to book your hotels and any intercity transport tickets well in advance to secure good deals. Cherry blossom dates can shift, but aim to be in each region around the predicted full bloom for the best experience.
- Getting Around (Transport): Korea’s public transport is excellent and usually the best way to chase blossoms. High-speed KTX trains connect major cities (Seoul to Busan in ~2.5 hours), and express buses reach even smaller cities. For Jinhae, direct intercity buses run from Seoul (4-5 hours), or you can take a KTX to Busan/Masan and local transport from there. Seoul’s subway will get you to spots like Yeouido or Jamsil easily. In Busan, use the metro or local buses (Haeundae Beach station is near Dalmaji-gil). If you’re confident driving, rental cars are an option for more remote spots (like rural cherry blossom roads or Jeju Island), but remember to get an International Driving Permit and expect traffic near famous sites. Alternatively, consider joining a day tour for far-off festivals (there are Seoul-to-Jinhae day trip tours, for example), which saves the hassle of transfers
- Timing Your Visits: To beat the crowds at popular spots, go early in the morning. Arriving at Yeouido or Jinhae at sunrise means you might have the blooms almost to yourself for a while (and soft morning light for photos). If you’re not an early bird, another trick is to visit on a weekday rather than a weekend, when possible – there will still be people, but significantly fewer than Saturday/Sunday. For festival events like parades or fireworks, of course you’ll have to embrace the crowd or arrive extra early. And keep an eye on the weather forecast: if heavy rain is predicted, try to see the blossoms before it hits (a strong rain or wind can knock petals off in a day or two). Carrying a small umbrella or rain jacket is wise just in case spring showers pop up.
- Avoiding Pitfalls: Popular blossom sites mean traffic. If you’re driving, anticipate congestion and limited parking near festival areas – using public transit or special shuttle buses (like those Yeouido provides during festival days) can save headaches. Also, weekends in Seoul, Busan or Jinhae during this time will be very crowded; keep a close eye on your belongings in the bustle (Korea is quite safe generally, but it’s always good practice). Lastly, respect nature – it’s tempting to shake a branch to make petals fall for that dreamy photo, but this can damage the trees. Instead, wait for a breeze or gently catch fallen petals from the ground for your pictures.
Springtime Curiosities
- Cherry Blossom or… Cherry Fruit? A fun fact: the cherry blossom trees widely planted in Korea (mostly Yoshino cherry, originally introduced from Japan decades ago) don’t actually bear the edible cherries people think of – those come from different varieties. In Korean, the cherry blossom is “beotkkot” (벚꽃), and it’s the flowers we celebrate. So don’t expect to eat cherries from these trees – instead, you’ll eat and drink things inspired by the flowers! Which brings us to…
- Seasonal Snacks & Treats: Spring in Korea brings out a blossom-themed feast for the taste buds. Festivals often have unique local treats: Jinhae, for example, sells cute cherry blossom-shaped rice cakes and even a pink “cherry blossom cake” filled with red bean and cherry blossom extract. Street vendors sell “cherry blossom ice cream” – usually a strawberry ice cream swirled into a cone with a pink flower decoration (it’s more about the look than a distinct flower taste, but it’s fun to try!). Big brands jump in too: convenience store chains release quirky items like the GS25 Cherry Blossom Burger, a slider with pink burger buns, and cherry blossom flavored sparkling sodas
- You’ll find cherry blossom lattes and frappuccinos at cafes (Starbucks Korea rolls out a special sakura drink and merchandise line every spring), cherry blossom macarons and cupcakes at bakeries, and even cherry blossom soju or craft beer at some bars! It’s a nationwide spring craze – basically, Korea turns pink in flavor as well as color. Be on the lookout for any product with “벚꽃” on the label during your visit – it’s bound to be a limited-edition spring goodie.
- Weather Whims & Yellow Dust: Spring weather in Korea is generally mild and lovely – daytime highs in April average 15-20°C (59-68°F) in Seoul. But it can swing from warm afternoons to brisk nights, so layering is key. Early spring can also bring the “Yellow Dust” (황사) phenomenon, when winds carry fine sand from the deserts of China/Mongolia over to Korea, sometimes in March/April. This results in hazy skies and poor air quality on some days. It doesn’t happen every day, but if you have sensitivity, check the daily air quality index. Many Koreans will don masks on dusty days. On the plus side, when the air is clear, spring days are postcard perfect – blue skies, blooming flowers, and gentle breezes. Just keep moisturizer handy; the air can be a bit dry in spring.
chasing cherry blossoms in Korea is a delightful adventure filled with natural beauty, cultural festivities, and lovely surprises. Whether you’re walking under the petal showers in Jinhae, feasting on cherry-blossom-shaped treats, or capturing that perfect photo by a palace wall in Seoul, you’ll create memories of springtime magic. The key is to time it right, savor each moment (and each bite of a seasonal snack), and embrace the local excitement – because in Korea, when the cherry blossoms bloom, everyone comes out to celebrate. Happy blossom hunting in 2025!
