As the cold winter breeze shy away with the quiet arrival of spring, trees that survived the harsh winter are in a hurry to show their beautiful blossoms. The flower buds and blossoms that come to life after a long winter sleep are messengers of spring’s arrival. In Korea, the most common spring flowers representing the arrival of spring are forsythias, azaleas, and cherry blossoms. Forsythias and azaleas are the earliest to blossom, flowering around the same period. These delicate flowers may seem small and fragile when seen one by one, but as a group in full bloom, they can overwhelm you with their lively springtime energy.

Forsythias, Sunny Smiles of Springtime

Korean forsythia, called “gaenari” (forsythia koreana) in Korea, is a native flower of Korea. The most attractive feature of this flower is the bright yellow color. When forsythia buds bloom, the small blossoms burst with energy like popping popcorns.

★ Recommended Forsythia Spots

1. Eungbongsan Mountain, Seoul

Eunbongsan Mountain is the only region to host a forsythia festival in Korea. Around the festival period, forsythia colonies cover the mountain with floods of bright yellow. You can feel spring’s presence just by looking the sight of yellow flowers covering the mountain. The best viewpoint to see the flowers is at the Seoul Forest, located across from Eungbongsan Mountain, where you can take in the waves of yellow at a glance.

Address: 1540, Geumho-dong 4-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

2. Heidegger’s Forest in Inha University, Incheon

Named after the German philosopher Martin Heidegger, Heidegger’s Forest in Inha University is a popular forsythia attraction among not only the students and faculty, but also the region’s residents. Unlike other universities that are heavily decorated with cherry blossoms, Heidegger’s Forest has a splendid variety of spring blossoms, including the eye-catching forsythias along Ingyeongho Lake.

Address: 71, Soseong-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon

3. Musimcheon Stream, Cheongju

Musimcheon Stream is noted for its harmony of three spring colors – green trees, yellow forsythias, and pink cherry blossoms. Thanks to the long-blooming forsythias, the lively spring atmosphere lingers longer along the stream.

Address: Sinsong-ri, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do

Azaleas, Springtime Joy in the Mountains

Shades of pink cover the mountains in Korea with the arrival of spring. From white to vivid magenta, a variety of lovely azaleas bloom in colonies throughout the mountain. Azaleas have been a long-time favorite spring flower among Koreans, and are used to garnish food items such tteok (rice cakes), jeon (batter-fried items), and alcohol. These charming flowers were also a common ornamental plant for decorating garden ponds at home. Azaleas adapt surprisingly well in any environment and can be found in neighborhood forests as well as harsh mountain terrains.

★ Recommended Azalea Spots

1. Goryeosan Mountain, Ganghwa

Goryeosan Mountain is famous for its colonies of azalea shrubs found throughout the mountain top. Despite the strenuous hike uphill, the mountain peak sees crowds of visitors every spring. It’s not an easy journey, but the sight of brilliant pink blanketing the mountains will have you forget all your muscle sores!

Address: Gocheon-ri, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon

2. Changdeokgung Palace, Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace is the best place to appreciate Koreans’ love for azaleas. It is also one of the best places to calmly enjoy spring beauty within the city. You can catch glimpses of striking dark pink blossoms among the other spring flowers, captivating one’s mind with its eloquent beauty.

Address: 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

3. Yeongchwisan Mountain, Yeosu

Yeongchwisan Mountain sees the earliest azalea blooming in Korea. The mountain also boasts a large azalea colony that spans over 330,000 ㎡. The fascinating sight of pink azaleas in full bloom in a wide open field at the mountain top is a scene that you don’t want miss out on.

Address: 547, Wolnae-dong, Yeosu, Jeollanam-do

Cherry Blossoms, Symbol of Sweet Spring

Springtime outing in Korea is synonymous to a trip to see the cherry blossoms. A symbol of spring, cherry blossoms greet visitors with their charming beauty whether in full bloom or with their fluttering petals in a gust of wind. In fact, the scene of their fragile petals falling down like rainfall at even the softest spring breeze attributes to its popularity. The cherry blossoms’ short-lived peak is all the more reason to catch the beauty in time.

★ Recommended Cherry Blossom Spots

1. Seoul National Cemetery

Matching the idea of a “national cemetery” with the word “beauty” may not be easy, but the Seoul National Cemetery has a splendid view of cherry blossom trees in addition to other attractive features, including the calm and peaceful atmosphere. The most popular attraction at the Seoul National Cemetery is the weeping cherry trees that have branches hanging down like a willow tree, covered with pastel pink cherry blossoms.

Address: 210, Hyeonchung-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul

2. Gyeonghwa Station, Jinhae

Jinhae is the host city of Korea’s largest cherry blossom festival Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, which has been taking place annually for 60 years. Jinhae has earned the reputation as a cherry blossom city due the cherry blossoms in full bloom found all over the city every spring. Among all the regions in Jinhae, Gyeonghwa Station and its magnificent cherry blossom tunnel are a must-see.

Address: 663, Jinhae-daero, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

3. Jeonnong-ro, Jeju

Korea’s number one cherry blossom spot is Jeju as it is the first place in Korea to see the flowers bloom and peak. The most popular cherry blossom spot in Jeju Island is the area of Jeonnong-ro. King cherry blossom trees are lined along both sides of the street, making what seems like an endless tunnel of white and light pink rain of flower petals with every breeze.

Address: Samdo 1-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju

* This column was last updated in March 2022, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting.