Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sheisaeval]

Where is the best place(s) to see cherry blossoms? And when?

Also, what other places around Korea are especially scenic and beautiful in the spring time?

Thanks!

[nate2008]

The northeast part of the country is supposed to be the most beautiful, like in Gangwon province. There are mountains and some lakes in that province, and I plan on visiting it during spring. I don't have any specific cities or anything yet though, still need to do some research.

[BS.Dos.]

There's nothing much blooming down our way, but it should start in a couple of weeks.

I saw my first bug of the year today. I was going to kill it, but figured it probably wouldn't make much of a difference in the wider scheme of things.

[Mr-Dokdo]

Don't. I once enjoyed a blossoming cherry, and the owner turned into a real stalker.

[Robot_Teacher]

I know hereby declare it to be Spring. It's warming up and tonight is the 1st rain of the season. Yes, it's raining with a pleasantly non-freezing temp. Not even uncomfortably chilly like last night and every night before it. Man I need get that motorbike like really soon so I can get out there and see Spring come full circle in a riot of colors, cuz no ones going to chauffeur me or take me out. I'm happy as a lark about Spring.

I remember how last year, Spring came so late in the states and then how I realized how special Spring really is. I was expecting things to happen in March as they did before, but it was a slow start in mid April. Last March at home was much colder than right now in Korea and nothing green would come up until mid April. It was so brown, bare, and dead, but when it warmed up, everything came to life full circle.

Tonight's rain means the seeds recently sowed during the past 6 days are going to germinate in the next week. The rural Korean ladies are well in tune with their timing. This means plants will begin to push their way out of the sterilized dead soil in 2 to 3 weeks from now. Winter really sterilizes the land, but when it warms up, life just explodes in a riot of pink and green. I seen some cherry blossoms in the states and it's nice.

So it's said Gangwon is the most beautiful. I'm ready to see it and be pleased or even amazed.

[oni]

Jinhae in the south is famous for it's Cherry blossom festival.

I think Namsan is nice in Spring and also the palaces

[sheisaeval]

Where in Gangwon-do would you recommend a visit this spring?

[michaelambling]

[nosmallplans]

[oldtactics]

Nothing yet in Chuncheon but like Robot_Teacher mentioned, we're getting our first rain that's not half snow, so I'm sure the blossoms will be in full bloom by the end of March.

[Chet Wautlands]

I second Jinhae. They have a big cherry blossom festival each year.

[Kimsmith]

Yeoido is popular with Koreans for viewing cherry blossoms - but not all that scenic. A friend of mine said she went to Bulguksa a few years back and that the cherry blossoms were spectacular. I've also heard that the Kyunghee University campus is nice at cherry blossom time, but have never been there myself.

[schwa]

I love the annual procession of early spring blooms here & teach my students their english names.

Wild azaleas will very shortly color any trail through scrubby woods. Followed quickly by urban splashes of forsythia. Magnolias up next, splashy but short-lived. Ornamental cherries blossom around the 1st of april, give or take a week. Lots of communities have been busy establishing concentrated plantings of cherry trees to entertain their citizens & entice visitors. A tunnel of blossoms can be impressive.

But for me, my annual spring goal is to stumble upon one perfect cherry tree at the peak of its bloom with sunlight pouring through it & abuzz with bees. A 10-minute pause underneath it to soak in the magic of the season & I'm content. You dont have to travel far.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Jinhae's festival is to start March 27. The others farther north will follow.

[Mr. Pink]

Usually around Seoul they come out the first and second week of April. It all depends if they are in full sun or hidden on the side of a hill, mountain or behind an apartment building.

In Seoul, Yoido Park has tons of lovely trees and lots of people go there to see them. Also, last time I was at Children's Grand Park they had quite a few cherry blossum trees there as well.

Good luck.

They always bloom south first, so if you catch the timing right you could get to see them longer. Just take a train/bus down south a week before they come to Seoul.