South Korea Spring Travel Guide - Top 5 Destinations

Spring, the season to experience Korea at its most vibrant

A season of warm sunshine and cherry blossoms blooming everywhere. Spring in Korea is more than just a "season"; it's a time when the cold winter air fades, and the expressions and scenery of the people regain their vitality. To fully enjoy this beautiful season, many people embark on journeys, and various festivals and seasonal activities unfold throughout the country.

Especially for foreign travelers, experiencing spring in Korea is a series of unfamiliar yet captivating experiences. From famous cherry blossom spots to traditional Korean house (Hanok) stays under the warm sun, trekking through nature, and enjoying Korea's spring seasonal cuisine—it's full of diverse travel elements.

This article introduces the top 5 travel destinations in Korea where you can best experience spring, insider travel tips, recommended spring activities, and food.
If you're planning a short but fulfilling spring trip, the information we'll introduce will definitely help.
Spring in Korea, shall we go together?

1. Top 5 Spring Travel Destinations in Korea

1) Gyeongju – An Ancient City Trip with Cherry Blossoms

Gyeongju, the former capital of Korea, boasts an especially spectacular scenery in springtime when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. You can stroll along the cherry blossom paths while experiencing the beautiful spring atmosphere alongside historical sites.

✅ Recommended Spots
• Cheomseongdae Cherry Blossom Path – One of the most famous cherry blossom paths in Korea
• Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (Anapji) – A serene ancient pond and splendid spring scenery
• Bulguksa Temple & Seokguram Grotto – A spring trip with UNESCO World Heritage sites

Local Tip:
• At night, you can enjoy the night view and the reflected cherry blossoms at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond!

2) Jeju Island – A Flower Trip on a Warm Spring Day

When spring arrives, Jeju Island is filled with canola flowers and cherry blossoms, making it a top spring destination thanks to its warm climate.

✅ Recommended Spots
• Nokseon-ro Canola Flower Road – A combination of endless yellow canola flower fields and the blue sea
• Hallasan National Park Trails – A place to enjoy trekking in the warm spring sun
• Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak Cherry Blossom Path – Enjoy cherry blossoms with Jeju's unique wind

Local Tip:
• If you experience a citrus greenhouse during your Jeju spring trip, you can pick and eat fresh citrus fruits!

3) Jinhae – Korea's Largest Cherry Blossom Festival

The Jinhae Gunhangje Festival is Korea's largest cherry blossom festival, creating a spectacular scene where the entire city is dyed pink.

✅ Recommended Spots
• Gyeonghwa Station Cherry Blossom Path – A fantastic view of the cherry blossom path where trains pass by
• Yeojwacheon Romance Bridge – A famous cherry blossom spot, known as the filming location for the drama ‘Romance’
• Jehwangsan Park Observatory – A stunning view of cherry blossoms with Jinhae city and the sea

Local Tip:
• During the cherry blossom season, accommodations are booked quickly, so it's best to book in advance!

4) Seoul – Cherry Blossom Spots in the City Center

Seoul has many beautiful spots where you can admire cherry blossoms even in the city center, so you can enjoy the spring atmosphere without having to travel far.

✅ Recommended Spots
• Yeouido Yeouiseo-ro Cherry Blossom Path – Famous for its cherry blossom tunnel along the Han River
• Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival – Cherry blossoms bloom along the lake, and the night view is especially beautiful
• Namsan Park & Bukaksan Skyway – Spring cherry blossom drive with views of Seoul

Local Tip:
• At Seokchon Lake, the night view cherry blossoms with lighting are popular!

5) Damyang – A Spring Trip with Bamboo Forests

Damyang is recommended as a quiet spring destination, where lush bamboo forests and traditional Korean villages blend together.

✅ Recommended Spots
• Juknokwon – A famous spot offering healing with its lush bamboo walking paths
• Metasequoia-lined Road – A beautiful street that turns light green in spring
• Gwanbangjerim – A natural resting place where a cool stream and an old forest harmonize

Local Tip:
• Near Juknokwon, you can taste Damyang's traditional grilled bulgogi and bamboo rice!

2. Recommended Spring Activities in Korea

1) Han River Bicycle Trip – Enjoying the Spring Atmosphere in Seoul

In spring, you can enjoy the warm sunshine and river breeze by cycling along the Han River.

✅ Recommended Course
• Ttukseom Han River Park → Banpo Han River Park – A riding course where you can enjoy the night view
• Yeouido Han River Park → Nanji Han River Park – A romantic course with cherry blossoms

Local Tip:
• There are also free bicycle rental shops at Han River Parks!

2) National Park Spring Trekking – Hiking with Flowers

In spring, flowers bloom in Korea's national parks, allowing you to heal in nature while trekking.

✅ Recommended National Parks
• Seoraksan National Park – A famous spot where azaleas are in full bloom
• Jirisan National Park – A majestic landscape with the fresh green of spring
• Naejangsan National Park – A famous spot where mountain cherry blossoms and various spring flowers bloom

Local Tip:
• If you go early in the morning, you can enjoy trekking leisurely!

3) Traditional Hanok Experience – Spending a Spring Day in Korean Tradition

In spring, staying in a Hanok and enjoying the traditional atmosphere can be a special experience. Enjoying the scenery of cherry blossoms fluttering in a quiet Hanok will make for a more romantic time.

✅ Recommended Hanok Experience Locations
• Bukchon Hanok Village (Seoul) – A place where you can experience traditional Korean houses even in the city center
• Jeonju Hanok Village – The largest Hanok village, where you can experience traditional food and culture
• Gyeongju Gyochon Village – Possible Hanok accommodation where you can feel the atmosphere of the Silla Dynasty

Local Tip:
• Some Hanok accommodation experiences also offer traditional tea ceremonies and Hanbok rentals!
• When staying in a Hanok, you can directly experience the Ondol floor heating of the Hanok.

3. Recommended Spring Food in Korea

✅ Recommended Spring Food
1) Ssookguk (Mugwort Soup) – Fragrant Spring Vegetable Dish
Mugwort is one of the most popular wild greens in Korea in springtime, and Ssookguk is characterized by its warm broth and fragrant aroma.

Local Tip:
• In Gangwon-do, you can taste Ssookguk with a strong aroma grown in the sea breeze!

2) Spring Vegetable Bibimbap – The Taste of Fresh Seasonal Ingredients
Various wild greens come out in the spring, and bibimbap using them is perfect as a nutritious meal.

Local Tip:
• Adding plenty of sesame oil will enhance the nutty flavor!

3) Dodari Ssookguk (Flounder and Mugwort Soup) – A Delicacy You Can Only Enjoy in Spring
Flounder is known for its firm texture when its flesh becomes plump in spring, and when boiled with mugwort, it becomes a soup with a rich, savory taste.

Local Tip:
• You can taste fresh Dodari Ssookguk in Busan and Namhae!

Don't Miss the Special Moments of Spring in Korea

Spring in Korea is short but leaves a strong and lasting memory. Streets where pink cherry blossoms flutter, tables filled with fragrant spring greens, Hanok villages and national park trails under the warm sun—all these moments become unforgettable scenery for travelers.

We hope that through this guide, you can experience the spring of Korea more vividly and richly. We hope this article will serve as a small guide when choosing a travel destination, planning activities, or trying new Korean food.

Now is the time to set out to meet the spring of Korea.
Your own special spring day may be waiting for you somewhere in Korea