Spring in Korea: Cherry Blossom Korea 2023 Forecast

Here’s your ultimate guide to spring in Korea! Read on to find out when and where to see the beautiful spring blossoms across Korea.

In Korea, spring falls in the months of March, April, and May. Offering gentle breezes and warm weather with beautiful blossoms, spring is surely the best time to visit Korea. Especially mid-March to early April is the season in which many international visitors, as well as locals, go on a trip to capture the fascinating scenery of spring flowers.

Although their peaks differ depending on each flower, most spring blossoms usually last only up to 10 days after the date of the first bloom. For sure, it is wise to see the forecast first before planning your spring blossom trip if you don’t want to miss out on incredible spring colors in Korea.

Spring in Korea – Weather & What to Wear

| Weather: Mostly sunny with warm afternoon highs. Huge difference in day and night temperatures.

| Temperatures:

March– Average 6°C (42°F); High10°C (51°F); Low2°C (36°F)
April–Average 13°C (55°F); High18°C (64°F); Low8°C (46°F)
May–Average 18°C (64°F); High23°C (73°F); Low13°C (55°F)

※Check the weather forecast here for accurateweather information and an indication of rain.

| What to wear:A warm, lightweight jacket, or winter coat (in March), long-sleeved T-shirts or sweatshirts, cardigans, and anumbrella in case of rain.

※Dress in multiple layers for changing temperatures.

2023 Korea Spring Blossom Map & Forecast

Typically, Korea’s spring blossom season starts from mid-March with Maehwa (plum blossom) and Sansuyu (cornelian cherry) flowers followed by cherry blossoms and other spring flowers. Usually, Korea’s spring blossoms start bursting into bloom from the southern part of Korea and then the peak moves up to the northern region after.

Below is the date of the first bloom for Korea’s spring flowers. Please note that plum blossoms, cornelian cherry flowers, and cherry blossoms reach their peaks in a week and last only about 10 days after the first bloom. However, canola flowers in Jeju Island start to bloom in late February and continue to flourish throughout March to April, and azaleas in Goryeosan Mountain in Gangwhado, Incheon remain thriving for the whole month of April.

Destination	Date of First Bloom
Gwangyang Maehwa (plum blossom)	March 10
Gurye Sansuyu (cornelian cherry)	March 11
Jeju Island Cherry Blossom	March 20
Jeju Island Canola Flower	Early March
Jinhae Cherry Blossom	March 21
Busan Cherry Blossom	March 24
Daegu Cherry Blossom	March 26
Gyeongju Cherry Blossom	March 24
Hadong (Hwagae) Cherry Blossom	March 21
Incheon Azalea	March 27
Jeonju Cherry Blossom	March 22
Gangneung Cherry Blossom	March 31
Chuncheon Cherry Blossom	April 5
Seoul Cherry Blossom	March 28
Cheongju Cherry Blossom	March 27
Daejeon Cherry Blossom	March 27

*2023 Spring blossom forecast information provided by 153 weather.

Best Spring Blossom Destinations in Korea

One of the best ways to experience the spring blossom season in Korea is to visit the spring flower festivals held across the country. Here’s our pick of the top 7 festivals for your spring blossom day out. Take a close look at each destination below and start planning your trip!

1. Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival

Festival Period: March 10~19

▲ Where: Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province (southwest of Korea)

Gwangyang Maehwa Village, also known as Seomjin Village, is a charming local village tucked in the city of Gwangyang at the downstream of Seomjin River, the cleanest water among Korea’s 5 largest rivers. Every spring, the picturesque view of more than 100,000 plum trees covering the hilly Seomjin Village bursting into bloom fascinates both local and international visitors.

Take a peep at Trazy Crew’s review & tips on Gwangyang International Maehwa Festival.

2. Gurye Sansuyu Festival

Festival Period: March 11~19

▲ Where: Gurye, South Jeolla Province (southwest of Korea)

Another popular destination for an early spring flower festival is Gurye Sansuyu Village. As its name gives away, during the spring festival season, the sansuyu (cornelian cherry) trees paint the village with their bright yellow flowers.

Take a trip down south to Gurye Sansuyu Festival and dive into the colorful spring vibes offered by the breathtaking scenery and various activities at the experience booths.

|Gwangyang Maehwa & Gurye Sansuyu Festival from Seoul/Busan (Mar 11 & 18)

3. Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival

Festival Period: March 25~April 3

▲ Where: Jinhae-gu, Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province (southeast of Korea)

Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival is by far the largest cherry blossom festival in Korea. From April 1 to 10, you’ll be able to enjoy the very best cherry blossoms in the city of Changwon.

Check out Trazy’s ultimate guide to Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival!

Walking along Yeojwacheon Bridge, widely known as the Romance Bridge, you will admire a view of beautiful cherry blossoms and their reflections on the stream. To take utterly Instagrammable photos, head to Gyeonghwa Station. You’ll be in awe of the scenery of the cherry blossom trees endlessly stretched out along the railway.

| Jinhae Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour from Seoul/Busan (Mar 24~Apr 6)

| Jinhae Cherry Blossom & Busan Sunrise Tour from Seoul (Mar 28~Apr 6)

4. Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival

Festival Period: March 31~April 2

▲ Where: Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province (southeast of Korea)

Ever late-March to early-April, the Simni Cherry Blossom Road, the 4 km road that connects Ssanggyesa Temple and Hwagaejangteo Market, is filled with 1,200 cherry blossom trees in full bloom. To capture this scenic view, people from all over Korea take a trip to this small village in Hadong, Gyeongsangnamdo (South Gyeongsang) Province and have an unforgettable moment with their beloved people.

Click to read Trazy Crew’s review and tips on Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival.

5. Jeju Island Cherry Blossom / Canola Flower

▲ Best time to visit: For Canola flowers March / Cherry blossoms Mid March – April
▲ Where: Jeju Island

While the spring season in Jeju Island spans from March to May in general, the peak season lasts from mid-March until early April where you can fully enjoy the stunning cherry blossoms and canola flowers at the same time!

Visit Mount Sanbansan and Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak to marvel at the natural wonders Jeju Island has to offer in the spring season. Also, don’t forget to take a look at gardens such as Hallim Parkand Camellia Hill to see how man-made artifacts and human-grown plants are arranged in harmony with Jeju’s nature.

Click to read Jeju Island Spring Travel Guide A to Z.

You can conveniently travel Jeju Island by taxi or tour to visit only the best spring destinations without a hassle.

| Taxi/ Van Tour: Jeju Island Cherry Blossom & Canola Flower (Mar 21~Apr 10)
| Jeju Spring All-Inclusive Package: Flight + Private Flower Tour (+ Hotel option) (Mar 20~Apr 9)
| Car Rental in Jeju Island
| Jeju 1 Day Bus Tour Package (East/West/South)
| Jeju City Tour Bus: Hop On & Hop Off 1 Day Pass

6. Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival

Festival Period: March 31~April 2

▲ Where: Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province (southeast of Korea)

The picture-perfect Bomun Lake in Gyeongju, a historical city in the southern part of Korea, shows off its best every April when 9,000 cherry trees around the lake burst into bloom. Take a walk or cycle along the 8 km-long cherry tree-lined path around the lake. You can also rent out a cute duck boat to paddle on the lake.

Here, you can read Trazy Crew’s review and tips on Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival.

| Gyeongju Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour from Seoul/Busan (Apr 3~9)
| Gyeongju Bomun Lake & Daereungwon Cherry Blossom Tour from Busan (Mar 27~Apr 8)
| Gyeongju Cherry Blossom & King Cherry Blossom Tour from Busan (Mar 25~Apr 2, Apr 22~30)

7. Seoul Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival

Festival Period: April 4~9

▲ Where: Yeouido, Seoul

Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival is the most famous cherry blossom festival in Seoul. It has nice scenery and many cherry blossom trees with lots of people on the street. Since the street lies along the Han River, you can walk under the arch of pinkish-white cherry blossoms with the spring breezes from the river.

| Seoul Private City Tour – 1 Day Private Van Tour
| Mastering Seoul in 1 Day Group Tour

By Trazy’sYeouido cherry blossom walking tour, you can visit the best spots of the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival. Plus, you’ll be able to look around popular attractions in Yeouido such as 63 Sky Art, Aqua Planet 63, and Han River Cruise.

| Han River E-land Ferry Cruise (Day & Night) – from Yeouido
| 63 Building Observatory Ticket: 63 Sky Art & Aqua Planet 63

8. Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival

Festival Period: April 5~9

▲ Where: Jamsil, Seoul

Another representative cherry blossom festival in Seoul is Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival in Jamsil. Seokchon Lake Park is known to have many famous attractions that both locals and tourists often visit, such as Lotte World Theme Park, Lotte World Mall, and Lotte World Tower. Don’t miss out on the fun and exciting landmarks of Seoul when visiting Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival!

| Lotte World Discount Ticket (+ Magic Pass Premium option)
| Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky Discount Ticket
| Lotte World 1 Day Pass + Lotte World Aquarium Combo Discount Ticket
| Korean School Uniform Rental near Lotte World

Here, you can read Jamsil: Seoul’s Instagrammable Hidden Gems Part 5.

9. Daegu E-World Cherry Blossom Festival

Festival Period: March 18~April 9

▲ Where: Daegu

Daegu E-World, located in the southeastern part of South Korea, is an outdoor amusem*nt park that boasts beautiful pink cherry blossoms every spring! There are many photo spots that you shouldn’t miss out on. Also, don’t forget to stop by 83 Tower Observatory, the symbolic landmark of Daegu.

| Daegu E-World & 83 Tower Observatory Discount Ticket

Here, you can read the Perfect Guide to Daegu E-World & 83 Tower Observatory.

10. Goryeosan Azalea Festival

Festival Period: April 15~23

▲ Where: Goryeosan Mountain, Incheon

Don’t be disappointed even if you land in Korea after the cherry blossoms are gone. After the cherry blossom season, pink and purple azaleas explode in spectacular bloom in Korea. If you are thumbing through guidebooks searching for the best place to see these breathtaking azaleas, Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival is the perfect place to be!

| Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival + Oepo Port Seafood Market Tour from Seoul (Apr 14~22)

Check out Trazy Crew’s review and tips on Goryeosan Azalea Festival.

Walk up the mountain and enjoy the gorgeous view of the azalea flowers at Goryeosan Mountain with a hassle-free 1-day private tour from Seoul!

More of Trazy’s Spring Special Tours in Korea:

More Hassle-Free Ways to Enjoy Spring in Korea:

For more ideas for your spring trip to Korea, make sure you visitTrazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop!

Spring in Korea: Cherry Blossom Korea 2023 Forecast - Trazy Blog (2024)