The 2025 Ultimate Guide to Cherry Blossom Season in South Korea
Cherry blossoms along Seokchon Lake in Seoul
Cherry blossoms are one of the most beloved symbols of spring in South Korea. South Korea's cherry blossom season usually begins in late March to early April. During this time, famous locations like Jinhae, Seoul's Yeouido Park, and Jeju Island come alive with pink and white blossoms, attracting visitors from all over the world. The cherry blossoms are celebrated not only for their beauty but also for their cultural significance, representing renewal, fleeting beauty, and the transient nature of life.
CHERRY BLOSSOM FORECAST 2025
Since we arrived in the summer of 2021, I've noticed that the cherry blossoms have consistently peaked about a week later than predicted each year, usually around the end of the first week of April. This year, I’ve found two helpful maps to share with you! The first one is from VisitKorea and the second one is from Photo-Trips. (Click the links to take you directly to their sites with more information.) In my opinion, the Visit Korea map gives a good idea of when you'll start to see more blooms, while the Photo Trips map will highlight the peak bloom period for this year. Of course, the exact timing will depend on the weather leading up to the season. Just keep in mind that during peak week, wind or rain can easily knock the delicate cherry blossoms off the trees overnight!
CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVALS
South Korea holds several cherry blossom festivals, where people gather to appreciate the flowers and enjoy cultural events.
Jinhae Gunhangje Festival (March-April): According to the Korea Tourism Organization, Jinhae hosts the most famous cherry blossom festival in South Korea.
Seoul Cherry Blossom Festival (early April): Hosted in Yeouido Park, right along the Han River, it features beautiful cherry trees lining the park and is accompanied by performances and activities.
Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival: Another notable festival with traditional cultural performances set against the backdrop of cherry blossoms.
WHERE AND HOW TO SEE THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS
A cherry blossom street in near Osan Air Base
Cherry blossoms in Seoul Forest
Seoul: There are so many good, popular spots for cherry blossom viewing like Yeouido Park, Seoul Forest, Namsan Seoul tower, Lotte Tower, and Nami Island. One of the busiest locations in Seoul is Seokchon Lake situated right next to Lotte World. We tried to beat the crowds early in the morning only to find that the crowds had the same idea. Visit Lotte Tower and the Seoul Sky Observatory to get an aerial view of the cherry blossoms at Seokchon Lake. Yeouido Park is situated along the Han River so it’s an easy place to stroll along to view the Cherry Blossoms.
Jinhae: Located in the southern part of South Korea, it is famous for the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors each year. Jinhae has an abundance of cherry blossom trees along its streets and riverside. This is by far the most popular of all cherry blossom festivals in South Korea and always one of the busiest festivals this time of year, so expect large crowds! I’ve found two amazing tours from Klook, both with transportation options from Seoul and Busan, are similarly priced, and have both had thousands of bookings and great reviews. Keep in mind that if you’re starting from Seoul, it’ll be an early and a long day. This one starts at 0600 and has you arriving back in Seoul around 2100. This one starts at 0530, has child pricing separately, and has the option for a day AND night tour out of Busan.
Gyeongju: The historic city of Gyeongju is another prime location to see cherry blossoms, particularly around Bomun Lake. The lake is surrounded by hundreds of cherry trees and you can take a leisurely walk around the lake while enjoying the beauty of the flowers. The area is also equipped with walking paths, and boat rides are available on the lake, offering an even more beautiful view of the cherry trees from the water.. I found this tour option through Klook with transportation from Busan. Another option is through GetYourGuide and both have availability starting the last week of March. It was difficult to find options leaving from Seoul but you could do a full weekend of Cherry Blossoms out of Busan to hit Jinhae and Gyeongju.
Jeju Island: Jeju is known for its early-blooming cherry blossoms, often starting to bloom in late March. This tour from Klook has availability starting March 18th and has options for the eastern part of Jeju or the South and Western parts. Make sure to check the itinerary map to determine which one better fits your needs! We’re headed to Jeju for spring break and I’m so excited that I’ll get to experience the cherry blossoms down there this year!
CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN PYEONGTAEK
Cherry blossoms are everywhere, including right off the highway!
Click here to read the blog I wrote a few years ago with popular places to catch the cherry blossoms near Osan Air Base!
If you’re looking for cherry blossom treats, check out 292 Lu Bakery (292루 베이커리) in Pyeongtaek near Camp Humphrey’s. They already have their cherry blossom drink out for the season! Click here for the Naver link to 292 Lu!
It’s still early in the season so I’ll update as more local shops offer cherry blossoms drinks and treats.
If you’ve visited during cherry blossom season, let me know what your favorite hidden spot to view the cherry blossoms was in the comments!
