Spring is here — so are blossoms
Five breathtaking places to surround yourself with flowers in full bloom
The season of blooms has finally arrived.
A kaleidoscope of spring flowers renders travel across the country ever-more tempting.
Check out some of the best spots to soak in spring blooms from Seoul to Jeju Island.
Plum blossoms in Gwangyang
The Gwangyang Maehwa Festival runs through Sunday at Maehwa Village in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province.
The 10-day annual celebration of plum blossoms, in its 24th year, is one of Korea's longest-running spring festivals.
Admission to the 33 square meter grove of plum blossom trees in Seomjingang Village — home to the largest number of plum trees in the country — costs from 4,000 won to 5,000 won. Fees are waived for ages 65 and above and veterans.
The admission tickets can be used to purchase food and souvenirs at the festival. A dosirak, or lunch box, will be prepared with drinks such as soda, sparkling water or highballs.
Outdoor activities such as sailing a yacht on the nearby Seomjin River are also available. The drive from Seoul to Maehwa Village takes abouts four hours.
Tulips at Everland
Starting March 21, the signature Four Seasons Garden in Everland, South Korea's largest theme park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, will showcase 1.2 million tulips and daffodils. Close to 100 different varieties of the spring flowers will be on show.
Access to Everland's gardens, also known for roses and plum and cherry blossoms, will be easier than ever this year. This week, the theme park introduced a subscription service that allows Garden Pass holders to visit the theme park's gardens anytime they want.
Registration for the service is currently open and Garden Passes will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. The passes can be used starting Friday next week, the same day the tulip festival opens at the Four Seasons Garden.
The pass allows access to not only all the gardens on the compound but the nearby Hoam Museum of Art as well. Pass holders will be able to ask for a guide tour and take part in activities such as picking plums or learning how to grow a bonsai tree.
The priciest of the three pass options costs 400,000 won ($275) and grants unlimited access to Everland gardens up to 280 days in a year.
Cornelian cherry blossoms in Gurye
Mark your calendar for a tour of trails lined with cornelian cherry dogwood at Sansuyu Village in Gurye, South Jeolla Province. Dogwood is one of the first trees in Korea to flower in spring.
The mostly flat trails, cutting through villages, will be open for free from Saturday to March 23, with guide tours available for those with online reservations.
There are six trails, the shortest one spanning 1.4 kilometers, the longest 3.1 kilometers. It takes at least 30 minutes to walk the shortest trail, Gurye officials say. Street food will be sold nearby.
Hwaeomsa plum blossoms in Gurye
Near Sansuyu Village is Hwaeomsa, a temple run by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism on the slopes of Jirisan in South Jeolla Province.
The plum blossoms at Hwaeomsa, distinctively hot pink, were designated as a natural monument last year.
The temple, a historic site, is home to several nationally recognized treasures like stone lanterns. The bamboo trails here are also worth checking out.
Hwaeomsa is also one of 31 temples providing English templestay programs. Check out the Jogye website for more information.
Canolas, hydrangeas on Jeju Island
Canola flowers herald the start of spring on Jeju Island. Following the winter camellia festival, the resort island now invites visitors to its canola flower festival, running through April 13.
At Hueree Park, visitors will find more than yellow canolas. Red plum blossoms and hydrangeas add to the fleeting beauty of spring ephemerals.
The park is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and admission starts at 10,000 won. Pets must be on leashes.
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