Where Are the Best Spots for Spring Flower Blooming and Spring Outings?

Spring flowers in the front yard of Nakseonjae.

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] The Cultural Heritage Administration’s Palace and Royal Tombs Division will provide information on the spring flower blooming periods at the Four Grand Palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and Joseon Royal Tombs, and will hold various spring events.

This year, spring flowers at the palaces and Joseon royal tombs are expected to bloom about 3 to 11 days earlier than usual. Notable spring flower spots at the palaces and royal tombs include ▲ Gyeongbokgung’s Amisan cherry blossoms and apricot blossoms around Jagyeongjeon ▲ Changdeokgung’s ginger trees in the viewing area, weeping cherry blossoms at Seunghwaryu, plum blossoms at Nakseonjae ▲ Changgyeonggung’s ginger trees and cherry blossoms at Hwacheon near Gyeongchunjeon ▲ Deoksugung’s mountain cherry blossoms from Daehanmun to Junghwajeon and peonies behind Hamnyeongjeon ▲ Jongmyo’s forsythia in front of Hyangdaecheong and Jaegung, and plum blossoms ▲ and the area around the Joseon royal tombs’ walking paths. Visitors can enjoy a variety of spring flowers such as azaleas, Korean dogwoods, and cornelian cherries along with the native vegetation in these locations.

Spring flowers at the palaces and Joseon royal tombs begin blooming in mid-March, peak in April, and last until the end of May. Different types of spring flowers bloom in succession, allowing visitors to appreciate the beautiful traditional landscapes and fully experience the fragrant, nostalgic atmosphere of the old times.

Various cultural events enjoyable for visitors to the palaces and royal tombs during spring are also prepared. At the palaces, ▲ Gyeongbokgung operates the Saenggwabang program (April 20?June 25), where visitors can enjoy royal court rice cakes and medicinal teas actually consumed by kings ▲ Changdeokgung holds spring garden care (March 25) and limited-time opening and special viewing of Nakseonjae’s rear garden (March 29?April 6) ▲ Changgyeonggung offers “Changgyeonggung Tree Stories with History” (April?November) ▲ Deoksugung hosts special interior tours of the pavilions (March 29?April 3). At the Joseon royal tombs, ▲ at Geonwonneung, the “Cheongwan Yechoe” ceremony to cut the silver grass covering King Taejo’s tomb mound is planned for Hansik (Cold Food Festival) on April 6.

Spring scenery of the Nakseonjae area as seen from the Nakseonjae pavilion.

The Changdeokgung Management Office’s special viewing event, “Embracing Spring at Nakseonjae, Ascending the Rear Garden of Nakseonjae,” offers a deeper understanding of the background of Nakseonjae’s construction, its architectural features, and historical stories related to the Korean Empire’s royal family, guided by a professional narrator. Especially, ascending the rear garden allows visitors to enjoy the beautiful spring scenery of the Nakseonjae area, including the fragrant spring flowers blooming on the terraced flower beds (Hwache, 花階), pavilions, and flower walls.

This special viewing is open to the general public aged middle school and above and can be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis through 11st Ticket starting at 2 p.m. on the 25th.

The event runs once daily during the period, starting at 10:20 a.m. and lasting about 50 minutes, with a maximum of 20 participants per session. For more details, inquiries can be made through the Changdeokgung website or by phone.

Stories of Trees in Changgyeonggung Palace.

The Changgyeonggung Management Office, in collaboration with the Korea Forest Interpreter Association, will operate the “Changgyeonggung Tree Stories with History” tree interpretation program every weekend from April to November, focusing on the trees and historical stories of the palace.

This program introduces various trees in Changgyeonggung linked with the palace’s history. On Saturdays, the tour covers the area around Chundangji Pond, and on Sundays, it explores the site of Gwolnaegaksa (palace government office). The program highlights historically significant trees such as the pagoda tree symbolizing palace authority depicted in the Donggwoldo painting, the millennium-old zelkova tree, and the cherry tree favored by King Sejong, as well as other trees currently growing in Changgyeonggung. The event starts at 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in front of Okcheon Bridge in Changgyeonggung and lasts about one hour.

Anyone can participate free of charge (admission fee to the palace is separate), but to prevent COVID-19 spread and ensure smooth narration, participation is limited to about 20 people per session on a first-come, first-served basis at the site.

The view from the second floor of Seogeodang at Deoksugung Palace.

The Deoksugung Management Office will operate a special public program from March 29 to April 3, twice daily (10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.), allowing visitors to tour the interiors of major pavilions and enjoy apricot blossoms. The special interior tours of Deoksugung’s pavilions let visitors enter key buildings such as Seogeodang, Hamnyeongjeon, and Jeukjodang to appreciate cultural properties and hear expert explanations about the history and hidden stories of the pavilions.

This special interior tour runs twice daily (10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.), lasting about 85 minutes per session. It is free for the general public aged middle school and above (Deoksugung admission fee is separate). Reservations open at 10 a.m. on the 24th on the Deoksugung Management Office website on a first-come, first-served basis. Considering that narration takes place inside the pavilions, participation is limited to 10 people per session to minimize COVID-19 risks. For more information, contact the Deoksugung Management Office.

Cheongwan Yecho.

Meanwhile, the Joseon Royal Tombs Eastern District Management Office (Director Song Si-kyung) will hold the “Cheongwan Yechoe” (cutting of silver grass) ceremony on April 6 for Hansik (Cold Food Festival) at Geonwonneung (a historic site) in Donggureung, Guri, where King Taejo Yi Seong-gye’s tomb mound is covered with silver grass (Cheongwan, 靑?).

The “Cheongwan Yechoe” consists of the “Yechoe” (cutting of silver grass) on the tomb mound and a “Goyuje” (a memorial rite to announce the completion of the grass cutting) and, due to COVID-19 prevention measures, visitors cannot participate directly but may freely observe the ceremony outside the Hongsalmun gate.

Additionally, to provide integrated information on events at the Four Grand Palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and royal tombs, monthly event plans will be posted on the last week of each month on the Palace and Royal Tombs Division’s website and Instagram for public advance notice.