Flowering Period 3.4 Days Earlier Than Average
Moves to Resume Festivals Halted by COVID-19
Travel Industry Tempts Spring Visitors with 'Cherry Blossom Views'
The season of cherry blossoms has returned. Starting from Jeju Island, the flower buds are expected to bloom from the southern regions such as Daegu, Pohang, Busan, Gwangju, Jinhae, and Yeosu, and then move towards the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon region. Major cherry blossom festivals, which were halted due to COVID-19, are reopening and preparing to welcome spring visitors.
Visitors are taking photos with cherry blossom trees in the background at the Gyeongju Bulguksa Double Cherry Blossom Festival held last year. [Photo by Gyeongju City]
According to the weather information provider 'Weatheri' on the 19th, this year’s cherry blossoms are expected to bloom first in Seogwipo, Jeju on the 22nd. On the 26th, Daegu is expected to bloom, followed by Busan, Gwangju, Jeonju, and Pohang on the 27th. Changwon, Ulsan, and Jinhae are expected on the 28th, while Yeosu, Mokpo, and Hadong are anticipated on the 29th. On the 31st, cherry blossoms are expected in Andong, Daejeon, Gyeongju, and Gangneung. The expected blooming dates in April are Cheongju (1st), Seoul (3rd), Suwon (6th), Seosan and Chuncheon (both on the 7th), and Incheon (8th).
This year’s cherry blossoms will bloom 3.4 days earlier than the average year and 1.4 days earlier than last year. Considering that it takes about a week from blooming to full bloom, Seogwipo is expected to reach full bloom after the 29th, the southern regions around April 2?7, and the central regions around April 7?14.
This year, many local governments are planning events, including the resumption of the representative domestic cherry blossom festival, the 'Jinhae Gunhangje Festival,' after four years, so crowds are expected at major cherry blossom spots. According to a survey conducted by the travel and leisure platform Yanolja on 1,064 users of its application regarding 'spring flower travel plans,' 27.7% of respondents said they would travel to see spring flowers during the first week of April. Among those planning domestic travel, the largest share, 29.7%, chose Jinhae as their destination.
The travel industry is also moving quickly to welcome spring visitors by introducing accommodations where cherry blossoms can be enjoyed. For example, 'Triple,' a travel platform operated by Interpark, recommends major hotels and resorts nationwide where visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms more comfortably and avoid crowds through its application. Naksan Beach Hotel in Yangyang-gun, Gangwon, is popular for its 'mountain view' rooms during the peak cherry blossom season, as well as its East Sea views. Hilton Gyeongju is known as a 'cherry blossom hotspot' in Gyeongju. The company explained, "During cherry blossom season, reservations for 'lake view' rooms overlooking Bomun Lake are highly competitive."
In Seoul, the 'Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences,' which overlooks Seokchon Lake, is a great place to enjoy cherry blossoms. Also, 'Kensington Resort Jirisan Hadong,' located along the Hadong Ten-ri Cherry Blossom Road at the foot of Jirisan Mountain, is a resort where visitors can relax while enjoying cherry blossoms in pristine nature. In Busan, 'Hotel Illua' on the hill of Dalmaji-gil, lined with cherry trees along the coastal road, is known as a popular spot. Additionally, Jeju’s wellness resort 'WE Hotel,' surrounded by forests on the mid-slope of Hallasan Mountain, as well as 'Rolling Hills Hotel' in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi Province, and 'Midas Hotel & Resort' in Gapyeong-gun, which are easily accessible from the Seoul metropolitan area, are also considered accommodations where visitors can quietly enjoy cherry blossoms.
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