[One Day Walk] 360,000 Cherry Blossom Trees in Bloom... Jinhae Gunhangje Festival

The cherry blossom mecca, Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, opened on the 25th and will be held until the 3rd of next month. In Jinhae-gu, Changwon City, you can enjoy cherry blossoms at various famous spots such as Yeojeo Stream, Gyeonghwa Station, Inland Water Ecological Environment Research Institute, in front of Jinhae Girls' High School, the Naval Base Command, Jangbok Mountain Sculpture Park, the Naval Academy, Jehwang Mountain, Jungwon Rotary, Bukwon Rotary, and Gyeongnam Literature Museum.

During the Gunhang Festival, Jungwon Rotary Gunhang Village
[Photo by Changwon City]

Today's recommended course starts at Gyeonghwa Station. Gyeonghwa Station, known as a cherry blossom hotspot, is a small station completed in 1926. The 800-meter cherry blossom tunnel blooming gorgeously on both sides of the railway is a must-see attraction. Gyeonghwa Station Park features various photo zones, a model of Gyeonghwa Station, a train exhibition hall, a cherry tree walking path, and Gyeonghwa Square. The train exhibition hall made from a Saemaeul-ho train appears frequently on various social media during the cherry blossom season.

Gyeonghwa Station [Photo by Changwon City]

From Gyeonghwa Station, you can take a bus or walk to reach Yeojeo Stream. Yeojeo Stream is also a representative cherry blossom spot in Jinhae and has been a filming location for several dramas such as "Romance." Wooden deck paths are built along both sides of Yeojeo Stream, allowing visitors to enjoy the cherry blossoms while walking. If you go down the stairs, you can also walk along the streamside path of Yeojeo Stream. At the end of Yeojeo Stream is the Jinhae Inland Water Ecological Park, where wetland plants such as golden reeds, wild ginger, hosta, and leopard plant grow naturally. There are also small streams, stepping stones, and seasonal experience spaces.

Jinhae Inland Water Environment Ecological Park in Spring [Photo by Changwon City]

After leaving the park and enjoying the cherry blossoms along Yeojeo Stream again, you can find attractions, food, and entertainment at Jungwon Rotary Square, the center of the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival. Walking along the Jehwang Mountain Cherry Blossom Path, Jehwang Mountain is on the left. Jehwang Mountain Park is located in the center of Jinhae on Jehwang Mountain. You can climb 365 steps or use the monorail. Upon reaching the park, at the Jinhae Tower symbolizing the naval warship, you can enjoy views of the cherry blossom-filled Jinhae cityscape and the Jinhae sea. The 9th-floor observatory of Jinhae Tower is accessible by elevator or stairs. After leaving Jinhae Tower, you can enjoy the surrounding scenery again and experience the festival atmosphere.