[One Day Walk] Even Pushed by the Crowd, It's Enjoyable... Yeouido Cherry Blossom Path

The cherry blossoms in Seoul, which usually bloom fully in April, started blooming on the 25th of last month. This is 14 days earlier than the average blooming date of April 8. Today's recommended course is Yeouido, one of Seoul's representative cherry blossom spots. Yeouido is a place with many sights and activities to enjoy along with cherry blossoms while taking a ride on subway lines 5 and 9 and touring around Yeouido. Inside Yeouido Park, which you encounter after passing Yeouido Station, there are traditional Korean forests, grassy lawns, cultural plazas, natural ecological forests, bicycle paths, and plazas. You can spend time riding a bicycle or inline skating.

After exiting Yeouido Park and entering West Yeouido, you will find the cherry blossom road. The Yunjungno Cherry Blossom Road is a 1.7 km path that stretches from the southern end of Seogang Bridge to the northern end of Yeoui 2 Bridge, passing behind the National Assembly Building. Its official name is Yeouiseo-ro (汝矣西路). In spring, about 88,000 flowers of 13 species bloom, including 1,886 king cherry trees native to Jeju Island, as well as azaleas, forsythias, azaleas, spiraea, and weigela.

On the 26th, citizens are riding bicycles next to the cherry blossom trees on Yunjungno in Yeouido. [Image source=Yonhap News]

During the cherry blossom festival held from April 4 to 9, vehicle traffic is restricted (from 12 PM on April 3 to 12 PM on April 10). Yunjungno Cherry Blossom Road is so famous that it is crowded with people regardless of weekdays, weekends, lunch, or evening hours. For idol fans, it is recommended to visit the Idol Forest next to Yunjungno. There are forests dedicated to Girls' Generation, Infinite, TVXQ, SHINee, and others. It all started in August 2013 when fans of Girls' Generation's Tiffany raised 7.25 million won to plant trees in celebration of Tiffany's birthday.

Interior view of The Hyundai Seoul, a new landmark in Yeouido [Asia Economy DB]

If you visit Yeouido, it is good to look for other attractions besides cherry blossoms. It is nice to tour the National Assembly Building and Yeouido Hangang Park, and the 63 Building’s observatory and aquarium, IFC Mall, and The Hyundai Seoul are representative landmarks of Yeouido. The Hyundai Seoul covers an area of 27,000 pyeong, equivalent to 13 soccer fields combined. Except for the parking lot, you can access from basement level 2 to the 6th floor above ground. Just visiting The Hyundai Seoul alone can help you achieve your daily step goal.

Main stops: Yeouido Station - Yeouido Park - In front of the National Assembly Building - Yunjungno Cherry Blossom Road - Girls' Generation Forest - SHINee Forest - Members' Office Building - IFC Mall - The Hyundai

Distance: 5 km Duration: 1 hour 14 minutes