#eungbongsan

Beautiful spring flowers are slowly starting to bloom all over not only Seoul but Korea also. These days, it seems as though spring is shorter than ever while the summer seems to last longer. Therefor we are left leave with so little time to partake in strolling around while enjoying the spring’s flowers colours.

This year, flowers in Seoul are expected to start blooming around 27th of March, expect things to really come to life around the 2nd or 3rd of April. Though cherry blossoms aren’t here just yet, it’s never too early to start making plans on where to go when you and where suits your needs, also consider the amount of people expected at one of many sites where cherry blossoms bloom.

The Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival began 11 years ago and this year is the 12th of its kind. The festival is scheduled to run from April 1st till the10th. Cherry blossoms, azaleas, forsythia, rhododendron, and bridal wreath spirea are just some of the varieties of flowers you can enjoy along Yeouido’s walkways. With the Han River on one side and a constant flow of flowers on the other side, the Yeouido Spring Festival is too beautiful to miss. On the festival’s opening day, there will be a parade, arts performances of all kinds, an essay contest, and assorted hands-on activities to participate in. The festival is weeks away but it’s a “can’t miss” event for many people. Expect big crowds.

From the second week of April, the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival is next in line for enjoying the vibrant flower scenery of Spring. There are a variety of cherry blossoms including but not only Yoshino Cherry trees. Cherry blossoms line the path surrounding the lake and the trees giving off an effect of the flowers being at once close enough to touch and being far off in the distance. There will be many activities at the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival. Cultural and traditional performances, face painting, caricature drawing, and much more. The cherry blossom’s pink petals give off a rather romantic energy which I heard some people say, but for me it gives off an explosion of colour showing how things are all coming back to life after a grey, cold winter. For another kind of atmosphere, check out a forsythia festival if you got the time.

The Eungbongsan Mountain Forsythia Festival takes place around early April, just as the entire mountain comes to life with yellow forsythia flowers. There are many activities for visitors at this annual festival. There will be photo zones where you can take photos with the forsythia, activities such as cookie-making, arts and crafts, games, manicures, and more.

Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival

Address : Guk-hoe daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul Date : April 4th – April 10th

Directions : National Assembly Station (subway line 9) exit 6, walk about 5 min. and Yeouinaru Station (subway line 5) exit 1, walk about 15 min.

Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival

Address : 148 Jamsil-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul Date : April 8th -April 10th Directions : Jamsil Station (subway line 2) exit 2, walk about 5 min.  

Eungbongsan Mountain Forsythia Festival

A cityscape Masamune Shirow would love - panorama of Seoul, seen from the top of Eungbongsan.