Spring is not just a great time to see the Cherry blossoms bloom, but also other varieties of beautiful flowers. So, what better opportunity to explore the country? Here are the 10 best spring spots in Seoul that you can visit.
Table of Contents
1. Seokchon Lake Park
This is one of my favourite spring locations in Seoul as I really love Jamsil neighbourhood. You see all the gorgeous cherry blossoms surrounding the lake as you walk around Songcheon Lake Park (or Songpa Naru Park).
What’s better is that this location is near Lotte World and Tower, so you’ll also get the opportunity to view rollercoasters, Disneyland-like architecture and the sublime Lotte Tower sounded by these dream-like flowers.
Bear in mind that this is a really popular place so try and go there when it’s less busy (i.e. in the morning or on a weekday or preferably both).
| Address: 47 Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea | |
| How to get there: Jamsil Station, Line 2/8, exit 2 (3 min walk) |
2. Namsan Tower
Namsan Tower is great to visit all year round (even in the winter!) because it offers great views of the city and it’s a nice and easy hike. During springtime, it contains the longest trail of cherry blossoms in the capital, which looks spectacular when the flowers in full bloom.
It’s best to hike to the top to get the full cherry-blossom experience, however, you can still see cherry blossoms at the peak if you take the cable car. You could also walk down Namsan to see the long cherry blossom trail if it’s easier than going up.
| Address: 105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan 2(i)ga-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea | |
| How to get there: Shuttle Bus No. 02 Closest subway stations: Chungmuro Station, Lines 3/4, exit 2 Shuttle Bus No. 03 Closest subway station: Seoul Station (line 1 & 4) Exit 9, Itaewon Station (line 6) Exit 4 or Hangangjin Station (line 6) Exit 2 Shuttle Bus No. 05 Closest subway station: Myeong-dong Station (line 4) Exit 3, Chungmuro Station Exit 2 Namsan Cable car Myeong-dong Station Line 4, Exit 3. After that you have three options: 1) Walk for about 15 minutes to the Namsan Cable Car 2) Take the free hourly shuttle bus with the sign “Namsan Cable Car Shuttle” 3)Take the Namsan Outdoor Escalator for free |
3. Yeouido Hangang Park
Yeouido Hangang Park is probably one of the best Han River parks to visit as it has great running paths, scenic views and a swimming pool. You can also catch buskers performing there.
In the spring, its main attraction is the Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival, which features a display of just under 2000 cherry blossom trees along Yeouidong-ro. At night, you can even see the cherry blossoms lit up with different coloured lights, which looks magical.
| Address: 330 Yeouidong-ro, Yeoeuido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea | |
| How to get there: National Assembly Station, Line 9, exit 1/6, (6 min walk) Yeouinaru Station, Line 5, exit 2, (18 min walk) |
4. Banpo Seorae Island
Banpo Seorae (Seoraeseom) Island lies between Dongjakdaegyo Bridge and Banpodaegyo Bridge and it’s a great place to visit during any season as it offers amazing views of Seoul’s buildings and sunsets. During the spring, the island hosts the Hangang Seoraeseom Canola Festival where visitors can wander the magnificent canola fields.
| Address: 40, Sinbanpo-ro 11-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul | |
| How to get there: Gubanpo Station Line 9, Exit 2. Follow the street signs for Hangang Park to arrive at Banpo Seorae Island. Express Bus Terminal Station Line 3,7 or 9), Exit 8-1 or 8-2. Walk for approx. 700 m. |
5. Cheonggyesan Mountain
Cheonggyesan Mountain is great to hike even if hiking isn’t your thing because some of its trails are relatively easy and well-maintained.
In April and May, visitors can enjoy colourful and beautiful sceneries on the mountain paths during their hike, as this is when pink Azaleas and Yellow Forsythias bloom.
| Address: Seocho-gu, Seoul | |
| How to get there: Yangjae Station Line 3, exit 10. Take bus no. 4432 to Wonteogol stop (20 mins, 10 stops). After you get off the bus, walk about 30m in the direction where the bus came from, turn left towards the underpass (you’ll see a big park signboard at the underpass entrance), walk straight (pass the first road on your right) and then turn right at the lane before the ‘Black Yak’ black building. 5 min walk. Cheonggyesan Station Shin Bundang Line, exit 2. Go straight about 400m, turn right towards the same underpass as above and follow the directions. 9 min walk. Taxi: Have the ‘Black Yak’ black building (서울시 서초구 원터2길 3 | 3 Wonteo 2-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul) as your destination and walk on the lane in front of the ‘Black Yak’ shop entrance towards the park entrance. |
6. The Royal Palaces
It’s worth visiting Seoul’s Royal Palaces in the Spring even you’ve visited them already. The best ones to go to during this period are Gyeongbukgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden and Changgyeongung Palace.
Many flowers bloom at these palaces, but you should look forward to the Cherry blossoms, which bloom in all these palaces, and the Royal Azaleas, which bloom in the last two palaces.
If you’re visiting the Secret Garden at Changdeokgung, make sure you go when the flowers are in full bloom because that’s when it looks prettiest.
| Address: Gyeongbukgung Palace 161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul Changgyeongung Palace 185 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul | |
| How to get there: Gyeongbukgung Palace Gyeongbokgung Station, Line 3, exit 5 (3 min walk) Gwanghwamun Station, Line 5, exit 2 (7 min walk) Seoul City Hall, 17 min walk or 6 mins by taxi Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden Anguk Station, Line 3, exit 3 (6 min walk) Jongno 3-ga Station Line 1, 3 or 5, exit 6 (10 min walk) Changgyeongung Palace Anguk Station, Line 3, exit 3 (19 min walk) Hyehwa Station, Line 4, exit 3/4 1(5 min walk) |
7. Seoul National Cemetery
Seoul National Cemetery was established to honour those who sacrificed and lived for Korea. Although it can be seen as a sombre place to commemorate Korean patriots, it looks stunning in the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom.
Other attractions at the cemetery are the War History Museum, Memorial Hall, Memorial Tower, and the Altar to Patriots and Patriotic Martyrs.
| Address: 210, Hyeonchung-ro (Dongjak-dong), Dongjak-gu, Seoul | |
| How to get there: Dongjak Station, Lines 4 & 9, Exits 2 & 4 (and then a 5 min walk after that) |
8. Seoul Forest
Seoul Forest is more like a large park (it’s actually the third largest park in Seoul) than a forest. It’s a very chill and spacious place with lots of different types of flowers to see. You can find deer here, too.
It’s great to just walk around or relax in the park in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. After exploring Seoul Forest, you can follow a path that leads you to the Hangang Riverside Park.
| Address: 273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul | |
| How to get there: Seoul Forest Station, Bundang line, exit 3 (and a 5 min walk after that) |
9. Ewha Womans University
This is a great photo op spot any time of the year as the juxtaposition between the more modern parts of the university’s sleek design and its more traditional architecture makes for great pictures. You can see some cherry blossoms here and other gorgeous spring flowers such as Magnolia flowers, Pink Azaleas and Yellow Forsythia.
| Address: 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul | |
| How to get there: Ewha Womans University Station, Line 2, exit 2/3 (and then a 5 min walk after that) |
10. Yonsei University (Main Campus)
Yonsei University is a cherry blossom hotspot as the cherry blossoms here absolutely embellish the university campus. You’ll also find Plum and Pink Azalea Blossoms here. Yonsei University is near Ewha University, so you can visit them both in one day to see all the wonderful flowers.
| Address: Yonsei University 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul | |
| How to get there: Sinchon Station, Line 2, exit 2/3 (and about a 25 min walk/5 min taxi ride after that) |
11. Seoul Grand Park
Although this spot isn’t technically in Seoul (it’s in Gwacheon), it still has Seoul in its name so I added it to the list because it’s a great place to visit in the spring.
Seoul Grand Park is huge (hence the name), so you’ll have ample opportunities to see the cherry blossoms and other flowers that bloom in the park. For instance, you can admire them from the elephant-shaped trains visitors can use to get around the park or look at them from above while you take the Sky Lift that brings you to Seoul Zoo.
| Address: 102 Daegongwongwangjang-ro, Makgye-dong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do | |
| How to get there: Seoul Grand Park Station, Line 4, Exit 2 |
Conclusion
There are plenty of other places to visit in Seoul in the spring, but these are what I think are some of the best places to visit during this wonderful period. Have a great spring!
Great post! I can’t wait for Spring to come.