How to Visit Korea’s Beautiful Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival

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This comprehensive guide shares everything you need to know to visit South Korea’s famed Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival.

There’s nothing quite as wonderful as springtime in South Korea. The gloom of winter melts away, and the trees begin to bloom with bright white and pink cherry blossoms, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen! And one of the very best ways to enjoy the gorgeous blossoms of South Korea, are with a visit to the annual Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival.

The Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival is world-famous for its lovely cherry blossom trees. Massive crowds flock to the city of Jinhae every year, and for good reason! Almost every street of the city is brimming with pink, and scenic spots provide a magical place to snap some photos and relish the spring weather.

If you’re fortunate enough to be in Korea during spring, don’t miss the blossom wonderland that is Jinhae!

↠ Read More: An Ultimate Korea Itinerary: Where to Go, What to Do, and What to Know

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How to Visit the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival in South Korea

When is the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival?

The Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival in South Korea is typically held in early April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, creating a stunning pink canopy throughout the city. However, the exact dates change every year and are dependent on the weather conditions that year. Cherry blossoms in South Korea typically bloom between mid-March to early April.

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How to Get to Jinhae

Jinhae is a small naval town along the southeastern coast of South Korea. The nearest biggest city is Changwon which is only about a 15-minute drive from the center of Jinhae. If you’re curious how to get to Jinhae, here’s what to know for how to get there:

Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival Organized Tour

Honestly, one of the easiest ways to visit the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival is via an organized tour. Jinhae is a bit out of the way of Korea’s popular tourist destinations, which means getting there can be a bit of a hassle, especially when thousands of other people are also looking to visit via public transportation.

We booked a tour through Enjoy Korea, a tour group in Korea specifically for expats and English speakers. Their website and booking process is all in English, which was so convenient!  Enjoy Korea provided transportation from Daegu and Busan, as well as recommendations for what to see and then let us explore on our own.

Jinhae via Public Transportation

It’s also possible to take public transportation to the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival. The exact route you’ll take depends on where you’re coming from, but you should be able to find buses from major Korean cities. Some of the most common ways to get there include taking the:

Bus from Seoul: There are buses that leave from Seoul to Jinhae, however they are somewhat infrequent and not offered every day or sometimes not more than once a day. The bus journey from Seoul typically takes about 4.5 hours and costs between 20,000-30,000 KRW. During the festival, these tickets may sell out quickly.

Train to Jinhae: There are two train stations in Jinhae (Jinhae and Gyeonghwa) but they only operate from Changwon during the festival. Visitors can also bus or train to Changwon, and then ride the local bus 151 to Jinhae.

Bus or train to Changwon: Changwon is another arrival point to consider when planning a trip to Jinhae. There are buses and trains that arrive in the city, from which you can take a 15-minute taxi to nearby Jinhae or a shuttle during festival season.

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Where to Stay When Visiting the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival

Most people visit the festival as a day trip, but because the journey from Seoul, Busan, and other major destinations requires a bit of effort, spending the night or weekend in Jinhae isn’t a bad idea! And you can’t go wrong with more time amongst the blossoms. Just be sure to book in advance!

Some of the best accommodation in Jinhae includes:

• French code Hotel: A clean and tasteful hotel with a spa five minutes from the famous Yeojswacheon Stream.
• Best Louis Hamilton Hotel Changwon: A modern hotel in Changwon about 20 minutes from the Jinhae festival grounds.
• Jinhae Intercity Hotel: A comfortable hotel in the center of Jinhae with great views from the upper floors.

5 Best Things to Do At The Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival

Once you arrive, it’s time to enjoy the festivities! Here are a few of the best things to do in Jinhae when the blossoms are out in full effect.

1. Stroll along the famous Yeojwacheon Stream/Promenade

When you see photos of the Jinhae cherry blossoms, this is most likely the spot where they were taken. The famous 1.5 km long promenade follows the Yeojwa stream and offers breathtaking views of cherry blossoms, as well as endless food stands and souvenir shops. The stream is decorated with different flowers, love props, and garden trellis archways – a couple’s paradise for cutesy photos.

2. Traditional Food Stalls

We enjoyed all kinds of popular Korean street food. Waffle fish ice cream, spiral potatoes, pork skewers and more! If you’re feeling more daring, there were also spoon worms, live squid and silkworm larvae to try. The food possibilities were endless!

3. Climb to the top of Jehwangsan Park (제황산공원)

At the heart of the city we spied an observation tower perched on top of a mountain. We couldn’t resist the urge to climb to see the entire city from above. If you’re patient enough to wait in line, there’s a cable car that takes you down the mountain. We decided to skip the long line and take the staircase lined with blossoms instead.

4. Visit the Gyeonghwa Train Station along Cherry Blossom Road

A stroll along the railroad to the Gyeonghwa train station is a very popular thing to do at the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival. This train station has been featured in a few Korean movies and dramas so people come from all around to take a photo with the famous landscape. The station is kind of a hike from the main promenade, so you may want to consider getting a taxi if you’re not up for the long walk there and back. It was about an 8 minute drive and 5,000 won for one way.

5. See more blossoms on the Naval Base Walking Trail

If you have the time and are up for more walking, there is a beautiful trail that takes you along the naval base. Cherry blossoms line the street and there are military structures (and sailors) to see!

There were so many beautiful things to do at Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival and I had a blast! What do you recommend? Share below?