[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Best buds: 6 places to see spring flowers in greater Seoul

As the winter chill fades, the greater Seoul area transforms into a haven for flower enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy the spring flowers at these six recommended spots.

A couple walks underneath the cherry blossom trees at Yeouido in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul. [YONHAP]

As the winter chill fades and the spring warmth simmers, the greater Seoul area transforms into a haven for flower enthusiasts and photographers. The once-gray and bland cities emerge from hibernation with a burst of color that signals the arrival of spring, and cities are announcing official dates for the annual spring festivals.

The greater Seoul area is no autocrat when discussing regions with exquisite sceneries and nature's wonders in Korea, as Seoul, Gyeonggi and Incheon are more recognized for their cityscapes. However, these areas certainly boast well-decorated spots that woo visitors with their seasonal splendor every spring.

Here are six recommendations in the greater Seoul area where visitors can get a whiff of spring flowers and bask in the beauty of the season.

Everland Fairy Town Tulip Garden Festival 에버랜드 튤립 정원 페스티벌

Visitors enjoy their day out at Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi, while the Tulip Festival runs. [YONHAP]

Everland in Cheoin District, Yongin, Gyeonggi, opens a tulip-themed garden this year on March 22. The Four Seasons Garden, the venue for the outdoor tulip festival is as wide as 10,000 square meters (2.47 acres), with bright tulips densely filling the space. European-style mini buildings and stores next to the colorful flower beds form a photo-worthy background for those visiting the theme park throughout late March and April. Despite the name being a tulip festival, a wide variety of flowers including hydrangeas and muscari welcome the visitors as well.

A special theme takes place every year in the Four Seasons Garden. This year, "Fairy Town with Sanrio characters" is the official concept. Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty and Kuromi will appear in the form of food options, attractions and merchandise as the theme park is in collaboration with the Japanese entertainment firm, Sanrio Company.

Another zone not to miss at Everland is Haneul Jeongwon-gil, which means Sky Garden Road. Located at the higher land of Everland, it is around 20 minutes away by foot from where the tulip festival runs. Maehwa — plum blossom — trees surround the paths and cherry blossoms appear once the plum blossoms go away. Out of the 30-minute stroll, the peak of the slope at Haneul Jeongwon-gil unveils the full view and plays the role of the observatory at the theme park, where visitors can enjoy the scene of the extreme rides with surrounding trees and spring blossoms.

@witheverlandEverland 199 Everland-ro Pogok-eup, Cheoin District, Yongin, Gyeonggi 경기도 용인시 처인구 포곡읍 에버랜드로 199Duration: From March 22 until June 18Phone number: 031-320-5000Website: https://www.everland.com/everland/home/main

Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival 영등포 여의도 봄꽃축제

Yeouiseo-ro is the main street to appreciate the spring scenery at Yeouido in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul. [NEWS1]

Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival, also referred to as Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival, will begin on March 27 and last for five days up to March 31, the dates brought forward by more than a week due to the faster blooming of the flowers. With around 5 million visitors flocking to this part of the district for some pink shades every year, the district office takes action for several days to control the traffic and limit cars from entering parts of Yeouiseo-ro, which is the main path of the festival.

As one of the most viral cherry blossom festivals in the greater Seoul area, multiple booths and cultural activities await the visitors, especially throughout the squares near the Yeouido Han River area. If you cannot make it in the daytime, the night view of the street is also worth a visit, thanks to the light around the trees.

@ydpcfYeongdeungpo District, western Seoul 영등포 여의도 여의서로 및 한강공원 축구장 일대Duration: From March 27 until March 31

Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival 석촌호수 벚꽃축제

Seokchon Lake in Songpa District, southern Seoul, is hosting a cherry blossom festival this month from March 27 to 31. [SONGPA DISTRICT OFFICE]

Seokchon Lake in Songpa District, southern Seoul is too famous a spot for a spring outing. The lake holds this year's cherry blossom festival from March 27 until March 31. The festival includes the city's official performances as well as busking throughout the dates, with the opening performance hosting singer Soyou, a former girl group Sistar member. The closing ceremony welcomes girl group H1-KEY as the final performers.

Apart from the stage performances, art and craft attractions, not to mention flea markets, await the visitors, with nature-friendly and experience-oriented activities as the main attractions. Creating cherry blossom wreaths, bracelets and suncatchers is one of the offered programs.

The 2.6 kilometers (1.6 miles) long lake path surrounds Lotte Amusement Park and is near the neighborhood's hot spots like the Lotte Tower, Lotte World Mall and Songridan-gil. In temperate weather with cherry blossoms visible, the Seokchon Lake area gets overly crowded so it's advisable to be ready to move to another neighborhood. If you are not fond of the idea of shuffling in a queue at Seokchon Lake, take the subway Line No.8 to the nearby Mongchontoseong (World Peace Gate) station, where the spacious square allows more breeze and space to handle the larger crowd.

Sincheon-dong, Songpa District, southern Seoul 서울특별시 송파구 신천동 Duration: From March 27 until March 31

Yangjae Stream Cherry Blossom Lantern Festival 양재천 벚꽃 등 축제

Yangjae Stream through Seochon and Gangnam Districts, southern Seoul, is another spot to enjoy the cherry blossoms every spring. [CHUN KWON-PIL]

Yangjae Stream is a tranquil tributary of the Han River that flows through Seocho and Gangnam Districts, in southern Seoul. It connects to Gwacheon, Gyeonggi as well. A lengthy trail along the stream unveils sceneries of cafes, wooden bridges, seasonal flowers and those on a casual stroll. The Yangjae Stream is less crowded than other major spots even during the spring's peak season since the area is surrounded by houses and companies, usually sought by the locals during the weekends.

Yangjae Stream Cherry Blossom Lantern Festival will start on March 29, although the dates are not fully fixed and the district office has not yet disclosed the closing date. Flea markets, booths and busking performances will be at the festival. To reach the stream, you can either decide to walk from Yangjae Station, Line No. 3 or Yangjae Citizen's Forest Station on the Shinbundang Line. The largest center of flora in Seoul, Yangjae Flower Market Center, is nearby if you are interested in not just looking at the flowers but buying them.

@s_c_c_ Dogok 2(i)-dong, Gangnam District, southern Seoul서울특별시 강남구 도곡2동Duration: From March 29, but the dates may change

Mount Eungbong Forsythia Festival응봉산 개나리 축제

Mount Eungbong in eastern Seoul hosts an annual Forsythia festival, this year to take place from March 21 to 30. [YONHAP]

Seongdong District in eastern Seoul is famous among the Gen MZs as Seongsu and Seoul Forest are flooded with pop-up stores and trendy cafes. If you are planning a visit to this part of the city, you may want to check out Mount Eungbong, where around 200 thousand forsythias throw golden splashes everywhere.

Mount Eungbong is a small hill-like mountain with an 81-meter (266 feet) peak, perched where Jungnang Stream and Han River meet. A vast amount of forsythia seeds were planted to prevent sand and the soil from tumbling down post-development of the region. Late March is when you can enjoy the fullest bloom of forsythias, and the hike is neither challenging nor long, accomplishable even for those in fancy outfits. A forsythia festival runs annually from late March to April, but the dates are not officially announced yet for this year. Essay contests and drawing competitions take place while photo zones and mini concerts attract passersby.

The best part? You can get the best of both worlds if you expect a day that involves a hipster vibe at Seongsu as well as a picnic-like trip surrounded by nature — as long as you wear shoes comfy enough to walk half an hour from the Seoul-forest Station at Suin-Bundang Line to the mountain area.

40 Geumho-ro, Seongdong District, eastern Seoul서울특별시 성동구 금호4가동Duration: March 21 to 23, but the dates may changePhone number: 02-2286-5202

Gwanggyo Maru-gil수원 광교마루길

Citizens with umbrellas walk along the trail next to Gwanggyo Reservoir in Suwon, Gyeonggi, where cherry blossoms are in bloom. [YONHAP]

Suwon in Gyeonggi has recently become a rising spot thanks to the new Suwon Starfield Complex. However, Gwanggyo Maru-gil and Gwanggyo Reservoir area in Jangan District, Suwon is a steady seller on the list of the must-visit locations for visitors and locals welcoming the spring's arrival every year. Along a 1.7-kilometer course, there are cherry blossom trees, spirea trees and azaleas that create an impression of a large flower bouquet when spotted from a bird's-eye view. If you are fond of longer walks, you can choose a 3.4-kilometer course that takes between an hour or two to complete. A stroll around the wooden deck encompassing Gwanggyo Reservoir is a highly recommended activity when seasonal changes arrive, especially in spring and fall.

400-10 Hagwanggyo-dong, Jangan District, Suwon, Gyeonggi수원시 장안구 하광교동 400-10

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BY KIM DONG-EUN [kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr]