[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Spring is here, get out and smell the cherry blossoms

The scent of flowers, splendid sunlight and sound of birdsong — three signs that spring has finally sprung. With all mask mandates fully lifted, you shouldn't have to go far to get that spring feeling, perhaps at a local flower festivals.

People walk along a cherry blossom-lined street in Yeouido, western Seoul. [NEWS1]

The scent of flowers, splendid sunlight and sound of birdsong — three signs that spring has finally sprung.

Jeju Island might be the first part of Korea to see signs of spring, but if flying south isn't an option you shouldn't have to wait too long. With both indoor and outdoor mask mandates fully lifted, you shouldn't have to go far to get that spring feeling, perhaps at a local flower festivals.

If you want to get out and smell the flowers this spring, here are four festivals to visit across the country.

Gwangyang Maehwa Festival

Gwangyang welcomes visitors until March 19. [GWANGYANG CITY]

Gwangyang in South Jeolla is running a maehwa, or plum blossom, festival until March 19. It's nearing the end date, with around 95 percent of blossoms already having flowered.

Plum blossom blooms in early spring on plum trees. Gwangyang Maehwa Festival is one of the biggest flower festivals in the Jeolla provinces, with multiple booths, busking performances and attractions to visit. In fact, the last and upcoming weekend of the festival includes a variety of events, such as a healing walk, performances from a municipal art group and busking.

The number of visitors over the first weekend was recorded to have been more than 170,000, so the final weekend is expected to be crowded as well. The night view is also rewarding, with lights added for visitors wanting to stay longer.

Those who are sad to let the plum blossoms leave may want to visit Gurye Sansuyu Festival, which is an hour drive away and opens until March 19. It shares the same closing date with Gwangyang, but the flowers are normally still visible until the last week of March. The yellow cornus fruit will once again please your eyes.

34-2 Mok-gil Daap-myeon, Gwangyang, South JeollaPhone number: 061) 797-3333, 797-2721Website: https://gwangyang.go.kr/tour/gallery.es?mid=a30301020000&bid=0011&act=view&list_no=14471Jinhae GunhangjeCherry Blossom Festival

Cherry blossoms greet visitors at Gyeonghwa Station in Jinhae, South Gyeongsang. [JOONGANG PHOTO]

Jinhae in South Gyeongsang hosts what started as a memorial service to General Yi Sun-sin and has now become a cherry blossom festival.

Cherry blossoms were flowering to an excessive amount during the time of the service, shifting the focus to the blossom over time. This year, Jinhae Gunhangje starts on March 24 and runs until April 3. Home to the naval port, gunhang in Korean, the festival includes multiple attractions related to the marine corps, such as the military band marching or a display of the geobukseon — turtle-shaped ships — that Yi Sun-shin led to victory against a superior Japanese fleet during the Joseon Dynasty.

Romance Bridge is a popular tourist spot on the route, said to be the most beautiful part of a trip to Jinhae. The bridge that spans Yeojwacheon stream and creates a great contrast with the pink blossom leaves and the land beneath. It is beautiful at night too, with the lights turning on to accentuate the cherry blossoms. Gyeonghwa Station is also a must-see spot as an old Korail train stands, adding a nostalgic vibe to the surrounding cherry blossom trees.

@changwon_cityYeomyeong Street, Jinhae District, Changwon, South GyeongsangPhone number: 055) 225-3691Website: http://culture.changwon.go.kr/index.changwon?contentId=197&bbsId=BBSMSTR_000000000043&nttId=6187&menuNo=14010000&upperMenuId=14000000

Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival

Visitors walk along a path in Yeouido, western Seoul. [YONHAP]

People who lack the time or energy to get out of the metropolitan area always know they have a safe spot to go see the flowers, Yeouido in western Seoul.

With the festival officially back on track after four years interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the city announced road control around the area for a week starting April 3 in order to disperse crowds. This year, the festival lasts a little less than a week, from April 4 to April 9. The closest station is National Assembly Station on line No. 9.

As the popular department store The Hyundai Seoul is located within ten minutes walk of Yeouido Station, the crowd is expected to be even more intense during the festival season. With one visit, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms and get food or go shopping at one of the most popular places in town, as long as you are willing to wait in line.

The famous dome of the National Assembly building, the Han River and the cherry blossoms create an amazing view, attracting crowd from all over the city. If you are fine being surrounded by a massive crowd, you can also try Seokchon Lake in Songpa District, southern Seoul or Namsan Park in Jung District, central Seoul for a cherry blossom walk. @ydpcfYeouiseo-ro, Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul

Sinan Tulip Festival

Visitors walk through the flowerbeds at Sinan Tulip Festival [SINAN]

Sinan in South Jeolla hosts the Sinan Tulip Festival from April 7 to 16.

The county had to discard around one million tulips in 2021 due to the abrupt cancellation of the festival to prevent people gathering due to Covid-19 regulations, but fortunately — for humans and tulips — the festivities resumed last year, with the tulips glistening more vibrantly than ever in the sun.

It is held near Daegwang Beach, with around one million tulips of different types and shades covering nearly 17 acres of land. You can also enjoy various activities such as making your own tulip pot, riding bikes along the beach, horse riding and trying craft activities.

Visitors can see windmills standing every now and then in the tulip fields, adding a Dutch countryside vibe. If you decide to visit Sinan early, you can also see a huge field of daffodils nearby in nearby Seondo, which hosts a daffodil festival from March 30 to April 9.

2523-10, Daegi-ri, Imja-myeon, Sinan County, South JeollaBusiness Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Tickets sold until an hour before closing time.)Phone number: 061) 240-4042

BY BAEK JONG-HYUN, KIM DONG-EUN [kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr]