Looking for something memorable to do this spring? Every year between late March and early April. A few million visitors crowd into the small town of Jinhae in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do region to enjoy the breathtaking aroma of cherry blossoms. The Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival in Jinhae is the country’s largest festival for the beautiful, yet short-lived blooms.
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Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival
Jinhae
The very first cherry blossom festival was held on April 13, 1952, as a small ceremony honoring the Korean naval hero, Admiral Yi Sun-shin. The General was a factor in the defeat of the Japanese army during the Imjin War during the 16th century. Today, it has become one of the largest festivals in the country, with approximately 2 million visitors from all around the world taking in the blossoms, foods, and lighted exhibits.
This year the 55th cherry blossom annual festival will be held April 1 through April 10 and as always promises to be better than the last. So we were excited to travel the 90 minutes from Daegu to the Jinhae a week before it began.
It’s Magical
Hundreds of trees offer shade from the afternoon sun. They form a floral canopy overhead. Unfortunately, the cherry blossom trees hadn’t matured yet. When the flower petals fall they dance along with the gentle spring breeze. And it creates an almost magical atmosphere as you stroll under the flowing petals.
Gyeonghwa Station
The Yeojwacheon Stream and the cherry blossoms lining Gyeonghwa Station has earned its title.
It’s a must-go destination among groups of lovebirds, family, and friends alike. Crowds who prefer a more romantic view may opt to go during the night-time. The streets, stream, and trees light up the night. These two sites are the most popular cherry blossom attractions in Jinhae. But the entire city is magnificently covered with cherry blossoms. And there are tons of great photo opportunities on every other street. If you plan to travel to Korea in the spring, make sure to visit Jinhae to enjoy the wonderful cherry blossoms!
Address and phone number:
Tongsin-dong, Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, +82-55-225-234
Region Expected Blooming Dates
If you want to catch South Korea’s cherry blossom season. It’s usually a safe bet between late March and mid-April. However, since cherry trees bloom at different times depending on the region. Take a look at these estimated dates below to help you plan your itinerary. The Korean Meteorological Administration will release its official cherry blossom forecast for 2017 in early March. So keep checking the page for updates.
For now, here were the blooming dates for 2016.
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Comments
Seems like a beautiful place to visit. Looks like fun. The cherry blossoms are BEAUTIFUL! so lovely.
What a beautiful thing to have been able to see! It’s good that you got to go before the crowds came in too – I would have been willing to trade the blooms for the peace, myself.
I’ve heard about this festival, some of my friends attended a few years back and they loved it.
Katja xxx
http://www.katnapped.com
Oh, this looks so cool! To bad they don’t grown where I live. So beautiful 🙂
Cherry blossom trees are so gorgeous. Jealous you got to walk through this fairytale!
Oh my gosh! Such wonderful pictures. I love cherry blossoms!! By the way, your hair is beautiful!
What a beautiful place! I’ve never been in any festival like this!
Such a marvelous sight to see. 🙂 I’ve always wanted to see Cherry Blossoms in person. I guess we just have to wait a year or two more so that we can take our daughter with us.
I’m not sure where you live, but there are other places where they’ve planted them in the parks and botanical gardens… NYC, Philly, Urbana, Nashville, Macon, St. Louis, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle… are a few others I’ve seen them written about.
Can’t wait for spring! The cherry blossom trees look so beautiful. I love the smell of cherry blossom. Wish to visit Korea someday!
It’s definitely something that I would love to see! Cherry blossom festival must be so magical and beautiful! Nice pictures:)
Looks like such fun!
It would be nice to experience this! To be honest, I though that Japan was the only one to celebrate cherry blossoms! It’s good to know that we have other options!
Nope they are all over the place. I’m not sure where you live, but there are other places where they’ve planted them in the parks and botanical gardens… NYC, Philly, Urbana, Nashville, Macon, St. Louis, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle… are a few others I’ve seen them written about.
It’s hard to miss an event as lovely as this! Who doesn’t want to see cherry blossoms bloom and just be at awe of their beauty!
Wow, this is so cool, and what neat stuff they have set up! I love the different cultures we can learn about. The cherry blossoms are stunning.
OMG! So beautiful! I’vew always wanted to go to a cherry blossom festival! I thought I had to travel overseas to see one but I’m so glad there is some here in the U.S.
Yes, you are right, and I believe DC is not the only place you can see them. NYC, Philly, Urbana, Nashville, Macon, St. Louis, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle.
I love Cherry Blossoms, they are such a beautiful flower! That festival looks amazing, would love to go one day.
I love them soooo much! I tried going last year in Washington DC but missed it! 🙁 I can’t attend this year but I need to see it during peak bloom!
I’m not sure where you live, but there are other places where they’ve planted them in the parks and botanical gardens… NYC, Philly, Urbana, Nashville, Macon, St. Louis, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle… are a few others I’ve seen them written about.
I have never been to a cherry blossom festival, but I have always wanted to. I think that they’re gorgeous. This festival looks absolutely magical!
I soooooo want to do this!!! I love cherry blossoms and have been dying to visit Japan as well. At the TOP of the bucket list.
I love these trees. I have six of them in front of my house and when I move to my new property I’m lining both sides of my driveway with them. They smell so good when in bloom and even when they’re not in bloom they have a nice wide canopy for shade.
Thats awesome. I plan to plant a few as well as some Japanese maples when we finally get our forever home. I forgot to mention that they offer amazing shade after they bloom, thanks.
This is so beautiful! I think this would be a wonderful place to visit eventually.
That looks so amazing! I want to travel all over the world but so far my husband has not been stationed anywhere of real interest outside of the country! Hopefully, we’ll make our way over to Japan for a duty station and experience all that country has to offer!
I hope you get to Japan its a beautiful country with tons of fun things to experience.
That looks absolutely stunning! Definitely something for the bucket list! Cherry blossoms are so beautiful!
Cherry blossoms are SO pretty. We have gone to see the ones in DC a few times!