- Jinhae Gunhangje Opens on March 22, Earliest Cherry Blossom Festival in 62 Years 2024 Korea Cherry Blossom Blooming Period
- The 2024 Jinhae Gunhangje will open on March 22, the earliest opening in its history. Cherry blossoms are expected to bloom in mid-March, and the festival will run for 10 days until April 1.
The beginning of spring (입춘) has passed, and spring is already just around the corner.
If you're planning a beautiful cherry blossom outing this spring, why not visit Gyeongju's cherry blossoms this year?
For taking Instagrammable photos with your loved ones, Hidden Cherry Blossom Spots in Gyeongjuare all gathered here.
Yeongji Seolhwa Park Walking Path
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
This is a place where the sorrowful love story of Asadal and Asanyeo from the Silla Dynasty is handed down,
and it was created as a themed park that tells the story of the legend associated with Muryongtap, one of the two pagodas in front of the Daeungjeon Hall of Bulguksa Temple, on the west side.
It takes about 10 minutes by car from Bulguksa Temple to reach Yeongji Pond.
There is a walking path built around the pond, and there is a section where cherry trees form a beautiful flower tunnel along the trail,
making it a great spot for a quiet and peaceful flower viewing experience, as it's relatively less known.
Heungmu-ro Cherry Blossom Road (Gyeongju-si Chunghyo-ro)
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
You can find it by crossing Seocheon Bridge from Gyeongju Terminal and turning right at the first intersection after crossing the bridge.
In 2007, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation selected this place as one of the “100 Most Beautiful Roads in Korea.”
Cherry trees planted on both sides of the road create a beautiful cherry blossom tunnel where the branches meet overhead.
During the spring when cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the road becomes filled with many spring visitors, so it's also recommended to travel by bike or on foot.
Dongnamsan Walking Path (Yangpi Reservoir, Seochulji, and in front of Hwarang Education Institute)
Address: 67, Chilbulam-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, behind Sansudang, Yangpi Reservoir
17, Namsan 1-gil, Gyeongju-si, Seochulji
62, Saenamsan-gil, Gyeongju-si, Walking Path in front of Hwarang Education Institute
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
The weeping cherry blossoms hanging down over Yangpi Reservoir, a small reservoir near the Dongseo Three-Story Stone Pagoda in Namsan-dong, are beautiful.
You can also see cherry blossoms in the area around Seochulji, which holds the legend of King Soji of Silla and the geomungo (a Korean string instrument) player Gab.
The cherry blossom street along the walking path in front of the Hwarang Education Institute between Tongiljeon and the Gyeongsangbuk-do Forest Environment Research Institute is also a famous spot.
Bomunjeong
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
Bomunjeong boasts beautiful scenery, having been featured by CNN as one of Korea's hidden gems.
In spring, the octagonal pavilion and the two surrounding ponds are decorated with white cherry blossoms, creating an exceptional view.
In particular, it's popular for its weeping cherry blossoms with their drooping branches.
Bomun Lake Path
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
Bomun Tourist Complex is a tourist and leisure area centered around a 500,000-pyeong (approximately 1.65 million square meters) artificial lake, with various tourist and cultural leisure facilities.
The Bomun Lake Path, a walking path that allows you to walk around the Bomun Lake, is a 6.5km section that can be completed in about 2 hours.
Cherry blossom spot 1 is near the Bomun Water Performance Stage, and spot 2 is near the Lake Plaza.
Bukgundong Cherry Blossom Tunnel in Bomun Tourist Complex (in front of Gyeongju Donggungwon)
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
Gyeongju Donggungwon is located at the entrance of the Bomun Tourist Complex, and it's a four-season experiential tourist facility created to develop agriculture as a tourist resource.
Donggung and Wolji, Korea's first zoo and botanical garden, have been recreated in a modern way here at Gyeongju Donggungwon.
Storytelling the historical background of Gyeongju, "Gyeongju Donggungwon" was created as a place where you can see "Donggung Botanical Garden" and "Gyeongju Bird Park," a new specialized bird park, in one location.
There's also a cherry blossom tunnel in front of it.
In front of Hwangryongwon in Bomun Complex
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
The area in front of Hwangryongwon, a training center and accommodation facility modeled after the nine-story wooden pagoda of Hwangryongsa Temple site, is already a well-known cherry blossom spot among those who know.
There's also a beautiful cherry blossom street in front of Expo.
Amgok Cherry Blossom Tunnel
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
It takes about 10 minutes by car from the Waterwheel Plaza near the Bomun Tourist Complex to reach Amgok Wangsan Village.
It's the starting point of the Mujangsan mountain trail, famous for its silver grass in autumn, and there's a short but dense cherry blossom tunnel here.
The blossoms tend to bloom a little later than in the city.
Back Road of Kim Yu-sin General's Tomb
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
It's one of the famous cherry blossom spots in Gyeongju, and the cherry blossom tunnel is so beautiful that it's perfect for a drive.
The canola flowers blooming beautifully along the riverside walking path right in front are also a sight to behold, creating a harmonious blend of white and yellow.
Daereungwon Stone Wall Path
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
During the Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival, vehicles are restricted from entering the Daereungwon Stone Wall Path where the festival takes place.
While the stone wall path is beautiful, don't miss the famous photo spots inside Daereungwon.
Micheu Wang릉 (Tomb of King Michu) in Daereungwon
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
This is the tomb of King Michu, the 13th king of Silla, and it's located inside Daereungwon, so you need to purchase a ticket to enter.
Taking photos when cherry blossoms are falling like snow creates an even more magical atmosphere.
Oreung Stone Wall Path
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
The stone wall path of Gyeongju Oreung, where the early Silla kings, including Park Hyeokgeose, are buried, exudes a quiet charm that's no less captivating than the Daereungwon Stone Wall Path.
Hwangryongsa Maru-gil
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
This is a rewarding cycling course that connects the main attractions in Gyeongju, and it also has a deck, making it suitable for walking.
Silla Wanggyeong Forest
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
Located at the entrance of the Bomun Tourist Complex, the Silla Wanggyeong Forest is designed to recreate the forest where the kings of Seorabeol (the ancient capital of Silla) walked 1,500 years ago.
It was opened to the public in 2007 along with the World Culture Expo,
and it's a convenient resting spot for both citizens and tourists as it's close to major tourist attractions.
It's also a popular spot for picnics thanks to the wide lawn and lush trees.
Near the Silla Wanggyeong Forest, there's a food court where you can enjoy various menus, including traditional Korean cuisine and sundubu (soft tofu stew).
Gyeongju Wolseong Cherry Tree Forest
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
While not very large, the old cherry trees form a forest, and they're different from the cherry blossoms that bloom along the stone wall path next to Daereungwon or the walking path next to Cheomseongdae, differing in size.
Gampojeong
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
Gampojeong, one of Gyeongju's hidden cherry blossom gems, is an observation pavilion located on the Gampo Dam in Yeondong Village, the northernmost part of Gyeongju's east coast.
The road leading up to Gampojeong is lined with cherry trees on both sides, creating a beautiful landscape.
It's a photo spot where you can capture the beautiful cherry blossoms and the distant blue sea in one frame.
Bulguksa Temple
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
The cherry blossom forest along the path from the Bulguksa Temple Public Parking Lot to the main gate of Bulguksa Temple is a great spot for picnics.
You don't need to purchase a ticket to enter this area.
If you're sad to see the white cherry blossoms fading, you can find later-blooming double cherry blossoms.
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
Double Cherry Blossom Walking Path Section on the Seopmuri Ddukbang-gil (Seondeok Queen's Path)
Address: 142, Seopmuri-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, entrance to the Ddukbang-gil near Giwagol Mattolsundubu
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
Behind the Seopmuri village, connecting Myeonghwalsanseong Fortress and Jinpyeong King's Tomb, lies the 'Seondeok Queen's Path'.
Every spring, double cherry blossoms bloom in abundance, making it a hidden spring flower haven beloved by locals.
You can also find benches and photo zones to rest and take photos along the way.
Double Cherry Blossom Cluster on the Bomun Lake Path
Source: Gyeongju Cultural Tourism
There's also a double cherry blossom cluster near the Bomun Water Performance Stage on the Bomun Lake Path.
Since they bloom a bit later, you can enjoy beautiful pink double cherry blossoms even after the white cherry blossoms have fallen.
2024 Cherry Blossom Blooming PeriodCurious?
Also, Gyeongju Culture and Tourism Websiteprovides a "Cherry Blossom Alert" service from March, informing you of the **blooming status** of cherry blossoms in Gyeongju, so it's helpful to check it out.
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