It was barely 7am as we stood yawning at the bus stop with bleary eyes and mussed-up hair, waiting for the bus that would take us from Busan to our dream destination. I was knackered, having slept only five or so hours each night for the past week as we rushed through Seoul’s markets and palaces and the DMZ.
But it was the right day; it was the final day. I had traveled here just for this, the quintessential experience of spring in Korea. As the bus trundled along, the streets acquired gradients of green, soft yellow, and white. Eventually, the roads were lined entirely with pink trees as we arrived…in Jinhae.
THE LIST: CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN JINHAE
The Jinhae Gunhangje (Cherry Blossom Festival)
The Jinhae Gunhangje (진해 군항제) has, in recent years, grown to become Korea’s biggest spring festival. The name of the festival, which began in 1952 as a memorial event for 16th-century war hero Admiral Yi Sun-shin, actually means “Naval Port Festival”. However, it’s typically marketed to tourists as the “Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival”. Because…
Jinhae is often considered the best place to view cherry blossoms in Korea, and the Jinhae Gunhangje is held from 1-10 April annually – when the cherry trees are most likely to be in bloom.
A brief history of cherry blossoms in Korea
Cherry blossoms (벚꽃, beotkkot) have traditionally been associated with Japan, where they’re known as sakura. However, Korean historians claim that Korea has its own native species of cherry tree and that the Japanese, during their occupation of Korea, razed most of them to plant their own trees.
Studies conducted on cherry trees in various parts of South Korea showed that the trees planted in most places, including Jinhae, are of the Japanese native Yoshino cherry species. Jeju Island, however, is home to an endangered species of Korean native cherry tree known as the King cherry. Confused yet? Don’t be – just be mesmerized by the blooms!
Things to do in Jinhae
People flock from all parts of South Korea to see the entire city draped in soft pink snow. Luckily, at 8am in the morning, we were virtually alone and free to go ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the scenery like the ignorant tourists that we were.
The views are stunning – especially at the landmark Yeojwa stream (여좌천, yeojwacheon).
Sadly, we only had two hours and barely got to know this place, for we had to catch a bus back to Seoul and onto our flight home. Yes, we spent a day’s time journeying south and back, just for a glimpse of the city of cherry blossoms in all its glory – and it was worth it.
Getting to Jinhae
Because Jinhae city isn’t served by Korea’s rail network, it requires slightly more travel time and patience. To get from Seoul to Jinhae, your most straightforward option is a 4.5-hour intercity bus ride from Seoul Nambu (South Seoul) terminal. Tickets cost KRW 26,100 for adults and you can purchase them online from the TxBus website.
Find more tips for traveling from Seoul to other parts of South Korea within this guide.
Alternatively (and I’d recommend this), consider making Jinhae a day trip from Busan. From Busan to Jinhae, you can take an intercity bus from Busan Seobu (West Busan) Bus Terminal to Jinhae Intercity Bus Terminal; the ride takes only around 45 minutes. This route is active as of 2017 (price is now KRW 5,100) but tickets are not available on the TxBus site yet.
Would you travel to Jinhae to view the cherry blossoms during spring in Korea?
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