Experience of cherry blossom hunting in South Korea at the end of March.

Each cherry blossom season in South Korea doesn't last very long, so to be able to visit during the peak blooming period, take beautiful photos, and explore many places, you shouldn't miss this article. Travellive would like to share the answers to 5 frequently asked questions about cherry blossom hunting trips with our two travel companions, Trong Nghia and Ngoc Hoa!

1. When is the best time to go cherry blossom hunting in South Korea?

Trong Nghia (32 years old, from Quang Ngai) - who has lived in South Korea for 4 years - said that spring arrives earlier in the South than in the North. Therefore, this year, cherry blossoms are expected to bloom first on Jeju Island (around March 20th), followed by Busan, Daegu, Gyeongju, Gwangju (around March 25th), and in the North, Incheon and Seoul will bloom around the beginning of April.

"One indispensable tip for tracking where the flowers are blooming is to simply type the destination you want to visit on Instagram or Naver to see the most recent reviews from locals," Trong Nghia shared. This way, you can get specific information about the destination, making an informed decision and avoiding missing out on the blooming season.

2. Where are the best places to see cherry blossoms?

"Cherry blossoms in South Korea have their own unique beauty: gentle colors, dense blooms, thick trunks, wide canopies, and a close planting density that makes them seem to cover an entire area," Ngoc Hoa (22 years old, Hanoi) shared with a Travellive reporter.

She shared that she felt lucky to start her exchange program right when the cherry blossoms bloomed in Korea, giving her the opportunity to admire them and take photos to create lasting memories. Cherry blossoms bloom everywhere along the roads in Korea during spring. Therefore, she thought it wasn't necessary to go to places like Yeouido Park and Seokchon Lake because they are already crowded with people taking pictures.

You can absolutely stop by the roadside, admire, and take photos with the beautiful cherry blossom trees, which are just as stunning as those in the well-known spots in Seoul. You might fall in love with the vibrant color combination of green and yellow intertwined with the characteristic pink of the cherry blossoms.

Nghia said, "Currently, not many people know about beautiful and secluded places in the southern coastal region like Namhae." Namhaedo Island, part of Gyeongsangnam-do, is the fifth largest island in South Korea. It boasts many beautiful sights, and the cherry blossoms here are no exception.

He further shared that whenever he wants to find a place to heal his soul, Namhae is his first choice. There aren't many tourists here; it's mostly locals. Therefore, instead of going to crowded places like Seoul or Busan, if you have the opportunity, Namhae would be an ideal place to have a truly relaxing and comfortable time, especially suitable for those who love privacy.

3. How should I prepare for a cherry blossom hunting trip?

Enjoying cherry blossoms when there are fewer people around will allow you to appreciate their beauty more deeply, and you won't need to do much editing to get a good photo. You should wake up early and arrive at your desired viewing spot around 8 a.m.

Regarding clothing, you should also choose appropriate outfits to get the best photos. "Koreans really like to wear plain clothes, even if they are quite simple. But this style of clothing suits the cherry blossom scenery," Ngoc Hoa added. "If you choose to travel by subway, you can also visit and shop for clothes at stores around the station with reasonable prices and good quality."

Trong Nghia said that currently in South Korea, the weather is warmer and sunnier, but it is still cold. The average temperature in South Korea in March is 6.1 degrees Celsius (43 degrees Fahrenheit). Temperatures in April range from 5.1 to 17.5 degrees Celsius. If you plan to see cherry blossoms in South Korea, be sure to prepare all the necessary clothing for your trip!

4. How do I get to these cherry blossom viewing spots?

Round-trip airfare from Vietnam to South Korea in March ranges around 7.5 million VND. Transportation options in South Korea are quite diverse; you can choose buses, subways, trains, or airplanes. Public transportation is generally cheaper than taxis, private car rentals, or air travel.

There are three types of buses that travel along the city's routes: Ilban bus, Jwaseok bus, and Maeul bus. For travel outside the city, you can choose intercity buses or express buses. When traveling between major cities like Seoul, Daegu, Busan, Gwangju, and Daejon, you can choose the subway, which offers affordable fares, fast travel times, and great convenience.

Depending on the routes, travel time, and costs, you can research and find the most optimal travel route for yourself. For Ngoc Hoa, she chose the subway to travel from Shunshin University to Yeouido Park, which takes about 20-30 minutes. To travel from Seoul to Namhae, Trong Nghia chose an intercity bus, which takes 3 hours.

5. What to eat, what to do, and where to stay when going cherry blossom hunting?

"Most eateries in Korea have relatively consistent quality. No one is exceptionally good or exceptionally bad, so you can feel free to choose any street food stall without much hesitation," Ngoc Hoa said.

She also added that Koreans often eat fried chicken and drink beer. This is like a cultural aspect of eating that locals choose for picnics or cherry blossom hunting trips. You can spread out a mat near the Han River, sit and admire the flowers, chat, and enjoy fried chicken with a cold beer in early spring with family and friends like a true local.

Trong Nghia shared: "In Busan, besides admiring cherry blossoms, you can also stroll along Haeundae or Gwanganli beaches, and enjoy seafood or cold noodles, which are famous in Busan. When visiting the ancient capital of Gyeongju, in addition to hunting for incredibly beautiful cherry blossoms, you can also combine it with visiting ancient palaces and tombs. Especially in Namhae, you can stop by a beachfront restaurant, order a pizza at Her-band and a bottle of beer to enjoy. Alternatively, you can also go to Dolchangko Cafe to relax and admire the view."

Hotel room rates in South Korea during cherry blossom season can be higher than usual, so you might consider options like guesthouses or homestays to save money. Nghia shared that when visiting Namhae, he chose accommodation near tourist attractions to save both time and money on his trip.

Here are some must-see attractions if you visit Namhae:

• Gacheon Daraengi Village - "Artificial Waves on Land"This village is famous for its terraced rice fields, which visitors cannot find anywhere else in South Korea.
• Geumsan Boriam Hermitage - The temple amidst the cloudsLocated just below the summit of Mount Geumsan is the Geumsan Boriam Monastery. Legend says that visitors to the temple will be granted a wish.
• Sangju's silver sand beach and Dumo villageWith its clear, clean waters, Namhae Beach is a great place for water sports.
• Mulgeon Windbreak Forest - Where forest and sea meetThese trees were planted about 300 years ago to protect the village from strong sea winds and to attract fish with their vibrant green leaves.
• German Village in South Korea - A trip to a miniature GermanyThe German village was built for Koreans returning after many years living in Germany. The village features many beautiful buildings with white exteriors and orange roofs.
• Join a local fishing experience.Jukbangryeom is a unique fishing activity found only in Namhae. The name refers to the bamboo stakes used to set up fish traps in a fan-like shape.

Bi Le