With the arrival of spring come beautiful blooming flowers, including cherry blossoms, forsythias, and azaleas. Even in Seoul, a large city filled with skyscrapers and cars, there are places to enjoy the sight and scent of spring blossoms. If you are eager to discover a different side of Seoul, visit some of the following parks to be greeted by blossoming spring flowers.
Seoul’s Central Park, Seoul Forest
Recognized as one of Seoul’s premium city parks, a magnificent sight of giant cherry blossom trees can be found at Seoul Forest. Visitors to the park are welcome to enjoy a light walk or a picnic under the gently fluttering cherry blossoms. Don’t miss your chance to see deer and observe butterflies at the Ecological Forest while at the park.
Cheerfully colorful, Children’s Grand Park
Starting from the entrance, Children’s Grand Park is filled with blossoms of all kinds, from deep pink azaleas to tulips of all shades. The park is one of the most stunning parks during springtime when the large cherry blossom trees are in full bloom. In addition, other attractions such as the zoo and the botanical garden found within the park offer more to see, making the park a perfect picnic spot. Snacks for sale can be found at every corner and full meals are also available at the park’s cafeteria.
Straight out of a fairy tale, Seokchonhosu Lake
Every spring, Seokchonhosu Lake boasts a splendid view of approximately 300,000 cherry blossoms and wild flowers in bloom. In particular, the sight of Lotte World appearing to float in the middle of Seokchonhosu Lake creates a fairy tale-like picture. The annual Seokchonhosu Lake Cherry Blossom Festival is also held here, offering various events and programs for visitors to enjoy.
Closest to the sky, Haneul Park in World Cup Park
Haneul Park, located within World Cup Park, offers amazing views of the city as well as beautiful flowers and interesting sculptures. Man-made structures and facilities are limited within the park, as it was formed as a restoration project to preserve the ecological environment. Visitors are recommended to prepare a few drinks and snacks in advance before visiting. Colonies of forsythias can be found along both sides of the trekking paths, creating the mood to enjoy spring to its fullest.
A romantic getaway, Noeul Park in World Cup Park
Noeul Park offers a pleasant sight of forsythias and royal azaleas in early spring and changes its colors to lovely shades of purple around May to June when the irises are in bloom. In addition, the metasequoia tree-lined path is often sought-out by couples as the trees that stretch down both sides of the walking path create a romantic mood perfect for a relaxing stroll. The park is also famous for its sunset view, with many visitors coming in the late afternoon hours.
Peaceful flowers, Seoul National Cemetery
The cherry blossoms cultivated at Seoul National Cemetery resemble willow trees with their branches hanging down towards the ground as they age, giving one an image of a waterfall of flowing flowers. Although Seoul National Cemetery is popular for its fascinating cherry blossoms, other spring blossoms such as forsythias and fringe trees serve as welcoming sights. In addition, the annual Seoul National Cemetery Spring Blossom Event is held every April, offering various entertaining and educational programs.
A pleasant walking path, Samcheong Park
Located in the center of Seoul, Samcheong Park is well-loved by the local community due to its convenient location and various facilities nearby, including cultural centers and restaurants. Thanks to the scenic view the walking trail offers, many visitors are drawn to the park to enjoy the sight of cherry blossoms and forsythia flowers, as well as the refreshing spring atmosphere. After taking in the beautiful blossoms, stop by Samcheong-dong Café Street!
Representative attraction of Seoul, Cheonggyecheon Stream
Located at the center of Seoul, Cheonggyecheon Stream is a top tourist attraction that serves as a relaxing space for both nearby office workers and tourists. Sansuyu (cornus fruit) flowers, canola flowers, and plum blossoms welcome spring as they bloom along the 11 kilometer-long stream, while a line of white fringe tree flowers offer an excellent sight by decorating both sides of the nearby walking path.
The above article is courtesy of VisitKorea, the official website of the Korea Tourism Organization (www.visitkorea.or.kr)
korean-electronics.com | Blog Magazine of korean electronics, brands and Goods
Setting off for Gapado Island
Suncheon Bay National Garden, opened for the international Suncheon Bay Garden Expo, is the first National Garden in Korea. A wide variety of themed gardens can be found meticulously lined up at the garden. Autumn in particular is lively, with thousands of chrysanthemums in every shade, mirroring the field of reeds in the bay.
Suncheon Lake Garden was designed by world famous landscape designer Charles Jencks during his stay in Suncheon. This garden displays the city in miniature size, including replicas of the mountains surrounding the city made into smaller hills. In a reversal of elements, the lake in the center of these hills serves as the city of Suncheon, while the wooden deck above represents Dongcheon Stream winding its way through the city. Visitors can stroll along the boardwalk or climb up the hills; the view of Suncheon Lake Garden from the hill peaks is quite stunning.
The World Garden is made up of garden styles from various countries, including Thailand, Japan, Great Britain, Italy, Turkey, Spain, the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and China. It is an interesting experience to compare and appreciate different aesthetics presented by each nation. The Chinese Garden features a pond and pavilions, while the Turkey Garden represents the culture of the Middle East. The Dutch Garden and French Garden have models of their famous windmills and Palace of Versailles, respectively. Walking through each garden will offer visitors a chance to experience the visual differences in cultures from around the world.
The Metasequoia Path is the most popular trail at the garden among couples. The trees were originally slated to be cut down in order to expand the highway system, but were moved to the garden to live out the rest of their lives.
The Dream Bridge, designed by installation artist Kang Ik-joong, was created by reusing 30 container boxes. The walls of the bridge are decorated with more than 140,000 vivid paintings created by children from around the world. All those who cross the bridge can feel a strong desire to protect Suncheonman Bay and the world’s natural environment.
Korean Traditional Garden’s palace garden reproduces the elegant and beautiful Huwon areas of Changdeokgung Palace and Gyeongbokgung Palace. The noblemen’s garden shows a glimpse of the atmosphere in which ancient noblemen relaxed and studied with nature by their side. Lastly, the garden of hope focuses on a motif of folk beliefs. One can see many stone towers, created with the tradition of stacking a stone while making a wish in order for the wish to come true.
Suncheonman Bay is one of the world’s top five coastal wetlands, and is by far Korea’s most beautiful natural landscape. The seemingly endless field of reeds surrounded on three sides by mountains and open to the sea on the fourth is something not easily seen in the world. Moreover, Suncheonman Bay was registered with the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in January 2006. The wetland serves as home to an array of migratory birds including species like hooded crane, Saunders’s gull and more.
As soon as you enter the main gate of Suncheonman Bay Wetland Reserve, green lawns and ponds greet you before reaching the reed fields. As soon as you cross Mujingyo Bridge, your journey through the dancing fields of reeds begins. It takes approximately 40 minutes to walk along the path until you reach Yongsan Observatory. Relaxing views of vast fields and picturesque landscapes accompany you throughout your journey.
Korean-Electronics.com 