South Korea is a fascinating country to visit at any time of year, and there’s no better time to do so than in the spring, particularly in April.
Read on to find out why you never really need an excuse to visit Korea in April.
1. Hello, Sunshine!
In Korea, April is the month of spring breeze and warm sunlight and the weather continues to get warmer throughout the month.
While the average April’s high temperatures in Seoul are around 12~18ºC (53.6~64.4ºF), the temperatures in the southern region of Korea, including Busan, Gyeongju and Jeju Island, are 2~3 degrees higher.
※There may be some sporadic cold snaps and big gaps in temperatures at night, so make sure you bring a couple of warm sweaters or a light-weight jacket or coat!
At this time of the year, you will start seeing restaurants and cafes reopen their beautiful terraces and locals going outdoors to enjoy family outing or spring picnic.
The weather in April also offers travelers and tourists the perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors dressed in Korean traditional outfit ‘hanbok‘ as well.
2. Blooms ‘n’ Blossoms
Weather is not the only reason why April is the best time to visit Korea.
It is when travelers and tourists can witness the spring’s splendor and admire the colorful blooming flowers and the vibrant colors on the streets everywhere.
Here are some of the best features of Spring not to be missed in Korea are: cherry blossoms, tulips and spring flower gardens.
1) Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossom season reaches its peak in early April and they tend to bloom earlier in the southern parts of Korea. Most of them fall when there is a strong wind or rain, so be sure to catch them before they are gone!
- Best places to see: Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival in Jinhae, Moontan Road in Busan, The Simni Cherry Blossom Road in Hwagae, Bomun Lake in Gyeongju
2) Tulips
Don’t be disappointed when the cherry blossoms are gone as there are colorful tulips for you to enjoy.
A. Taean Tulip Festival
Taean Tulip Festival is by far the largest tulip festival in Korea, which features more than 1.5 million of colorful tulips. It is also known as one of the world’s top 5 tulip festivals!
- Date: April 13~May 10
- Location: Taean County, Chungcheong-do (mid-west province)
- Best things to see: Flower gardens (tulips, canola, digitalis, lupine)
- Book a tour
For more information, click here.
B. Everland Tulip Festival
If you want to celebrate spring somewhere closer to Seoul, head out to Korea’s largest theme park, Everland. There is an annual tulip festival and a fantastic garden of spring blooms called Four Seasons Garden for visitors to enjoy.
- Date: March 16~April 23, 2017 (Four Seasons Garden open until 9:00pm)
- Location: Everland, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do (mid-west province)
- Best things to see: Tulip Festival, Four Seasons Garden (tulips, grape hyacinths, daisies)
- Book Everland Discount Ticket or Everland Discount Ticket+Shuttle Bus Package
Browse more deals on Everland here.
3) Azaleas
Azaleas are the late-bloomers of the spring season in Korea. You will be able to see them until late-April, so catch them before they are gone.
Goryeosan Mountain Festival
Only a two-hour bus ride from Seoul, you can enjoy a short excursion to Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival. Covered with various shades of pink and magenta azaleas, Goyreosan Mountain in April just seems like an otherworldly place!
- Date: April 12~23, 2017
- Location: Gangwha County, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do (mid-west province)
- Best things to see: azaleas, azalea tea tasting, azalea rice pancake making experience
- Book a tour
For more information, click here.
4) Spring Flower Gardens & Parks
This April, visit two of Korea’s best-loved spring flower garden and park: The Garden of Morning Calm and Hallim Park. Featuring from fascinating displays of seasonal flowers, tropical gardens, exotic plants to scenic paths, they are the perfect places to revel in spring.
A. The Garden of Morning Calm
The Garden of Morning Calm is a popular tourist destination near Seoul where visitors can admire fantastic botanical gardens and flowers all year round.
Every April, Spring Festival is held from mid-April to the end of May at the Garden of the Morning Calm.
- Date: Mid-April~Late May
- Location: Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi-do (mid-west province)
- Best things to see: Wildflower exhibition, cherry blossoms, magnolia, azalea, Japanese apricot, forsythia
- Book our recommended tour
For more information, click here.
B. Hallim Park
Stop and smell the flowers at Hallim Park in northwest Jeju. Unlike other botanical gardens that display flowers, this park is dedicated to different flowers every month.
In April, the cherry blossoms and canola flowers burst into bloom all over the park!
- Date: Throughout April
- Location: Hallim-eup, Jeju City, Jeju Island
- Best things to see: Cherry blossoms, canola flowers, botanical gardens, Ssangyonggul Cave
- Buy a discount ticket
For more information, click here.
3. It’s a Festival Frenzy!
Throughout April, a series of unique and authentic festivals will be held across Korea. Here are some of the best festivals where you can release all the pent up energy you’ve been storing up during the winter!
1) Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival
Every April, thousands of visitors flock to Jindo Sea Parting Festival, a.k.a Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival, to see ‘the modern Mose’s miracle’ in Jindo Island and walk on the exposed sea road when the sea opens up!
- Date: April 26~29, 2017
- Location: Jindo Island, Jeolla-do (southwest province)
- Best things to enjoy: Miracle sea road walking experience, hands-on programs including learning Korean folk song ‘Jindo Arirang’ and traditional music ‘Gukak’, Jindo Hongju experience (Jindo traditional alcohol tasting)
- Book a tour
For more information, click here.
2) Mungyeong Traditional Chasabal (Tea Bowl) Festival
If you still haven’t experienced Korean tea culture, Mungyeong Traditional Chasabal Festival is the perfect place to be.
The festival gives you the chance to spin the potter’s wheel, paint designs and make your own ceramic tea sets for 4,000 won. You can also taste different types of Korean teas, including omija, dandelion and lotus leaf.
- Date: April 28~30, 2017
- Location: Mungyeong, Gyeongsang-do (southeast province)
- Best things to enjoy: Hands-on programs for making pottery and teaware, Korean tea tasting
- Book a tour
For more information, click here.
3) Lotus Lantern Festival (Yeondeunghoe)
The annual Lotus Lantern Festival, or Yeondeunghoe, is a major lantern festival in Seoul that is held to celebrate Buddha’s birthday. There will be a fascinating lantern parade and traditional cultural events along the Jongno Street and spectacular lantern displays at Jogyesa Temple and Bongeunsa Temple.
- Date: April 28~30, 2017
- Location: Jogyesa, Bongeunsa temple, along the Jongno Street (Seoul)
- Best things & places to see: A lotus lantern parade on April 29 (Sat) (Dongdaemun Gate → Jogyesa Temple 7:00pm-9:30pm), Bongeunsa Temple exhibition, Jogyesa Temple exhibition, Cheonggyecheon Stream exhibition
Now, if you are planning your spring trip to Korea, April is surely the best time to do so.
Check out the best tours and travel deals for April!
For more spring tours and travel deals for Korea, make sure you visit Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop!
Recent comments