Jinhae Annual Cherry Blossom Festival
Did you know April snows pink in the town of Jinhae?
Yup, it does because the town is absolutely a flood with cherry blossoms and ech spring, during the months of late March to early April, Jinhae holds their annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
A pink cherry blossom parade in Jinhae
Jinhae is at the southern tip of South Korea and is a coastal city with a well-known naval academy and port. When it comes to cherry blossoms (or gunhang) blooming in spring, Jinhae is the first and foremost town to see it in for sheer magnitude! Arriving, you’ll find the whole town and its surrounding mountains colored with new arrival of cherry blossom trees. The mountain-side is cascading in an impressive flurry of light pink.
Tip: For a less crowded and more laid-back atmosphere, you might try Gyeongju, instead.
The city of Jinhae blossoms each Mar-April
Flower art at the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival
Best spots to see Jinhae cherry blossoms?
On the way to the Port of Jinhae
Walking towards the sea is like walking under an umbrella canape of ripe blossoms, which occasionally rain with pink flurries when a strong wind blows. It’s romantic, as if you’re in a Korean drama scene. I personally, have never experienced anything like it before. Keep walking and you’ll get to the boat dock where you take an excursion aboard an old Korean battle boat. There will be many men from the nearby naval academy to assist or provide information.
There is a naval academy in Jinhae
Korean sailor
Mt.Jehwang Park
The best spot to see the city swathed in dainty pink is the 9 story observation tower on Jehwangsan Park. The tower, symbolizes a Korean naval warship. It sits at the top of a 365-step staircase with a wonderful view of the city and the coastline. On the first and second floors of the tower is the Jinhae City Museum. You can take a cable car lift from the base of the mountain (near the tents) to get there or walk. The walk itself, isn’t steep nor will it wind you if you rest to take photos along the way.
The observation deck: The best spot to see Jinhae
A view of the festival grounds
Town of Jinhae
Anmin Road (from Changwon to Jinhae)
From Changwon to Jinhae, Anmin Road is a cherry blossom lined street that runs 5.6-km length.
Yeojwacheon stream, Changwon
It’s said that Yeojwacheon Stream area has the most beautiful cherry blossoms of all. It’s bridge is the film location of the Korean drama, Romance (2002). .Yeojwacheon is a 1.5-km cherry blossom tunnel
What else can you expect to see at the festival?
Aside from the cherry blossoms, the festival itself is pretty standard. There’s food tents and vendors selling a variety of knick-knacks, from household goods, hardware (hardware? The old ajosshis must love it), fortune tellers and shoes. There’s food tents where you can get pajeon (Korean pancakes), jigaes (stews), meat and dried seafood.
Korean families love to come out and enjoy the day either picnicking on the festival grounds or perusing the tents.
Festival grounds
korean festival tents
How to get to Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival:
Getting to Jinhae wasn’t a straight shot, however. We had to take two buses (to Jinju and then) to Jinhae bus terminal and then a 10 minute taxi drive into the center of the town.
For a tourist map of Jinhae, you can pick one up outside the bus terminal at the tourist booth. The festival runs shuttles to various highlight spots around the town. Main festival area is within 10 minute walking distance of the station. You will need to take a bus or taxi to Jinhae (approx 20 min by taxi) around 20,000 won
Getting to Jinhae from Daegu
Daegu Seobu Bus Terminal > Jinju Bus Terminal > Jinhae Bus Terminal
Daegu Seobu Bus Terminal > Jinju Bus Terminal
Departure Times: 06:30 07:00 07:50 08:20 09:10 10:15 11:00 11:40 12:20 12:50 13:30 14:10
14:50 15:30 16:00 16:50 17:40 18:20 19:30
Travel Time: 120 minutes
Fare: 8,100 KRW
Jinju Bus Terminal > Jinhae Bus Terminal
Departure Times: 07:20 15:40
Travel Time: 90 minutes
Fare: 6,300 KRW
2 Comments. Leave new
Hi Christine, Very nice site. I haven’t been to Chinhae, but you have a street shot that I could use in a video that I’m doing about a Sailor injured in a motorcycle crash on a main street in Chinhae. I just need a street shot, and you have a nice one on your site. I’d like to use it, and of course, I’ll credit you/your site. I need specific approval, and I normally would send a release form to you. Your site says it’s OK to use the material with a credit back, so I’ll move ahead with my video, but please respond that I have your permission to use the photo. There’s a street scene with a man standing there, and a bus is across the street in front of him. He almost looks like a police officer ready to direct traffic…in the center. That’s the photo I’m going to use. Dan Steber, Naval Safety Center, Norfolk VA.
Hi Dan, Thank you for contacting me. I only allow my images to be used with credit back if they are not for a commercial publication or for-profit projects. Yours sounds like a news project, but I can’t be sure. Please let me know what company, video project and if you’ll have a link to the final product! =)