chrisbg — Jirisan National Park

Cherry blossom season in Seoul gets all the attention, but this is the spring day trip I would choose first. Instead of staying in the capital, take the KTX to Cheonan Asan, rent a car there, and head south. It cuts out a big part of the traffic and makes this route much more realistic as a one-day trip from Seoul. Start in Gurye, where the yellow sansuyu blossoms arrive early and cover the village in soft gold. Gurye Sansuyu Village is one of Korea’s best-known early spring bloom spots, with around 117,000 cornelian cherry trees in the area, and the festival usually runs in mid-March. After that, stop by Hwaeomsa Temple for one of Korea’s most famous spring trees: the Hwaeom plum tree, a red plum estimated to be over 300 years old. It is stunning, but yes, this is one of the busiest bloom stops in the region for a reason. If you want a quieter temple stop, Cheoneunsa is a beautiful alternative inside Jirisan, and Saseongam on Osan adds dramatic views over the Seomjingang River. Then comes the highlight: Gwangyang Maehwa Village. This is one of Korea’s most iconic plum blossom destinations, right by the Seomjingang River, and during the festival, the hills fill with pale blooms, walking paths, traditional structures, and plum products from the area. In 2026, the Gwangyang Maehwa Festival runs from March 13 to March 22. The drive itself is part of the trip, especially once the white and pink plum blossoms start appearing along the road. By the time you reach the village, it feels like you’ve stepped into a softer version of spring. Before heading back, stop in Hwagae for a cafe break, then return the car at Cheonan Asan and take the KTX back to Seoul. Comment “PLUM” and I’ll send you my full blossom day trip guide. #100DayTripsFromSeoul #GwangyangMaehwa #Gurye #SpringInKorea #KoreaTravel