Let’s Discover Korea in Spring!
After the cold Winter, we welcome lovely weather of Spring, where the bright and colorful flowers throughout the country create a stunning view! Spring is a good time the visit South Korea and here is an itinerary you could follow when visiting South Korea during this period!! Let’s see the best Korea Tour Itinerary in Spring !
Day 1 – Seoul
Changdeokgung Palace
Changdeokgung Palace is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the second royal palace built in Seoul and dating from the Joseon Dynasty (1392 – 1910). Besides, it’s one of the well-preserved palace in the city and was a place of residence for several kings. You can find Injeongjeon Hall, Nakseonjae and huge gardens surrounding the Palace.
Insadong Street
The Insadong district is well known to foreigners for its multiple shops and restaurants, but especially for these streets and the combined historic and modern atmosphere you can found there. It’s an unique region of Seoul that truly symbolizes the past of South Korea.
Namsan Tower
Unmissable Touristic sport in South Korea, Namsan Tower is a telecommunications tower located in Seoul. The tower measures 236 meters, providing an overview of the city. It was originally used as a transmission antenna for channels in Korea, before being gradually transformed into a cultural and tourist complex. Day or night, the panorama of the city is sublime!
Bukchon Hanok Village (+ Possible Hanbok Rental)
Village where hundred of traditional Korean houses dating from Joseon dynasty are located. Now, some houses are still inhabited and others are used for tourism purposes. For instance as tea houses, cultural centers, souvenir shops or restaurants for visitors to discover Korean traditional culture! Furthermore, it’s possible to rent an Hanbok, a Korean traditional clothing and walk around the village. Located in 37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, in Seoul, you can stop at Anguk Station (Lign 3) and walk for 10 minutes. You can visit from Mondays to Saturdays from 10 A.M to 17 P.M !
Day 2 – Seoul
Cherry Blossom Festival in Yeouido
You can’t come to South Korea in Spring and not experience Cherry Blossom Festival. Also know as Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival, is the most famous cherry blossom street in Seoul, lined with cherry blossom trees. The festival is generally held during the first weeks of April, but the dates can still change. I advise you to check details before visiting. In addition, the car traffic is limited so you can fully appreciate the trees and others occupation such as street performances, food vendors, and some art exhibitions!
Anyangcheon Cherry Blossom Walkway
Anyangcheon’s cherry blossom walkway is constructed around the Anyangcheon riverside in Sinrim-dong area (Guro-gu, Seoul). After that, the stream meets the Han River near Seongsandaegyo Bridge. This stream is one of the best chance to take some free time. Observe the cherry blossom in Spring and enjoy bicycle rides alongside the river!
Han River Cruise
Han River Cruise is one of the best way to enjoy Han River. The cruise allow passengers to enjoy live performances and diner as they look at the scenery that flows through Seoul. It’s the opportunity to get some fresh air and forget everything else ! Appreciate awesome daytime landscapes or amazing nighttime views and create memories with your family or friends!
Day 3 – Everland Theme Park or Lotte World Park
Everland is South Korea largest Theme Park, including rollers coasters, a Zoo “Zoo-Topia” and a Water Park “Caribbean Bay”. It’s a place where you can have a good time. You can also witness the Tulip Festival from mid march to late April. It’s a lot of fun where you can walk around and feel like you’re in another country!
Now onto Lotte World recreation complex : Lotte World is divided into two parks. Lotte World ‘Adventure’ has the largest indoor park in the world and an outdoor park whose reputation is already firmly established Lotte World ‘Magic Island’. Furthermore, you can also try Korean Folk museum, movies theaters, etc. You can have fun for a day with the numerous attractions of these Amusement parks!
Day 4 – Nami Island
Nami Island, one of the best tourist destinations in South Korea, is a small half-moon shaped island located in Chuncheon. It’s the perfect place if you want to be away from the rapid city pace and just be within nature. Not only you can walk through the woodlands and tree lanes of the island, colourful European-style buildings of Petite France, the Garden of Morning Calm but also through multiple filming locations from K-dramas!
Day 5 – Seoraksan National Park
Seoraksan Mountain translates to ‘Snowy Peaks Mountain’. The mountain, located in Gangwon-do Province (3 hours from Seoul), is one of the most beautiful mountains in Korea. Boasting a variety of colorful trees and vibrant flora and fauna in spring and will offer you some of the most amazing landscapes any time of the year. The mount has a several hiking trails (invest in a good pair of hiking shoes) you can try to immerse yourself in the nature. For example a waterfalls, “Ulsanbawi Rock” (a famous rock formation made of six granite peaks), Geumganggul Cave, Buddhist temples and a cable car to see the amazing view of the park from the top!
Day 6 – Osaek Hot Springs
Osaek Hot Springs grant you the opportunity to relax and soak your aching muscles from the hiking and walking of the day before. Located in Osaek Valley, close to Seoraksan National Park, the water from the hot springs is high in iron and carbonic acid flows. It’s supposed to have many health benefits, including being good for the complexion.
Day 7 – Andong
Andong Hahoe Village
After, direction Andong, approximately 5 hours from Osaek Valley ! Hahoe Village, a listed UNESCO World Heritage, is an inhabited traditional village, which was the home to descendants of the Ryu clan of Pungsan! Moreover, you can see the complete conservation of certain houses covered with tiles and thatched cottages although they long centuries have passed! That’s a magnificent view, even more with the flower and trees blossoming with Spring!
Byeongsan Confucianist Academy
In this academy, you can find an educational institution for Confucian scholars from the Joseon period! The knowledge, achievements and virtues of the notable Confucian scholar were passed down from generation to generation! Actually, it’s serene place where you can relax and learn more about Korean Confucianism!
Day 8 – Daegu
Daegu 83 Tower
Next, driving 3 hours to Daegu, you can begin your visit with the emblematic 83 Tower. It’s the best way to get a real sense of what a city is all about is by seeing it from above. You can see the city, the several districts inside, the mountain surrounding it. Besides, there is the possibility to enjoy a coffee on the observation deck in the floor below!
Daegu Seomun Traditional Market
It’s the largest traditional street market in Daegu, left from the Joseon Dynasty. The market particularly renowned as a source for textiles and sewing services. That is to say that you can find everything you want, from fabric-related items like silk, satin, linen, cotton, knitted goods, and clothing to street food, crafts or silver products. It’s a place you visit if you want to experience what life in Korea used to be like in the past.
Kim Gwang Seok Street
This 350m street, Situated near Bangcheon Market, is dedicated to the late Korean folk rock singer, Kim Gwang seok, where the mural street has statues and murals are depicting his music and life. His songs were very sentimental and portrayed sorrow and frustration of the people when Korea was first starting to become a democratic country. The street is also filled with cute coffee shops and restaurants where you can have a little something!
Daegu Yangyeongsi Museum of Oriental Medicine
Daegu is one of the few cities still offering an oriental medicine trade. It’s indeed one of Korea’s largest and oldest oriental medicine markets. You can witness and experience old various types of medicinal products, herbs and forms of treatment, which differ greatly from that of Western medicine.
Day 9 – Busan
Haeundae Beach
Finally, last stop of this Korea Tour Itinerary in Spring is Busan, Haeundae Beach is one of the most famous beach in South Korea and beloved throughout the country where clean sand and wide area appear for 1,5 km long showing off the beautiful coastline of Busan ! In Spring, the water is fresh but you can enjoy your time as the weather is neither too cold or too hot! You can experience a nice walk in the nearby district, the Aquarium and Cinema Street close by!
Gamcheon Cultural Village
Gamcheon Cultural Village, were alley, murals and houses are painted in different colours ! You can enjoy a relaxing time taking pictures and having fun with the hidden alleys, tiny streets and stairways, cute cafes that lead you to incredible art pieces that are worth exploring. You can take your time to uncover incredible creativity and art around the area and wander around the colourful labyrinth!
Jagalchi Market & Gukje Market
Jagalchi Market is a must-do for food-lovers visiting Busan. Korea’s largest seafood market, offering a large varieties of live and dried seafood and on-site restaurants. You can find all the fish species and sea creatures you can imagine. You buy your fish on the first floor and you eat it in restaurants in the second floor (there are fees for cooking services)!
Gukje Market is a large and busy Food Street Market with years of history. You can find all sort of food, it’s like an open-seating street dining place!
Day 10 – Busan
Yongdusan Park & Busan Tower
Yongdusan signify “dragon’s head mountains”. The 120-meter-high above sea levels, Busan Tower is located here. But there are other sights to see in the area such as the statue of Yi sun-sin, Korea’s naval hero or witness a Korean Traditional Bell and other activities to do.
Headong Yonggung Temple
Haedong Yonggung Temple is one of the few temple in South Korea with a beautiful view of the sea! A Buddhist temple on the cliffs, pretty, soothing and quite unique. Its proximity to the sea which gives it all its charm. It’s an incredible opportunity to get out of the city and enjoy some incredible views and sea breeze in Spring.
Taejongdae Park
Another spot in the nature and coastal scenery, far from the bustling city. Taejongdae Resort Park is located on the south part of Busan coast and represent an alternative lookout point in the city. In the Park, you can find evergreen forest, temples, but most visitors head directly to the Taejongdae Observatory and Yeongdo Lighthouse!
Now I hope everything was helpful for your next visit to Korea, where fun and beautiful spots are waiting for you! If you have any questions about Korea, don’t hesitate to send us an email and we will reply to us as best as we can. Let’s try to create the best Korea Tour itinerary in Spring with you!!
Written by Laura Caillebotte