Spring Fever: Why Korea has a fascination with Cherry Blossoms! Plus, our guide to see these luscious trees!
- lewishooper1
- Apr 3
- 3 min read
Spring is here and so are the cherry blossoms! This article will dive into why Korea has a rich history with these beautiful pink flowers and why people from all over the globe come during the Spring to see them!
Sakura VS Beot kkot (벗꽃):
It’s Spring season! The cherry blossom season has finally arrived in Korea! This is one of the most beautiful seasons in Korea when the trees begin to burst into color and the days become filled with warmth.
In Japan, Cherry blossoms are called “sakura.” However, the Korean cherry blossoms are called “beot kkot (벗꽃)”. The flowers bloom for a week or two, which is why festivals flood the country during this time.
Locally known in the country as “beot kkeot”, the blossoming of these pastel pink and white seasonal blooms heralds the arrival of spring in South Korea. But its beauty is fleeting – one second the country is blanketed in awe of cotton-candy canopies, and the next, the petals start to fall and they disappear.
Why are cherry blossom trees so famous?
The cherry blossom tree is closely related to other common trees, including almond, peach, plum, and apricot trees. Even though these trees are all similar to the cherry blossom tree, none of these trees have the uniquely beautiful pink blossoms that the cherry blossom tree has. Cherry blossom trees also have a lovely scent and as a result there are many perfume and cosmetic companies which have tried to replicate it in sprays and lotions.
Cherry Blossoms and Korean Culture
Cherry blossom festivals became symbols of Korean pride and identity after the country was freed from Japanese colonization in 1945. The populace started to see the beauty of the blossoms as an essential part of their culture, and celebrations grew in number and prominence. Local governments made investments in parks, gardens, and cultural events that revolved around the bloom after realizing the events had the potential to draw tourists.
Cherry blossom festivals rose to national prominence in the 1980s and 1990s, partly because of their connection to a larger nationwide cultural renaissance. Large-scale festivals were held in cities like Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and as a result, the cherry blossom season became a famous part of Korea’s springtime festivities. The cherry blossoms have come to represent a shared yearning for calm and harmony in the face of hardship over time.
Thousands of people travel to South Korea for the more than 200 cherry blossom festivals that take place there each year to see the blossoms in all of their beauty. These festivals include a variety of events, such as food vendors and street performers, which foster a sense of community and support local culture. This shift from small-scale celebrations to large-scale affairs demonstrates how cherry blossoms have grown to be associated with Korean cultural heritage and communal celebration.
So what dates can I see the Cherry Blossoms in 2025?
After enduring months of cold and dreary winters, South Korea transforms into a breath-taking vision of pink as cherry blossom trees bloom across the country. heir beauty, however, is fleeting—one moment the country is awash in cotton candy canopies, and the next, the petals fall like snowflakes, disappearing almost as quickly as they arrived.
The best time to see cherry blossoms in South Korea is typically from late March to early April. The blossoms only last about two weeks, so timing is crucial. Travelers should monitor the forecast and plan accordingly to ensure they catch the blooms to their fullest. Of course the actual time depends on how the weather has been in the weeks leading up to the event.
During the blossoms time, crowds are expected so please ensure that you plan your trips wisely and leave plenty of time.
Don't go yet. Check out our other article about the best places in each city in Korea to view the spectacular Cherry Blossoms.
Our day trip guide!
Tag us in your photos of this years cherry blossoms on Instagram!
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