The romance of spring is all around
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Cherry blossoms and canola flowers are in full bloom on street corners, parks and walkways, such as the Oncheoncheon Stream pictured here.
In March, the final winter chill melts away and the warmth of sunshine and spring's vitality fills the air. Flowers blossom and the beauty of the season is undeniable. As the temperatures continue to rise through April, bright sunlight fills a crystalline sky and suddenly the whole city is blanketed in flowers. Along streets in every town, a luscious offering of cherry blossoms and forsythia signal spring's arrival. Bask in the full excitement of spring with flower viewing around town. Explore the beauty of the season along the petal-dotted walkways of Haeundae, Namcheon-dong, Oncheoncheon and countless places in between.
Cherry blossoms and moonlit lanes shine on Dalmaji
Dalmaji Hill is a prime location to enjoy flower viewing.
- Haeundae Dalmaji Hill
Cherry blossoms are in full bloom on the paths of Dalmaji Hill where the ocean and forests merge. The right side of the hill meets the waterfront area and the open sea stretches into the distance.
Take well-maintained walkways across the hill and stop in at a driving range. Cherry blossoms line both sides of Dalmaji Hill, stretching for five kilometers from Mipo five-way intersection to the entrance of Songjeong Beach. Restaurants, cafes and galleries strewn along the hill also offer places for families and couples to relax and have fun. Walk about 20 minutes from the entrance of Mipo intersection to the center of free performances and markets at Haewoljeong Square.
The night view of Dalmaji, which translates to "greet the moon," is more beautiful than ever. Haewoljeong, a pavilion and vantage point for moon-viewing, and Moontan Road, a prime location to walk along moonlit lanes between pine tree forests, are now complete. The combination of the moonlight and the cherry blossoms on the hill makes it the best place for the most romantic spring night.
-How to get there: Get off at Haeundae Station (Metro line 2) and go out exit 1. Take mini bus No. 2 or 10 at the bus stop across from Sfunz and get off at Busan Foreign School. Or get off at Jungdong Station (Metro line 2) and go out exit 5 or 7. Walk toward the seaside to find the hill. On an intra-city bus, take bus 39, 100, 139, 141 or 200 and get off at the Mipo Mootan Road stop.
Blossom tunnels and free bike rentals at Samnak
Samnak Ecological Park is nationally celebrated for its blossoms.
- Samnak Ecological Park
The walkway of the long-stretched Samnak Ecological Park is bursting with cherry blossoms in the spring. Twelve-hundred cherry blossom trees planted on both sides of the walkway create a cherry blossom tunnel each year. The nationally renowned attraction was chosen as one of 100 beautiful paths of the nation.
The park spans seven kilometers along the Nakdong River, including a five-kilometer walkway along the embankment. Wind blows petals across the walkway while nearby, a large canola flower field is easily accessible by subway. More cherry and royal azalea trees have recently been planted, and a new observatory and rest areas provide additional space for parents and baby strollers.
Meander through the blossom tunnel or ride a bike against the wind for a thrill. Complementary two-hour bicycle rentals are available from the rental shop when a piece of ID is left at the counter. An array of sports facilities are on offer at the park, including badminton, tennis and basketball courts and a soccer field. It's also a wetland park home to migrant birds, a wild flower garden and a pond.
-How to get there: Get off at Sasang Station (Metro line 2) and go out exit 3. Walk toward Nakdong River about 15 minutes. Or get off at Gwaebeop Renecite Station on Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit and cross the bridge leading to Samnak Ecological Park.
Locals' top spots during cherry blossom season
The Samik Apartment Complex is well-known for the special buds.
- Samik Beach Apartment in Namcheon-dong
Facing the sea off Gwangalli sits another legendary cherry blossom attraction in Busan, the Samik Beach Apartment complex. A cluster of cherry blossom trees within the apartment grounds offers a patch of beauty and history in the heart of the beach area. Experience flower petals falling like rain from the sky at the height of the bloom in April. At more than 30 years-old, the dense grove of cherry blossom trees in and around the Samik Beach property is a local fixture.
- How to get there: Get off at Geumnyeonsan Station (Metro line 2) and go out exit 5. Walk toward Gwangalli for about 10 minutes. It's located at the east end of Gwangalli Beach.
- Oncheoncheon Stream
From Geumjeongsan Mountain to the Suyeong River, all the way through Dongnae-gu, Yeonje-gu and Busanjin-gu, lies the Oncheoncheon Stream. Access the stream from the Dongnae Metro Station underground. Pathways run along both sides of the Oncheoncheon stream and each is lined with cherry blossoms. The stretch from Allak-dong to Yeonsan-dong, with its circular walkway and bike lane teeming with residents, is a beautifully harmonious sight next to the stream. Its proximity to university campuses has also earned the area a reputation with university students in search of the ideal place to take photos with friends and partners.
- How to get there: Get off at Dongnae Station (Metro line 1) and go out exit 2 or 4.
The source of news: Dynamic Busan (Busan City English Newspaper)
