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2026 Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival | Travel Review & Tips

Trazy Crew

As spring unfolds across South Korea, the ancient city of Gyeongju prepares to host its annual Daereungwon Stonewall Road Cherry Blossom Festival, set to take place from April 3rd to 5th, 2026. This enchanting event transforms the historic landscape into a sea of delicate pink blossoms, offering visitors a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

About Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival

The picture-perfect Bomun Lake in Gyeongju, a historic city in the southern part of Korea, shows off its best every April when 9,000 cherry trees around the lake burst into bloom.

Bomun Lake is located at the center of Bomun Tourist Complex, a tourist district where you can find hotels, resorts, theme parks, an amusement park, and other various attractions. If you visit during the Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival, there are also live music and performances to keep you entertained as well.

  • Location: Around Daereungwon Tomb Complex
  • Why this festival? Beautiful cherry trees around the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, coupled with a variety of attractions to enjoy

Book one-day tours to the Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival!

The festival runs during the peak of cherry blossom season, but you can still visit the lake and admire the cherry blossoms until mid-April.

※Like many other seasonal tours, I strongly advise you to check for weather conditions, and availability of the tour and book your trip ahead of time.

Recommended Routes to Enjoy the Festival

Walking along the 8 km-long cherry tree-lined path around the lake and taking in the beautiful lakeside scenery of Bomun Lake can be the best part of the festival, but there are certainly more options for you to enjoy.


To help you maximize your trip, here we recommend two routes – choose according to your travel style!

※Completing the entire walkway around Bomun Lake can take about 2 hours more or less and completing these recommended routes can take around 3~4 hours.

※See the map below for the location of each spot in the routes.

gyeongju-bomun-lake-map

Route 1. For hardcore travelers

For travelers who want to see a little bit of everything and are comfortable with a tight schedule, follow this route below!

  • Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park Parking Lot – Hwangnyongwon (a 9-story tower) – Bomun Pavilion – Bomun Lake – Wooden Bridge – Hoban Square – Waterwheel Square – Silla Millennium Park – Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park Parking Lot

Route 2. For slow and easy walkers

For those who want to make the most of their time around the lake and appreciate the scenery, take this route below!

  • Waterwheel Square – Bomun Pavilion – Bomun Lake – Hoban Square – Wooden Bridge – Mulneoulgyo Bridge – Donggungwon (Gyeongju East Palace Garden) – Waterwheel Square

4 Tips to Maximize Your Festival Experience

Tip 1. Snap photos at two iconic spots

Everywhere in Gyeongju’s Bomun Tourist Complex is Instagram gold. But here are two of the most popular spots to take incredible photos!

  • Waterwheel Square: This square is one of the most popular photo zones where many visitors take photos in front of this huge waterwheel set against a small waterfall and tree-lined path.

  • Bomun Pavilion (Bomunjeong): Known as one of the “50 Beautiful Places to Visit in Korea” by CNN Travel, this is a picturesque pavilion that is a must-visit spot for all avid photographers. Takes 5 min from the Waterwheel Square on foot, across from the Hilton Hotel.

You can also dress in a beautiful Korean Hanbok and capture stunning photos with Gyeongju’s historic sites as your backdrop! The rental shop is conveniently located near top attractions like Hwangridan-gil and Daereungwon Tombs. Plus, a hairpin accessory and a small handbag for your belongings are included!

Tip 2. Pedal on a cute duck boat

Gyeongju’s Bomun Tourist Complex is very famous for its duck boats! So head over to Hoban Square and get yourself one of the duck boats. Paddle around the lake and share the fun experience with your loved ones.

Tip 3. Ride a bike like the wind

Why not try riding a bike instead of walking all the way around the entire lake? Navigate your way around the historical city of Gyeongju!

You can rent a bike or scooter at the bicycle/scooter rental shop near Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal via Trazy without worrying about a language barrier. There is a range of bike and scooter options available, including a standard bike, electric scooter, and 50cc gas scooter.

Tip 4. Drop by other attractions nearby

There are plenty of attractions to enjoy around the lake such as Gyeongju World Amusement Park, Gyeongju Teddy Bear Museum, and Donggungwon, Korea’s first zoo and botanical garden.

If you are looking for a new indoor attraction, check out Zoolung Zoolung Indoor Animal Theme Park, where you can encounter over 50 fascinating species from the Amazon and Africa, including Tokotukans, otters, and capybara.

For thrill-seekers, Gyeongju World Theme Park is a must-visit! As the largest amusement park in southern Korea, it offers over 30 exciting rides and attractions. Visit in spring to enjoy the added beauty of cherry blossoms blooming throughout the park!

What to Eat in Gyeongju

Here are some of the best of Gyeongju’s local specialty dishes you should try!

Ssambap: Rice wraps served with fresh vegetables, stews, grilled fish, and more

 

Instagram에서 이 게시물 보기

 

달님소원(@heders7)님의 공유 게시물님,


Tteokgalbi: Minced short rib that is grilled in the shape of a round rice cake

 

Instagram에서 이 게시물 보기

 

먹깨비👊🏻(@im_nana90)님의 공유 게시물님,


Sundubu: Meals made of soft, light tofu

 

Instagram에서 이 게시물 보기

 

소소한 일상(@dlwjdal9594)님의 공유 게시물님,

Places to Eat in Gyeongju

First-timers in Gyeongju

Once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla, Gyeongju stands as a city with a rich history of the thousand-year-old Silla Kingdom today. Known as ‘museum without walls‘, the historic city of Gyeongju offers bountiful UNESCO-designated sites and national treasures.

For those traveling on a budget, there is a city tour bus in Gyeongju, which takes you around the major historical destinations on two different courses.

Also, if it’s your first time traveling to Gyeongju, joining a guided tour is a great way to explore the city without any hassles.

You can also pre-book convenient transportation around Gyeongju & more from Trazy

Must-try Activities in Gyeongju

Beyond the iconic historical sites, Gyeongju offers a range of immersive activities that allow visitors to truly connect with Korean traditions. One must-try experience is a traditional soju-making class. Soju, Korea’s national spirit, has been produced in Gyeongju for centuries using time-honored methods.

Another popular activity is the Korean traditional sauce-making experience at Gyochon Village. You’ll get to learn how to make Gochujang, a red chili paste used in Korean food such as tteokbokki, and Doenjang, a fermented soybean paste also used in a lot of Korean cuisines such as doenjang jjigae.

Book these must-try activities in Gyeongju conveniently via Trazy!

How to Get to Gyeongju from Seoul

To travel from Seoul to Gyeongju, visitors have several convenient transportation options to choose from. One popular choice is taking the KTX train, offering a fast and scenic journey of just over 2 hours.

Another cost-effective option is the bus, departing from Seoul Express Bus Terminal and arriving at Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal after a 3-hour and 45-minute journey. Buses in Korea are comfortable and equipped with amenities like USB charging stations, ensuring a pleasant trip for passengers. Additionally, renting a car or joining group tours are viable alternatives for travelers seeking flexibility or guided experiences.

Read more about spring festivals in Korea on our blog:

Check out Trazy’s Korea Spring Trip Finder to find out more cherry blossom tours in Korea!

Check out Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop, for all the latest things to do in South Korea’s spring!

2 thoughts on “2026 Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival | Travel Review & Tips”

  1. Im interested in cherry blossom festival 1 day tour from seoul to gyeongju. Does same rate apply for children 10 yo, 3yo and 11months old?

    Reply

    1. Hello Roxanne,
      Children younger than 24 months old are free of charge (no separate seat assigned). Please note that the same price applies to both adults and children (24 mths~) 🙂

      Reply

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