Early April every year, the Simni Cherry Blossom Road, the 4 km road that connects Ssanggyesa Temple and Hwagaejangteo Market, is filled with 1,200 cherry blossom trees in full bloom. To capture this scenic view, people from all over Korea take a trip to this small village in Hadong, Gyeongsangnamdo Province, and have an unforgettable moment with their beloved people.
In the hope that international travelers also get to know about this charming little village, I, a member of Trazy Crew and your best online tour guide for Korea, set off to Hadong to deliver the beautiful scenery of Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival.
Trazy’s Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival tour bus dropped me off at Ssanggyesa Temple. The tour is designed for you to walk about 4 km from Ssanggyesa temple to Hwagaejangteo Market while enjoying the cherry blossom arch over your head.
- 2023 Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival: March 31~April 2
Ssanggyesa Temple
Ssanggyesa Temple is one of the most popular temples in the Jirisan area and its foundation dates back to the 8th century. The layout of the buildings in the temple compound well harmonizes with the surrounding nature. The colorful, but not necessarily gaudy, paintworks on the wooden buildings double aesthetic pleasure in the traditional construction.
Simni Cherry Blossom Road
The road to Hwagaejangteo Market divides into two at the temple’s entrance by Hwagaecheon Stream. Both roads laid out side by side with the stream in the middle, are filled with densely planted cherry blossom trees. Whichever side you choose, you’ll walk under the beautiful cherry blossom arch. Also, you can switch the road at the bridges that you will encounter a couple of times on your way to Hawgaegangteo Market.
This cherry blossom road has a nickname. Some people call the road “Hollye-gil” which means “Wedding Road”. The myth behind it tells that if a couple walks this road together, they come to get married and live happily ever after.
Tip 1. Try Cherry Blossom Oyster & Ice Cream!
By the time my legs felt tired and I needed something to eat, I came across a few food tents and snack bars. While the food is generally slightly over-priced, it is worth trying this unique local food of the area, Beotgul – the cherry blossom oyster.
This oyster is caught from the Seomjingang River in the local area. Unlike other oysters, this inhabits freshwater and grows as big as a human hand. I ordered one huge oyster. The server lady cut one of the shells off, took the flesh off from the other shell, chopped the flesh into a mouthful size, and topped it with sour and spicy chili sauce. If you feel put off by raw freshwater food, you can also ask to cook it.
I kept walking towards the Hwagaejangteo market, the pick-up point for the tour bus to Seoul. This time I came across an ice cream stall famous for the cherry blossom ice cream. They added cherry blossom syrup to the ice cream mix. The ice cream is very sweet and you can taste the flowery flavor in it. I continued to follow the road with the ice cream in one hand, and the camera in the other hand.
Tip2. Walk More for the Greater View!
As I got closer to the market, the view became even more picturesque because the cherry blossoms begin to bloom near the market and they gradually spread up to the temple, the higher area. My view became brighter and brighter every time I took a step forward. The snow-white cherry blossoms absolutely dazzled my eyes.
The magnificence of the view reaches its peak at the end of the 4-km cherry blossom road and I finally met Hwagaejangteo Market with its signature thatched roof stores.
Hwagaejangteo Market
Hwagaejangteo Market is located where Hawgaecheon Stream joins the Seomjingang River that divides Jeollanamdo Province and Gyeongsangnamdo Province. Due to its geographical feature, the market traditionally served as a meeting point for people from different provinces. People from Gyeongsangdo Province and Jeollado Province would come to Hwagaejangteo Market and exchange their local produce.
The statue symbolizes a pedlar who used to travel across the country to sell goods in Hwagaejangteo Market.
You can find locally cultivated green tea and herbs, pottery, and rice wine in the market.
The beautiful scenery of the surrounding area attracts heaps of tourists from all over the country. The market, of course, serves as an agora for people from different regions to meet.
Things to Check Before You Visit
- Wear in Layers!
Although it is warm during the day in early April, mornings and nights are still chilly and you definitely need a jacket. The tour starts in the early morning and the temperature is highly likely below 10 degrees Celsius. It would be wise of you to wear thin clothes in layers during this season. - Wear Comfortable Walking Shoes!
The area is not hilly but you’ll have to walk the 4 km cherry blossom road and more. Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes. - Remember When to Visit!
Cherry Blossoms in Hadong, located in the southern part of Korea, bloom earlier than those in Seoul. Make sure you plan the trip for the first week of April if you want to visit Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival.
Check out more cherry blossom tours in Korea!
[From Seoul]
- Jinhae Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour
- Jinhae Cherry Blossom & Busan Sunrise Tour
- Seoul Vicinities Cherry Blossom Tour
- Seoul King Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour
- Gyeongju Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour
- Maisan Mountain Cherry Blossom Festival & Jeonju Hanok Village Tour
- Pink King Cherry Blossom Gaesimsa & Munsusa Temple Tour
[From Busan]
- Jinhae Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour
- Busan Vicinities Cherry Blossom Tour
- Busan Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour
- Gyeongju Cherry Blossom 1 Day Tour
- Gyeongju Bomun Lake & Daereungwon Cherry Blossom Tour
- Gyeongju Cherry Blossom & King Cherry Blossom Tour
[From Jeju Island]
- Jeju Cherry Blossom & Canola Flower Private Taxi/Van Tour
- Jeju Cherry Blossom & Canola Flower All-Inclusive Package
Browse more spring packages and tours at Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop, and savor the delights of spring with us!
Hi, would this festival still be open to public around 14-19 April? as I would love to see them when i get there.
Hello bec! The festival ended on April 2nd and our shuttle bus tour is not available at this moment. However, you may still visit Hwagae on your own and see the cherry blossoms, but the cherry blossoms may have already fallen off. Hope this answers your question. 🙂
Cherry Blossom Festival just so much best to enjoy around the DC for sure. I am sure that that would be so much nice to try out for getting fun.
This is really nice to try out something amazing like that. I would surely relish with great cherry blossom flowers surely.