Seoul goes pretty in pink By Kim Kyu-heong
Publisher:The Korea Herald - Publication Date: 07-04-2008

Around this time of year, two waves hit Seoul almost simultaneously. From the west, a gust of gold dust sweeps across the Yellow Sea and blankets the peninsula with a thick layer of (toxic) yellow haze. The dust would be a good enough excuse to stay indoors, but then you would miss the splendors of the second wave -- a parade of cherry blossoms turning areas of Seoul into a pink wonderland.
Though cherry blossoms have already made an appearance across much of the peninsula, with sections of the south blanketed with the flowers since the end of March, the trees have only just begun to bloom in Seoul. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, April 7 is when the season officially starts, meaning next week will be the best time to see the flowers. Just don`t forget to bring a mask to help you combat the yellow dust.
In line with cherry blossom season, a number of festivals around Seoul will be giving viewers the opportunity to experience other activities while enjoying the picturesque atmosphere.
The mecca of cherry blossom watching in Seoul is undeniably the Yeouido promenade. Along the Han River promenade, where traditional Korean boats once landed, thousands of families, couples and groups now descend to snap photos between the blossoms. West of the island on the south end of the Seogang bridge, the 4th Han River Yeouido Spring Flower Festival will be held toward the end of the cherry blossom flowering season. The festival, which opens with a concert on the night of April 16, will feature various street and main-stage performances, along with a flea market and art exhibitions until the close of the event on April 20.
While the cherry blossoms on Yeouido are isolated on the promenade, the trees at Namsan are intermingled with other flora, creating a more natural element. Capitalizing on its distinction as the park at the heart of Seoul, the Namsan Cherry Blossom Festival, from April 9 through 16, will hold various fun runs and walks for various demographics, including one for Junggu residents on April 13, disabled individuals on April 16 and a social services walk on 14 April.
For a more high-end experience, the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill hotel is holding its Walkerhill Spring Story festival, which began Friday. Though the blossoms play a central role in the festival, they are far from the sole attraction. Running until May 12 -- long after all the blossoms have fallen -- the festival will also feature outdoors concerts at various times on the weekends, a photography exhibition and even a cherry blossom road drawing competition for children.
But perhaps the highlight of the festival is the combination of wine and blossoms at the Wine Cafe, where individuals can sit underneath the cherry pink blossoms while sipping on wine. On April 12 and 26, for a flat fee of 20,000 you can taste over 120 different varieties of wine during the wine fair. Even individuals not wishing to attend the festival itself can enjoy the blossoms on the short yet scenic driving course beginning at the bottom of the hill and rolling around Mount Acha, ending at the hotel.
Festivals aside, a number of other viewing options exist for individuals and couples alike wishing to view the blossoms on their own -- although crowds are sure to exist even here. The Seoul Grand Park and the Children`s Grand Park have been the tried-and-tested favorites for years, but some of the greatest hidden gems of cherry blossom viewing in Seoul are where the youngsters are: the college campuses.
The pathways leading from the front gates of Seoul`s Kyunghee University campus are spectacular, though word has spread and buses occasionally drop off dozens of flower-hungry, trigger-happy tourists. A lesser-known gem is the area behind Seoul National University`s dormitories, at the base of Mount Gwanak where blossoms line the pathways of hikers on their trek up the mountain.
With any cherry blossom destination this spring, the battles are against the crowd and the yellow dust, but a trip amongst the blooms will certainly make the trouble worth it.

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