By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Many hills and mountains shape the landscape of Korea, making proper roads or tunnels indispensable to travel. These man-made structures may be convenient but are far from beautiful. However, at a small seaside city called Jinhae in South Gyeongsang Province, there is a tree-lined road whose flora forms a natural tunnel ― a tunnel made solely of cherry blossoms.

The Anmin Road stretches 5.6 kilometers across the Anmin Hill in Jinhae and connects Jinhae and Changwon. With over 1,000 cherry blossoms, the road from a distance looks like a long trail of pink clouds. Once you reach the beginning of the flowery tunnel, you wont be able to help yourself but to look up and admire the ceiling of blossoms.

Jinhae is known to be the only place in the world where visitors can find more than 340,000 cherry blossoms in one city. The neighborhood turns white and pale pink during the annual cherry blossom festival period (April 1-13), with the gentle breeze blowing about the petal-snowflakes.

The gateway to Jinhae starts at Jangbok Tunnel. Drive past the tunnel and you will find Mt. Jangbok, which Anmin Hill is connected to, and the cherry blossom journey begins.

Unlike Anmin Road, the road that reaches the peak of Mt. Jangbok has a more subtle and peaceful atmosphere.

The Mt. Jangbok Sculpture Park is quiet and peaceful, and conveniently filled with clean wooden benches and tables for picnics.



The train always serves as and memorable means of transportation when taking a trip, especially when the station is decked with bright cherry blossoms.

Gyeonghwa Station displays a line of cherry blossoms along the train tracks, a backdrop that is enjoyed by crowds of people taking pictures. The train is no longer used, but the city has arranged a short shuttle train that operates every other hour during the festival. The old sign that reads Gyeonghwa Station, the train tracks and the trees swaying in the wind indeed created a picturesque scene.

Yeojwa Stream, located near Gyeonghwa Station, is a perfect place for couples. Also known as one of the locations for the drama ``Romance'' (2002) starring actress Kim Ha-neul, it offers visitors a more romantic atmosphere. Canola flowers line both sides of the stream, and cherry blossoms tower like a rainbow. Ardent photographers, professionals and amateurs alike, could not get enough of the backdrop and continued to snap away in order to capture the perfect photo. For those who want to take home a memorable souvenir, there are artists who draw portraits.

Jinhae is also the hometown of the Korea Naval Academy, open to the public during the cherry blossom festival and offering various unique activities.

Visitors can take a tour inside the Gang Gamchan, a 4,500-ton destroyer of the South Korean Navy, and the 14,000-ton Dokdo-class large-deck landing ship.

Navy officers guide the way and even take pictures for visitors. The academy also offers visitors the chance to try on navy uniforms free of charge; young boys saluted their parents and the elderly took pictures in caps. The atmosphere felt rushed with the academy hurriedly preparing the activities, most of which were held under tents and near the designated parking area. But it is not everyday that people can come and take a look into the world of Korean naval officers and the facilities of the Navy Academy.

Marking the 46th year for the festival, Jinhae City mayor Lee Jae-bok said the city has been striving to put itself on the map.

``There is no place in the world that has this many cherry blossoms in one city. Jinhae was once known as the coast of the navy, but now we are trying to change the city into an international tourist location,'' Lee said.

Despite the enthusiasm and excitement of the locals and officials, some expressed the inconvenience they experience every year.

``Of course, we are proud of the festival. But it is hard to ignore the traffic jams and overcrowding. The city should come up with more effective plans to satisfy not only visitors, but the locals as well,'' said Seo, a 38-year-old resident who wanted to be identified by her surname.



The festival also needed a more systematic plan for foreigners. Words may be meaningless with the beautiful landscape of over 300,000 cherry blossoms, but for a more well-rounded and interesting trip, information and booklets in English would come in handy.

It was more than just a festival. It was indeed an unforgettable experience where the whole city celebrated the blossoming of spring.

The festival continues through April 13. For more visit ÁøÇؽà (Korean and English).

sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr