Walking Through Pink Clouds

 “It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” - Mark Twain

          Spring. What a magical word! It is so jolly and bouncy that just hearing the word makes you yearn for a picnic: cherry blossoms, sun bath, and club sandwich. You decide to spend golden weekend to enjoy the spring. Yet you should be careful not to waste your time. Living busy in Seoul, you shall find a proper place where you can both enjoy the spring and rest within the weekend. Here are some suggestions to less crowded and beautiful spots for your sparkling spring picnic.
 
SPOT 1. The Seoul National Cemetery’s Cherry Blossom
 

      
          Spring never discriminates people or place. The Seoul National Cemetery is covered with blooming flowers. The Seoul National Cemetery is the nation’s sanctuary where the martyred patriots rest in peace. Starting from April 13th to 19th, the Seoul National Cemetery held cherry blossom festival.
          Cherry blossoms in the Seoul National Cemetery are like Weeping Willows that have pendulous twigs. Unfortunately, when I visited the place on the 16th, cherry blossoms did not bloom fully. Still it was fascinating because the Seoul National Cemetery provided special events for visitors: mounted party’s patrol, martial music concert, etc.
          Even when the Cherry Blossom Festival is over, you can visit the Seoul National Cemetery and view bloomed flowers. Also if you are interested in memorial facilities, you can look around freely.

                      <How to visit the Seoul National Cemetery>
                         Subway - Get off at 'Dongjak' station of subway line No. 4 
                         Bus - Get off at 'Seoul National Cemetery' 
                                 Red Bus : 9408, 9412, 600 
                                 Blue Bus : 640, 642, 360, 361, 362, 363, 752 
                                 Green Bus : 4511, 5524, 6411

SPOT 2. CheongJu Musim cheon Cherry Blossom 


          CheongJu is located at southeast of Seoul. Musim cheon passes through CheongJu’s downtown. Ironically, despite the beautiful cherry blossom scenery of Musim cheon, CheongJu does not hold cherry blossom festival. Most of roadside trees along the river are cherry blossom trees. When I walked along the riverside, I thought I was walking through pink clouds. There is cycling and jogging path for citizens to exercise. At the park located along the Musim cheon, people can borrow roller skates, bikes, etc. and have fun for a while. 





                              <How to visit CheongJu Musim cheon>
 Seoul to CheongJu – take either intercity bus or express (takes about 1.5 hr.)
 CheongJu IC to Musim cheon - Walk 200m to the river

SPOT 3. Ssangyesa and JeongEup cheon
                      

          Unlike the previous two spots, Ssangyesa is very popular for its cherry blossoms. In other words, Ssangyesa is very crowded and also comparatively far from Seoul - JeongEup is located in the Southwest of Jeollabuk-do. But I strongly recommend these places for your big spring picnic. At Ssangyesa, you would be overwhelmed by the cherry blossoms on the cherry blossom street. Though the road is about 4km long, it seems too short to fully emerge into cherry blossom-clouds. Also, Ssangyesa itself is famous for its historical values. The temple consists of 22 regional treasures and 29 national treasures. Traditional temples and the mountain form beautiful harmony, too. Also, you can have a temple stay on every fourth Saturday. You only need to register online ahead. (http://www.ssanggyesa.net/)

          JeongEup cheon is another fantastic spot to enjoy cherry blossoms. Starting from JeonEup cheon to Naejang Mountain, cherry blossoms decorate roughly 16km long road – one of the longest cherry blossom street in Korea. Cherry blossoms form a flower tunnel. Between 7pm to 10pm, cars are not allowed to drive along the cherry blossom tunnel. So if you visit the place within that time, the street is yours!

          <How to visit Ssangyesa>
   KTX to JeongEup – Taxi to Ssangyessa
   Express bus to Hwagae – Take intercity bus to Ssangyesa from Hwagae bus terminal.


/ MIZY Youth Reporters Yeong-ran Ahn