The first week of April marks the return of cherry blossoms to Seoul. After weeks of grey skies, bad air, and bare trees; it was time to get high on pink. This year, I decided to join the herds of cherry blossom chasers across the city. I’d have to become a tourist for that and willingly accept the frenzy beneath the trees. It was a fair trade-off — for the views — I’d get to see in return.

“A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.”
― Winston S. Churchill

The internet is flooded with top viewing spots and it’s pretty easy to get your perfect 10 — on 10 different sites. There’s no place that hasn’t been listed before, unless it’s a nondescript neighbourhood or small park (equally charming) that hasn’t been visited by a cherry blossom chaser before. I tried to beat the crowd by going early on a weekday. Weekends and peak times turn out to be pretty crazy. I got lucky with the sun for most of my visits. The peak lasts for a week and if you’re not quick enough — it’s gone!

Seoul National Cemetery

My friend and fellow blogger, Anjali (anjviola), suggested I visit Seoul National Cemetery. It’s famous for weeping cherry blossoms and is also one of the best places for cherry blossom viewing in Seoul.

I had heard of Seoul National Cemetery before, but I thought it was a civilian cemetery and that didn’t pique my interest. Besides, I’ve never been a fan of cemeteries. The word itself reminds me of cracked graves with haunting epitaphs and creeping vines. However, I was on a mission to discover new places in Seoul. So, I took a subway and went in search of this important memorial. I expected the guard to stop me when I entered the gate; he didn’t seem too interested though. I wandered around and saw this amazing lane lined with pink blossoms on either side.

The graves of Korean martyrs, soldiers, and police officers are neatly lined over patches of flat land. It is a recurring theme broken by landscaped gardens or monuments. The mountains were standing guard at the site and were dotted with pink blossoms. I felt at peace here. The silence, occasionally broken by noisy magpies, was truly rewarding.

Cherry blossoms are not the only flowers to bloom during the first week of April. Forsythia, magnolia, and peach/pear blossoms compete for attention across every patch of green.

I didn’t have a brochure for reference or a path to follow. I found a pretty pavilion dressed in blossom pink. I tried capturing pictures from every angle and to my amusement, my phone created this little animation.

As I explored around, I found a pathway lined with these glorious weeping cherry blossom trees. A service had just got over and people started coming out of a building. I waited for a while here and tried to soak in the beauty around me.

Memorial Tower

Memorial Tower has the tablets of around 104,000 soldiers who gave up their lives during the Korean War and weren’t found. It was deserted by the time I got here.

Monument to Patriotic Police Officers

I walked away from the Memorial Monument and spotted a pathway that lead straight to a vantage point. It was nearing noon and the sun was shining brightly. I had to make it to the top though.

The three statues symbolise: trust, justice, and strength. The tigers are believed to protect the spirits. Blossoms had bloomed all around this monument. On the other side, I could see a panoramic view of Seoul National Cemetery and the cityscape.

Chungseong Fountain Tower

Instead of climbing higher, I walked down towards the main entrance. It’s hard to miss Chungseong Fountain Tower. It looked pretty from every angle.

Seokchonhosu Lake Cherry Blossom Festival

My friend, Shelley (travel-stained), recommended Seokchon Lake to me. I cannot believe that I never visited this lake before. I boarded a bus from Seoul National Cemetery and reached Jamsil Station in about 30 minutes. It was nearing 2 pm and I was really hungry. I managed to grab a salad in Lotte Mall and tried to find the lake. I had some trouble finding the lake though. I had to board the same bus to the next stop and imagine my irritation when I saw the lake tucked beneath cherry blossoms.

It was magical, even though there were too many people walking and clicking selfies. The lake is divided into two parts and the Lotte World Theme Park side was more crowded. The other side was relatively quiet.

Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky

Lotte World Tower is hard to miss. It’s known for its stunning views of Seoul City, but that would have to wait for another day. I was happy catching a glimpse of it through the maze of cherry blossoms.

Kyung Hee University

Basil and I visited visited Kyung Hee University on a Saturday morning. We were pretty late and I expected visitors to flock the campus. We chose to climb a quiet path that took us to a secluded spot. There were few tourists here and some college kids ready with their camera.

Central Library and Museum

The architecture of the university’s buildings is heavily inspired by European styles. The Central Library and Museum resembled a hidden castle. For a moment, I forgot I was in Seoul.

Basil found another pathway that lead towards the backside of the campus. He was eager to explore, but I didn’t want to wander too far away from the main campus.

Grand Auditorium

The Grand Auditorium is an iconic building in Kyung Hee University. At first, I thought it was a cathedral. There was a grand event being held inside and I thought it was a service. We took a peek and realised it was a giant hall.

The campus is nice for a stroll or to enjoy moments of silence. We spotted a lake and another pathway that lead to a dense cover of trees.

University Administration Building

This building reminded me of the Pantheon. It seemed out of place here, but I didn’t care because I was enjoying every bit of our surreal experience.

Posted by:twobrownfeet

55 replies on “Cherry Blossom Chasers in Seoul (Landmarks & Memorials)

  1. your pictures are stunning! unfortunately the cherry blossoms only lasted about a week in daejeon before the rain and wind washed the petals away.

    1. Thanks, Amanda. 🙂 I was hoping the rain wouldn’t wash the petals away. Fortunately, the blossoms stayed for a week and were glorious. I was lucky to time my visits with sunny days. Haven’t visited Daejeon yet! It’s on my list. 🙂

  2. What an amazing set of pictures Cheryl. You’ve captured spring time and the blossoms so beautifully. Who would have thought that pictures of cemeteries could be so incredibly compelling? 🌸💖

      1. It’s been raining since Sunday here! 🙁 Many are falling sick with the sudden change in temperature. But I kind of like this climate. It’s not gloomy like February.

      1. I have another post on blossoms in parks and forests. I think you might like that! I remembered you yesterday on our hike. It was another one of those packed hikes. The view was worth it though! 🙂

    1. I missed you (and miss you) at the Seoul National Cemetery. Sounds weird when I say it like that! lol. I wish you (and Domingos) were here! Can’t say much about the air quality these days, but there are so many places to explore. xoxo

    1. Thanks, Arvind. 🙂 The Seoul sky has many shades to it. I wouldn’t call it bland. There’s always something to look forward to. It’s grey, white, clear blue, blue with pockets of white clouds. 🙂

  3. Truly gorgeous photos! I saw the university one on your Instagram post and couldn’t believe that was in Seoul either. My favorites are from the lake looking toward the skyscrapers, but there are so many beauties here!

    1. I know! Who would’ve thought such places existed here. 🙂 Yonsei University (main campus) is equally nice. The lake was beautiful. I wish I could’ve come a bit earlier though. It was swarming with people. 🙁

  4. A little serendipity: in search of cherry blossoms you found scenic surroundings. Do you think you’ll return to any of these places when the trees are not in bloom?

    1. That’s true. I explored Seoul like a tourist and it was fun. 🙂 I would love to visit the National Cemetery and Soekchon Lake again with Basil.

      1. Yes! I believe it is cold there. Happy to add a splash of colour to everyone who needs it. I know how much I craved it a month ago. 🙂

    1. Yes!!! You get me, Shells! lol. Missed you at the lake. We need to visit it together! And I have to also visit Lotte Tower. So, when the rain stops? 🙂

  5. Looks like I’m too late. Again! 🙂 🙂 Aren’t they a fabulous sight? Still waiting for the pink blossom here but the white has made a gentle start, and our amelanchior tree is happily basking in sunshine.

  6. Cherry blossoms and cemeteries…now that is a case of extremes for me, and you covered it perfectly. Great photos, you captured both the peacefulness and sacred feel of the cemetery. Your phone created a fantastic animation, very cool. My favorite photo is the one right after the animation…a peaceful, rewarding spring 🙂

    1. I know! Who would’ve thought a cemetery is one of the top viewing spots for blossoms in Seoul. I had a change of heart after my visit. It was tranquil and understated. Thank you so much for such a wonderful comment! Made me smile on a rainy day. 🙂

  7. There is a lot of gasping and oohing and ahhing going on here in a remote anchorage surrounded by nothing but blue. I felt like I was looking at pictures of fireworks that had stopped mid-burst among the tree branches. Its hard to pick a favorite among all this awesome, but the city girl in me votes for two – the Seokchonhosu Lake Cherry Blossom Festival and the Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky. Just wow.

    1. Awww! Thanks, Lisa! I got carried away this season. 🙂 I wanted to be everywhere. Catch a glimpse of every blossom. I think, I was pretty successful in my chase. 🙂 Couldn’t cover the mountains though! Can’t wait to read about your trip. xo

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