The Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival is near and dear to my heart, because it’s the one I never miss. Sure, it helps that it’s walking distance from my house, but the real draw is undoubtedly the dreamy pink cherry blossoms that transform the lake into a pastel coloured wonderland.
Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the biggest spring events in Seoul.
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Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival | 석촌호수 벚꽃축제
Seokchon Lake is one of the most popular places to see cherry blossoms in Seoul. It’s easily accessible via public transit, and there are a ton of other activities, attractions and things to do in the area at the same time.
The Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival is one of Seoul’s most popular spring events.
Over 1000 stunning cherry blossom trees line the pathways surrounding both lakes. During the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom festival, you can saunter leisurely beneath a gorgeous canopy of pale pink blooms, while admiring Lotte World Magic Island and the massive Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky Observatory in the background.
You can see the Lotte World Tower during the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival
You’ll also find various music performances, a cherry blossom market, artists, and photo zones at the festival. Be sure to bring your camera and take pictures of the trees reflecting in the water!
When is the festival?
FESTIVAL DATES: March 27th – 31st, 2024
The Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival takes place sometime during spring in Korea – historically in the first 2 weeks of April every year. That doesn’t mean you can’t visit outside of the festival. You totally can, because this is a public lake that’s fully accessible to the public. It’s free to enter at all times.
Public transit is the most stress-free way to get to Seokchon Lake.
Last year, all of the cherry blossoms at Seokchon Lake pretty much fell to the ground BEFORE the festival even started. This year, the festival dates are earlier than ever, but proving once again that accurate cherry blossom forecasting is nearly impossible – the first buds are just starting to appear in select places around Korea (as of March 25th).
If you’re getting to Seoul in the first days of April, you’ve likely got perfect timing. This year. You’ll miss the festival, but the cherry blossoms will be there – probably until at least April 10th.
Korea’s tallest building is at Seokchon Lake.
No matter. There’s a ton to see at Seokchon Lake Park anyway, like the Seoul Sky Observatory and Lotte World Adventure – so a visit to Jamsil is never a wasted trip.
Limited Edition Spring Tours in Korea
April in South Korea is wonderfully pink and alive with colour. Here are the spring tours to take advantage of in spring. Like cherry blossom season, the dates for most of these tours is incredibly limited. Most run for just a few short weeks, so catch them while you can.
Jinhae is the most famous cherry blossom festival in Korea ⓒ Live Studio, Korea Tourism Organization
Spring Tours from Seoul
- Seoul Seasonal Hot Attractions Tour | March 2nd – May 14th, 2024
- Gwangyang Maehwa & Jeonju Hanok Village Tour | March 8th – 20th, 2024
- Spring Flowers + Cherry Blossoms at Hwaseong Fortress | March 18th – April 29th, 2024
- Spring Flower Festivals at Jeonju Hanok Village | March 18th – May 31st, 2024
- Pocheon Art Valley + Strawberry Farm Experience | March 18th – June 30th, 2024
- Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival Tour | March 25th – April 5th, 2024
- Hwadam Forest Cherry Blossoms + Spring Flowers | March 27th – April 26th, 2024
- Incheon Cherry Blossom + Wonmisan Azalea Festival | April 3rd – 10th, 2024
- Ganghwa Island Cherry Blossom & Luge Ride Experience | April 4th – 13th, 2024
- Cherry Blossom Hunting in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do | April 5th – 14th, 2024
- Taean Tulip Festival + Strawberry Picking Experience | April 12th – May 7th, 2024
- King Cherry Blossom Tour from Seoul | April 18th – 25th, 2024
Spring Tours from Busan
- Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival Tour | March 25th – April 5th, 2024
- Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival from Busan | March 25th – April 7th, 2024
- Hadong Cherry Blossom Road + Ssanggyesa + Cable Car | March 25th – April 5th, 2024
- Chasing Cherry Blossoms in Busan + Blueline Sky Capsule | March 25th – April 7th, 2024
- King Cherry Blossom Hunting Tour from Busan | April 12th – 21st, 2024
Gyeongju has gorgeous cherry blossom spots and is an easy day trip from Busan © Kim Hoyeol, Korea Tourism Organization
How to get to the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival
Address: 47 Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 송파구 잠실동 47
Seokchon Lake is located on the east side of Seoul near Jamsil Station which intersects on Line 2 and Line 8. The lake is directly behind Lotte World, and the Lotte World Mall, so it’s easy to access from the subway station.
Both the East and West Lakes at Seokchon Lake Park are connected by a walking path
Once you reach the station, you can take exits 1 or 2 to reach the East Lake, and exits 3 or 4 to reach the West Lake. Both lakes are connected by pathways in a figure 8 pattern, so don’t stress too much about ending up in the wrong place.
There are also many buses that stop near Seokchon Lake. If you plan to take the bus to the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival, it’s best to check apps like Naver Maps for the exact routes and numbers.
Seokchon Lake is ringed in pink © Song Seungwook
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Tips for Visiting the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival
This festival can get very busy because it’s right in the middle of a huge residential area, and easily accessible by subway. If you’d like peace and serenity in Seoul to admire the blooms, head there on a weekday morning. I’ve found that if you get anywhere in Seoul before 10AM, you can count on quite a bit of solitude.
Seokchon Lake has a figure 8 walking path surrounded by cherry blossoms in Seoul.
On the other hand, if you don’t mind some crowds, sunset is an excellent time to see the cherry blossoms at Seokchon Lake. Lotte World Magic Island and the Lotte World Tower are brilliantly lit and the blooms take on an incandescent silvery sheen at night.
Visit the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival at sunset for some excellent views
Usually, the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival dates have been on the back end of the blooming peak in recent years… but not this year. This year, it’s too early.
The festival is definitely still worth checking out though, with special events and experiential activities, but I’d head to Seokchon Lake on the back end of the festival dates, and again a week later to see the blooms at their best.
Moon boats are only accessible from within Lotte World Adventure.
Where to Stay near the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival
If you’d like to stay close to the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival, the most convenient hotels to book are near Jamsil subway station or close to Starfield Coex Mall – 3 subway stops away.
Jamsil is where popular attractions like Lotte World and the Seoul Sky Tower are located.
Recommended Hotels in Jamsil
Jamsil is on the east end of Seoul. While this area is not super close to major tourist sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the N Seoul Tower, it’s literally right on top of popular attractions like Lotte World, the Seoul Sky Observatory, AND the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival. If you’re traveling with family, or plan to spend time in Gangnam, this is an ideal area to stay in Seoul.
Signiel Seoul
Signiel Seoul is located at the top of the Lotte World Tower. This is the tallest building in Korea, with unmatched views of Seoul. Each of the 235 rooms at this luxurious hotel has a stunning view that literally can’t be found anywhere else in the city.
It also offers all the high end amenities you’d expect from a hotel of this calibre, including a champagne bar, Michelin-star restaurant, indoor swimming pool, and incredible fitness centre.
Lotte Hotel World
There are a billion and one Lotte hotels of varying calibers in Seoul, but Lotte Hotel World in Jamsil is one of the first and most beloved. Newly renovated in 2022, with modern rooms, excellent amenities, an incredible location steps from Seokchon Lake, and some of the best service in Seoul – you can’t go wrong at Lotte Hotel World.
Hotel Pharos
Hotel Pharos offers excellent value for money, with clean, spacious, and quiet rooms. It’s conveniently located halfway between Jamsil subway station and Coex Mall near Jamsilsaenae Station on Line 2. This is the area that I personally live in. It’s a great location with super easy access to Gangnam, Jamsil, and the Han River.
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Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival: Essential Info and FAQs
Do you plan on visiting the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival during spring?
