Thursday, April 05, 2007

Colors in Bloom for Spring




Colors in Bloom for Spring


By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter


Branches of cherry blossom trees are heavy with white flowers during the Chinhae Naval Port Festival in Chinhae, South Kyongsang Province, last year. Sansuyu or Japanese Cornelian cherry trees in Ichon, Kyonggi province, turn various shades of yellow during early spring. /Courtesy of the Chinhae Naval Port Festival organizers and Ichon Sansuyu Blossom Festival organizers
Winter-weary people are welcoming the earlier-than-expected arrival of spring this year. Spring is the season for nature’s rebirth. The colors of nature are never as vibrant as they are during spring.

One of the most enduring symbols of spring is the delicate cherry blossom. Even though Japan is more famous for its cherry blossoms, Korea definitely has its share of picturesque areas around the country where these beautiful flowers can be enjoyed.

Every year, hordes of camera-toting people flock to popular spots in Chinhae and Youido to catch sight of the cherry blossom trees in full bloom. Everyone savors the beauty of the cherry blossoms that only lasts a couple of days. Cherry blossoms are said to reach their peak a week after they bloom. If you wait too long, you may be left gazing at the petals on the ground.

Chinhae, located in South Kyongsang province, hosts probably the most famous cherry blossom festival in the country. Held annually since 1963, the Chinhae Naval Port Festival attracts around one million tourists.

This year, the cherry blossom festival will be held March 23 through April 8. Thousands of cherry blossom trees are expected to be in full bloom around March 24, which will definitely attract tourists and locals.

The most popular places to enjoy the cherry blossoms at the festival are Anmin Road, Naval headquarters, Chewangsan Park and Yojwachon Bridge. The Yojwachon Bridge, which has been featured in several dramas and movies, is one of the prettiest places to view the cherry blossoms. The 5.6-kilometer Anmin Road features a cherry blossom orchard. For a bird’s eye view of Chinhae’s spectacular, cherry blossom-covered scenery, it is highly recommended to take a hike on Mt. Changbok to reach Chonja Peak.

Aside from the cherry blossoms, the Chinhae Naval Port festival also features a parade honoring renowned general Yi Sun-shin, along with an air-show, a fireworks display and traditional Korean music performances.


Tourists take photographs of the picturesque views of the cherry blossom trees along the railroad in Chinhae, South Kyongsang Province. /Courtesy of the Chinhae Naval Port Festival organizers
Cherry blossoms are also in full bloom on Cheju Island. The island’s tropical weather provides the perfect environment for beautiful flowers and lush greenery to thrive.

Cheju also organizes its own cherry blossom festival held from March 30 to April 1 at the Cheju Sports Complex. Concerts and other events will also be held during the festival.

Another cherry blossom festival being held in April is at the Chungpung Cultural Property Complex and Chechon Cultural Village in Chechon, North Chungchong province. There are various exhibitions and concerts, as well as opportunities to enjoy leisure sports in the area.

But for Seoul residents, you don't need to travel far to enjoy the cherry blossoms. In Seoul, there is an annual Spring Flower Festival in Yoido. This year, the cherry blossoms are expected to be in full bloom in Seoul around March 27.

An estimated 2.5 million visitors flock every year to the cherry blossom-lined Yunjungno, located behind the National Assembly building. Yunjungno, a 5.7-kilometer road, features over 1,400 cherry blossom trees, as well as forsythias and azaleas.

Namsan Park is also a good place to take a walk and enjoy the scenic views and cool spring weather. The most popular route is to walk from the Namsan Library to the Palgakjong Pavilion, which takes around 30 to 40 minutes.

Colors in Bloom

Colors of nature are in full bloom during spring. Yellow is the color of the blooming sansuyu or Japanese Cornelian cherry trees. Sansuyu tree leaves start to turn glorious shades of yellow toward the end of March.

Kyonggi province is known for having many sansuyu trees, some of which are more than a hundred years old. Torip, known as Sansuyu town, in Paeksa-myon, Ichon hosts the Sansuyu Blossom Festival from March 30 to April 1.

Another festival celebrating the sansuyu is the Kurye Sansuyu Festival, in Kurye, South Cholla province, starting March 22 to 25. The festival begins with a traditional ceremony to pray for a good harvest each year.

Cheju island is blanketed with yellow canola or rapeseed flowers in early spring. Tourists visit Cheju just to see the canola wild flowers start blooming, a signal that spring has arrived in Korea. The Cheju Canola Flower Festival will be held from April 9 to 15 on Udo island.

Apricot blossoms are also a sight to see at the Maehwa Village in Taap-myon, Kwangyang, South Cholla province. The Kwangyang Maehwa (Apricot Blossom) Festival, which runs from March 17 to 25, offers visitors a chance to see white apricot flowers cover the mountainside.

More Than Flowers

Aside from flower festivals, other cities will also hold festivals to show off their natural beauty and charm.

Tamyang, located near Kwagju city in South Cholla Province, is famous for its bamboo groves. The tall, graceful bamboo trees have provided a striking background for several Korean movies and dramas.

Tamyang will hold a bamboo festival from April 29 to May 5. The bamboo festival showcases the beauty of the bamboo forests, as well as bamboo art crafts and even cuisine.

Bosong, also in South Cholla Province, will hold its green tea festival from May 4 to 7. Bosong

is synonymous with tea, since it produces around 40 percent of the country’s tea. The green tea fields on rolling hills provide one of the most picture-perfect scenes in Korea. It has been a favorite location for Korean movies and dramas.

The green tea festival is a good time to visit the Taehan Taeop plantation in Mt. Ilnim. The festival includes programs where visitors can learn about the different kinds of tea, about how to harvest tea leaves, along with tea-serving etiquette and even a tea facial. There is even a temple stay program at the Taewon Temple, Bosong.


cathy@koreatimes.co.kr
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/200703/kt2007031519591611690.htm

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