After checking on ways to go to Jinhae, we booked the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Day Trip via Klook to save the transportation hassle of going there by ourselves. The tour was run by EasyTour. We met at Seomyeon Station (Exit 3) to go to Jinhae.
According to the tour guide, most of the Jinhae cherry trees were cut after the Japanese Occupation. Then, the locals discovered that the cherry trees were native to Jinhae, and planted the cherry trees back again!
Gyeonghwa Station
After about one hour, we arrived at Gyeonghwa Station in Jinhae. It was already very crowded!
The queue to take photos with the trains was very long!
After about an hour, we assembled at the entrance for the coach, to go to Jinhae Station. From there, we could walk to Yeojwacheon Stream and the rest of the sight. <According to the tour guide, within walking distance from Jinhae Station are Yeojwacheon stream (to the right), Jinhae town-cherry blossom festival site (straight ahead), and the observatory tower (to the left). They seemed all so conveniently located!>
Yeojwacheon Stream
We walked towards the right of Jinhae Station for the Stream <Jinhae is not just three main streets as described by the guide..>.
The stream was already crowded when we arrived.
However, the cherry blossom by both sides of the stream was captivating, their branches leaning out across the stream and forming intricately shaped shadows over it. In addition, the decoration within and across the stream were interesting as well.
As we walked further, we found a set of stairs to go onto the ground of the dried-out stream itself.
We walked till the end of the bridge, and then walked back by the other side of the stream.
Although it was crowded, it was definitely worth a visit.
Our next destination was the observatory tower at Jehwangsan Park. We walked back towards the left from the stream.
Jehwangsan Park
Most of Jinhae's streets are lined with Cherry Blossom trees, which forms a beautiful canopy along the side of the roads. We tried to locate the cable car to get up to the observatory tower but were not able to find it. <It was not so easy to get from one place to the other...>
We saw the staircase for Owl Road, and decided to climb the stairs from there. I loved the OWL painted on the stairway, the peaceful atmosphere and of course the cherry blossom against the clear blue sky when I looked up.
The end of the stairway led to the observation tower. We climbed to the top of the tower. The city view with cherry blossom dispersed all over the city, the sea and the surrounding mountains could be seen from the observatory deck.
We found the cable car staircase, and we walked to the festival via the cable car staircase. <I was glad that we got lost and used the Owl Road to get to the observatory>
The cherry blossom festival site(town centre) was extremely crowded.
We took a break at a cafe and decided to take a walk to the Korea Naval Academy before going back to Jinhae Station.
Korea Naval Academy
We passed by the General Yi-SunSin Statue, and then reached the Korea Naval Academy. It was a pleasant walk within the Naval ground.
We then walked back to Jinhae station. There was a bad traffic jam and our coach arrival was delayed for nearly an hour.
We arrived back in Busan after more than an hour, in time for dinner.
Thought
Although Jinhae is one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing site, my favorite viewing was along Dalmaji Road. (And Dalmaji Road was not in my itinerary until my accidental discovery!)
If I need to book for any day-trip in the future, I would book directly with the local tour operator (if possible).
On the same trip
Itinerary
Day1: Seoul
Day2: Seoul - Busan Haeundae Beach, Spa Scrub and Food
Day3: Busan - Daljima Road Cherry Blossoms, Spa, Haedong Temple
Day4: GyeongJu Cherry Blossom Day Trip
Day5: Jinhae Cherry Blossom Day Trip
Day6: Seoul
Day7: Seoul - Home
Other Busan Trip
Seoul to Busan Travel: Day Trip using the KOrail Pass
According to the tour guide, most of the Jinhae cherry trees were cut after the Japanese Occupation. Then, the locals discovered that the cherry trees were native to Jinhae, and planted the cherry trees back again!
Gyeonghwa Station
After about one hour, we arrived at Gyeonghwa Station in Jinhae. It was already very crowded!
The queue to take photos with the trains was very long!
After about an hour, we assembled at the entrance for the coach, to go to Jinhae Station. From there, we could walk to Yeojwacheon Stream and the rest of the sight. <According to the tour guide, within walking distance from Jinhae Station are Yeojwacheon stream (to the right), Jinhae town-cherry blossom festival site (straight ahead), and the observatory tower (to the left). They seemed all so conveniently located!>
Yeojwacheon Stream
We walked towards the right of Jinhae Station for the Stream <Jinhae is not just three main streets as described by the guide..>.
The stream was already crowded when we arrived.
However, the cherry blossom by both sides of the stream was captivating, their branches leaning out across the stream and forming intricately shaped shadows over it. In addition, the decoration within and across the stream were interesting as well.
As we walked further, we found a set of stairs to go onto the ground of the dried-out stream itself.
We walked till the end of the bridge, and then walked back by the other side of the stream.
Although it was crowded, it was definitely worth a visit.
Our next destination was the observatory tower at Jehwangsan Park. We walked back towards the left from the stream.
Jehwangsan Park
Most of Jinhae's streets are lined with Cherry Blossom trees, which forms a beautiful canopy along the side of the roads. We tried to locate the cable car to get up to the observatory tower but were not able to find it. <It was not so easy to get from one place to the other...>
We saw the staircase for Owl Road, and decided to climb the stairs from there. I loved the OWL painted on the stairway, the peaceful atmosphere and of course the cherry blossom against the clear blue sky when I looked up.
The end of the stairway led to the observation tower. We climbed to the top of the tower. The city view with cherry blossom dispersed all over the city, the sea and the surrounding mountains could be seen from the observatory deck.
We found the cable car staircase, and we walked to the festival via the cable car staircase. <I was glad that we got lost and used the Owl Road to get to the observatory>
The cherry blossom festival site(town centre) was extremely crowded.
We took a break at a cafe and decided to take a walk to the Korea Naval Academy before going back to Jinhae Station.
Korea Naval Academy
We passed by the General Yi-SunSin Statue, and then reached the Korea Naval Academy. It was a pleasant walk within the Naval ground.
We then walked back to Jinhae station. There was a bad traffic jam and our coach arrival was delayed for nearly an hour.
Thought
Although Jinhae is one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing site, my favorite viewing was along Dalmaji Road. (And Dalmaji Road was not in my itinerary until my accidental discovery!)
If I need to book for any day-trip in the future, I would book directly with the local tour operator (if possible).
On the same trip
Itinerary
Day1: Seoul
Day2: Seoul - Busan Haeundae Beach, Spa Scrub and Food
Day3: Busan - Daljima Road Cherry Blossoms, Spa, Haedong Temple
Day4: GyeongJu Cherry Blossom Day Trip
Day5: Jinhae Cherry Blossom Day Trip
Day6: Seoul
Day7: Seoul - Home
Other Busan Trip
Seoul to Busan Travel: Day Trip using the KOrail Pass