Large cherry blossom trees with large blossoms and thick trunks are planted in large numbers along urban riverbanks in Korea. [Photo=Reporter Lim Yo-hee]

Spring is beautiful in itself, but it is even more brilliant with cherry blossoms.

In particular, large cherry blossom trees with big blossoms and thick trunks are planted in large numbers along urban riverbanks. Cherry blossom trees ecologically thrive in sunny locations with good drainage, and waterfront areas with open surroundings are perfect for them.

Cherry trees laden with pale pink blossoms, so dense that the branches are hidden, and the calmly flowing blue water… The harmony of white flowers and the blue stream is a scene that can only be described as fantastic.

Seongbukcheon's Spring: Intimate and Lovely

Seongbukcheon, a tributary of Cheonggyecheon, spans 3.7 km excluding its covered sections. This stream appears as Anamcheon in Park Wan-suh's novel "That Man's House."

A cherry blossom tunnel located on the path leading to the main gate of Sungshin Women's University from the Seongbukcheon cherry blossom road. [Photo=Reporter Lim Yo-hee]

At Seongbukcheon, the cherry blossom road stretching from the Samseonkyo Fountain Maru Plaza near Hansung University Station in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, to Sungshin Women's University Station is spectacular. Although the stream is narrower than Uicheon or Yangjaecheon, the abundant large trees make it feel relatively more lush.

In the middle of the Seongbukcheon cherry blossom road, there is a cherry blossom tunnel on Bomun-ro 34-gil, leading to the main gate of Sungshin Women's University. The cherry blossoms, blooming so close they almost touch across the narrow road, create a picturesque scene. The second-floor window seats at Starbucks Sungshin Women's University Main Branch are an excellent spot to comfortably sit and enjoy the "cherry blossom rain."

A key advantage of the Seongbukcheon cherry blossom road is the abundance of delicious restaurants and cafes nearby, allowing for a one-stop dating experience. Furthermore, the cherry blossom path extends from Sungshin Women's University Station to Arirang Pass, so you can spend the entire day just walking and admiring the cherry blossoms.

The Jeongneungcheon Circular Trail, encountered after passing Arirang Pass in Donam-dong, is highly recommended for spring outing enthusiasts as it offers not only cherry blossoms but also abundant forsythia, azaleas, and rhododendrons.

Uicheon: Where Forsythia and Peach Blossoms Mingle

Uicheon, meaning "valley of the cow" in Korean, forms the border between Gangbuk-gu and Dobong-gu in Seoul. Of the 8 km long Uicheon stream, cherry trees are densely planted in a section of approximately 250 meters between Suyugyo and Uigyo bridges.

The water quality of Uicheon improved significantly when President Chun Doo-hwan carried out a large-scale river improvement project before the Olympics. [Photo=Reporter Lim Yo-hee]

Uicheon is famously known as the place where Dooly, the baby dinosaur from the animated series, drifted ashore after being trapped in ice. Dooly was discovered by someone from the Dobong-gu area. The address of Go Gil-dong, with whom Dooly lived, is 2-2 Ssangmun-dong, Dobong-gu.

Until the early to mid-1980s, Uicheon was a natural sewer carrying domestic wastewater. The water quality improved dramatically after President Chun Doo-hwan initiated a large-scale river improvement project in preparation for the Olympics. The installation of separate sewage pipes to prevent domestic wastewater from directly entering the river is particularly commendable and has been praised over time.

Subsequently, the Seoul Metropolitan Government transformed Uicheon into an ecological river by building stepping stones and planting reeds, and it now maintains first-class water quality. As a result, fish have settled there, and gray herons can be seen foraging.

A characteristic of this cherry blossom path is that the cherry trees are planted close to the walking path, making it easy to take close-up photos. Due to the sheer number of cherry trees, one might even need an umbrella to shield against the cascade of falling blossoms.

Yangjaecheon Cherry Blossom Lantern Festival: A Grand Waterway

Although named Yangjaecheon, half of its total length of 16 km belongs to Gwacheon. The remaining half is shared equally between Seocho-gu and Gangnam-gu.

Residents chatting along the long Yangjaecheon cherry blossom path from the Yangjaecheon pedestrian bridge to Yeongdong 5 Bridge. [Photo=Yonhap News]

Given the length of the waterway, the riverbank area is extensive enough to accommodate a rice-farming experience zone and a swimming pool (ice skating rink in winter). Yangjaecheon was also known as Hakcheon (meaning "hakyeoul") in the past and its waterway connects to Tancheon.

The Yangjaecheon cherry blossom path stretches long from the Yangjaecheon pedestrian bridge to Yeongdong 5 Bridge. The walking paths here offer a unique visual appeal with white cherry blossoms and yellow forsythia flowers blending together.

The Seocho District holds the 7th "Cherry Blossom Lantern Festival" at the right time. This festival, held at Yangjaecheon from April 3rd to 27th, has become a major event attracting approximately 300,000 domestic and international spring visitors.

The opening ceremony will take place on the 3rd at 6 PM at the Yangjaecheon riverside stage. Starting with opening performances such as street parades, pansori, and lion dances by students from the Korea National University of Arts' Traditional Arts Division, the outdoor opera festival will commence with performances by top domestic and international opera singers in "La Traviata." After sunset, Yangjaecheon's night view, even more beautiful than during the day, will be created.

On the 4th, busking performances will be held, and after sunset, outdoor cinema will allow visitors to enjoy the romance of a spring night amidst the cherry blossoms.

On the 5th, a special performance by the Korean version of Cirque du Soleil, "Dongchun Circus," will be presented for the whole family. Additionally, the high-quality cultural feast will continue with a performance of the opera "Madama Butterfly." On the 6th, various programs including "Bubble Fantasia," which the whole family can enjoy together, will be available.

The key contents of the "Yangjaecheon Cherry Blossom Lantern Festival," which runs for about a month, are the "Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition" and the "Media Art Exhibition," which will be held from the 3rd to the 27th around the Yangjaecheon riverside stage. The "Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition," featuring over 20 large works by renowned domestic and international artists, and the "Media Art Exhibition" will transform Yangjaecheon into a new cultural and artistic landmark in the city.

Furthermore, the "Art Flea Market," another attraction of the festival, will offer handmade products in art, crafts, and clothing, as well as organic produce and desserts from various regions.

Additionally, the cherry blossom-themed experience zone is designed for enjoyment by all ages and families, and food trucks will offer freshly prepared dishes.

Seokchon Lake: The Reflection of Blossoms in a Grand Water Basin

In Seoul, where large bodies of water are uncommon, Seokchon Lake in Jamsil (Songpanarugongwon) is a very special place. Without the vast Seokchon Lake, there would be no spring cherry blossom festivals or autumn/winter light festivals in Songpa-gu.

Boating on Seokchon Lake. [Photo=Reporter Lim Yo-hee]

Seokchon Lake was formed relatively recently, in 1978. For a long time, Jamsil (Jamsil-do) existed as an island in the middle of the Han River, similar to Yeouido. The Sincheon River flowed above Jamsil Island, and the Songpa River flowed below.

Sincheon, whose name remains in the current district name, was merely a small stream with a trickle of water at the time. When there was a prolonged drought, its riverbed would be exposed.

In contrast, the Songpa River below Jamsil Island was the main channel of the Han River, a large waterway that passed through present-day Samjeon-dong and Pungnap-dong. The "Songpajin" located here was where dried fish and agricultural products from all over the country were traded until the early 18th century. It was considered one of the 15 largest markets in the country at the time, with a considerable scale.

However, in 1925, the Great Flood of Eulchuknyeon occurred, causing a cataclysmic event. The great flood of Songpajin led to the relocation of Songpa-ri residents to Garak-ri. The merchants of Songpa-ri reopened their market there, and that market is the origin of the Garak Market.

After the rain subsided, people hoped for the reconstruction of Songpajin, but the Han River's course had already been significantly altered by the great flood. The waterway shifted towards the Sincheon area, which was like a stream, and the Songpa River was relegated to a branch. Consequently, the main ferry port also moved to Gwangnarugil in Gwangjin-gu.

In the late 1960s, the development plan for the Yeongdong district (the area east of Yeongdeungpo) was established. The government, in urgent need of land for housing development, decided to connect "Jamsil Island" to the mainland and began the Jamsil seawall construction in February 1971. While reclaiming the Songpa River, the government left 280,000 square meters (80,000 pyeong) as a lake. This is the present-day Songpanarugongwon.

The name Seokchon Lake was given when this lake formed the boundary between Seokchon-dong and Jamsil-dong. However, as land readjustment projects intensified, Seokchon Lake became entirely part of Jamsil-dong.

Despite the severed connection with Seokchon-dong, the name has been used for so long that many people find the official name "Songpanarugongwon" unfamiliar.

Seokchon Lake is divided into the West Lake and East Lake, based on the Jamsil Lake Bridge, an extension of Songpa-daero. Although they appear separate from the outside, the water still connects through a waterway under the bridge.

In the late 1980s, a major transformation occurred at Seokchon Lake with the opening of Lotte World, a large amusement park, north of the West Lake. The district office considered this a positive sign of urban development and began beautifying the lake by planting flowers and trees.

Planting approximately 1,000 king cherry trees along the lake shore was a particularly excellent decision. Every April, citizens flock to enjoy cherry blossom walks, creating a vibrant scene of people flowing along the waterfront around Seokchon Lake. To prevent accidents, the district guides unidirectional traffic through broadcasts.

Following the establishment of Lotte World in the West Lake, and the opening of Lotte World Mall north of the East Lake, Jamsil has become a leading commercial district in Seoul. Additionally, Songridan-gil is located south of the East Lake, and Bangi-dong Food Alley is to the east of the East Lake, making it a great place to spend time with friends and family after enjoying a lakeside stroll.

Reporter Lim Yo-hee