Stroll beneath a sea of pastel-pink cherry blossoms in Jinhae-gu. The district is dotted with thousands of the famous trees and is stunning in the spring, while autumn sees the surrounding cypress and pine forests explode in a blaze of red, yellow and gold.
Things to do in Jinhae
Every spring, Jinhae-gu is carpeted with pink cherry blossoms. The annual 10-day cherry blossom celebrates the season and attracts more than 1 million visitors. Enjoy live music, street performers, markets and parades. Yeojwacheon Stream is one of the best places for cherry blossom viewing, with the waterway lined with hundreds of the flowering trees. Stroll along scenic waterfront paths, cross picturesque bridges and snap postcard-worthy photos.
Dive into the city’s seafaring heritage at Changwon Marine Park. Within the park are several different attractions, including a Navy Ship Exhibition Hall, where you can see retired battleships. Kids love the educational exhibits and dioramas at the Oceanic Life Theme Park. The mighty ROKS Gangwon warship is anchored at the dock, and you can step aboard to tour the engine rooms and see the enormous guns.
Stroll around Jangboksan Sculpture Park and enjoy the tranquillity of the forest. The park is another fantastic place to view cherry blossoms in the spring. Hiking trails take you deeper into the park and through sun-dappled cypress forests. Hike to the summit of Jangboksan Mountain for sweeping views over the bay.
Skip Starbucks and McDonald's and dine at local restaurants in Jinhae-gu. Try traditional South Korean dishes like “bulgogi” marinated BBQ beef, “samgyeopsal” grilled pork belly and “japchae” stir-fried noodles topped with spicy kimchi. Sate your sweet tooth with “hoeddeok” pancakes filled with peanuts, brown sugar, honey and cinnamon.
Getting around Jinhae
Taxis are a fast and affordable way to get around Jinhae-gu. The district is a 15-minute drive from Changwon City and 1.5 hours from Ulsan. Trains connect Jinhae-gu with major cities across South Korea. Gimhae International Airport is a 30-minute drive away.