Despite lingering cold snaps and unseasonal snowfall, the first signs of spring are emerging in South Korea. Plum blossoms, often seen as the harbingers of the season, are beginning to bloom amid the erratic weather, unfazed by the late winter chill.
With their arrival, other spring flowers are expected to follow suit, gradually making their way north. For centuries, poets and scholars have celebrated the tradition of seeking out plum blossoms as a refined way to welcome spring. This year, enthusiasts are once again embarking on pilgrimages to visit the nation’s most renowned trees, from the Jajang Plum at Tongdosa Temple in South Gyeongsang Province to the Hwaeom Plum at Hwaeomsa Temple in South Jeolla, the Gobul Plum at Baegyangsa Temple in South Jeolla, and the Seonam Plum at Seonamsa Temple in South Jeolla.
Jajang Plum at Tongdosa Temple Blooms on Schedule
At Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, visitors on March 5 were greeted by delicate pink blossoms standing in contrast to the subdued hues of the temple’s wooden eaves.
“This year’s bloom was delayed due to the unusual weather, but as always, the blossoms have arrived, keeping their annual promise,” said a visitor admiring the centuries-old tree.
The Jajang Plum, estimated to be 370 years old, stands near Yeonggak Hall and is believed to have started blooming after the hall’s construction in 1643. Named after Jajang, the Buddhist monk who founded Tongdosa, the tree had reached about 30% bloom as of March 5. Temple officials advise visitors to check the Tongdosa website for daily bloom updates.
Beyond the plum blossoms, Tongdosa offers additional attractions, including the Geumgang Gyedan, a platform enshrining Buddha’s relics brought from China by Jajang. A scenic 1.6-kilometer pine forest path, Mupunghansong-ro, leads from the temple gate to the main hall, offering a serene walking route recognized in 2018 as one of Korea’s most beautiful forests.
Hwaeom Plum Festival draws crowds to Hwaeomsa Temple
In South Jeolla Province, Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye is home to one of Korea’s most celebrated plum trees. Known as Hwaeom Plum, it has become a focal point for photographers and tourists alike. The annual Hwaeomsa Plum Blossom Photo Contest, now in its fifth year, attracts more than 2,000 participants nationwide.
“Since we started the contest, visitor numbers have surged, with over 300,000 people coming to see the blossoms last March alone,” said Seong Gi-hong, head of the temple’s promotional committee.
Situated at an elevation of 450 meters on Mount Jiri, the Hwaeom Plum benefits from warm valley air during the day and cool mountain air at night, extending its blooming period.
The photo contest runs from March 10 to 30, with an official opening ceremony on March 22. To accommodate early morning and evening photographers, the temple opens its gates from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The tree’s striking deep red flowers, sometimes referred to as “black plums” due to their dark hue, are particularly popular for sunrise and nighttime photography.
Gobul Plum at Baegyangsa Temple prepares to bloom
Not far from Hwaeomsa, Baegyangsa Temple in Jangseong County is home to the Gobul Plum, a centuries-old tree that appears frail yet continues to bloom each spring. Temple monks anticipate peak bloom around late March.
“The flowers are a vivid pink with a subtle fragrance. Despite its age, the tree seems determined to blossom again this year,” said a temple resident, gently touching its branches.
Believed to have been planted in the 1700s, the tree is the last remaining plum of several that once grew at the temple. Its name derives from Baegyangsa’s Buddhist monastic lineage, Gobul Chongnim. The temple will host the Baegyangsa Plum Blossom Festival on March 29-30, featuring meditation programs and traditional temple cuisine.
Seonam Plum at Seonamsa Temple awaits warmer weather
Seonamsa Temple in Suncheon, also in South Jeolla, is another key stop for plum blossom seekers. The Seonam Plum includes a white-blossomed tree behind Wontong Hall’s stone wall and a red-blossomed tree lining the temple’s main path.
Temple officials expect full bloom around March 20, weather permitting. While the blossoms remain dormant for now, the temple’s stone walls and traditional wooden lattice windows provide a picturesque setting. The site is also home to Dalmajeon, considered one of Korea’s most beautiful Buddhist water pavilions.
Visitors keen on seeing more of the region’s famed plum blossoms might also consider adding two other historic sites to their itinerary: the Gye Dang Plum in Jisil Village, Damyang, and the Daemyung Plum at Chonnam National University in Gwangju.
