experiencing south korea ---: Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival 2010

2010 Cherry Blossom Festival runs from April 1- April 11

A great informational website on the Cherry Blossom Festival:

http://discoveringkorea.com/2009/03/24/jinhaes-cherry-blossoms/
This was the only website I could find about transportation from the southern part of Korea.

You can take an express bus from Goseong-eup to Changwon and go to the train station to catch a train to Jinhae. The Cherry Blossom Festival is located 2-3 minutes walking from their train station.

You can also do what I did and take an express bus from Goseong-eup to Masan Nambu Bus Terminal ( 남부버스터미널). In Goseong-eup, Masan is labeled South Masan (남마산). That just means that the express bus is taking you to the Nambu Bus Terminal, near Kyungnam University. You will then need to walk about 2 blocks to the local bus stop where there are frequent buses to Jinhae (진해). With your back to the main entrance of Nambu bus terminal, you will need to walk straight. There is a GS store on your right and you will pass a MAXRIDER on your right as well. You will need to walk until you reach the next main street and the bus stop will be on your left. It is a big bus stop with many people waiting there. You can't miss it. Bus numbers 160, 161, 163, and 164 will take you straight to Jinhae. They run pretty frequently, we didn't have to wait at all. It is about a 30 minute bus ride.

If you plan on staying overnight in Masan, there are a ton of motels surrounding Nambu Bus Terminal. The prices range from 25,000-45,000 per room for the night.

When you reach Jinhae, you will see a TON of cherry blossoms lining all the streets. The first stop will be high up near a bunch of parks. You will see picnic benches and such. It is possible to get off there, and it is quite beautiful to walk around. Or you can get off at the next stop. After the bus stops or passes by the park area, press the stop button on the local bus. The next stop will be where the most popular place is to go see the Cherry blossoms. This is the street where the bus will stop:

Once you exit the bus (with the bus behind you), you will need to take a left and walk to the next intersection and take a right down the street. Walk straight ahead and you will be in the right area. There will be a ton of people everywhere.