The Most Beautiful Drive: Gurye Seomjin River Cherry Blossom Road

A 129 km Pink Ribbon Flowing Along the River

If Hadong’s Simni Cherry Blossom Road is a tunnel meant to be savored on foot, then the cherry blossom route in Gurye, facing it across the Seomjin River, is an otherworldly drive—a fantasy course where you cut through spring wind with the windows down.

The total length of Gurye’s cherry blossom road system wraps around the county for an astonishing 129 km (roughly 300-ri). Stretching endlessly along the Seomjin River, it has been selected as one of the “100 Most Beautiful Roads in Korea”—and for good reason. This is Korea’s longest and most lyrical flower road, where the cherry blossoms continue uninterrupted, forming a panoramic spectacle that is difficult to find anywhere else in the world.

The scenery looks like a perfectly composed ink-and-wash painting lightly dusted with pink paint. On your left, the clear blue Seomjin River glides by. On your right, the majestic green ridges of Jirisan rise like a folding screen. Between them, pink cherry blossoms fill the space and sing the song of spring at its peak.

And in the spring of 2026, if you want to avoid crowds and spend intimate, quiet time with the blossoms, turn your steering wheel toward Gurye. Locals keep a few secret stretches close to their hearts. Roll the windows down, breathe in the crisp scent of river water mixed with sweet petals, and you’ll understand what true freedom feels like.

Scene: What You Will See

Most visitors drive the main highway (National Route 19). But here, we’re taking you to a hidden old riverside road on the opposite bank—where the experience is calmer, closer, and far more magical.

(1) A Locals-Only Secret: Provincial Road 861

(The Locals’ Secret Drive: From Namdo Bridge to Gurye)

This route begins the moment you cross Namdo Bridge after finishing Hadong Simni Cherry Blossom Road and exploring Hwagae Market. As soon as you cross the bridge, turn right and drive toward Gurye. Unlike the opposite road where tour buses line up bumper-to-bumper, this side is tranquil and hushed.

Why Here?
This is where the cherry trees feel closest to the river. The road sits low, so it’s as if your car is gliding directly over water. Long sections of blossoms form continuous tunnels that seem to go on forever—so much so that locals say, “If you want the real cherry-blossom outing, you do it here.”

Pro Tip (Morning Drive)
Just like Hadong’s blossom road, this route is best in the early morning (07:00–09:00) or before late morning. Driving through an empty cherry blossom tunnel beside the Seomjin River as morning mist rises from the water is a privilege reserved for truly diligent travelers.

(2) A Hidden Gem: Donghae Village, Muncheok-myeon

(Donghae Village)

After enjoying the exhilaration of Road 861, you’ll reach Muncheok-myeon. This is where you should pause the drive, leave the main road, and turn your car onto a small riverside lane. There, like a secret kept in plain sight, is Donghae Village.

The Highlight
A wooden deck walking path runs along the river in front of the village. Park, step out, and walk. Cherry blossoms bloom thick overhead, and Seomjin River ripples sparkle beneath your feet. When the wind blows, both the deck and the surface of the river become covered in pink petals—an almost unreal experience, like walking on a pink carpet.

Unlike crowded festival zones, this is one of the best places to enjoy cherry blossoms quietly, reflectively, and at your own pace.

Taste: Tasting Spring(Gastronomy)

Spring along Gurye’s Seomjin River is the season of daseulgi—the marsh snail. Feeding on clean riverbed algae, daseulgi is widely believed in Korea to be especially beneficial for liver health.

(1) A Bowl of Green “Wellness Medicine”: Daseulgi Sujebi

(Daseulgi Sujebi — Hand-pulled Dough Soup with Marsh Snails)

This is the ultimate soul food for a hungry traveler after a cherry blossom drive.

Recommended Restaurant:
Toji Daseulgi Sikdang

This is a true local favorite in Gurye—no flashy interiors, no gimmicks. It wins purely on flavor.

Must-Order

Daseulgi Sujebi (Hand-pulled Dough Soup with Marsh Snails)
Packed with daseulgi, the broth and dough pieces take on a deep, natural green hue. The soup is clean and refreshing with a pleasantly spicy kick, and the chewy sujebi dough makes it deeply satisfying. One spoonful and you’ll find yourself saying, “Ah—so refreshing.”
Daseulgi Muchim (Spicy Seasoned Marsh Snails)
Marsh snails and vegetables tossed in a sweet-and-tangy spicy sauce. Mix it into rice for a truly addictive bite.

Information

Address: 5048-1 Seomjingang-daero, Toji-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
Price: Daseulgi sujebi approx. KRW 10,000 / Daseulgi muchim approx. KRW 30,000
Hours: 09:00–16:00 (may close early when ingredients sell out)
Contact: +82-61-781-2642
Access: From Gurye Terminal, take a local bus to Toji and get off across from the Toji-myeon Office, or use taxi/private car.

Festival: Gurye 300-ri Cherry Blossom Festival

Gurye’s cherry blossom festival is relaxed, nature-forward, and refreshingly unhurried. It typically takes place in late March (around March 28–30), with the main stage set at Seosicheon Sports Park.

Main Stage & Events
Opening performances, cherry blossom singing contests, and lively community programs take place at Seosicheon Sports Park. Throughout the festival zone, local food markets and food trucks offer plenty of opportunities to taste Gurye’s specialties.

Photo Point
The highlight is the embankment road along Seosicheon. Here, pink cherry blossoms bloom above while yellow forsythia blossoms brighten the riverside below—creating a breathtaking, almost impossible color harmony. Walk the embankment and immerse yourself in spring’s full palette.

Transportation: How to Get to Gurye’s Cherry Blossom Drive from Seoul

Important: Because Gurye’s cherry blossom road is extremely long (129 km), public transportation is far less convenient.
Renting a car or arranging a taxi tour is strongly recommended.

Step 1. Seoul → Gurye

Option A. [Bus] Most Recommended: Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal

Subway: Line 3, Nambu Bus Terminal Station
Feature: This is the same bus that continues to Hadong. It stops at Gurye Terminal first, then continues on. With the most frequent departures (about 8 times daily), it is ideal for flexible scheduling.

Bus Times
06:40 / 09:00 / 11:00 / 13:00 / 14:30 / 16:20 / 17:40 / 19:30

Fare

Standard: KRW 29,000 (Excellent class)

Secret Tip (13:00 Bus): KRW 22,300
Don’t be surprised: although the ticket class is labeled “General,” the actual seats are wide and comfortable Excellent-class seats. If you book this, you’re a lucky traveler.

Travel Time: approx. 3 hours 10 minutes

Option B. [Bus] Premium Comfort: Central City Terminal (Honam Line)

Subway: Lines 3, 7, 9 – Express Bus Terminal Station
Feature: Final destination is Donggwangyang, but Gurye is the first stop. Only three departures per day, but premium reclining seats are available. Weekday/weekend times differ—double-check before you go.

Timetable

Mon–Thu: 07:00 (Excellent) / 13:00 (Excellent) / 16:30 (Premium)
Fri–Sun: 07:20 (Excellent) / 13:00 (Excellent) / 16:30 (Premium)

Fare

Excellent: KRW 29,300 / Premium: KRW 38,100

Option C. [Train] Fastest & Most Precise: KTX (Korea Train eXpress)

Departure: Yongsan Station or Seoul Station
Tip: The Jeolla Line KTX departs far more frequently from Yongsan. Seoul Station has fewer departures—check carefully.
Arrival: Gurye-gu Station
Travel Time: approx. 2 hours 30–50 minutes
Fare: approx. KRW 42,000 (standard class)

Important: Transfer After Arriving at Gurye-gu Station

Despite its name, Gurye-gu Station is not located in Gurye town.
To reach Gurye, you must transfer to Gurye Public BusTerminal.

By bus: Local bus in front of the station to Gurye Terminal (buses match KTX arrivals)
- Fare: KRW 1,000 / Time: 10–15 minutes
By taxi: approx. KRW 10,000 to the terminal

Step 2. Gurye Terminal → Cherry Blossom Drive (Local Transport)

Rental Car
Rent a car near Gurye Terminal. Set Namdo Bridge as your starting point and enjoy the drive freely.
Taxi Tour
If driving is uncomfortable, ask your taxi driver:
“Please start from Namdo Bridge and take me on the riverside drive (Road 861) up to Donghae Village in Muncheok-myeon.”
Gurye taxi drivers are often the best cherry blossom guides. (Fare by meter or negotiable by time.)

Secret Tips: Enjoy the Drive 100%

1) Prepare Your Music (Playlist)

This road demands music. Roll all the windows down and play Busker Busker’s “Cherry Blossom Ending.”
The moment you find yourself humming along—“Geudaeyeo…”—you become the main character in a spring music video.

2) Pair It with Hadong (Perfect Connection)

After exploring Hadong’s Simni Cherry Blossom Road, simply cross Namdo Bridge from Hwagae Market and this Gurye drive begins. It is the perfect one-day pairing:
Cherry blossoms on foot (Hadong) + Cherry blossoms on the move (Gurye).

Information

Recommended Drive Course

Start: Namdo Bridge (Namdo Daegyo-ro, Ganjeon-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do)
End: Donghae Village (Donghae-beotkkot-ro, Muncheok-myeon / Jukma-ri, Muncheok-myeon, Gurye-gun)

Gurye Tourism (Gurye County Cultural Tourism)