Cherry Blossom season is one of the most beautiful and magical experiences that is on every traveller’s list. But many Indians assume that flying down to the well-known cherry blossom destinations is very expensive. But what if we introduce you to some of the cherry blossom destinations that will surely not burn a hole in your pockets? Yes, you read that right! Here is a list of the cheapest cherry blossom destinations for Indians.
Budget Cherry Blossom Trips From India
Taiwan
If you are looking for budget cherry blossom spots, Taiwan surely comes on the list. The two locations that are known for sakura trips are Alishan and Taipei. These places are known for the lovely Yoshino cherry blossoms. If you are visiting Alishan, the best place for witnessing cherry blossoms is the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, which is famous for the train passing through tunnels of cherry trees. If you are willing to visit Taipei, you can easily visit Yangmingshan National Park and Tianyuan Temple. All these places showcase vibrant pink blossoms, which you will surely fall in love with.
Best Time To Visit: Alishan: Mid-March to Mid-April and Taipei: February to March
Seoul
Seoul is one of the cheapest cherry blossom destinations in Korea. The cherry blossom season for Seoul is about to start, featuring tunnels of these flowers ideal for photography and strolling. The top viewing spots in Seoul are Yeouido Hangang Park, Namsan Mountain, Seokchon Lake, Hapjeong, and Seoul Forest. Make sure you try to visit these spots early in the morning to ditch the crowd and get the best pictures. Around the Hangang Parks, you will also find food stalls and street performances, which cannot be missed.
Best Time To Visit: Early-April to Mid-April
Kyoto
The sakura season in Kyoto is one of the best times to visit this city. While the most common type of cherry blossom is Somei Yoshina, Kyoto is known for late-blooming, deep pink ones. You can witness gorgeous pink blooms around various landmarks like Maruyama Park, Arashiyama, and Philosopher’s Path. The key spots include the historic Hirano Shrine and Nijo Castle as well. Make sure you visit these places early in the morning. Nijo Castle is better visited in the evening with beautiful lights around.
Best Time To Visit: Early-April
Jinhae
Jinhae is known to host South Korea’s biggest cherry blossom event, and hence it had to be a part of this list. The place houses over 360,000 trees with key spots including Gyeonghwa Station tracks and the scenic Yeojwacheon Stream. You can get a nice pink-hued spring experience here, but make sure you avoid weekends to visit this place. If you visit during the festive season, you might get to witness a naval band parade, food stalls, and fireworks as well.
Best Time To Visit: Early-April
Chiang Mai
Thailand’s Chiang Mai is well-known for its beautiful Himalayan cherry blossoms. These are peak, short-lived blooms, but they are definitely worth a visit. The key spots to witness the lovely cherry blossom are Baan Khun Chang Kian, Doi Ang Khang, and Doi Inthanon National Park. Try visiting it during the weekdays and avoid the weekends to stay away from the crowds. You can try to hire a local guide to get to the best spots for photography as well.
Best Time To Visit: Mid January
Summing Up
From the beautiful Taiwan to the fun Chiang Mai in Thailand, this list has some of the cheapest international trips for cherry blossoms. So the next time you wish to witness the beauty of pink cherry blossoms, you know where to head without paying too much.
