📌 Introdu
📌 Introduction
I think it's because the warm spring days are continuing these days, but I keep thinking about cherry blossom viewing. In particular, I remember the cherry blossom viewing at Nampo-ru in Hwaseong, Suwon, last year, so it's one of the places I want to go again this year. At that time, I moved early in the morning to take pictures when there were no people, but thanks to that, I was able to properly experience the rich charm of Nampo-ru. Cherry blossoms are really the beginning of excitement in themselves. They disappear quickly once they bloom, so I think they become even more precious memories. Today, I'm going to share those memories with you about my visit to Nampo-ru, a famous cherry blossom spot in Suwon, and some tips for cherry blossom viewing. These are things I felt and experienced, but I hope they will be of some help to those who are planning to see the cherry blossoms this spring. If you're hesitating because you're worried about "what if there are a lot of people?", you can be a little more courageous. Then, I'll invite you to the Nampo-ru cherry blossom story! 📄 Main text
1. The reality of cherry blossom viewing, where there are more people than flowers
To be honest, when you go to a famous place during the cherry blossom season, the first thought that comes to mind is, "Oh, there are so many people!" It was the same when I visited Nampo-ru last year. Even though I arrived early in the morning, it was not easy to find a parking lot, and as I walked up the mountain, I was busy bumping into people. In particular, since Nampo-ru is the main photo zone, I had to wait in line. I remember thinking, "Where should I go now to make it less crowded?" rather than the cherry blossoms. In addition, I was a little tired because it suddenly seemed like I was looking at people instead of flowers. It was the same even on a weekday. If you plan to spend time with someone, you need a way to avoid this situation. However, there are so many beautiful backgrounds that you would regret not coming here, so I was worried.
2. The secret to Nampo-ru's popularity, if you look closely, there is a reason for everything
Nampo-ru has been consistently popular to the point where you wonder why there are so many people. When I thought about the reasons, the first was that Suwon Hwaseong Fortress itself is a World Cultural Heritage Site, and Nampo-ru is famous as a “photo zone” during the cherry blossom season. It also attracted more attention because it was the filming location for the dramas “Twenty Five, Twenty One” and “Golden Spoon.” The harmony of the arched entrance and the cherry blossoms in the background against the castle walls made it feel like I was in another country. Furthermore, since it captured the falling petals that people love the most when taking pictures, it was inevitable that there would be a crowd. For these reasons, I felt that Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and the cherry blossoms in the spring season somehow had a magical charm that made people want to see them at least once.
3. Efforts to avoid crowds and find some time to relax
So the conclusion was, how can I visit Nampo-ru with some time to spare? While looking through various blog posts and reviews, I found the great tips of “visiting early in the morning” and “visiting on a weekday.” Since the parking space issue seems to be solved only when there are fewer people, I decided to arrive around the time of the first train this time. Also, I chose a weekday when there are relatively fewer people than the weekend. What about the popular photo zone? This also requires a compromise, so I thought that if there were people at the main photo zone, I could just wait a while and enjoy my time on a bench. In fact, last year, I ate a simple lunchbox and enjoyed my time on a street lined with cherry blossoms, which I remember for a much longer time. So, I think that each moment is more precious than a perfect photo.
4. Nampo-ru, a representative attraction that cherishes spring
The unique charm of Nampo-ru is that you can feel the modern spring atmosphere while taking in a historical heritage. It is one of the areas in Suwon Hwaseong where the cherry blossom road unfolds the prettiest, and in fact, there are many things to see on the way up to Nampo-ru. The clear sky, the flower trees surrounding the castle walls, and the flower petals fluttering in the wind are, without exaggeration, a picture in itself. One of the reasons is that anyone who takes a picture of the cherry blossoms with the arched entrance and castle gate in the background will look pretty. The view from the top of the stairs was also amazing. In particular, the path between the cherry blossom trees sparkling under the spring sunlight made me feel like I was walking through nature.
5. Nampo-ru, the more you use it, the more you really get to know it
Personally, Nampo-ru was a place that I fell in love with once I visited. I could feel for myself why it is so loved by people. Last year, I sat there leisurely with a small snack of local specialty I bought right next to it and a cup of coffee, and I think that moment stayed in my memory for a long time. The cherry blossoms were flowers, but the atmosphere I felt at the site and the gentle noises at the site were all good memories. I was able to sit nearby and sketch or watch families out for a walk with their babies and toddlers, and I was able to spend a calm and healing time. Above all, the final walk around the cherry blossoms in full bloom was a course that needs no introduction.
6. Overall evaluation and recommendation of Nampo-ru
Nampo-ru is not just a place to enjoy cherry blossoms, but a meaningful space that symbolically contains the history of Suwon. Of course, there are disadvantages such as parking and crowds, but if you adjust them and prepare appropriately, it is a cherry blossom viewing place that is sufficiently satisfactory. It is a good place to visit with family or a lover in a car, but instead, I recommend moving more leisurely than the expected time. If you are not satisfied with just viewing the cherry blossoms, you can enjoy another time at a simple prop shop or small cafe around Nampo-ru. It is a place that you will want to visit again next spring, and it remains such a special space. If you are planning to see the cherry blossoms in Suwon this year, I can confidently say that this place will be a pretty good choice!
✅ Conclusion
Nampo-ru in Suwon seems to be a place where you can properly feel the small but great happiness that spring brings. It was a great place to escape from the complicated daily life for a moment and enjoy leisure in nature with the cherry blossom theme. There were some disadvantages such as parking and crowds, but if you leave early or choose a weekday, it was not a big problem. The cherry blossoms themselves are beautiful, but I thought that it was more important to find peace of mind and the people I was with than to take a perfect picture. Nampo-ru, which can be the best healing spot in terms of time and effort, is at the top of my cherry blossom viewing list this year as well. I recommend you go there this spring! 🌸
#CherryBlossomTravel