Spring Breezes Beckon...Gyeonggi Province Recommends 3 Cherry Blossom Drive Routes on Provincial Roads

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] As the cherry blossom season enters full bloom, Gyeonggi Province has recommended '3 representative cherry blossom roads' where visitors can enjoy spring outings and drives together.

These drive courses located in Yeoju, Gwangju, and Gapyeong are adjacent to provincial road routes, offering excellent accessibility and boasting spectacular scenery where nature and cherry blossoms blend harmoniously.

First, the 'Heungcheon Nakdonggang Cherry Blossom Road' located in Heungcheon-myeon, Yeoju City, stretches approximately 7.5km along Provincial Road No. 333 from Guibaek intersection to Gyesin-ri. This cherry blossom road curves along the Nakdonggang River and is recognized as an optimal drive course where visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms away from urban noise, and the flower-lined paths along the riverbank add to the serene spring ambiance.

The 'Paldeungho Cherry Blossom Road' in Namjong-myeon, Gwangju City, extends approximately 14km along Provincial Road No. 342 from Guiyeori to Sucheong-ri, where the lakeside scenery of Paldeungho and cherry blossoms harmonize to present a picturesque landscape beyond the driver's seat. In particular, the Jeongam Stream section near Mulan-gae Park is popular as a spot where visitors can enjoy both strolling and driving, as weeping cherry blossoms drape beautifully along the waterway.

The 'Gapyeong Samhoe-ri Cherry Blossom Road' follows Provincial Road No. 391 for approximately 4.5km from Sincheongpyeong Bridge to Samhoe-ri Keungol, offering a spectacular view where cherry blossoms form tunnel-like canopies along the Bukhangang River. The cherry blossom road, blending with riverside scenery during the drive, creates unforgettable spring memories not only for drivers but also for passengers, and it serves perfectly as a tourism course linked with nearby Morningcalm Arboretum and Nami Island.

These provincial roads go beyond achieving their inherent purpose of inter-regional connectivity and transportation, contributing significantly to local economic activation through increased tourist inflows. In fact, the Yeoju cherry blossom road, created by planting street trees during provincial road construction projects by Gyeonggi Province, has established itself as a tourism destination linked with local festivals.

Meanwhile, the province has recently begun full-scale preparations to be designated as a '2025 tourism road' as promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. A 'tourism road' is a policy initiative launched this year by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to contribute to increased tourism consumption and improved regional vitality. A 'tourism road' refers to a road that maintains road functionality while connecting regional natural, cultural, and historical resources. When designated as a tourism road, various infrastructure expansions become possible, including landscape management around the road, signage installation, and coordination with stay-type tourism, which also helps boost local economy. Accordingly, Gyeonggi Province plans to discover and designate distinctive 'tourism roads' unique to Gyeonggi Province this year, including these cherry blossom roads, that connect regional nature and culture.

Kang Seong-seup, Director of the Provincial Construction Department, stated, "By planning and constructing roads that can harmonize with natural landscapes, we will actively pursue efforts to transform roads from mere transportation means into cultural and tourism assets that drive local economy," and added, "We will actively reflect such road discovery and development measures in the currently ongoing 'Fourth Gyeonggi Province Road Construction Plan (2026-2030).'"