Fall In Seoul: The Foliage, Festivals & Fun Guide

From fall foliage to roadside eats that send cinnamon and nutty aromas into the air, there is so much to enjoy for the short time that autumn hits the Korean peninsula. Make sure to take note of that “short” in the first sentence too, because boy is it short. While autumn does exist in Korea, it’s not the month or more long back-to-school autumn of Ohio that I grew up with, but rather a few week long hit or miss sort of season. It will be here and then with one rain, the leaves are down, the temps are down too and welp, there goes fall. Enjoy it while you can! But there is a lot to enjoy during autumn in Korea. Honestly, fall is the best time to visit Korea and here is why. Watch as the perfectly shaped maple leaves fall to the ground and look forward to the magnificently yellow Ginkgo leaves lining the streets. Enjoy the air that isn’t humid anymore and the views that are just crisper somehow. Here is a guide to fall in Seoul.

Want to skip around this post? Here are the sections to look out for:

• The Temperature In The Fall In Korea
• What To Wear In Korea In The Fall
• Best Fall Foliage Spots In & Around Seoul
• What To Do In Korea In The Fall
• What To Eat In Korea In The Autumn

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The Temperature In The Fall In Korea

Fall is from September to November in Korea however the foliage won’t really start popping until October. September sees slightly cooler temperatures than the summer months and less humidity but it doesn’t have quite the autumn vibes like October and November. The weather is mostly sunny in the fall in Korea and while the days can be quite warm in that sunlight, the evenings can be quite chilly. There is a large difference between day and night temperatures so prepare when you pack. For the most fall foliage, autumn vibing packed trip, come in October!

Average Temperatures:

• September – Average 20°C (68°F); High 26°C (78°F); Low 15°C (59°F)
• October – Average 13°C (55°F); High 19°C (66°F); Low 7°C (44°F)
• November  – Average 5°C (41°F); High 11°C (51°F); Low 0°C (32°F)

※Check the weather forecast regularly for accurate weather information and the indication of rain.

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What To Wear In Korea In The Fall

Short sleeves during the day with a light sweater or jacket works well in September while a light shirt and pants works best from October to November. Don’t leave the house without a cardigan or lightweight jacket if you’ll be out all day. This is definitely the season to dress in layers layers layers! It’s always easier to take something off than it is to try and add something you didn’t bring.

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Best Fall Foliage Spots In & Around Seoul

Typically the fall foliage really starts going near the end of September and then throughout the month of October with the peak time falling during the third and fourth week of October. Plan accordingly to hit these must see spots.

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The Palaces

This may be the BEST season to really enjoy the stunning Changdeokgung Palace Secret Garden (창덕궁 비원 or 후원). Once known as the Forbidden Garden, it is now open to the public and provides some stunning views with over 300 different types of trees and other flora and fauna on the grounds, there’s something to see at every turn and this is in addition to the exquisite palace that already adds bursts of color, too! There are only 100 tickets sold per tour hour to see the Secret Garden to preserve the grounds, so get their early to get your tickets to the stunning Changdeokgung Palace and grounds. If you don’t want to fight the crowds at this palace, head to nearby Changgyeonggung Palace. It is often overlooked and means you’re likely to be one of only a few walking the grounds. This palace actually has a stunning pond and greenhouse from the Japanese colonization period in Korea and plenty of trees to see too.

From the palaces, you can easily walk into the Bukchon Hanok Village which is also awash with color. Walk down the small alleyways between historic houses to find a bench to sit on beneath beautiful red, orange and yellow leaves. Another building you NEED to know about is Sewoon Market. This market in Euljiro provides an amazing FREE rooftop with gorgeous views of the massive park around Jongmyo Shrine. Jongmyo Shrine is surrounded by a forest and come fall is awash with colors and the beautiful mountains in the background.

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Mountaintops

From Seoraksan to Namsan, Gwanaksan, Bugaksan and all of the other “-sans” (mountains) in between, this is definitely the season to put on those hiking shoes and go for a gander into the nearby mountain. Mountains sit in and around Seoul and are easily accessible. Mountain peaks provide amazing vantage points to the rest of the city and the colorful trees below. If you’re unsure about which path to take, follow the Seoul Fortress Wall paths. It’s easy to know where to go because you’re next to the wall and it circles central Seoul so you’ll never be too far from a subway station. For an even more amazing mountain experience, head out to Seorak Mountain one of the most popular places to go when the fall foliage strikes.

Join A Tour: Seorak Mountain is one of the most talked about mountains in Korea come autumn and people are just waiting for it to burst into beautiful fall foliage colors. It’s not in Seoul, so for easy transportation and admission fees covered, join a tour with Klook. There’s a tour that goes to Seorak Mountain and Naksan Temple on the east coast of Korea. Or join their tour that visits the ever popular Nami Island and Seorak Mountain.

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The Han River

The Hangang is often overlooked as a fall foliage hot spot, but the views of the river with banks lined with brown reeds blowing in the wind, willow trees changing colors and more in the numerous parks that line the river is really breathtaking. Not only are the views spectacular, but it’s a great time to set up shop for that last picnic of the warmer months. Want to figure out which of the 11 Han River Parks is closest to you? Check out this complete guide to all of the Han River Parks and the beautiful things you can see in each of them. If you want to get a view of the Han.. from the Han, there are also some great options for that as well. You can enjoy a Seoul ELand River Cruise. You can enjoy a meal while you take in the views and even a show. It’s a great boat trip and beautiful way to see enjoy the cooler breezes and gorgeous sunsets.

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Parks

If hiking up and down mountains is too strenuous, getting to the Han is just too far or getting downtown to the palace seems too crowded and daunting, head to the local park. Seoul is covered with parks. There are parks EVERYWHERE and they will all be stunning this autumn! Some parks even have the most gorgeous autumn blooms. If you haven’t been, definitely visit the MUST SEE Nari Park that has autumn flowers for days. It isn’t the only spot to enjoy autumn flowers though. In October, there are gardens near the stream in Mokdong and cosmos blooming in Olympic Park.

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Nami Island

Want to take just a little trip outside of Seoul that is still accessible via the subway/train? Head out to Nami Island. The island sits in a picturesque lake and is accessible either by ferry or zipline. It’s famous a drama filming site and due to its beauty year round. I’ve been multiple times and would still go again. It’s just that beautiful and though popular, there still manages to be plenty of space to spread out. There are lanes of beautiful trees that become super colorful in the fall and make for stunning pictures. There are a few different ways to get out to the island. Check out this guide to Nami Island.

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What To Do in Korea In The Fall

From festival fun to getaways surrounded by fall colors, there are some things I highly recommend doing in this season above the rest.

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Check Out The Cheonggyecheon Lantern Festival

Each autumn, the Cheonggyecheon Stream downtown is lit up with exquisite lanterns that draw the eye every evening when the sun dims and the lanterns can be thoroughly enjoyed. Of course, the stream is also lined with plants and trees too so this is a two-for of sorts! Leaves changing colors and magnificent lanterns all in one place and in the heart of Seoul. What better autumn outing is there?

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Temple Stay At A Buddhist Temple

Fall in Korea is just a stunning time to visit a Korean Buddhist temple and if there’s time, stay for a night. Korean Buddhist temples are a mix of dark greens, reds, and golds and they just match so well with the foliage, it’s a must see. If you want an idea for which temple to check out, check out this awesome list of 22 Stunning Temples You Need To See To Believe in Korea compiled by me and some other awesome bloggers here in Korea. What’s even better than just visiting though? A temple stay program. The programs are usually for one night or two and allow visitors to meditate, relax, and learn about Buddhist culture here in Korea. It’s an absolutely fantastic way to commune with nature in the fall as most Buddhist temples are actually located in forests on the sides of mountains. Here are a few temples I would recommend for a templestay:

Hwagyesa Temple: Enjoy a templestay program at Hwagyesa with Trazy. The standard program is two days and you can take a tour of complex, meditate, take part in a tea ceremony and meals with Buddhist teachers on hand. Book The Stay Here.

Geumsunsa Temple: Location in Seoul but within the Bukhansan National Park, this mountain temple provides a quieter and more serene experience while still being located within Seoul. This program is just a short three hour introduction into life in a Korean Buddhist Temple. Book The Experience Here

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See Fireworks!

The Seoul Fireworks Festival takes place the first weekend of October each year and is really a treat. 100,000 fireworks light up the sky over the Han River and more than 20,000 people head out to witness the event. It’s pretty massive but absolutely worth the adventure. If you want to go this year, make sure to check out this guide to the Yeouido Fireworks Festival I put together with some PRO TIPS so you don’t become a sardine in the subway on Yeouido after the fire flowers (as they’d literally be translate in Korean) explode.

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What To Eat In Korea In The Autumn

With the harvest comes some mighty fine eats and some awesome festivals that celebrate the crops we will just eat up. From the apples that ripen on the trees to the cinnamony treats with from the street carts, here is what to eat this autumn in Korea.

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Apples

Autumn wouldn’t be autumn without apples to munch and crunch on! The Cheongsong Apple Festival will take place in November. Book a place to stay in the Slow City of Cheongsong, now! Visitors can crunch and munch, pick their own apples from the orchards and see the smallest national park in Korea while in the area too! It’s truly a special place and heading out to visit in the autumn is definitely the best time to visit. I have loved visiting numerous ‘Slow Cities’ in Korea and highly recommend the trip.

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Persimmons

In the markets, on the corners and from street vendors, persimmons are a major autumn crop. Known as “gam” in Korean, they stand for transformation in Buddhism and are an important fruit in Korean traditional rites and rituals… oh and they’re delicious too. From teas to crisps, ripe and fresh to dried and every other way imaginable, this is THE food to eat up this autumn in Korea. With vitamins A, B and C and minerals great for the skin and getting over a hangover, this a must eat.

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Hoddeok

This is probably my personal favorite of the autumn edible delights. Hoddeok’s cinnamon aromas waft down the street and beckon anyone looking for a warm gooey treat to stop and take a bite. Oh the delight! Click on the picture to learn how to make your own from Maangchi or just make sure you’ve got a few chuns (W1,000) in your pocket for when the roadside stalls have them cooking up. From the traditional markets to the street cart vendors, they’ll be everywhere if you know where to look. Don’t miss this autumn must eat! mmm mmm mmm

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It’s time to get out and about and enjoy the autumn views. From foliage to flowers and edible treats too, there’s plenty of reason to really enjoy this season in Korea! There are also a ton of festivals to check out too. See what you can find to do.

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