A Guide to Fall In Korea: Foliage and More

Fall in South Korea is a time of vibrant colors, crisp air, and beautiful landscapes. As the summer heat subsides the scenery transforms to fall flowers like cosmos and pink muhly and then transforms again to colorful fall foliage in Maple reds, Metasequoia oranges, and Ginkgo yellows. From what to expect from fall weather in Korea to what to wear and the festivals to find, this is your guide to fall in Korea.

Delve into the seasonal activities in Seoul and revel in the delicious delicacies that make autumn in Seoul so much better. There is so much to enjoy about fall in Korea.

Fall is one of the top travel seasons in Korea. What to expect:

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When is fall in Korea?

Good question, fall in Korea is from September to November. It’s the end of blooms but you’ll still find autumn flowers that begin to shift into beautiful fall foliage. Tis the season to get out and about into nature and enjoy the landscape before it’s frigid.

Is it your first time visiting Korea?
Check out this Epic Travel Guide To Seoul For the First Time Visitor to get prepared.

What’s the weather like in the fall in Korea?

In the fall, Korea experiences mild and pleasant weather with temperatures ranging from cool to moderately warm, depending on the month. The landscapes are adorned with colorful foliage, making it a delightful time to explore the country’s natural beauty and immerse in seasonal festivities and your last good months to enjoy those picnics in the Han River parks.

Let’s break it down by month to know what to expect when you visit Korea in the fall.

September weather in Korea

As summer transitions into fall, the weather gradually cools down, and temperatures typically range from 14°C to 23°C (57°F to 73°F). The scorching heat of summer subsides, and you’ll find pleasant, milder days with occasional light showers. With the comfortable weather and lesser tourist crowds compared to peak summer months, September provides an ideal setting for outdoor activities.

October weather in Korea

October in Korea marks the peak of the autumn season, bringing delightful weather with temperatures typically ranging from 10°C to 19°C (50°F to 66°F). The summer heat has bid farewell, and the landscapes are a spectacular kaleidoscope of colors as the leaves transform into brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange. The air is crisp, the skies are clear, making for beautiful autumn escapes and stunning views.

November weather in Korea

The weather in November takes a gentle turn towards cooler temperatures, typically ranging from 5°C to 13°C (41°F to 55°F). Although the days become shorter, and a hint of winter begins to linger in the air, November still offers pleasant moments of sunshine and clear skies, creating a picturesque backdrop for photographs. The cooler weather presents a perfect opportunity to savor warm comfort foods, cozy up in cafes, and explore the bustling city streets.

Dust in Korea

Dust can be an issue throughout the year in Korea now. Be aware of the fine dust levels when you’re out and about as fine dust can be unhealthy and cause various issues especially for the young, elderly, and those with asthma. Learn more about what to expect when it’s dusty in Korea and how to prepare.

What to pack for fall in Korea

What to wear? What to wear? What should I wear in the fall in Korea? Korean autumn is one of the most beautiful times to visit the country and the weather is fabulous for travelers who are out and about and walking everywhere. It can be a bit tricky to pack because from September to November there’s a major shift in the weather.

September can still feel like summer with very warm days while November has a lot more chilly breezes. The breezes are cooler but the sun is still strong. Pack layers as it can be warm during the day but get very chilly in the evening. There is a whole guide for what to pack when you visit Korea to check out.

Light cardigans/Sweatshirts – for early autumn
Sweaters/Jackets – for later autumn
Scarves/Hats
Light Socks

Public holidays in the fall

It’s important to be aware of public holidays in Korea, as many businesses and attractions may be closed or have different hours.

Here are the major public holidays to be aware of during the fall in Korea:

Chuseok: Dates change each year*
October 3rd – National Foundation Day
October 9 – Hangeul Day

Chuseok is one of the biggest holidays in Korea and families travel across the country to see each other. It’s a major travel period for Koreans and spans three days though if there’s a weekend it can end up being up to 5 days. Chuseok tends to be one of the quietest periods for Seoul as everyone in Seoul heads out to the countryside.

Chuseok begins on the 14th day of the 8th lunar month which means it changes on the solar calendar each year and can be as early as the first week of September or run all the way into late October. You’ll want to check for updated dates for the year you’re visiting.

While you will find that most things are open on these days, it’s good to know that during the holidays, you’ll find even more people out and about as the locals are also not working.

Sky Park, Haneul Park, Seoul, Korea: Sunset

Major fall festivals and events in Seoul

Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is a vibrant and exciting destination to visit any time of year, but autumn is particularly special. The city is alive in what feels like a swell of emotion as we all know the frigid winter is right around the corner. We live our best lives through fall flowers, foliage views, and mountaintop sunset views. Here are some of the major events and festivals that travelers can look forward to when visiting Seoul in the fall.

Whether you’re interested in music, art, or culture, there’s something for everyone in Seoul. Be sure to check the dates of the festivals and events before planning your trip, as some may overlap or have limited availability.

Seoul Fireworks Festival, Yeouido, Seoul, Korea

Seoul International Fireworks Festival (서울세계불꽃축제)

This is an annual event that takes place in the Yeouido Han River Park area each autumn and it is stunning! Massive numbers of people arrive using all modes of transportation and not only is the Yeouido Han River Park packed, but the bridges are as well.

The annual Seoul International Fireworks Festival usually takes place the first weekend in October or around there. This has been an annual event since 2000 hosted by the Hanwha company. Be prepared for crowds, but the fireworks are epic!

Did You Know: There is also a Busan Fireworks Festival! This year, the Busan Fireworks Festival will be on November 9, 2024. It WILL be busy, but it is fantastic. If you want to reserve seats right on the beach for the show, make sure to do it early!

Seoul Lantern Festival (서울빛초롱축제)

Walk along the iconic Cheonggyecheon Stream and enjoy various lanterns that are both traditional and pay homage to the animation characters popular in Korea. You can visit during the day to see the lantern floats or plan to visit as the sun sets to see the lanterns light up along the water. The lanterns are lit until 10:00pm.

Address: 85 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 청계천로 85)

Sky Park, Haneul Park, World Cup Park, Seoul, Korea

Haneul Park Silver Grass Festival (서울억새축제)

Sky Park, or Haneul Park, in the World Cup Parks system becomes immensely popular in the fall in Korea. While I think the park is worth a visit year round, the crowds really overtake the park in the autumn as the silver grass atop Sky Park browns in mid-October.

As a local who lives just around the corner, I highly recommend vising just before or just after this festival if you want to enjoy the views with way less people. The grass is cut down a couple weeks after the festival though so don’t want too long.

Address: 482 Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울시 마포구 상암동 482)

Korean Traditional Medicine, Yangnyeongsi Herbal Market, Seoul, Korea

Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Market, Seoul, Korea

Seoul Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Culture Festival (서울약령시 한방문화축제)

This festival is a little off the beaten path largely due to the fact that Daegu also has a Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Market and festival that is much larger each spring. However, this herbal market in Seoul is really a must see. The seeds, herbs and plants with curative value and relief restoration properties are stacked high and spill from shops.

There is a lot to learn about holistic and traditional medicine practices in Korea. Shop owners are able to make teas specific to your ailments and during the festival period there is also the option to get a free herbal medical diagnoses and treatments. Get that body checked out and learn more about natural remedies to those aches and pains.

Address: Yangnyeong Market, Jegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul (서울 동대문구 제기동 서울 약령시)

The best fall festivals in Korea

Andong Hahoe Folk Village (안동 하회마을), Andong, Korea

Andong Mask Dance Festival (안동국제탈춤페스티벌)

Andong, already a place to check out due to the beautiful Hahoe Village, hosts a maskdance festival each autumn that is the major cultural attraction of the region.

Traditional Korean mask dances are performed as well as mask dances by international troupes too. From folk culture to dance lessons, exhibits and more, this is a great event to plan a weekend away around. The traditional village is a must see on the trip as well as the other beautiful natural scenery locations in the area.

Address: 200 Chukjejang-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 안동시 육사로 239)

Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) (부산국제영화제)

Taking place in October each year at multiple places across Busan, BIFF is an internationally recognized film festival and is one of the most famous in Asia. The films are from all around the world in various forms and styles. It’s an amazing event to enjoy. See movies and see Busan sights in between the flicks.

For More Info: BIFF Website
When: October 2 – 11, 2024
Address: 120 Suyeonggangbyeon-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan (부산광역시 해운대구 수영강변대로 120)

Muju Firefly Festival (무주 반딧불축제)

Held in the natural surroundings of Muju, this is a unique festival is in the natural habitat for fireflies and the marsh snails the fireflies feed on. It’s fun. It’s different. It’s worth it!

Address: 326-14 Hanpungnu-ro, Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 무주군 무주읍 한풍루로 326-17)

Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival (수원 화성문화제)

The fortress in Suwon is a great place to take a wander or walk and when this festival takes place, it’s even more exciting. With performances and historical reenactments as well as other events, the fortress wall area is brought to life.

From a Royal Parade of King Jeongjo the Great to a fireworks display, there is something to see from morning until evening. Martial arts exhibitions, a feast for Hyegeonggung Hong and more will take place during this festival weekend.

Address: 825 Jeongjo-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 수원시 팔달구 정조로 825)
When: October 4 – 6, 2024
Join A Tour: Not sure where to go and what to see? Go from Seoul to Suwon with Trazy and their guide who will make sure you’re where you need to be at the right time. Klook also has a great option to visit the festival on the 4th, 5th, and 6th!

Jarasum Jazz Festival (자라섬 국제 재즈 페스티벌)

While summer may be known for outdoor music festivals, that doesn’t mean they stop when the cooler breezes blow in. This jazz festival, set on Jaraseom Island is one of the biggest fests of the season with live music to boot. Korean and international jazz artists come together to showcase some smooth jazz stylings.

Address: 1-1 Daljeon-ri, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 가평군 가평읍 달전리 1-1)

Suncheon Bay Reeds Festival (순천만갈대축제)

The autumn may be the best time of the year to visit Suncheon Bay. This wetlands area is visited by migrating birds and the reeds blowing in the winds makes for some spectacular natural scenery. Cultural, artistic, eco-education and other activities are combined for a great weekend-away location.

A wooden bridge takes visitors through the reeds where they may be able to spot some of the 200 species of birds that visit this area. There is also a folk concert, healing tunnel and craft experience area so there is plenty to do on site when watching the reeds blow in the wind just isn’t enough.

Address: 513-25 Suncheonman-gil, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 순천시 순천만길 513-25)

Jinju Lantern Festival (진주 남강유등축제)

Attracting thousands of guests each year, the Jinju Lantern Festival has some just huge lanterns with Buddhist influences and famous scenery in Korea to see. This is a gorgeous festival that is the Cheonggyecheon Lantern Festival amped up to the max. Will travel for lanterns? Go here.

Address: 626 Namgang-ro, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 진주시 남강로 626)

Icheon Rice Festival (이천쌀문화축제)

You may think that since you eat rice for every meal in Korea, you already know enough about it, but you’d be wrong. Icheon is a fertile area that grows a lot of rice and their fun towny festival is super fun. You can try a ton of rice dishes including cakes, and rice ice cream!

Address: 48 Gongwon-ro, Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 이천시 공원로 48)

Nanji Stream Park, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea: fall leaves

Things to do in the fall in Korea

See the autumn foliage

The autumn foliage doesn’t last a super long time so if you can see it while it’s here, go go go! Koreans hit the mountains and hike to the peaks of mountains for gloriously colorful views. From mid-October to early November is the best time to see peak fall foliage in Korea.

Visit a folk village

There is something about seeing traditional buildings in the crisp autumn air. Some are more popular than others, some requiring more transportation than others, but all of them are worth a trip. Check out at least one of these 6 folk villages in Korea:

Naganeubseong Folk Village (순천낙안읍성)
Andong Hahoe Folk Village (안동하회마을)
Yongin Korean Folk Village (용인한옥민속촌)
Jeju Folk Village (제주민속촌)
Seongju Hangae Folk Village (성주한개마을)
Goseong Wanggok Village (고성왕곡마을)

Naganeubseong Folk Village, Suncheon, Korea

Go birdwatching

There are more than 500 species of birds in South Korea. Interestingly, less than 40 of these are really considered resident birds in Korea. The rest migrate through at different times of the year. The country has the world’s highest concentration of Baikal Teal, Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris, and Nordmann’s Greenshank Tringa.

The country also sees some of the largest concentrations of spring and autumn migrants with 50,000 Great Knot Calidris, 3,000 Olive-backed Pipits Anthus in a day, and hundreds of warblers and buntings. Learn more about birdwatching in Korea and where to go this autumn.

Take a cable car ride

Hiking is majorly popular in the autumn as everyone wants to get out into the mountains for the amazing fall foliage views. Hiking isn’t the only way to get to the top of a mountain though. There has been a major cable car building boom over the past decade making it easier than ever to get to the tops of mountains for incredible foliage views.

You can find a cable car in just about every mountain range of Korea now. What are you waiting for? Take advantage of the views.

Join a templestay program

Fall in Korea is a stunning time to visit a Korean Buddhist temple. 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.

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 located in forests on the sides of mountains.

Korean rice wine, makgeolli, apple infused makgeolli

Take a ghost tour

Autumn means that Halloween and the ghouls and ghosts that come with it come out. Especially popular around Halloween in Korea are ghost tours. Listen to the ghostly stories and learn about Korean culture and the horrible crimes that happened in the past. If you’re interested in finding out more about the haunted places in Seoul, find the ghost tours!

Book A Tour: Book a tour on Trazy
Tour Options: The regular tour is 1.5 hours long and the extended tour is 2.5 hours long.
Admission: Regular Tour: $37.00; Extended Tour: $42
Directions: Weekdays the tour starts from Seodaemun Station and weekends the tour starts from Anguk Station.
Tour Time: 8:00pm

Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Show (반포대교 달빛무지개분수), Banpo Han River Park, Seoul, Korea Banpo Bridge Fountain Show

See the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain (반포대교)

One of the highlights of the Han River Parks at night is the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain. 380 fountains burst and 60 tons of water come out every 60 seconds during the show. You can see the show from spring through autumn at various times in the evenings.

Learn more about how to get there and what to expect in this guide to the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Show.

Fall flower hunting in Korea

Fall may be all about foliage for some people, but before the green leaves change to yellow, red, orange, and purple, there are some beautiful autumn blooms that you can catch in Korea. Fall flowers to look for in Korea include pink muhly, chrysanthemums, cosmos, and globe amaranth.

Pink Muhly, Pins Coffee, Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea

Best places to see flowers in Seoul in the fall

Nari Park (양주나리공원) for globe amaranth and red kocchia

Nari Park features deep red kocchia bushes and a field of beautiful globe amaranth in various shades of purple and white. Did you know globe amaranth symbolizes eternal and unchanged love in Korea. This is one of the most picturesque fall flower spots north of Seoul. You can expect to see blooms from September through October.

Address: 814 Gwangsa-dong, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 양주시 광사동 814)

Anyang Stream (안양천) in Omokyo for buckwheat flowers

Anyang Stream has a number of flower plots and in Omokyo you can find cosmos and buckwheat flowers. It’s a great hidden gem for flowers that usually only seems locals enjoying the views. Head there in September and walk along the paths new Omokgyo Bridge.

Olympic Park, Seoul, Korea: Hallie Bradley in a Cosmos Field

Olympic Park (올림픽공원) for cosmos

Olympic Park on the east side of the city has one of the most popular and picturesque fields of cosmos each summer. It’s scenic and popular and Olympic Park is one of the best places in Jamsil to enjoy.

Address: 424 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 송파구 올림픽로 424)

Jamwon Han River Park (잠원한강공원) for pink muhly

The Han River Parks can be full of surprises and they are all beautiful but Jamwon Han River Park might be the one you need to see in the autumn. Located between Youngdong Bridge and Banpo Bridge, this park is accessible from popular places in the city like Sinsa-dong and Apgujeong-dong in Gangnam. Visit now to see some beautiful waves of pink as you look out at the waves on the Han River.

Address: 221-124 Jamwon-ro, Seocho0gu, Seoul (서울 서초구 잠원로 221-124)

Mokdong Buckwheat flower field, Seoul, Korea

Best places to see flowers in Korea in the fall

Yulgok Botanical Garden (율곡수목원) for Siberian chrysanthemums

This four season botanical garden in Paju is especially beautiful come autumn. The hillsides are awash in gorgeous Siberian chrysanthemums that will give you summer daisy vibes in autumn breezes. There is a Dulle Trail surrounding the Yulgok Botanical Garden that runs some 5 kilometers in length and exudes diverse views from its observatory, pine scent path, and Munbawi Rock. Take the gorgeous walk in the autumn for flowers and leaves.

Address: 392 Jangseungbaegi-ro, Papyeong-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 파주시 파평면 장승배기로 392)

Peace Land (평화의공원) for pink muhly

This park has twelve themed areas with various flower gardens, rock gardens, moss and wetlands and fields of even more. It’s a pretty substantial area and really beautiful in every season for one reason or another.

The park has been designated as a habitat for preservation and houses various native and non-native plants including pink muhly in the autumn. Another really cool aspect of this park are the giants you can find hiding in the forest. Trust me, Peace Land is cool!

Address: 171-18 Umulmok-gil Yeongbok-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 포천시 영북면 우물목길 171-18)

Farm Kamille, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea

Hapcheon Shin Soyang Sports Park (합천신소양체육공원) for pink muhly

This park is amazing. We went down there this year and it’s just massive with a field of pink muhly as well as a riverside of cosmos and other flowers too. Plenty of space to spread out too.

Address: 898 Yeongchang-ri, Hapcheon-eub, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 합천군 합천읍 영창리 898)

Cheongsong Botanical Garden (청송수목원) for pampas and pink muhly

This garden is famous for the gorgeous and huge pampas that grow there, but they also have beautiful pink muhly too. I took a tour group out to this garden a few years ago and it is absolutely worth the trip. Stop at Ami Art Museum on the way for some art and a coffee and you’ll have a great daytrip or stay the whole weekend in Taean-gun. We love that area.

Address: 70 Yeonggot-gil, Nam-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do (충남 태안군 남면 연꽃길 70)

Pink muhly has become majorly popular in Korea.
Find out where to find all of the beautiful pink muhly gardens.
A List of Places to See Pink Muhly in Korea in the Fall

World Cup Park, Seoul, Korea: Hallie Bradley

Fall Foliage

Best fall foliage spots in Seoul

A Korean palace

The palace grounds have an abundance of trees that also burst into beautiful vibrant colors in the autumn. Rent a Hanbok to get free entrance and then take some beautiful fall photos at the famous Gyeongbokgung Palace, the popular Changdeokgung Palace, the hidden Changgyeonggung Palace, or the unique Deoksugung Palace.

1인1상, Eunpyeong Hanok Village, Seoul, Korea — Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Government/Penta Press

Eunpyeong Hanok Village, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, Korea — Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Government/Penta Press

Eunpyeong Hanok Village (은평한옥마을)

This quieter and less popular Hanok village in Seoul is the perfect place to see fall foliage. Set at the foot of Bukhansan National Park, you can walk through the picturesque streets of Eunpyeong Hanok Village and then take a walk through lovely trails to a nearby temple. It’s gorgeous in the autumn and great if you’re more of a wanderer and not so into the mountain trekking.

Address: 127-27 Jingwan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul (서울 은평구 진관동 127-27)

World Cup Park (월드컵공원)

I mentioned Sky Park above in the festivals to see this autumn in Seoul and Sky Park is in World Cup Park, but I think I should mention the larger World Cup Park. It’s an underrated beautiful park in Seoul and it’s massive. Sky Park is just one of the five parks that are in the World Cup Park’s system.

Address: 487-359 Seongsan-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 성산동 487-359)

Bukhansan National Park (북한산국립공원(서울))

Don’t want to leave Seoul and still get a good hike in? Bukhansan National Park is where you should go. Hikes here can take three to five or even more hours. Get in all of the views and on your way back down, be on the lookout for all of the delicious jeon, duck stew, and other restaurants just as you come off the trails. You’ll love these autumn vibes.

Bukhansan is large and can be quite difficult in some areas. If you’ve never been to this national park in Seoul before, join a guided tour so you don’t get lost or accidentally take a steep wrong turn.

Address: 262 Bogungmun-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 성북구 보국문로 262)

Mapo-gu, Seoul: World Cup Park, Nanjicheon Park

Best fall foliage spots in Korea

To be honest, I don’t think there is a best place to see fall foliage. You can see just gorgeous red, yellow, orange, and purple trees everywhere from local parks to lining streets and mountaintops. Here’s a list of some beautiful spots, but also, just look at a map and choose any mountain or any park nearby and enjoy the autumn breezes blowing through the leaves.

Nami Island (남이섬)

Nami Island is popular year round because it bursts into bloom in the spring, is fiery in the autumn, lush in the summer, and wintery white in the winter. It’s beautiful year round but especially in the autumn.

Address: 1 Namiseom-gil, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 춘천시 남이섬길 1 남이섬)

Hwadam Botanic Garden (화담숲)

This garden has become especially popular in the past few years. This large eco-friendly arboretum has over 4,300 types of trees and plants in 165,000 square meters. One of the major highlights for visitors is the monorail ride they can take through the tree canopy.

Address: 278-1 Docheogwit-ro, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 광주시 도척면 도척윗로 278-1)

Klook.com

Garden of the Morning Calm (아침고요수목원)

A popular garden year round, the Garden of the Morning Calm is known as one of the most beautiful gardens in the country. It’s in a gorgeous region and the garden is often on tour itineraries so it’s easy to get to without much work.

Address: 432 Sumogwon-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 가평군 상면 숨오권로 432)
Join A Tour:
- YEAR Round: Alpaca World, Nami Island and Garden of the Morning Calm Tour. I think this one is worth it due to the difficulty to get to both Alpaca World and Garden of the Morning Calm on public transport.
- FALL TOUR: The foliage is fabulous! Join this autumn tour to Seoraksan National Park, Nami Island for foliage and then see the Garden of the Morning Calm at night.

Peace Park, World Cup Parks, Seoul, Korea: Autumn Foliage

Daedunsan Provincial Park (대둔산 도립공원)

Near Daejeon, you can hike up or take the convenient cable car and then cross a very nice suspension bridge that passes between two peaks. Known as the Cloud Bridge, it’s epic, but not for those afraid of heights.

Address: 611-34 Sanbuk-ri, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do (전라북도 완주군 운주면 산북리 611-34)
Join A Tour: Head to Daedunsan this autumn for epic views. Sign up for a daytrip from Seoul on Klook.

Namhansanseong Provincial Park (남한산성도립공원)

If you like hiking but don’t know where to start, I always recommend trekking along fortress walls and the Namhansanseong fortress walls are a great place to start. Just outside of Seoul in Gyeonggi-do, this UNESCO site is gorgeous in the autumn. Hike along the fortress walls, see the old sights inside the walls and find plenty of retauraunts to eat when you’re done.

Address: 731 Namhansanseong-ro, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 광주시 남한산성면 남한산성로 731)
Join a Tour: With Klook, you can join a tour out to the fortress.

Asan Ginkgo Tree Road (아산은행나무길)

A very popular ginkgo tree spot in Korea lies in Chungcheongnam-do. A tree-lined road that is extremely picturesque and gold gold gold, it is family-friendly and even stroller-friendly so expect to see a lot of people there when you go.

Address: 259-2 Baekam-ri, Yeomchi-eup, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do

Ginkgo trees, Seaside Park, Incheon, Korea

Seaside Park (씨사이드파크)

A forest of ginkgo trees sits just out on Yeongjongdo Island, yes the same island where Incheon International Airport sits. There’s more to do on the island than you might realize and Seaside Park is one of those things and in the fall, the park is awash in ginkgo gold. Less popular than the Asan Gingko Tree Road, it’s no less beautiful. We’ve visited two years in a row and always find this spot quietly calm. I hope it stays that way but sharing it might change that.

Address: 1967-1 Jungsan-dong Jung-gu, Incheon (인천 중구 중산동 1967-1)

Jangtaesan Recreational Forest (장태산자연휴양림)

This forest in Daejeon is home to the largest metasequoia forest in Korea and while you can metasequoia lined lanes in places like World Cup Park and Asan Mountain in Seoul, seeing them blanket the mountains here is epic. The entire valley seems to be blanketed in a dark orange that is stunning.

Address: 461 Jangan-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon (대전광역시 서구 장안로 461)
Join a Tour: There is a great tour out to Jeonju Hanok Village and Jangtaesan Forest on Klook.

Wondae-ri Birch Forest (원대리 자작나무 숲)

A different forest than you’ll find in other parts of Korea, the Wondae-ri Birch Forest was created after a fire and now it’s all birch trees as far as you can see. The birch trees create a beautiful contrast with the white birch tree trunks and the orange and yellow foliage in the vicinity.

Address: 760 Jajangnamusup-gil, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do (강원 인제군 인제읍 자작나무숲길 760 자작나무숲 안내소)
Join A Tour: This forest isn’t the easiest to get to, but worth the trip. Don’t want to drive? Join a tour. Trazy has tours that go out to the Wondae-ri Forest every Wednesday and Friday in the autumn. Klook has tours that also visit Wondae-ri Birch Forest throughout autumn and into winter too!

All of the national parks

On a lot of websites when you search for the best places to see fall foliage in Korea, you’ll just find a list of the national parks. They’re not wrong. Korea has a lot of nature spots to enjoy and the national parks make for a good list of where to start. There are 22 national parks in Korea and 17 of them are mountainous and covered in beautiful trees.

If you want to visit the national parks during peak season, shoot for Seoraksan National Park about mid-October. The foliage sweeps across the country going south from then.