Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Korea 2022
Traveling to South Korea this autumn? Most tourists will usually head to Seoul but did you know that the capital city is not the only place to see dazzling fall foliage? Here are some of the best spots to enjoy autumn-colored leaves, within and beyond Seoul!
Autumn Foliage Forecast in South Korea 2022
Autumn in Korea happens between the months of September to late November. Besides crisp golden leaves, you can also look forward to the pleasant cool temperature (hovering around ~20°C). The best times to see the autumn leaves in Korea are October and November, and the peak season only lasts up to two weeks.
To ensure that you catch the best autumn foliage at its peak, be sure to plan your visit to the cities accordingly. You can find the official Autumn leaves forecast here.
1. Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden
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Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1997, and is one of the most well-preserved historic buildings from the Joseon dynasty.
Address: 185, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Operating hours: Closed on Mondays, more details here
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Enjoy the sprawling gardens with scenic pavilions and ponds coloured in red and gold - it's truly a wonderful sight. For a fun and uniquely memorable photoshoot, rent a hanbok (available for both males and females) and have your pictures taken with the beautiful backdrop of the palace and fall foliage!
2. Seoul Forest Park
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Seoul Forest Park is a hotspot when it comes to seasonal flowers and foliage. Come spring, the park is covered in gorgeous, powdery pink cherry blossom blooms, while the stretch of gingko trees are perfect for foliage viewing in autumn.
There are many facilities within the Seoul Forest Park, which include a Culture & Art Park, forest playground areas and a waterfront marina area, making it a fantastic and relaxing spot for locals and tourists alike. Pack a picnic, pick a spot and enjoy the view 😍
Address: 273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
3. Seoul Olympic Park
Seoul Olympic Park is another must-see when it comes to sensational autumn foliage. This huge park takes over 3 hours to explore in its entirety, and consists of several zones, including a Leisure Sports Park, Cultural Art Park, Environmental Eco-Park and History Experience Park dedicated to the area’s rich historic heritage (the park is actually built on the grounds of Mongchontoseong Fortress which was built almost 2,000 years ago).
Our recommended top photo spots are the Wild Flower Garden to see yellow Cosmos, Rose Plaza and of course, the Golden Ginkgo Tree Road!
You can also opt to explore the large park via a bicycle which you can easily rent at the bicycle rental shop between SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium and Woori Art Hall. Charges start from 3,000 won (~S$3) for half an hour.
Address: 424, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
4. Bukhansan National Park
Willing to hike for scenic autumn foliage views? Bukhansan National Park is just the place. Covering both Bukhansan and Dobongsan Mountains, this national park has plenty of trails and viewpoints of lofty peaks drenched in red, yellow and golden leaves.
Beginners can take the Scenic Valley Trail or Main Road Trail while those looking for a greater challenge can opt to head up to Baegundae Peak for a magnificent bird-eye view of the entire park.
Adventurous souls can also check out this guided Bukhansan Sunrise Tour which will definitely be a hike to remember!
Address: 262, Bogungmun-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
5. Nami Island
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Just in case those K-Dramas weren’t enough to pull you to this iconic location, Nami Island brims with orange and red tree-lined alleys that’s sure to brighten any Instagram feed and spark major travel envy 😏
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The First Kiss Glass Sequoia Bridge is a cannot-miss, which is where the lead characters shared their first kiss in the hit Korean drama series, Winter Sonata. Other viewing spots include the Maple Lane of True Love and Dodamsambong Garden.
Address: 1 Namisum-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
6. Garden of Morning Calm
The Garden of Morning Calm showcases the beauty of Korean horticulture before the backdrop of Chungryeongsan Mountain and boasts 20 themed sections connected by scenic walkways.
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The word ‘beautiful’ is an understatement when you’re talking about Garden of Morning Calm. Though stunning in any season, the autumn hues just truly make this place even more magical than it already is.
Address: 432, Sumogwon-ro, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
7. Asan Gingko Tree Road
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This secret spot is a favourite amongst locals for foliage views. Located about 2.5 hours away from Seoul via public transport, the Asan Gingko Tree Road is an underrated gem that is worth travelling for if you have some time to spare.
Address: 259-2 Baekam-ri, Yeomchi-eup, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
8. Incheon Grand Park
Marvel at the beautiful views of autumn foliage at Incheon Grand Park, which is surrounded by Gwanmosan Mountain and Sangasan Mountain. Head to Maple Tree Tunnel for the best foliage views.
Besides the sprawling garden grounds, Incheon Park is also home to other facilities like a Children’s Zoo, making it a great place to visit if you're travelling with kids in tow.
Address: 236, Munemi-ro, Namdong-gu, Incheon
9. Hongcheon Ginkgo Forest
Another location that's more well-known among locals rather than tourists, the Hongcheon Ginkgo Forest is home to more than 2,000 yellow gingko trees, making it a spectacular sight come autumn.
This park is privately-owned and only open for the month of October - make sure to check with the Hongcheon County Office before visiting!
Address: 686-4 Gwangwon-ri, Nae-myeon, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 5pm
10. Seoraksan National Park
Seoraksan National Park, home to the third highest mountain in Korea, Seoraksan, is the first place to see the autumn foliage. Leaves are expected to start turning golden in late September and fully peak by mid October.
With dramatic cliffs and rugged valleys painted in red and gold, we guarantee that this is a hike you’ll never forget! If you're not sure about how to start, this guided Seoraksan National Park Autumn Day Tour includes time to explore some of the most breathtaking trails as well as round-trip transfers from Seoul!
Address: Seoraksan-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
11. Bomun Lake
Fun Fact: Did you know that Bomun Lake is man-made? This area is a crowd favourite because of the cherry blossoms around Bomunho Lake and Bulguksa Temple in April, and autumn leaves during October.
Besides strolling around the compound, there are bike rental shops near the lake. For a different POV, you can also rent a duck boat and paddle around the lake!
Address: Sinpyeong-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
12. Naejangsan National Park
Who can say no to a stroll through this gorgeous national park? An entire afternoon at Naejangsan National Park is probably the closest thing you’ll get to living out your favourite K-Drama.
Naejangsan National Park is a classic Korea autumn foliage must-do, so if you only have time for one spot in your holiday itinerary, this is it! Make sure you also don't miss other famous sights within the national park, including Dodeokpokpo Falls and Geumseonpokpo Falls, as well as the Baegyangsa Temple and Naejangsa Temple.
Address: 328, Naejanghoban-ro, Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do
13. Juwangsan National Park
Juwangsan National Park is where you'll find the magnificent Juwangsan Mountain, which is located in the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range. Explore the different walking trails and enjoy the splendid sights of rocky cliffs, gaping valleys, waterfalls and caves galore.
Image credit: @bumkyu.zip on Instagram
Some recommended spots for autumn foliage views are the Jeolgolgyegok Valley and
Jusanji Pond.
Address: 169-7, Gongwon-gil, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
14. Hallasan
Image credit: @sandra.macht.urlaub
Visiting this iconic Jeju landmark in autumn? You're in for a treat! Jeju's highest mountain is beautiful all year round, from being covered in colourful blooms during spring to golden brown leaves in autumn. Come winter, it is also a great place for amazing scenic snowy sights.
Among the five Hallasan Mountain Dullegil trails, the Cheonasoop-gil trail is the best to enjoy autumn foliage.
For a fuss-free way to explore Mt Halla, take on the Jeju Island UNESCO Day Tour (Jeju South Route Day Tour) which includes tour stops at some of Jeju’s best UNESCO-listed sites:
- Hike Mt Halla Eoseungsaengak Trail (note: this is not the full hike trail, it is the shortest trail and will take less than an hour - suitable for beginners!)
- 1,100 Altitude Wetland at Hallasan National Park (part of the Jeju Biosphere Reserve)
- Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff (formed when the lava from Hallasan Mountain erupted into the sea, they are rock pillars shaped like cubes or hexagons)
- Yakcheonsa Temple(one of the biggest Buddhist temples in Asia)
- Olle Trail Course no 7 (a scenic walk which passes which passes Oedolgae Rock, Beophwan Port and Gangjeong Village)
- Cheonjiyeon Falls(famous waterfall that’s named ‘Pond of Emperor of Heaven’)
Address: 2070-61, 1100-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
15. Sangumburi Crater
While not a spot for fall foliage, we couldn't resist adding Sangumburi Crater to this list! If you've had your fill of all the reds and oranges foliage, swap the golden views for a panoramic scene of fluffy silvergrass. Come at sunset for the best experience!
Address: 768, Bijarim-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
