Korea fall foliage forecast 2023 — The time & 16+ best place to see autumn leaves in Korea

A favorite place is Gongsaengwon Garden. Here, you can find the statue of the main characters in Winter Sonata movie – one of the main symbols of Nami Island. This is an ideal place for couples to take pictures.

To reach Nami, you should depart from Seoul, because Nami is about 90 minutes away from Seoul, suitable for day trips. If you use regular public transport, the trip will be a little inconvenient because the travel time can last up to 2 hours or more. Therefore, it is better to use a shuttle bus or take a tour.

National Parks

The most beautiful autumn is on the mountains. Imagine that you climb to the top of the mountain and look down on the carpet of red and yellow leaves of the endless forests or somewhere along the banks of streams, the leaves patches floating on the water. Any mountain or forest in Korea will bring you the breath of autumn, but the 5 national parks listed below have gone into the travel books of Korea and are known as the most beautiful national parks must visit in the fall.

Naejangsan National Park: Autumn foliage 2023 forecast: October 30th (First Appearance) — November 5th (Peak)

Where is the most beautiful autumn? Many Koreans will soon have the answer as Naejangsan National Park. Naejangsan is second only to Seoraksan in terms of the number of visitors visited each year, but the vast forests red maple leaves is the most convincing evidence of Naejangsan’s number 1 position in the fall. There is no place in Korea to have such attractive beauty as Naejangsan National Park.

Naejangsan National Park, with a total area of 81.7 square kilometers, was designated as the eighth national park in South Korea in 1971. It is one of five mountains representing Honam, as well as one of the eight beautiful places for seeing maple leaves in Korea. Naejangsan is not as high as other mountains, the highest peak is Sinseonbong, only 763m.

What to do in Naejangsan?

Coming here, in addition to watching the maple leaves, breathing fresh air and hiking (walking), Korea’s most fascinating national park also has many tourist attractions and other interesting experiences.

Come Naejangsan you can visit:

• The observation platform on Naejangsan Mountain.
• Baekyangsa and Naejangsan Temple.

The observation platform on Mount Naejangsan

To reach the observation deck you will need to enter the main area (entrance fee 3,000 Won) and then go by cable car. From the entrance gate to the cable car station about 3 kilometers away, you can walk or take a mini bus. The ticket price for the cable car is 8,000 won.

Follow the road up the Naejangsan gazebo you will see the bright orange sky. It is persimmon fruit – autumn specialties in Naejangsan in particular and in Korea in general. If you have the opportunity to come here is definitely have to eat persimmon. Persimmon in fall season is delicious and cheap, freshly processed, dried, light sweetness.

Baekyangsa Naejangsan Temple

The temple is quite far away from the main entrance gate of the park, you should rent a bicycle, or if you are healthy, let’s walking, otherwise you have to rent a car to go.

Coming here, you can not only admire the majestic beauty, quiet of the temple in the middle of yellow – red maple forest but also admire many old frescoes, ancient architecture from the dynasty Baekje.

In addition, Dodeok and Geumseon are two super beautiful waterfalls that must visit at Naejangsan Park.

How to get Naejangsan?

Go to the Seoul Express Bus Terminal to buy tickets to the Jeongeup Bus Terminal, the price is 14.600 won. It will take you about 3 hours to get there and take a 15 minute break in the middle way.

After get off the Jeongeup station, you go down the stream of people, see who wear climbing clothes to follow. Then find the bus number 171 to reach to Naejangsan. It will take about 30 minutes and cost 1,250 won for bus ticket to reach the park. In summary, it will take about 4 hours and 30 minutes (if you do not miss the trip, find the way) from Seoul to Naejangsan Park, so it is best you should go early.

NOTE: The park will be closed at 5:00 pm (17:00) and the park is very large and beautiful so people are often fascinated sightseeing, photographed and forget about the way back, so you should remember hours.

Address: 936 Naejangsan-ro, Naejang-dong, Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
Hours: 7AM–6PM

Seoraksan National Park: Autumn foliage 2023 forecast: September 29th (First Appearance) — October 21th (Peak)

Seoraksan was recognized as Korea’s fifth national park in 1970 and was putted into the Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in August 1982. Here, the majestic nature combines mountains and streams. Come here, you can easily see the promotion images of Korean autumn is very familiar because most of the photos were taken in Seoraksan.

Seoraksan is one of the earliest places to see maple leaves. When Seoul is green, here even the leaves are beginning to fall.

Seoraksan Park is spread over 4 cities and districts: Sokcho, Inje, Goseong and Yangyang with total area of 398.5km2. The highest peak is Daecheongbong (1708m). So, you need to prepare with lightweight luggage, sports shoes or climbing shoes, simple clothes, camera, so, you are ready for hunting red leaves.

The foliage is gradually turning red. Trees in the forest are rich in species, and there are tables for visitors who want to explore natural science information.

Visiting to Seoraksan National Park for seeing maple leaves, you should go to Sockcho from the day before, enjoy seafood – King crab in the sea city to save your health for the next day to moving by bus to Seoraksan.

Address: Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

How to get to Seoraksan?

From Seoul: Dong Seoul Bus Terminal -> Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal. The first trip at 6:30 am, the last trip 23 pm. Travel time from 2 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours and 40 minutes depending on the traffic situation. Ticket price 19,000 won.

From Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal, catch the bus 07 or 7-1 to last terminal (Seoraksan Sogongwon Bus Stop). Around 20 – 30 minutes will have a trip, travel time 40 minutes, ticket price 1,200 won, or can use the T-Money card.

About 5 minutes walk from the bus station to the ticket counter, buy tickets to Seoraksan National Park, fare 3,500 won.

Odaesan National Park: Autumn foliage 2023 forecast: October 4th (First Appearance) — October 17th (Peak)

Mount Odaesan is located in the center and east of Gangwon-do, which was recognized as the 11th national park in Korea in 1975. Covering an area of 298.5 km2, it concentrate at the highest peak, Birobong Peak (1,563 m ). Other peaks include Horyeongbong, Sangwangbong, Dongdaesan, and Durobong.

The Odaesan National Park attracts visitors all year round, as is Seoraksan National Park. However, this place is particularly beautiful in autumn, so on the autumn tourist map indispensable Odaesan.

Usually, the best time to visit the Odaesan National Park for hunting red leaves is from mid-October to early November.

The magnificent hill turns to red color view from Sajaam Temple – a stop for a drink of natural spring water and rest to continue to the top of the mountain.

The Sajaam Temple is hidden deep in the jungle. The buildings of the temple are built in harmony with the landscape, everything looks very natural and attractive. After resting here only 2km away you will come to the top Birobong.

Address: 2 Odaesan-ro, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Area: 303.9 km²

How to get to Odaesan?

Going to the Dong Seoul Bus Terminal -> Jinbu Bus Terminal. First trip 6:30 am, last trip 11 pm. Travel time from 2 hours and 10 minutes to 3 hours depending on the traffic situation.

From Jinbu Bus Terminal, take the local bus to Woljeongsa Temple or Sangwonsa Temple. Within 2 hours has 1 trip, travel time 52 minutes. Bus hours: 06:20 am to 7:40 pm.

About 4-minute walk from the bus station to the Odaesan National Park ticket counter.

Jirisan National Park: Autumn foliage 2023 forecast: October 20th (First Appearance) — October 28th (Peak)

The Jirisan National Park stretches across three southwestern provinces of Korea, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do. The Piagol Valley and Baemsagol are ideal locations for hiking in the fall.

Location: Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea
Area: 471.8 km²

Juwangsan National Park: Autumn foliage 2023 forecast: October 18 (First Appearance) — October 27 (Peak)

Juwangsan National Park is characterized by rocky peaks, deep pools and beautiful waterfalls. The most attractive climb trip begins at the Sangui parking lot, through Kaldeunggogae, Hurimege, the No. 1 waterfall and back to the parking lot. Lake Jusanji here has gone into the most beautiful autumn pictures in Korea, with thin mist and the lake surface is silent as mirrors, reflecting things.

 

Address: Sangui-ri, Budong-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Area: 107.4 km²

Hyeonchungsa Ginkgo Tree Avenue: Autumn foliage 2023 forecast: October 17 (First Appearance) — October 28 (Peak)

Calling Hyeonchungsa road is a avenue, sounds like a forced thing, but can not find a better name. The Hyeonchungsa Ginkgo Tree Avenue is named for the temple of Lee Sun Shin, the most famous general of the Joseon Dynasty, who was instrumental in expelling the Japanese invaders in the 16th century.

The ginkgo tree road is about 2 kilometers long running along the Gokgyo stream. In the fall, a brilliant winding road with bright yellow leaves and butterfly flower fields. In the summer, ginkgo tree row straight and green bring cool and airy air.

Hyeonchungsa Ginkgo Tree Avenue is proud to be one of the most beautiful autumn roads in Korea.

How to get there?

• Step 1: From Seoul Station on the 1st, 4th railroad and Airport Railroad, take the train on 1st railroad heading towards Sinchang (신창) and get off at Onyangoncheon Station.
• Step 2: From Onyangoncheon Station exit No. 1, go towards the square in front of the station, to the junction then turn left, walk 80m to the first bus station.
• Step 3: Take bus number 601, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 620, 621, 622, 650 and go through 11 bus stops (17 minutes) and get off at Seokjeong 2 Lima (석정 2 리마을 앞 정류장.)
• The whole road about 2 km long by the Gokgyocheon Stream is the ginkgo road of Hyeonchungsa.

Suncheonman Bay Wetland Reserve: Autumn foliage 2023 forecast: October 23th (First Appearance) — November 6th (Peak)

Suncheon Bay is Korea’s famous landmark, attracting more than 2 million visitors each year. Suncheon Bay covers an area of 26.5 km2, comprising two parts, mudflats and reeds field, of which the reeds field stretches for 5.4 km2. This is the largest reeds field in Korea. To explore this area, visitors must navigate by boat on the canal winding the lagoons. The best time to see the natural beauty of the Suncheon eco zone is in the fall. From October, the whole reeds field will gradually turn to yellow color, creating a romantic scene.

In addition, autumn is also the time when more than 1,000 bird species migrate from all over the world to Suncheon for wintering. This is a great time for you to “hunt” beautiful photos of crane or save the moment of peaceful sunsets on Suncheon Bay.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Seoul you can refer to

• Private Incheon International Airport Transfers (ICN) for Seoul
• Private Incheon Airport Transfers (ICN) for Seoul
• Incheon International Airport (ICN) Limousine Bus Transfers for Seoul (Gangnam District)
• Klook Exclusive Seoul 5 Day Pass
• Discover Seoul Pass (BTS Edition Available)
• [SALE] Instant Ticket! Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS) 2/3/4/5 Days to travel around the cities in Korea
• Private Incheon Airport (ICN) and Gimpo Airport (GMP) Transfers for Seoul by S.A Tour
• Everland Private Car Charter with Admission Ticket by Wondertrip
• KAL Limousine Bus Ticket for Seoul
• [Limited Offer] AREX Incheon Airport Express Train One Way Ticket in Seoul
• Bukchon Oneday Hanbok Rental Experience (4/24 Hrs)
• Nami Island, Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm, and Gangchon Rail Bike Day Tour from Seoul
• Seoul City Sightseeing Bus (Downtown Palace Namsan Course/Seoul Panorama Course)
• [Limited Offer] Incheon International Airport (ICN) Luggage Services (Between Airport and Hotel) by Safex
• 4G Prepaid SIM Card (SK Airports Pick Up) for South Korea
• [Sale] Hanbok Experience (Hanboknam Gyeongbokgung Store) with Korean Hairstyling
• [SALE] South Korea 4G Pocket WiFi (KR Airports Pick Up) from KT Olleh
• 4G WiFi (MY Airport Pick Up) for South Korea (Unlimited Data)
• 4G Portable WiFi for South Korea from Uroaming (Unlimited Data)

Are you finding more top things to do in Seoul: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here.