Every fall, visitors flock to Korea’s beautiful rural destinations to enjoy the vibrant colors of autumn. However, to witnessing the fall foliage without having to travel far, plan a visit to one of the following places that have been named as the best places to see autumn leaves in the Seoul city. So, do you planning a trip to Seoul – the very modern capital city of South Korea in this autumn and don’t know where where to see autumn leaves in Seoul as well as the forecast time of Seoul fall foliage (Seoul autumn leaves, Seoul fall foliage forecast 2024)? Let’s check out our 13+ best places to see autumn leaves in Seoul along with Seoul autumn foliage 2024 forecast as follows!
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Korea in autumn is extremely romantic with brilliant yellow leaf-lined streets that make anyone who sees it feel fluttering. To see Korean red and yellow leaves to the fullest, do not miss the following +13 places in the bustling capital of Seoul and its surroundings. These places are also quite close to many other interesting places for visitors to visit. Here, we will suggest the most beautiful places to see autumn leaves in Seoul.
Korea and Seoul autumn foliage 2024 forecast
Soon, Korea will turn to autumn. I don’t know about you, but I especially like autumn in Korea. The weather is mild, it is a pleasant and ideal period to go sightseeing and take memorable photos in Korea.
Korean autumn usually begins from September and lasts until the end of November of the year. At this time, the trees begin to change their leaves, turning from green to warm yellow, orange, and red, very suitable for those of you who love to see autumn foliage and virtual living. Autumn is one of the two most beautiful seasons of the year along with spring. Indeed, autumn in Korea brings a pleasant feeling of red, orange and yellow colors that nature bestows. The whole country is filled with the warm autumn colors of bright red maple trees, brilliant yellow leaves of ginkgo trees. Walking under the autumn trees, enjoying the cool weather is a wonderful feeling.
This year, the season of yellow and red leaves in Korea is a little later than every year. Most of the spots have red and yellow leaves in the period from late October to early November of the solar calendar. Specifically, the Korea fall foliage 2024 forecast (Korea autumn leaves forecast 2024) for a few famous spots will be as follows:
- Seoul Capital: Start: Oct 18th / Peak: Oct 31th
- Bukhansan: Start: Oct 17 / Peak: Oct 30th
- Songnisan: Start: Oct 21 / Peak: Oct 31th
- Gyeryongsan: Start: Oct 20 / Peak: Oct 31th
- Naejangsan: Start: Oct 30 / Peak: Nov 5th
- Mudeungsan: Start: Oct 25 / Peak: Nov 31th
- Hallasan: Start: Oct 20 / Peak: Oct 31th
- Seoraksan: Start: Sept 29 / Peak: Oct 21th
- Odaesan: Start: Oct 4th / Peak: Oct 17th
- Chiaksan: Start: Oct 7th / Peak: Oct 25th
- Woraksan: Start: Oct 14th / Peak: Oct 27th
- Palgongsan: Start: Oct 20th / Peak: Nov 1st
- Busan: Start: Oct 20th / Peak: Oct 30th
- Gayasan: Start: Oct 19th / Peak: Oct 30th
- Jirisan: Start: Oct 20th / Peak: Oct 28th
- Jeju Island: Late October to early November
- Incheon: Mid to late October
- Jeonju: Late October to early November
- Sokcho: Late September to mid-October
- Gyeongju: Mid to late October
Best places to see autumn leaves in Seoul: Deoksugung Doldam-gil (Deoksugung Stone-wall Walkway)
Also known as Jeongdong-gil Road, Deoksugung Doldam-gil (Deoksugung Stone Wall Road) is a popular spot for a romantic stroll, especially during autumn. This beautiful road is about 900 meters long and stretches from Deoksugung Palace to Jeongdong Theater. In autumn, yellow ginkgo leaves add to the romantic atmosphere. There are many cultural sites along the way that make the trip all the more worthwhile. Deoksugung Palace is the smallest one among the five palaces in Seoul. It is located in City Hall, impressing visitors with its half Korean and half Western architecture. You can take the tram to City Hall and walk to Deoksugung Palace. Opening times are on weekdays except Monday.
Where to see autumn leaves in Seoul? The first and one of best places to see autumn leaves in Seoul is Deoksugung Palace. This palace offers a blend of traditional royal architecture from the Joseon Dynasty with Western-style. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Deoksugung (MMCA Deoksugung) is also located within the palace grounds, which hosts various exhibitions. Seoul Museum of Art is located a short walk from the palace. The leaves of the over 500-year-old maple tree in the garden are rich in color. Sit down in the soft sunlight, or visit one of the exhibits in the gallery. Visitors interested in traditional culture and performing arts can visit Jeongdong Theatre, located just off the stone walled road, and choose a performance to suit the autumn mood.
Deoksugung road becomes more beautiful in every autumn. At this time, visitors will have the opportunity to look at the red and yellow leaves of Korea, discover the beauty of the rows of gingko trees along the stone wall road. The luxuriant red and yellow trees interspersed creating a picture of nature more brilliant than ever. This is an ideal walking place for many people, especially couples.
Nearby Attractions: Deoksugung Palace, MMCA Deoksugung, Deoksugung, Seoul Museum of Art, Gyeonghuigung Palace, Theater of Jeongdong
- Location: Area around Deoksugung Palace, 5-1, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 정동 5-1 덕수궁)
- Directions: City Hall Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 2), Exit 2. Located along Deoksugung Palace
Namsan Park
Namsan mountain 262m high is located in the south of the capital, is considered the heart and the symbol of Seoul, Korea. It is famous for its spectacular scenery, the most prominent of which is the N Seoul Tower (Namsan tower) that gives visitors the opportunity to see the panoramic views of the city. To get to Namsan, you can take the subway or bus. The opening time is daily from 10 am to 11 pm, only Saturday from 10 am to 12 pm.
Namsan Park and Namsan tower with the story of the love locks of couples come to pray for long-term love must have been no stranger to everyone. But going to Namsan Park in the fall is another romantic story. Although located in the heart of Seoul with skyscrapers, separate from the hustle and bustle of life, Namsan Park is very poetic with a large area with thousands of red-leaved trees that change color in autumn. The trails are lined with trees, autumn leaves fall with every step. Climbing up Namsan Tower, you will be extremely overwhelmed when you see the panoramic view of Seoul engulfed in red leaves below.
Namsan Mountain is also known as a beautiful spot to admire autumn leaves. On the way up the mountain, visitors will enjoy the feeling of being immersed in the romantic natural scenery full of autumn colors with rows of maple trees on both sides of the road. On some paths, the rows of trees on both sides together create beautiful yellow gates. When the sunset falls, the sunset light blends with the yellow and red color of the trees, creating a heartwarming scene that you will never forget.
Besides enjoying fall foliage, visitors can also see the small houses hidden at the foot of the mountain like a beautiful ink painting on the way up the mountain. Do not forget to miss some other interesting places here such as Namsan Library, Namsan Outdoor Botanical Garden, Goethe Institute…
Routes extending from Namdaemun Market to Namsan Library and from Namsan Library down to Grand Hyatt Seoul offer a landscape rich in autumn colors, especially dense forests. You can see different angles of Seoul while looking down at the houses on the hill below.
As you walk from Namdaemun Market to Namsan Park, you’ll also find some famous landmarks like Namsan Library and Namsan Botanical Garden. Follow the walking path from Namsan Library up the mountain for about 10 minutes and you will reach the famous Namsan Seoul Tower. Many couples visit to hang their love locks, signifying their promise to love each other forever. For a unique view of autumn foliage in Seoul, ride up the Namsan Ropeway or visit the observatory at Namsan Seoul Tower. This observatory has a glass facade and offers panoramic views of the city. As the sun sets, sit at the cafe with a cup of tea or coffee to enjoy the dramatic cityscape from the tower.
Remember to buy tickets to visit Namsan Tower at Klook, there is a 25% discount on ticket prices. Buy tickets to visit Namsan Tower at Klook get a good price and save time waiting and queuing when buying tickets directly.
- Address: 231 Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Hours: Open 24 hours
How to get there?
Bus: Namsan closed bus route, it only takes 15-20 minutes to arrive. Ticket price is 1,200 won if paying in cash. But if you pay with T-Money card, it only costs 1,100 won. T-Money card is absolutely necessary to survive in Korea, don’t forget to buy yourself a T-Money card.
Subway
- Subway Line 3, Dongguk University station, Exit 6, take bus number 02, 03 or 05.
- Subway Line 3 or Line 4, Chungmuro station, Exit 2 (right in front of Daeha cinema), take bus number 02, 05.
- Subway Line 4, Myeongdong station, Exit 3, take bus 05. Or if you don’t take the bus, you can walk to the park.
Seoul autumn leaves: Samcheong-dong
Samcheongdong-gil street runs from the stone walled road of Gyeongbokgung Palace to Samcheong-dong, passing various locations. This site is highly prized in the fall, when the ginkgo trees here turn a striking yellow. Visitors can enjoy the palace, visit the National Folk Museum of Korea, and walk along the street through the autumn atmosphere. The street is lined with small galleries along with shops selling paintings and accessories. With so much to offer, walking along Samcheongdong-gil road you will feel as if you’ve just begun.
Visitors coming to Samcheong-dong neighborhood can not only discover historical sites, but also an ideal place to admire the natural scenery with the brilliant yellow color of hundreds of gingko trees. Walking along the road, you can clearly feel the autumn air coming.
Nearby attractions: National Folk Museum of Korea, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Samcheong Park, the street in front of Cheongwadae (Blue House), Cheongwadae Sarangchae, Bukchon Hanok Village, Bukchon Art Gallery
- Location: Samcheong-dong Area, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 삼청동)
- Directions: Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 1. Walk approx. 6 minutes.
Best places to see autumn leaves in Seoul: Changdeokgung Palace
Located in the heart of Seoul, Changdeokgung Palace is so familiar to tourists from all over the world when visiting Korea. However, Changdeokgung Palace will be even more splendid and beautiful when you visit in autumn. In the grounds of Changdeokgung Palace there is a “secret garden” that is a great place to see red leaves. The garden is extremely quiet with large trees spreading luxuriant red maple leaves, extremely eye-catching yellow and orange leaves reflected on the lake surface.
- Address: 99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Hours: 9AM–5PM/Monday: Closed
How to get there: Take subway line 03, get off at Gyeongbokgung Station, at exit 04, walk a little bit to get there.
A small tip for you, you can pay for subway tickets with T-money card, but there is a much better card, which is Discover Seoul Pass. If you plan to have a sightseeing schedule for 24/48/72 hours, you should purchase the Discover Seoul Pass, which will give you free train and bus rides and free admission to most popular attractions. Read more details about the Discover Seoul Pass and book in advance here.
A special thing for BTS fans, there is a very good Discover Seoul Pass BTS edition, buy it now, don’t wait any longer.
Seoul autumn leaves: Seoul Grand Park
Grand Seoul Park is located on the outskirts of Gyeonggi, south of Seoul. This is also an ideal viewing spot for Korean autumn leaves. Thanks to the modern transportation system, visitors can get here easily by taking the subway at Seoul Grand Park Station in just 30 minutes.