There’s never a bad time to visit South Korea, but traveling in the Fall can elevate your trip to another level. October to November is the best time to enjoy dry skies, crisp air, pleasant temperatures, and a beautiful cascade of colorful foliage, including the famous golden ginkgos.
A few hours north of Seoul, Seoraksan National Park is a tentative World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. It is known for its natural splendors and mountain views and is one of the first areas where the leaves start to turn color in late September.
Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Seoul is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Fall with its incredible architecture amid an array of autumn colors. The Garden of Morning Calm in Gapyeong is another “must-visit” in South Korea during autumn. The gardens are stunning.
There are innumerable Fall events, such as the Busan International Film Festival, Seoul Fashion Week, The Andong Mask Dance Festival, the Jarasum Jazz Festival and the Gwangju World Kimchi Festival among others. Enjoy the Chrysanthemum Festival with thousands of colorful flowers made even more vivid against the autumn leaves. October is also a perfect time to go to the southern city of Jinju for the world-famous Jinju Lantern Festival. The Nam River has floating displays, and the city’s bridges are covered in thousands of lights. The festival celebrates important military battles. Visitors can purchase lanterns, write their wishes, and set them afloat down the river. A bit farther south, in Busan and Jeju Island, fall colors begin in late October and continue into November.
If you decide to travel to South Korea in the fall, be ready to enjoy almost perfect weather and Korea’s fascinating festivals and cultural heritage. Capture your memories with photos that will dazzle with the vibrant colors of fall.
