TOP 30 Autumn Foliage Sites in/outside Seoul, Korea 2020

Autumn foliage season usually starts from October to November in Korea, a must-see for your holiday!

During autumn, many parts of Korea offer beautiful displays of fall foliage in brilliant palette of red, orange and yellow across its national parks, mountains, universities, palaces, parks and roads.

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2020 Korea Autumn Foliage Forecast

🍁 Official Release of Korea Fall Foliage Forecast 2020 (from weatheri.co.kr in Korean)

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According to the official Korea autumn foliage forecast for 2020, the first autumn leaves in Korea are expected to be 0-2 days slower and the autumn foliage will reach its peak 0-1 days slower in 2020.

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💡First Autumn Foliage - 20% of the autumn foliage appears at the mountain.

💡Peak Foliage - 80% of the autumn foliage appears at the the mountain.

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⛰Seoraksan Mountain (altitude 1,708m)

First Foliage: Sep 27 / Peak: Oct 18

⛰Odaesan Mountain (1,565m)

First Foliage: Oct 1 / Peak: Oct 16

⛰Bukhansan Mountain (835m)

First Foliage: Oct 14 / Peak: Oct 28

⛰Woraksan Mountain (1,095m)

First Foliage: Oct 12 / Peak: Oct 24

⛰Songnisan Mountain (1,058m)

First Foliage: Oct 16 / Peak: Oct 29

⛰Gyeryongsan Mountain (846m)

First Foliage: Oct 17 / Peak: Oct 27

⛰Gayasan Mountain (1,432m)

First Foliage: Oct 16 / Peak: Oct 27

⛰Naejangsan Mountain (763m)

First Foliage: Oct 19 / Peak: Nov 6

⛰Jirisan Mountain (1,915m)

First Foliage: Oct 13 / Peak: Oct 23

⛰Mudeungsan Mountain (1,186m)

First Foliage: Oct 21 / Peak: Nov 3

What to See in Korea's Autumn

Besides the red Maple Trees and the golden Ginkgo Trees, there are tall silver Pampas Grass field at attraction like Haneul Park, wild yellow Cosmos flower field and Roses at Olympic Park, all equally mesmerising in autumn.

Hot new additions that have gained great popularity in recent years include the Pink Muhly Grass and Kochia Scoparia.

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Best Places to Visit in Korea's Autumn 

Here are KoreaToDo's compilation of best places to visit and things to do in Seoul or day trips from Seoul in Autumn. Our comprehensive guide includes how to get there, what to see and map of the autumn foliage walking paths.

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► Day Trips from Seoul

► Seoul & around

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Day Trips from Seoul

1. Seoraksan National Park

3 hrs from Seoul, Sokcho

A popular park for autumn foliage outside Seoul that includes cable car rides. Arrive early or stay overnight to explore Sokcho's attractions & great local food.

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2. Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch

3hrs fr. Seoul, Pyeongchang

Experience a different autumn at this huge ranch of over 400 cows, 100 sheep, horses & goats. Take the tractor carriage on a 5km course to the summit.

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3. Namhansanseong Park & Fortress

1.5 hrs fr. Seoul, Gwangju

An autumn foliage destination popular with the locals. Surrounded in natural mountainous setting with a 12.4km long fortress wall, pine forest, palace & hiking trails.

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4. Yangju Nari Park

1.5 hrs fr. Seoul, Yangju

Different vast flower fields blooming beautifully in Autumn at Nari Park. Of which, the field with the highest popularity is the unique Pink Muhly Grass field.

►Autumn flower festival 2020 cancelled

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5. Dumulmeori

1.5 hrs fr. Seoul, Yangpyeong

Surrounded by water, Dulmulmeori offers beautiful scenery and Zelkova Trees of over 400 years old. Easily accessible on Seoul Subway, Dulmulmeori is a popular filming location for Korean dramas too.

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6. Wondaeri Birch Forest

2 hrs fr. Seoul, Wondaeri

Experience a different autumn walking in this tranquil forest with over 700,000 tall white bark birch trees raising towards the blue sky. A Top 100 Must-Go Destinations by Korea Tourism Organisation.

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7. Nami Island

1.5 hrs fr. Seoul, Gapyeong

Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons to visit Nami Island when the autumn leaves coloured the island. Walk along the famous Ginkgo & tall Metasequoia roads.

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8. The Garden of Morning Calm

1 hr fr. Seoul, Gapyeong

Enjoy the the mesmerising mix of Japanese larch, Korean winter hazel, ginkgo, katsura and maple trees this autumn at The Garden of Morning Calm.

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Seoul & around

9. Seoul City Wall

Seongbuk, Seoul

Walk along the fortress wall with its beautiful autumn foliage. Enjoy bird-eye view of the city in autumn all the way to Naksan Park, Ihwa Mural Village & Dongdaemun.

10. Bukhansan National Park

Seongbuk, Seoul

This most visited national park in Korea offers awesome autumn foliage experiences for all ages, located right in Seoul with easy access by public transport.

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11. Road along Olympic Park

Songpa, Seoul

Practically a hidden favourite autumn foliage destination with the locals in Seoul. Over 1,320 ginkgo trees lined brilliantly in perfect rows along the 2.7km pathway.

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12. Olympic Park

Songpa, Seoul

Be the first to capture this fascinating wild Cosmos flower field and show your friends! Other flowers in bloom at Olympic Park include Roses and Pink Muhly Grass. A big park worth exploring in Seoul.

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13. Haneul Park

World Cup Park, Seoul

Every October in Autumn, Haneul Park held its popular Seoul Silver Grass Festival when the Pampas Grass is in full bloom. Hot new additions include Pink Muhly Grass and Kochia Scoparia Grass!

►Park Closed: 26 Sep - 8 Nov 2020

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14. Cheonggyecheon Stream

Jung-gu, Seoul

Discover different autumn foliage scenes along the 5.8km stretch from Gwanghwamun/ Jonggak station to Dongdaemun-gu Office station.

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15. Yonsei University

Seodaemun, Seoul

One of the most beautiful campuses in Seoul. Autumn highlights include the three Gothic-style buildings adorned with red-coloured ivy vines, its beautiful garden & gingko trees path.

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16. Ewha Womans University

Sinchon, Seoul

Visitors' favourite university next to the well-known Sinchon-Edae Shopping District. The university is beautiful in any season & easily accessible.

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17. Deoksugung Stone-wall Road

City Hall, Seoul

An easy 0.87km autumn foliage path right next to City Hall Station. Pop by Jeongdong Observatory & Cafe Darak (13th floor) for a great view of the treetops.

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18. Deoksugung Palace

City Hall, Seoul

Deoksugung Palace, located right next to City Hall Station is famous for its stone-wall road. This smallest palace in Seoul is surprisingly charming in autumn.

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19. Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden

Jongno, Seoul

An UNESCO World Heritage Site and a favourite palace ground for autumn foliage especially at its Secret Garden.

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20. Gyeongbokgung Palace

Jongno, Seoul

If you enter by the main Gwanghwamun Gate, do walk all the way to the opposite end for the famous autumn foliage section at Hyangwonjeong Pavilion.

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21. Road leading to Cheong Wa Dae

Jongno, Seoul

A beautiful secret autumn foliage path just outside Gyeongbokgung Palace's Sinmumun Gate and along its palace wall that leads to Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House).

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22. Samcheongdong

Jongno, Seoul

A famous 1.5km autumn foliage walk along Gyeongbokgung Palace's wall to Samcheongdong. At Samcheongdong, don't miss out its rooftop cafes for the best autumn view.

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23. N Seoul Tower

Namsan, Seoul

Get to know more of Namsan Mountain this autumn by walking up/down the mountain like the locals! You will be surprised by its nature beauty...beyond the N Seoul Tower that we know so well.

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24. Sinsadong Garosu-gil

Sinsadong, Seoul

If you wish to shop, chill out in a cafe and enjoy autumn foliage at the same time, Sinsadong Garosu-gil will be a great hunt for you. Walk along the road with rows of golden ginkgo trees.

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25. Banpo Seorae Island

Banpo, Seoul

Walk in the white field of blooming Buckwheat Flowers in autumn at Banpo Hangang Park's Seorae Island and relax by the beautiful Han River.

►Flower field could be affected by Aug 2020 flood.

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26. Jamwon Hangang Park

Seocho, Seoul

Check out the different colour grass at the park's Grass Garden, including the popular Pink Muhly Grass. Walking distance to Sinsadong Garosu-gil Shopping Street.

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27. Seoul Forest

Seongdong, Seoul

Autumn foliage can be enjoyed around the park. The favourite for many at Seoul Forest is probably the tall, thick and yellow ginkgo trees at Ginkgo Tree Forest. Don't forget to check out the deer at the park too!

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28. Mountain Ansan Jarak-gil Trail

Seodaemun, Seoul

Korea first barrier-free walking trail on raised wooden deck of 7km long, encircling the entire circumference of the Ansan Mountain passing through the forest of colourful fall foliage.

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29. Gwanaksan Mountain

Gwanak-gu, Seoul

Walk in the forest valley and stream surrounded by gorgeous autumn foliage. Enjoy mesmerizing beauty of autumn in Seoul from the various vantage points at Gwanaksan Mountain.

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30. Inwangsan Mountain

Jongno-gu, Seoul

Hiking alongside Seoul City Wall on the ridges of Inwangsan Mountain. This rocky mountain offers splendid autumn foliage views across several mountains in Seoul and is connected to Ansan Mountain too!​

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► 6 - 9 Days Autumn Foliage Itinerary

Other KoreaToDo 'Best of Collections' that you may like:

• Best Seasonal, Music & Cultural Festivals to visit in & from Seoul

• Top Hidden Attractions & Secret Places to Explore in Seoul

• Top Favourite Scenic Hiking/Walking Trails

• Popular & Unique Day Trips from Seoul under 3 hours

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Still looking? Explore KoreaToDo handpicked collection of:

• Seoul - North of Han River

• Seoul - South of Han River

• Busan