Autumn In Seoul | Best Places To See The Korean Autumn Leaves
What is the Seoul weather in October like? When is autumn in Seoul? What to wear in autumn in Korea? What is it like to experience fall in South Korea?
South Korea is one of the best countries to experience the beautiful golden colours of autumn. Seoul streets are transformed into beautiful scenery filled with yellow and crimson autumn leaves. Each year thousands of tourists are flocking to Seoul and the rest of Korea to enjoy the joys of fall. Read on for the best things to do in autumn in Seoul in this Seoul autumn travel blog post.
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Autumn Weather In Seoul
During autumn, Korea experiences mild temperatures and little rainfall. The temperatures throughout autumn differ a lot from 15°C – 26°C in September, 7°C – 19°C in October and 0°C – 11°C in November. Check out this guide on what to wear in Korea in autumn. The Seoul weather will be slightly different than the rest of Korea as it’s more up north. Autumn in South Korea starts mid September and finishes mid December.
Autumn In Seoul (Things To Do)
Seoul is filled with parks and mountains which is great to see the autumn leaves in Seoul! Streets filled with red and golden leaves will make your holiday to South Korea extra special. Autumn is the best time to visit Korea, especially late September and October.
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace
The palace was created in 1395 and was the first of five palaces in Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty. Unfortunately the palace was destroyed during the Imjin War, however all palaces were later restored in the early 1900s. The palace must definitely be on your list of places to visit in Seoul during autumn!
Within the palace is the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum which are both worth visiting.
Other palaces which can be enjoyed during autumn are Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden, Deoksu Palace, Changgyeonggung and Gyeonghuigung Palace.
Address: 161 Sajik-ro, Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Entrance Fee: 3000 krw (free entry with hanbok)
A great thing to do when going to Gyeongbokgung palace is renting a hanbok, so you can take some great autumn Instagram pictures. All the palaces are free to enter when wearing a traditional Korean outfit or modern hanbok. Check more prices and info here.
2. Samcheongdong Area
Samcheongdon is a vibrant and unique place between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. It is filled with awesome coffee shops, guesthouses, restaurants and boutiques. According to the Chinese Feng-Shui principles, this area is said to be in the perfect spot as it is surrounded by mountains and protected by a river.
During autumn this wonderful area transforms into an autumn wonderland as the streets are filled with trees which turn red and golden in October and November. This is a must go place is you are looking to enjoy the autumn foliage in Korea.
Address: To the right of Gyeongbokgung
3. Namsan Park And Seoul Tower
Namsan Mountain, located in the center of Seoul is an iconic landmark of Korea. The mountain can easily be hiked, which takes around an hour or can be reached by bus or cable cart. At the top, visitors can find Seoul Tower, the aquarium, Namsan Library and Palgakjeong.
There are multiple trails starting from all over Seoul with the most popular ones leaving from Myeongdong, Namdaemun, Namsangol Village and Itaewon.
The view from Seoul Tower or Namsan mountain is magnificent and on a clear day you can see all the way to the West Sea. The best way to enjoy autumn foliage at Namsan tower is by hiking all the way up through the forest and have dinner in the rotating restaurant in Seoul Tower. Read how to go to Namsan Tower here.
Address: 105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan 2(i)ga-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Opening Times: 10:00 – 23:00
Entrance Fee: 10 000 krw (check foreigner discount tickets here)
4. Deoksu Palace Walls
The beautiful Deoksu Palace stone wall road is approximately 900 meters long. The road and wall were made using eco-friendly materials only and along the wall are over 20 benches and 130 trees which turn golden during the autumn season. In autumn especially this road has a unique atmosphere.
Things to visit along the Deoksu Palace wall are the Seoul Museum Of Art, Seoul Museum of History, a stunning Anglican Church, Seoul City Hall and Gwanghwamun Square.
Address: 99 Sejong-daero, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
Opening Times: 0:00 – 21:00, closed on mondays
Entrance Fee: 2000 krw, free entry with hanbok
Deoksu is a stunning place if you’re looking to get some great pictures taken. You can easily book a photographer for your own personal photo shoot. Check more info and prices here.
5. Seoul Fortress Wall
The Fortress Walls around Seoul are 18,6 kilometers long and cross the Bugaksan, Naksan, Namsan and Inwangsan mountains. The wall was built in 1396 to protect Seoul against invaders but unfortunately parts of the walls disappeared over the years. Hiking along the wall is great all year around but in Autumn the foliage just makes it that extra special.
Check the map and trails of the Fortress Walls here or why not go on an tour with a guide? Check prices and info here.
6. Bukchon Hanok Village
The beautiful Hanok Bukchon Village is located between Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Samcheongdong. It is home to over hundreds of traditional hanok houses and used to be a noble men village during the Joseon Dynasty. Many of the Hanok buildings have been restored and turned into cultural centers, coffee shops, galleries, restaurants and guesthouses.
From some parts in Bukchon Village you’ll have stunning views over Samcheongdong and Namsan Tower.
Address: Seoul, Jongno-gu, Gahoe-dong, 계동길 37
Entrance Fee: free
More Info: here
7. Garosu-gil Shopping District
The famous area, Garosu-gil, is located in the Gangnam area. Garosugil literally translates to road filled with trees, which couldn’t be more true as this famous shopping district is filled with ginkgo trees. A cool cafe and shop to visit in Garosu-gil is the Line Friends Cafe and Store.
Address: 34 Gangnam-daero 128-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
8. Hangang Citizen Park
The Hangang Park is the people’s park located along the Han River. It was created in the 1980s and is a huge area that is totally dedicated to the citizens of Seoul. It is a great way for sports, like jogging, cycling, tennis, football, basketball, swimming and relaxing. The best things to do along the Han River in autumn are taking a river cruise, visiting one of the parks along the river and cycling.
9. Cheongyecheon Stream
Until only recently Cheonggyecheon Stream was just a neglected waterway which has been turned into this beautiful oasis of beauty and calmness. The stream runs all the way from Gwanghwamun to Dongdaemun to then later join the han river.
Along the river are an abundance of plants and trees which make you feel like being in the country side instead of being inside a mega city. Early November the Seoul Lantern Festival will take place along this river. This is a must visit festival as the lanterns are just stunning.
Address: Cheonggyecheon-ro, Sinseol-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
10. Jogyesa Temple In Insadong
During the autumn season, Jogyesa temple always puts up some beautiful flower decorations. Each year the decorations change but they always use stunning yellow and pink flowers to create the many flower installations. The Chrysanthemum festival starts early October and lasts till mid November.
11. Haneul Sky Park
Not autumn leaves here but stunning silver and pink grass. The Haneul sky park is famous for its silver grass but recently they added a section which has pink grass. This is quite small but still pretty.
To reach the Haneul sky park you need to walk quite a bit. From the Word Cup Subway it takes around 20 minutes to reach the park. Note: some parts are quite steep.
Things To Do Outside Seoul During Autumn
Seoul is filled with parks and areas to enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves. But the rest of the country has so much more to offer, from beautiful mountain trails to flower festivals. Some places outside Seoul can be hard to reach, you might want to book a shuttle bus or private charter to reach certain destinations.
1. Nami Island In Autumn
Going to Nami Island, Petit France and the Garden Of The Morning Calm in Gapyeong is the perfect place to go on a day trip from Seoul during autumn. The rows of pine and maple trees on the island turn red and paints the whole area in a sea of red and yellow. The best time to visit Nami Island in Autumn is late October and early November. Check how to get to Nami Island from Myeongdong here.
2. Goyang Lake Park
The Goyang Lake Park houses the yearly spring and autumn flower festival, which showcases some of the most stunning flower creations the world has to offer. During spring you can see the beautiful cherry blossoms along the lake and during autumn the golden foliage.
3. Anseong Farmland
From mid August to mid October, visitors can have a grape picking experience at Anseong Farmland. Apart from grape picking, the farmland has lots more to offer, from petting farm animals to stunning flower fields, grass skiing and rice cake making experiences. More info here.
4. Gyeongju Pink Muhly Fields
Gyeongju is a stunning city, worth visiting all year around. In spring it is famous for the Gyeongju Cherry Blossom festival and in autumn it’s muhly season. The pink muhly grass only blooms during a couple of weeks in autumn and is mind blowing. The field is located close to the Cheomseongdae Observatory and Anabji pond. More info here.
Autumn In Seoul (Things To Eat)
With the summer finally ending it’s time to try some of the delicious Korean food autumn has to offer. Most of these can be found in any traditional market in Seoul and the rest of Korea.
1. What To Eat In September In Korea
During September chestnuts are really popular and chestnut dishes can be found all over the country. Rice cakes filled with chestnuts and roasted chestnuts are popular things to try. Citrons and pears are in season during September and are especially used for tea. If you are looking to try something alcoholic then Chrysanthemum wine is a must try in September.
2. What To Eat In October In Korea
Rice cakes are the thing to eat in October, especially because this is the Chuseok or Korean Thanksgiving season. You’ll find things like beans, vegetables, chrysanthemums, radishes in the rice cakes as it symbolizes the end of the harvest season.
The blue crab, jumbo shrimp and gizzard shad are popular sea foods which are mainly available during autumn.
Chuseok is a mid autumn festival in Korea where Korean families gather and celebrate the end of a good harvest. Be aware that roads and trains will be very busy during those days, so make sure to book your train or bus tickets up to 1 month in advance.
3. What To Eat In November In Korea
Red bean porridge or Patjuk is a must eat in November. It is mostly served hot and is the perfect thing to try when the temperatures start to cool down. Sujeonggwa, which is a Korean cinnamon punch is a must try drink. Ingredients like dried persimmons, ginger, jujubes and pine nuts are added for the extra flavour.
4. Pumpkin Spice Lattes In Seoul
The pumpkin spice latte is a seasonal drink which is very popular in Korea during autumn. It is not that widely available in most coffee shops yet, but is getting increasingly more popular over the years.
Fat Cat Bistro, PLANT and Sweet Eats in Itaewon are two coffee shops that serve amazing spice lattes in October and September.
Frequently Asked Questions
The autumn leaves start to turn golden and red in Seoul towards the last days of September until the beginning of November.
The autumn leaves last for about 1 month, stating at the end of September and peaking mid October.
The temperatures are quite different throughout autumn starting from 15°C – 26°C in September, 7°C – 19°C in October and 0°C – 11°C in November.
The peak of autumn falls most of the time in the mid of October, 2 weeks after the start of the blooming season.
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