6 places to enjoy autumn leaves in South Korea

Autumn is a fantastic time to visit South Korea – promising pleasant and mild weather, seasonal delicacies like roasted chestnuts, hot springs and hiking. But best of all; the golden scenery. With much of the mountainous landscape covered with undulating forest, it’s famed for its vibrant autumnal foliage.

Autumn also coincides with Korea’s Chuseok holiday, a time when families gather, ancestral rituals are performed and traditional games and activities take place. You’ll find plenty of breathtakingly beautiful places to admire autumn leaves in South Korea but to help you narrow down your options, here are six of the best.

The regal Namsan Mountain stands right in the centre of Seoul, providing an impressive panorama of the entire city – particularly in autumn, when the view is transformed by a palette of vivid red, orange and yellow foliage. It’s surrounded by a huge park that’s popular for hiking and is topped by the towering landmark, N Seoul Tower.

Climb (or ride the cable car) up the mountain at golden hour to watch the sunset from the tower’s observation deck. Look out for the 15th-century Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden, just below. Kaleidoscopically colourful during the autumn months, this special garden is home to plum, gingko, maple trees and more. Stay at Moxy Seoul Myeongdong, located between the mountain and the palace.

The mighty Seoraksan (or Mount Seorak) and encircling national park are together often considered the top spot in South Korea for staggering autumnal scenery. It’s a jagged, granite rock formation that juts out into the sky from a fiery-coloured forest, with hiking trails criss-crossing the crimson mountainsides.

The park also lays claim to a Buddhist temple that – though burned down and rebuilt – has stood here since the 7th-century. Plus waterfalls, fortress ruins and a cable car (located three minutes from the park entrance) for those who want to enjoy the stupendous views without the trek. Stay at Sono Felice Delpino and admire the mountains from the comfort of the outdoor swimming pool.

For autumn leaves fluttering over ancient temples and pagodas, head to eastern Gyeongju. As the old capital of Korea, this city was once the heart of the Silla Kingdom and is still home to the UNESCO World Heritage Bulguksa Temple, built in 774 AD.

This historic Buddhist site can be found in the foothills of Tohamsan (Mount Toham), set on stone terraces and surrounded by pine forest. It’s a vision, come autumn, when the greenery turns glowing red and gold. After admiring the temple’s gardens, stone bridges and serene lakes, stay close by at the highly rated Gyeongju Tiamo Pension.

Juxtaposing with the surrounding, modern city of Jeonju, a visit to Jeonju Hanok Village feels like stepping back in time. The ancestral home of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty family, this perfectly preserved collection of over 800 ‘hanoks’ (traditional Korean houses) also boasts a cathedral, a Confucian temple, historic city gates and the Gyeonggijeon Shrine.

Follow the Hanok Village Route past street vendors and traditional dance performances to observation decks where you’ll enjoy one of the star local attractions – the view out over the village’s tiled rooftops. The best vantage point is Omokdae, a pavilion perched on top of a hill where Joseon Dynasty ruler, Yi Seonggye, celebrated a victory against Japanese pirates in 1380.

Autumn is a mesmerising time to see the village and city beyond, dusted in shades of red and gold. While you’re here, be sure to try a bowl of bibimbap, a delicious dish of rice, egg, vegetables and Korean Chilli Paste (Gochujang) that’s not only Korea’s most well-known culinary export but more specifically, Jeonju’s. Stay in an authentic hanok at the highly rated Yangsajae.

To enjoy the autumnal landscapes with a hit of adrenalin and unparalleled views, head to Danyang Para Village, just over two hours by bus from Seoul. This is a South Korean paragliding hotspot for adventurous travellers, where you can enjoy sensational views from the sky.

Soar over mountains and follow the Namhan River as it winds like a green ribbon through the amber and ochre-coloured forest below. After an exhilarating day, spend the night at the welcoming and relaxing Us On Earth, a guesthouse in Danyang.

Naejangsan National Park is beautiful at any time of year but it’s also one of the most popular maple season destinations in South Korea. It’s located between Jeonju and Gwangju, straddling the border of the Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do provinces. It’s particularly famous for its captivating copper- and crimson-coloured foliage but also for Naejangsan (or Mount Naejang), a peak that looms over the park at 763 metres.

Visit for a hike through crisp mountain air past beautiful cascades, the park’s two famous Buddhist temples and 600-year-old nutmeg trees. Or take the cable car to a mountaintop observatory where you’ll be wowed by the colourful autumnal landscape. Head back to Gwangju to spend the night at the central Hotel The Spot.