The autumn season in Korea is between September and November. The weather is cool and crisp, and the sky is blue with few clouds. Koreans refer to autumn as the season of ‘Cheon-go-ma-bi’. The heat of summer still seems to linger in September with the daytime being hot, but the weather is cool in the morning and evening. In October, there is less precipitation and the humidity in the air decreases, resulting in crisp and enjoyable weather. In late summer to early autumn, typhoons rising from the South Pacific may occur.
Autumn is also a season of beautiful falling leaves. Ginkgo trees and maple trees throughout Korea change their hues to yellow and crimson. During this time, Koreans love to go hiking in the mountains to enjoy the picturesque landscape created by autumn leaves. Mountains and famous autumn foliage spots around the nation are bustling with people during this time of the year. Autumn is also the season of bountiful harvest, with rice, sweet potatoes, apples, pears, and jujubes ripening all around the nation.
Fall in Love, Nami Island
As you already know, Nami Island is one of the most well-known tourist spots for everyone. As a matter of fact, it’s good to go any season but in Autumn, it’s completely transformed into the autumn foliage heaven.
It’s only 1 hour plus the driving distance from Seoul, there are many activities you can enjoy as a famous sightseeing spot. If you are a photo person, you may consider hiring your own travel snaps photographer to take you the ‘Decisive Moment’ photographs.
Book your Nami Island day tours
3 Days best winter of Seoul – Nami Island + Ski Tour + Hanbok Photoshoot
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[Group Tour] Nami Island and Petite France Tour
[Van Hire] Nami Island and Petite France – Private Transfer
[Private] Nami Island + Elysian Gangchon Private Ski Tour
Nami Island and Petite France – Private One Day Tour
Jade Garden Natural Arboretum
Jade Garden Natural Arboretum is well-known as the filming location for the movie “You Are My Pet” (2011) and the drama “That Winter, the Wind Blows” (2013). Created with the theme of “Small Europe in the Forest,” a beautiful building stands right at the entrance. Designed in Tuscan style, this architecture gives a classical touch to its surroundings. The garden has three trail courses; Tree Smell Trail, Maple Tree Trail, and Forest Windy Trail, as well as 26 themed gardens that represent each of the European countries.
Jade Garden is quite close to Nami Island, so if you plan to visit there, you can make these two in your day trip itinerary. Also there is located close to The Garden of Morning Calm Arboretum which is also a very popular tourist spot to visit.
If you wish, you can make these spots as your custom private tour,
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Seoul Private Professional Photoshoot – Korea Travel Snaps
Seoraksan National Park
About 4 hours of driving distance from Seoul, but it’s totally worth to visit in Autumn. Seoraksan Mountain in Gangwon Province is undeniably Korea’s most famous destination for fall foliage sightseeing. the autumn foliage on the mountain is expected to reach its peak around the middle of October on average.
Breathtaking all year round, Mount Seorak is arguably the most beautiful spot in the country and a favorite color destination for Korean and overseas visitors alike, especially in autumn, when the countryside bursts into magical color. Do what the locals do when hiking: stock up on cucumbers to munch on the way up the mountain and then head back down for rice wine and seafood pancakes. The city of Sokcho, which boasts excellent seafood, is a perfect base for visits to Seoraksan.
Also referred to as Seolsan and Seolbongsan, the mountain was named Seorak (‘Seol’ meaning ‘snow’ and ‘Ak’ meaning ‘big mountain’) because the snow would not melt for a long time keeping the rocks in a permanent state of white. In November 1965, the Seorak Mountain district was designated as a Natural Monument preservation area. Afterward, in December 1973, it was designated as a park preservation area, and in August 1982, as a Biosphere Preservation District by UNESCO.
The park is spread across 4 cities and counties: Sokcho, Inje, Goseong and Yangyang. The highest peak is Daecheongbong; to the east is OeSeorak and to the west is NaeSeorak, which is divided again into North NaeSeorak and South NaeSeorak. OeSeorak has many unique rock formations and waterfalls, including Cheonbuldong Valley, Ulsanbawi Rock, Gwongeumseong Fortress, Geumganggul Cave, Gwimyeonam Hermitage, Biryong Falls, Oryeon Falls, Togwangseong Falls and more. There are many hiking courses throughout the park with the most popular being the Biseondae-Madeungnyeong Course and Biseondae-Cheonbuldong-Daecheongbong Peak Course.
You can also make this tour as your custom private tour,
Recommended package of Korea Fall Seasonal day tours
Korea Autumn Season Day Tour – MT. Daedunsan
Korea Fall Season Day Tour – MT. Odaesan: K-Drama Dokkaebi filming location
Korea Autumn Season Day Tour – MT. Naejangsan
Korea Fall Season Day Tour – MT. Seoraksan
Naksansa Temple, Beautiful temple by the sea
About an hour driving distance from MT. Seorak which makes the perfect combination of your travel plan if you wish.
Excellent and beautiful location in front of the ocean. The temple is very nice and pleasant. The big Buddha statue is magnificent and the views from above are unforgettable. This temple boasts gorgeous views of the sea and mountains in the backdrop.
Naksansa Temple is located 4 km north of Naksan Beach, and boasts a 1,300-year history. It is a temple built by Ui-Sang, the ambassador of the 30th King of Silla Period (57 BC- 935 AD), and inside is the Seven Story Stone Tower, Dongjong, Hongyaemun, together with several other cultural assets. It was named Naksansa Temple by Ui-Sang, at the spot where he learned the prayer Gwansae-eumbosal from Bosal, after he returned from studying abroad in the Chinese Tang Kingdom. It was rebuilt several times afterward, and the current building was erected in 1953.
You can get to Naksansa Temple by passing through Iljumun and Hongyaemun Gates. When you enter the temple from Hongyaemun Gate, you can see black bamboo trees and tiled earthen walls on either side of the sanctuary. North of Naksan Beach, beside the copper bell is a back door, with a path that leads to Uisangdae Pavilion and Hongryeonam. Uisangdae is a pavilion built on top of a cliff by the sea, and was built where Ui-sang used to sit and meditate. Hongryeonam is known as a small Buddhist temple, built above a stone cave by Ui-sang. Under the sanctuary floor, there is a 10 cm hole through which you can peek through to view the sea. Past Uisangdae Pavilion, up the path on the hill at Sinseonbong, there is a stone statue of Buddha called Haesugwaneumsang. It is the largest of its kind in the Orient and can be seen from as far as Mulchi Harbor.
Mulhyanggi Arboretum, the largest
One in the very near of Seoul area, Mulhyanggi Arboretum is a peaceful area where you can come to relax but is surprisingly located amidst high-rise apartment buildings in the city center.
As one of the largest arboretums in Korea, the province-operated arboretum is home to 20 themed gardens (including the Wetland Ecology Center, Center for Water Plants, Wetland Plants Center, Pine Tree Center, Maple Tree Center, Fruit Tree Center, and Center for Native Plants of Central Korea) and over 1,600 types of plants. The arboretum also offers diverse educational programs and operates nature-learning sites so that visitors can not only learn the importance of forest resources but also enjoy leisurely walks amidst lush pine trees.
