Korea in Autumn: A Guide to Hunting for Golden Leaves at Popular Destinations

The attraction of the season of yellow and red leaves

Besides cherry blossom season, the autumn foliage season is one of the most anticipated tourist events in Korea. When the weather changes, the streets, parks and palaces are dyed with the bright yellow of ginkgo leaves and the red of maple leaves, creating a romantic and vibrant scene.

According to the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) in Vietnam, this year's autumn comes later than usual, with the peak time to admire the changing leaves lasting from late October to early November. This is the ideal time for tourists to plan their trips.

Discover autumn right in Seoul

Seoul offers a plethora of great places to soak up the autumn atmosphere. From majestic palaces to modern parks, each place has its own beauty.

Gyeongbokgung Palace: Experience Traditional Culture

Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must-see destination. Not only does it have historical value, it also becomes especially charming in the fall. Many visitors choose to rent traditional hanbok costumes to walk around and take photos in the ancient grounds. In particular, visitors wearing hanbok will receive free admission, a policy to honor the country's traditional costumes.

Vietnamese stars check in during the red and yellow leaf season in Korea - 1 — Model Dam Thu Trang wears hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul.

Vietnamese stars check in during the red and yellow leaf season in Korea - 5 — Singer Phuong Ly also chose to rent a hanbok to capture beautiful moments at the palace.

Romantic streets and city parks

Seoul is famous for its ginkgo and maple tree-lined streets. Some of the best places to see the fall foliage include:

Deoksugung Palace Stone Wall Road: One of the most beautiful walking trails in Seoul, especially in autumn.
Sungkyunkwan University: Ancient campus with hundreds of years old ginkgo trees.
Seoul Forest, Olympic Park and Maeheon Citizens Forest: large green spaces are ideal places to take a walk and enjoy the autumn air.

Vietnamese stars check in during the red and yellow leaf season in Korea - 6 — Phuong Ly poses on a street corner with the brilliant yellow color of ginkgo leaves.

Nearby destinations not to be missed

If you have more time, exploring the surrounding areas of Seoul will bring new and equally impressive experiences.

Yelo Coffee, Goyang: Coffee shop under the ginkgo tree

Located in Goyang City, not too far from Seoul, Yelo Coffee is a popular destination for tourists every autumn. This cafe is famous for its ancient ginkgo trees and spacious courtyard. During the fall foliage season, the entire space is covered in a golden color, creating a picturesque scene.