The evenings are getting cooler and the days shorter. While summer’s impending end may make you feel blue, here’s a thought that could pick your spirits right back up: it’s time to chase the beautiful colors of fall! Let’s start planning!

South Korea is a great place for an autumn holiday. There are plenty of spots to enjoy the beauty of autumn, and even within its capital city, Seoul, you’ll find plenty of parks and open spaces boasting the radiant colors of fall. This itinerary takes you in and around Seoul, then guides you to venture out into the countryside where you’ll see South Korea’s best spots for autumn. Happy leaf-hunting!

Top spots to see autumn in South Korea – an itinerary for leaf-hunters

Here are the top 5 autumn destinations in South Korea. To fully enjoy the fall colors, check out the fall foliage forecast (2019 update now available) and use the map to plan your trip. You’ll find detailed itineraries and travel guides for each fall destination. And if you want a super easy way to visit your dream fall spots, check out our round-up of best autumn-viewing tours from Seoul!

Seoul
Nami Island
Sokcho and Seoraksan National Park
Jecheon
Naejangsan National Park
Round-up – best autumn-viewing tours from Seoul
Map – overview of South Korea’s best autumn destinations
South Korea’s Fall Foliage forecast for 2019

Much of this itinerary is best done with a rental car. While the public transportation system is efficient in South Korea, this itinerary features several offbeat destinations that are a bit harder to get to and around using buses and trains. Here’s everything you need to know about driving in South Korea.

But if you don’t want to drive on this trip, don’t fret! I included information on how to get to these places using public transportation so you can decide which places you can fit into your itinerary.

Best autumn-viewing spots in Seoul

The quest for autumn begins right in the vibrant capital of South Korea: Seoul. City lovers can do their shopping, cultural sightseeing, and food tripping all under the bright red and orange canopy of trees. Here’s a 2-day itinerary for enjoying autumn in Seoul.

Day 1 in Seoul – culture and the colors of fall

Start the day by making your way to Samcheong-dong – a cultural road lined with art galleries, shops, and restaurants. It’s the perfect setting for a laidback day, and it’s even more beautiful during fall.

To get there, make your way to the Anguk Station on Seoul Subway Line 3. Take Exit 1 and walk straight for about 5 minutes. From the Gyeongbukgung Palace, make your way to the National Folk Museum, then end your stroll at Samcheong Park. While you’re in the area, you might want to visit the historic Bukchon Hanok Village for a glimpse of traditional Korean houses – maybe complete your cultural adventure by parading in a traditional hanbok or creating your own personalized souvenirs? These would certainly make for great photos and memories.

For food, check out Samcheongdong Sujebi (삼청동 수제비), an immensely popular traditional restaurant. The ‘sujebi’ or hand dough soup will surely keep you warm in autumn. If you’re craving for French pastries and coffee, check out Wood and Brick in Bukchon.

Exploring Samcheong-dong and Bukchon Hanok Village can take from a few hours to a whole day, depends on how much you love to wander off. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to check out along the road, and really so much to see.

If you still have time, though, you can hop over to the Deoksugung-gil, a road that goes along Deoksugung Palace, lined with yellow ginkgo trees. To get there, make your way to the City Hall Station on Seoul Subway Lines 1 and 2. Take Exit 2 and walk straight to the end of the palace wall and then turn right. Make your way to the Jeongdong Theater, which is about 1 kilometer away. You can stop by the Seoul Museum of Art as well as the Kyunghyang Art Hill for a glimpse of the local arts and culture scene. If you love shopping or local street food, end the day with a trip to the sparkly Myeongdong shopping area and the Namdaemun traditional market.

Day 2 in Seoul – forest bathing

Yes, you read that right: FOREST BATHING. As it turns out, East Asia has elevated hiking through forests to a luxurious form. If you’ve always associated hiking and forests with bugs and dirt and decaying leaves, it’s time for a rethink. Forest bathing is as relaxing and as leisurely as it gets: fresh air, birdsongs, beautiful scenery, and phytoncide – a compound released by plants that can decrease stress and improve your immune system.

So if you’re up for some natural aromatherapy on your second day in Seoul, wake up early and head to Seoul Grand Park. Make your way to the Seoul Grand Park Station on Seoul Subway Line 4. Take Exit 2 and walk for about 5 minutes toward Seoul Grand Park Zoo until you get to the entrance of the forest bathing area. There are many courses you can take with varying length. Here’s a map of the area.

If that extra boost of terpenes makes you crave for more of the forest, you can continue your fall frolic in the Seoul Forest. Make your way to the Seoul Forest Station on Seoul Subway Bundang Line, take Exit 3, and start your walk. You can make your way from the Seoul Forest to the Ttukseom Han River Park. To complement your new healthy lifestyle, try the fresh and healthy dishes at Sobang Life.

Where to stay in Seoul

Check out this neighborhood guide to Seoul to find the best place for you to stay in – if you’re a Seoul-newbie, the quiz will definitely help you pinpoint the perfect neighborhood.
Quick suggestions: stay in Myeongdong if you like to shop, in Hongdae if you love quirky and artsy neighborhoods, and Jongno if you want to be amidst culture and history.
If you’re looking for great accommodations at bargain prices, you’ll find real-time hotel deals in Seoul here.

Practical tips for your stay in Seoul

If it’s your first time visiting, spend at least 2-3 days in the capital. The itinerary above is already pretty full, so you can spread it out to 3 days if you like to travel slow.
If you have an extra day and would like to see more of Seoul beyond its autumn-viewing spots, go on a cultural sightseeing tour – this tour will take you to Seoul’s best palaces, temples, and markets in one day.
Don’t get your rental car yet while you’re staying in Seoul. It’s far more efficient to travel around using the subways, plus traffic and parking can be a pain. Get it when you head out instead.
You can get around Seoul mostly by subway and buses. Getting a T-money card, a transportation card that you can load up with credit is really convenient as you don’t have to buy tickets each time you ride. You can get this from convenience stores and from ticket vending machines inside the stations, and use it on subways, buses, taxis, and in some retail shops.
If you prefer to travel comfortably and conveniently, you can also get a private car charter around Seoul – you can use the car to visit nearby places around Seoul as well, including Nami Island, which is the next fall destination.
You can pick up a WiFi device at the Incheon airport or any of the international airports – really handy for planning on the go and keeping in touch.

Best autumn-viewing spots in Nami Island

After getting acquainted with Seoul, it’s time to hit the countryside! South Korea is best explored with a rental car – you can find out everything you need to know about driving in South Korea here.

There’s no better time to visit Nami Island than in autumn. It starts with the one-hour drive from Seoul through the beautiful countryside. A five-minute ferry ride then brings you to the half-moon-shaped isle, where you can spend a nice day walking along tree-lined pathways, relaxing in open fields, and keeping an eye out for animal encounters. In autumn, the metasequoia path is especially gorgeous.

Nami Island is also a venue for several cultural exhibits and art galleries, so you can spend some time popping in and out of these shops to look for unique souvenirs. And, the island is also the setting of a popular TV series, Winter Sonata, so expect lots of couples trying to recreate scenes from the series.

Getting there:

By car – Pick up your rental car in Seoul and set the GPS to navigate to Nami Island Ticket Office / Nami Island Dock (also try setting with this phone number – +82-31-580-8114 – but verify with another map). Nami Island is 63 KM away from Seoul, about an hour’s drive. You can park at the Namiseom Dock Parking Lot then ride the ferry into the island.

By public transportation – The nearest subway station to Nami Island is the Gapyeong station, which you can reach via the Gyeongchun Line and the ITX-Cheongchun. The Gyeongchun Line is cheaper while the ITX is faster. From Gapyeong station to Nami Island, it’s about 1.9 KM or 20 minutes on foot.

Subway from Seoul – Find your routes using the Seoul Metro’s website. You can just input your departure and arrival station, and it’ll give you detailed information – where to change trains, the total time and distance, as well as the cost. Here’s an example for how to get to Gapyeong from Myeong-dong – you’ll see that it takes 87 minutes, costs 2250 won, and you’ll have to transfer in Dongdaemun and Mangu. (You can also try an app like Subway Korea.)

By shuttle bus – This is another convenient way to get to Nami Island from Seoul. You can find more information on routes and fares, as well as book your tickets here.

By private car charter – If you don’t want to drive but would like the convenience of having your own car, get a private car charter. You can get to destinations around Seoul conveniently – including Nami Island, Petite France, DMZ, Everland, and more. It’s particularly useful if you want to cover a lot of destinations in one day, as you won’t need to worry about parking or navigating. This is a great option for big groups who can share the cost.

Essential information for your visit to Nami Island:

You can find ticket information and fees here

Best autumn-viewing spots in Sokcho and the Seoraksan National Park

From here on, we’re checking out of Seoul and heading deep into the countryside.

Mount Seoraksan in Sokcho City, Gangwon Province is the autumn destination for serious leaf-hunters. The national park is a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve in the east-central region of South Korea, and is the best place in the country to view autumn leaves.

The rocky landscape offers lots of scenic mountain peaks, waterfalls, and streams, and during autumn, the following sites are particularly beautiful: Cheonbuldong Valley, Osaek Mineral Spring, Osaek Jujeongol, and Baekdam Valley. Allot at least 2-3 full days to hike as much as possible of the many hiking trails. Most of the trails are marked and well-maintained with signs indicating the distances and directions in Korean and English. You can also pick up a free map from the National Park Visitor Center.

You can map out your hiking trails using this guide.

The national park is spread across 4 cities and counties: Sokcho, Inje, Goseong, and Yangyang. Of these, the best way to access the park is via Sokcho, which also happens to be a coastal city with good tourist facilities and great seafood dinner options. Here you can also enjoy wonderful evenings of post-hike hot springs dips (check out the Seorak Waterpia).

Getting there:

By car – Pick up your rental car in Seoul and set your accommodation’s phone number as a guide for your GPS. For general directions: from Seoul, take the Yeongdong Expressway, then the Hyeonnam IC, and exit at Hangyeryeong. This drive takes about 2-3 hours.

Here’s a list of phone numbers for park facilities that you can use for your GPS when getting around the area.

By public transportation – From Seoul, you can go by bus to Sokcho via the Dong-Seoul Terminal or the Seoul Express Bus Terminal. The ride from Seoul to Sokcho is about 3 hours, and from Sokcho you need to take a local bus to your accommodation or into the park.

Getting to the Dong-Seoul Bus Terminal in Seoul: Make your way to Gangbyeon station on Metro Line 2 (green line). Take exit #4 and cross the road to the Dong-Seoul Bus Terminal. Buy a ticket to Sokcho and get on the next departing bus.
Getting to Seoul Express Bus Terminal in Seoul: Make your way to the Express Bus Terminal metro station on Lines 3, 7, and 9. Take exit #1 or 2 and look for the ticket booth for Sokcho. The buses from this terminal to Sokcho are direct buses so if your accommodation in Seoul is close to Gangnam, this is your fastest option.

Getting around Sokcho and Seoraksan by local buses – From the Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal or Express Bus Terminal, go to the local bus stop. You can flag down bus 7 or 7-1 and show the driver your hotel and address (best if it’s in Korean characters) and he can let you off right outside your hotel. You can also use this bus to get to Seoraksan National Park, as well as back to the intercity and express bus terminals.

Where to stay in Sokcho:

It’s best to stay in Sokcho for at least a night or two.

★Travelers’ Picks: Stay at Casa Seorak Bed and Breakfast (rooms start at USD 120) or Goodstay Smile Resort (rooms start at USD 40).

Can you go to Seoraksan as a one-day trip from Seoul?

Technically, this is possible, but not recommended. There is so much to see in Seoraksan and the round-trip travel time alone will eat much of your time. However, if you only have one day and would really like to see Mt. Seorak, this day tour is your best option.

Best autumn-viewing spots in Jecheon

Jecheon is the perfect stop-over from Seoraksan to the next stop, Naejangsan National Park. It’s a great one-stop tourist spot where you can appreciate the colors of autumn and learn more about South Korea’s culture, arts, and architecture.

Go straight to the Cheongpung Lake Monorail and head up the mountain to get a great view of the surrounding countryside, or for the daredevils out there, go paragliding for that heady rush.

The Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex is also a great stop, as it gives you a glimpse of traditional Korean culture. You can also learn more about oriental medicine here.

If you have a bit more time, visit the neighboring Danyang, which is also a great place for nature-lovers, thanks to its meandering rivers and stunning mountain ranges.

Getting there:

By car – Use your hotel’s telephone number to set your GPS destination. If you’re doing this as a day trip, you can start your tour of Jecheon from the Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex (phone number +82-43-647-7003) or the Cheongpung Lake Monorail (+82-43-653-5121). Always make sure to double-check with another map if your GPS is going the right direction.

By public transportation – From Seoul, go to the Dong Seoul Bus Terminal or Seoul Express Bus Terminal and take a bus to Jecheon Intercity Bus Terminal or Jecheon Express Bus Terminal. Board the bus to Cheongpung (no. 90).

You can find more information on public transportation to and within Jecheon here.

Where to stay in Jecheon:

If you’re going to stay in the area for 1-2 nights, you can stay in a neighboring city, like Danyang, which is just about an hour’s drive from Cheongpung.

★Travelers’ Picks – Danyang: Us on Earth is an amazing hotel in the middle of Danyang’s gorgeous scenery (double rooms start at USD 44). Check out also the chic Factory G. Ssang (double rooms start at USD 35) whose industrial vibe gives that hipster feel and contrast to the surrounding natural landscape.

Best autumn-viewing spots in Naejangsan National Park

Last but not least, we come to the Naejangsan National Park in the province of Jeollanam-do. The name Naejang means “many secrets,” and true enough, the mountain is home to several majestic waterfalls, legendary temples, and — the obvious draw for any fall-lover — a tunnel of multicolored maple trees. You can explore the area through many hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. Don’t miss the nearby misty lake of Seryang-Je.

The Naejangsan National Park is also worth visiting on other seasons – azaleas and cherry blossoms bloom in spring, while different kinds of wildflowers bloom year-round.

Getting there:

By car – Set your GPS to go to the Jeongeup Naejangsan Special Tourist Zone (+82-63-539-5193). You can start your hikes from here.

By public transportation – From Seoul, you can ride the train from Yongsan Station to Baegyangsa Station or the bus to Jangseong. You can find more information on public transportation to Naejangsan here.

Where to stay in Jeonju:

The nearest city where you can find accommodations for your visit to the Naejangsan National Park is Jeonju. It houses the Jeonju Hanok Heritage Village where you can experience first-hand how it’s like to live in a traditional Korean house.

★Travelers’ Picks – Jeonju: For a taste of Korean traditional culture, stay at these hanok guest houses – Ginkgo Tree Guesthouse (double rooms start at USD 44), Hanok Story Guesthouse (family rooms start at USD 40).

Round-up – Best autumn-viewing tours from Seoul

While venturing to the countryside to see the gorgeous colors of fall on your own can be a really fun adventure, it does require a lot of time, planning, and preparation. If you want to skip all that and just focus on enjoying your holiday in South Korea, check out our top recommended autumn-viewing tours from Seoul. These are comfortable and convenient ways to enjoy autumn in South Korea for sure!

Naejangsan National Park autumn day trip from Seoul

A full day trip that brings you from Seoul to Naejangsan’s scenic hills and blazing autumn forest trails. Tours run from 25 October to 15 November 2019.

Seoraksan National Park day tour from Seoul

See red and gold on this day tour from Seoul to Seoraksan, famous for its crimson leaves. Tours run from 16 October 2019.

Nami Island and Petite France tour

Combine your trip to Nami Island with a visit to Petite France, a charming French-inspired theme park – a combo that’s sure to give you Instagrammable spots for days. The tours are available year-round, but to catch the fall foliage in Nami, schedule your trip from the start of November to mid-December.

Map – South Korea’s best autumn destinations

Here’s a Google map showing all the destinations in this autumn in South Korea itinerary.

You can also download a PDF guide here which you can easily follow while you book your trip.

South Korea’s Fall Foliage Forecast for 2019

Here’s the foliage forecast for autumn in South Korea for 2019 from Kweather.

Mountain	First appearance	Peak
Seoraksan National Park	September 27	October 16
Odaesan National Park	October 1	October 14
Chiaksan National Park	October 8	October 23
Jirisan National Park	October 11	October 22
Woraksan National Park	October 12	October 25
Bukhansan National Park	October 14	October 29
Hallasan National Park	October 15	October 30
Palgongsan Natural Park	October 18	October 26
Gyeryongsan National Park	October 19	October 29
Naejangsan National Park	October 17	November 3
Mudeungsan National Park	October 24	November 7