Halloween + autumn foliage + shopping season all in one – 5 must-visit destinations this fall

▲ South Korea’s autumn foliage season is expected to begin on September 28 this year. (Photo / Provided by the Korea Tourism Organization)

Reported by Chen Ruizhong / Taipei

The long-debated seven-day national labor holiday has been delayed due to the pace of legislative proceedings, and is now estimated to be addressed no earlier than the end of November. As a result, the five-day national holiday at the end of the year may still be enjoyed by workers nationwide. For travelers looking to seize the opportunity, destinations such as Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong are all great choices.

The five potential national holidays that workers may enjoy before the end of this year are: September 28 (Wednesday), Confucius’ Birthday; October 25 (Tuesday), Retrocession Day; October 31 (Monday), Chiang Kai-shek’s Birthday; November 12 (Saturday), Sun Yat-sen’s Birthday; and December 25 (Sunday), Constitution Day. Coupled with the existing Double Ten National Day holiday, the public can plan for a 3 to 5-day, or even longer, consecutive vacation by taking leave and utilizing weekends, making it ideal for travel arrangements.

In Asia’s short-haul destinations, autumn foliage viewing and hot spring bathing remain the top choices for the fall and winter seasons. Japan is expected to officially announce its autumn foliage forecast in October, but it is estimated that from early October to mid-November, various regions will successively showcase stunning fall colors. Meanwhile, South Korea is projected to enter its foliage season on September 29, lasting until mid-November, and with a major shopping festival in October, it is also a popular choice for many travelers.

▲ Tokyo Disneyland begins a series of themed decorations ahead of every Halloween. (Photo / Taken by reporter Chen Ruizhong)

2016 Autumn Travel Guide
[Japan]
Besides classic autumn activities such as foliage viewing, ginkgo appreciation, and hot spring bathing, many port cities near Japan’s seas also offer plump, seasonal seafood in the fall. For Halloween in October, theme parks including Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Osaka will launch large-scale themed events; from October 8 to November 6, the triennial Setouchi Triennale art festival will also take place. However, travel agents also remind that popular foliage spots in Japan can get very crowded, so it’s advisable to double-check flight and hotel availability.

[South Korea]
According to data released by the Korea Tourism Organization, this year’s Seoraksan Mountain is expected to see its first foliage on September 29, with the central region likely to experience it from September 29 to October 21, and the southern part from October 12 to 24. The peak foliage period generally occurs about two weeks after the initial color change, which is convenient for travelers planning their foliage trips. For those who love shopping, from October 1 to October 31, all of South Korea will kick off its biggest annual sales event — the “Korea Grand Sale” — perfect for retail therapy.

▲ A famed foliage spot in Ishikawa Prefecture, Komatsu City, Japan: “Nata-dera Temple.” (Photo / Taken by reporter Tsai Wenjun)

[Hong Kong & Macau]
Starting from late September, Hong Kong launches a month-long Halloween celebration. Aside from the “Halloween Ghost Train” already being set up on the Taipei MRT, Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong will also host various Halloween-themed activities. For food lovers, autumn is also the best time to visit Hong Kong for fresh hairy crabs. Additionally, Macau, known for its luxury hotels, welcomes the newly opened Parisian Macao in September, offering visitors a fresh experience.

▲ Hong Kong Disneyland has rolled out a series of Halloween-themed activities. (Photo / Taken by reporter Ji Xiangru)

[North America]
October is also the peak season for foliage viewing in North America, but travel itineraries usually span 8–10 days, requiring more leave days. However, thanks to favorable exchange rates and stable flight availability, tour packages to North America this year are seeing price drops of around 2,000 to 5,000 yuan compared to previous years, making it still highly appealing.

[Australia]
Located in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia and New Zealand enter their peak flower-blooming season in October, with pleasant weather suitable for travel. Itineraries of 6–9 days help reduce the number of leave days needed. Travelers can enjoy a variety of blooms including tulips, cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, and jacaranda flowers. However, as it is the high travel season, it’s essential to book flights and accommodations in advance.