When many people think of traveling to Korea, they immediately think of shopping, shopping, shopping, kimchi, kimchi, kimchi, right? But actually, visiting Korea in autumn and winter offers tons of interesting activities you can add to your itinerary. Think romantic ginkgo viewing, foliage tours, and more. Last time we checked out ginkgo spots—this edition of Travel Cafe will take you to discover the best places for Korea’s autumn foliage and ginkgo viewing. We’ll also explore popular winter entertainment activities among Koreans!
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Korea’s Autumn Foliage Forecast
It’s that time of year again for foliage viewing, but with Korea being so vast, where should you go? Don’t worry—we’ve prepared a foliage forecast for you, along with some recommended spots. In Korea, foliage usually starts turning red from late September, peaking from mid to late October. Nearly the entire country gets blanketed in reds and golds. With nature putting on such a spectacular show, shouldn’t you grab your camera and head to Korea to capture the beauty? (Forecast based on historical data, but subject to actual weather conditions.)
△Quick tip: The “golden foliage peak” refers to the period when the foliage is at its most vibrant.
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Five Must-Do Experiences in Korea This Autumn and Winter
Korea’s Autumn Foliage & Ginkgo Viewing
Korea’s foliage season runs from late September through mid-November. Give yourself a different kind of autumn this year. With its clearly defined seasons, Korea is now in full fall splendor. Create your very own Korean drama-worthy scenes with your loved ones. Whether you’re heading to famous foliage spots like Seoraksan National Park or Naejangsan National Park, or hitting up places like Deoksugung Palace and Nami Island where you can enjoy both ginkgo and foliage, the views will leave you in awe.
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Recommended Hotspots for Foliage Viewing
Seoraksan National Park (Foliage time: mid-October to early November)
Korea’s northernmost national park boasts countless scenic wonders, with its mountain and valley landscapes being absolutely breathtaking. It’s the first place in Korea where foliage starts to turn red, usually from late September. Starting from the mountaintop and moving downhill, the leaves gradually change color. By mid-October, the foliage peaks, transforming the entire mountain into a sea of vibrant red.
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Deoksugung Palace (Foliage time: mid-October to mid-November)
Enjoy both foliage and ginkgo in one spot. Deoksugung’s stone wall path is recognized by Seoul locals as one of the most beautiful places for a stroll and is famously popular as a romantic date route. In late autumn, the palace is lined with ginkgo trees, their golden leaves mixing with the red foliage. It’s said that just visiting this place will leave you with unforgettable romantic memories.
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Nami Island (Foliage time: mid-October to mid-November)
A perennial favorite Korean drama filming location. In early autumn, the island’s leaves gradually turn red, while lines of ginkgo trees form a golden tunnel—a fairytale-like escape that’s truly unforgettable.
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Gyeongsangbuk-do Jongwangsan National Park (Foliage time: mid-October to mid-November)
Jongwangsan features majestic rocky peaks, valleys, and waterfalls that complement one another beautifully. With foliage adding to the scenery, walking along the trails while listening to the sound of flowing water, taking in the views, and breathing in the fresh forest air is an absolute delight. Among the routes, the Jongwang Stream Trail is the most popular due to its gentle slope. Especially at dawn when the mist rises, the foggy atmosphere is simply magical.
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Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple
Dating back to Korea’s Silla Dynasty in the 8th century, Bulguksa Temple is not only a classic representation of Silla architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but its autumn foliage is also a must-see spot in Korea. Strolling through the serene temple grounds while admiring the red leaves and ancient buildings adds even more atmosphere to the experience.
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Naejangsan National Park (Foliage time: late October to mid-November)
South Korea’s premier mountain for autumn foliage, Naejangsan National Park, boasts famous sites such as Dodeok Waterfall, Geumsa Waterfall, Baekyangsa Temple, and Naejangsa Temple. During the foliage season, the approximately 500-meter mountain path from the hiking entrance is adorned with vibrant red maple leaves that resemble clusters of red agate. Naejangsan also features a crimson corridor covered in autumn leaves, making it an undisputed destination for leaf-peeping.
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Strawberry picking
Korean strawberries are big, sweet, and winter is their peak season—the best time to enjoy them. Many people are truly surprised by how large Korean strawberries can grow when they see them for the first time. Don’t assume that just because they’re big and beautiful, they aren’t delicious—on the contrary, they’re super sweet too~ So for strawberry lovers, you can choose places that include visits to strawberry farms. Not only will you get to enjoy the rustic charm, but you’ll also get to feast on these juicy delights XD
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Romantic lantern festival
Those looking for a romantic Christmas or New Year’s trip might want to consider a short getaway to Korea. As Christmas approaches, the streets of Seoul and Busan begin to light up with festive decorations, and many amusement parks, such as Everland and Lotte World, also offer limited-time seasonal light displays. Their extravagance and beauty are definitely on par with Japan’s~
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Winter festivals
In Korea’s winter, there are many festivals, including snow sculptures, ice pillar exhibitions, hiking events, igloo cafes, snowflake slides, and starlight festivals…, transforming the natural white snow into a magical world like Frozen~. There’s alsoanother highly recommended experience: ice fishing. This isn’t just a touristy gimmick—locals are equally enthusiastic about it. Whether it’s fishing through thick ice or catching mountain fish by hand in icy rivers, once you’ve caught your fish, experts are on hand to prepare it as sashimi or other fish dishes, so you can enjoy the fresh, tender flavors right away!
Classic Korean winter festivals
| Festival name | Location | Dates |
|
Daegwallyeong Snowflake Festival |
Gangwon Province | February |
|
Taebaeksan Snowflake Festival |
Gangwon Province |
Mid-January to mid-February |
|
Pyeongchang Trout Festival |
Gangwon Province |
Mid-December to end of February |
|
Anseong Icefish Festival |
Gyeonggi Province |
Mid-December to end of February |
|
Boseong Tea Garden Light Festival |
Jeollanam-do |
Mid-December to mid-January |
| Famous Seven Peaks Mountain Fountain Ice Festival | South Chungcheong Province | Late December to mid-February |
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Ski resorts
Remember how excited everyone was a few years ago when Taiwan unexpectedly got snow in winter, and people rushed to see it? For Taiwanese who usually have to climb high mountains just to catch a glimpse of snow, the novelty and appeal of skiing are incredibly strong~ So for those planning to visit Korea this winter, consider adding ski resorts to your itinerary to experience fun that you can’t have back in Taiwan. Even if you don’t ski, there are plenty of ice activities to enjoy, such as building snowmen, sledding, having snowball fights, and more.
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