South Korea Fall Foliage Guide 2025: Forecast & Best Places
Autumn is widely regarded as one of the best times to start your journey through South Korea. With pleasant temperatures ideal for outdoor adventures, it's also the perfect season to witness the country's stunning fall colors - fiery foliage wildly framing rugged mountains and golden ginkgo leaves dramatically contrasting against the red walls of ancient palaces. And here is your ultimate fall foliage guide to South Korea to make the most of your autumn trip to Korea, paired with its vibrant autumn leaves.
Best Time for Fall Foliage in Korea
A little bit earlier than its neighbor Japan, the best time for fall foliage viewing in Korea runs from early October to early November, when almost the whole country is dotted with gold and ruby hues.
Northern mountain parks, like Seoraksan, are also the earliest places to catch the first fall colors around late September, while Jeju Island in the south boasts the last fiery branch till early December.
South Korea Fall Foliage 2025 Forecast Map
South Korea's danpung (autumn leaves) season lasts from late September to early December, much longer than the spring cherry blossoms, yet the autumn hue starts from north to south. The first foliage this year is still the northmost Seoraksan Mountain, continuing Seoul's Bukhansan in mid-October. Followed by Busan around late October, till the southernmost Jeju.
Based on last year's data, we provide the South Korea fall foliage forecast map of 2025 for your reference. We will update the latest data as the official autumn leaves announcement is published.
South Korea Autumn Leaves Forecast Map 2025
Weather of Autumn Leaves Season in Korea
The weather during the fall foliage season in Korea is warm and mild, with plenty of sunshine and a pleasant daytime temperature ranging from 15 to 21℃, but it usually drops below 10℃ after sunset, making layered clothing a necessity when traveling to South Korea in autumn.
The fine dust (yellow dust) is another thing you might encounter during your fall sightseeing in Korea, so preparing some masks in your bag is also recommended.
7 DAYS 
14 DAYS 
9 DAYS 
9 DAYS Best Fall Foliage Spots in South Korea
Best Places for Autumn Leaves in & Around Seoul
The capital city of Seoul offers various fall foliage viewing experiences, from modern parks foliage hopping to the royal garden hidden in the autumn hues.
The easy arrival Namsan Park is usually the most popular spot, with a leisurely cable car ride to capture the iconic N Seoul Tower surrounded by layers of fall colors. For some impressive contrast with ancient beauty, never miss the Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace, which is worth a visit in hanbok for your ideal memory photos.
The K-drama filming location of Nami Island offers a tranquil tree-lined street. For more adventure choices, head to mountainous areas like Bukhansan National Park to embrace the wild nature with a hike, or a little further north to witness Seoraksan Mountain's stunning waterfalls among gold and red.
Waterfall Among the Autumn Leaves
Top Spots to Capture Busan's Fall Colors & Beyond
Coastal Busan brings more hiking experiences to enjoy its autumn colors, best for nature lovers to reconnect with their romantic autumn day trips with temples and picturesque forests.
Naejangsan, a must-see with solemn temples, lakes, and fiery maple tunnels covering the slope. Jirisan, a historic national park famous for its amber-tinged maple trees, is the biggest one with abundant biodiversity you can encounter.
One of the best fall foliage places to meet harmony with ancient buildings in Busan is the Beomeosa Temple, as well as an ideal escape from the busy city life. To extend your cultural exploration, the nearby Gyeongju is also a popular drop by, where you can capture the classic contrast of the white stairs of Bulguksa Temple (one of the UNESCO Sites in Korea) against the ruby maple.
Naejangsan Lake in Fall
Places to See Fall Foliage on Jeju Island
Known as the "Hawaii in Korea", autumn leaves in Jeju are usually delayed but upcoming with an abundance of flowers and harvest tangerines, making unique layers of fall colors in this Island of the Gods.
Undoubtedly, Hallasan is the best place to see fall foliage in Jeju. Even without a full hike to the summit, you will be surprised by its autumn splendor around the base, where leaves and canopy burst in flames of ruby and gold.
Hanging mandarins await harvest. Join the orange pickers and take a juicy bite of their refreshingly sweet flesh. Another color you can find here is the silver grass, with layers of grey to brown under the sun, filling the crater and waving in the wind. And muhly grass, in its bright pink, adds a unique touch to your autumn sightseeing.
Autumn Silver Grass
What Else to Do While Admiring the Fall Colors
A Hanbok Stroll With Fall Foliage
If you are looking for an immersive experience to get a glimpse of Korean culture, or just some ideal Instagram photos, a simple and popular way is to don a traditional hanbok and its matching makeup. Especially when visiting palaces or hanok villages, a leisurely stroll along the leafy street or a relaxing rest under the trees and eaves will transport you to ancient times or the K-drama setting of Dae Jang Geum.
Enjoy Your Autumn Mountain Hike
As a destination with huge mountainous areas, you may have noticed that there are enough reserves of national parks in South Korea, from Seoraksan to Hallasan, so mountain hiking is always a popular way to enjoy the autumn colours. If you are not in a hurry, don't forget your blankets and baskets for an autumn picnic with autumnal views of the whole city, or even a camping tent for your rest and a comfortable pace to explore those stunning waterfalls, seasonal flora, and curious fauna.
Autumn Leaves Around the Walkway
Take Part in the Korean Autumn Festivals
Though there are no exact fall foliage festivals celebrated in Korea, the abundance of autumn festivals here still creates the perfect atmosphere. You can enjoy the waves of pink blankets at the Hueree Pink Muhly Festival during your fall colors tour on Jeju Island, or more autumn blossoms at the Taean Autumn Flower Expo. The fireworks festivals in Seoul and Busan are also surprising nighttime activities after your daytime fall foliage viewing, paired with music and light shows for your memorable autumn evening.
Sample Itinerary to Enjoy Korea's Autumn Leaves
For further inspiration, here is a 10-day autumn itinerary to take in most of Korea's fall colours, from modern Seoul to tranquil Jeju Island, with cultural and hiking adventures to experience each side of the country.
Day | Things to Do | Overnight |
Day 1 - 3 | Seoul city tour with palaces, Hanok village, Namsan Park & Bukhansan | Seoul |
Day 4 | Nami Island day trip & & Gangchon Rail Park | Sokcho |
Day 5 | Seoraksan National Park | Seoul |
Day 6 - 7 | Busan adventure & UNESCO Sites in Gyeongju | Busan |
Day 8 - 9 | Beach & fall colors sightseeing on Jeju Island | Jeju |
Day 10 | Departure South Korea - End of Trip | - |
Day 1-3 Seoul Exploration
Begin with the capital city exploration at your leisurely pace, capture the iconic N Seoul Tower through the golden branches, and visit those ancient palaces dotted by crimson foliage. Enjoy some seasonal snacks at Myeongdong, then head to one of the Hanok villages with your ideal hanbok outfit. If possible, leave one day for the red-covered Bukhansan, where you can have a panoramic view of the whole city.
Day 4 Chuncheon Day Trip With Nami Island & Gangchon Rail Park
West to Chuncheon for some tranquil natural beauty. Enjoy the stroll beneath ginkgo-lined avenues or Maple Tree Lane on Nami Island, and try to find out those filming locations for the popular K-dramas, while the nearby Gangchon Rail Park offers another way to enjoy the autumn hues by its special rail bike. Continue to Sokcho for your next-day preparation.
Day 5 Seoraksan National Park
Change into comfortable shoes for the hours of walking ahead. Follow the trails with changing color landscapes from rocky mountains to winding streams, red canopies to clear waterfalls, and ancient temples and statues to stop off at. Best of all, if you don't feel like walking, just take the cable cars instead of the hard work.
Fall Colors in Seoraksan National Park
Day 6-7 Casual Busan & Historic Gyeongju
Restart from Seoul to the next stop of Busan, where you can continue your national park collection to embrace the splendid nature, or head to some spots for a temple stay experience, sample the detailed Korean culture in meditation while admiring the scenic beauty of foliage, temple and mountain. Don't forget the colorful Gamcheon Culture Village, which offers a different flavor among the surrounding autumn trees.
Followed by a day trip to Gyeongju, the opening museum famous for its balance between historic buildings and autumn hues. Get ready for your camera to capture some classic fall scenery of Korea - Bulguksa temple against the maple leaves and the stunning reflections of Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond.
Day 8-9 Fall Colors on Jeju Island
About 1 hour's flight away is Jeju Island, with more autumn colors awaiting your discovery. Enjoy the beach and waves with sweets and coffee, find the crater filled with waving sliver grass and the garden bustling with amazing pink muhly. And finally, let the Hallasan sunset end your journey with the last flame of the fiery branches of maple and sycamore.
Fall Foliage Season Travel Tips in Korea
Book in Advance
While prices and crowds are more manageable than during the peak summer season, the popularity of fall foliage still draws many visitors - both local and international. Accommodations near major attractions, as well as flights and trains, can quickly fill up. To avoid potential inconveniences, early planning and booking are highly recommended.
Packing in Layers & Preparing for the Hike
Keep a coat in your bag or tie it around your waist to stay warm during chilly mornings, evenings, and breezy summits while tackling popular hiking trails. Sneakers can be the best for your Korean sightseeing, and if you plan to do a lot of hiking, a pair of durable walking shoes is also a smart choice.
Autumn Hike in South Korea
Enjoy the Fall Colors in Kore With Odynovo
From the delicate city decorations to the wild branches that color the forest and cover the rocks, Korea's fall foliage is truly a seasonal highlight. Whether you prefer a hanbok experience that immerses you in tradition and culture beneath the autumn hues, or a carefree hike through the colorful mountains, feel free to contact us to plan your perfect autumn trip to South Korea.
Quick Question
Related Posts You May Like
What Our Clients Say
Explore the latest verified reviews of Odynovo's travel services on Tripadvisor, Google, Trustpilot, Product Review and more trusted platforms.
SUBSCRIBE TO WIN A FREE TOUR
Subscribe to our newsletter for a chance to win a free 7-day tour to India! And more insider travel news, exclusive offers, and inspiration will be sent straight to your inbox. Check our previous newsletters and get some sparks.