If you’re wondering when the best time to visit Korea is, I honestly have to say that it’s autumn. Once you see these beautiful Korean autumn leaves pictures, I think you’ll understand why. After a long, hot, green summer, autumn not only brings with it cool weather with clear skies, but also a change in colours that add a flash of brilliance before the drab winter months.
Verdant greens slowly melt into flickering yellows, dazzling golds, gooey oranges, and fiery reds over the autumn months, setting forests aflame with sunset hues that drop slowly from the tree tops to the ground below.
I hope this collection of Korean autumn leaves pictures inspires you to visit during this lovely season and lets you appreciate the majestic beauty of this fleeting season in the Land of the Morning Calm.
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My Favourite Korean Autumn Leaves Pictures
I want to start with my top 3 Korean autumn leaves pictures before showing you the rest, because these have created some of the most memorable moments in my time living in Korea.
1: Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden, Seoul
Changdeokgung Palace is an incredible place to visit in Seoul for people who want the chance to explore a traditional palace, dress up in Korean hanbok (traditional clothes), and see lots of lovely nature.
If you’re lucky, you can also get access to the Secret Garden, which is restricted to a small number of guided tours each day. These royal gardens, which were kept exclusively for the royal family to unwind and relax in, offer a gorgeous glimpse into Korean royal life and display timeless sights of natural wonders.
2: Nami Island, Gapyeong
One of the must-see places in Korea at any time of year, Nami Island really comes alive in autumn due to its abundance of natural beauty and tree-lined streets that create the perfect areas to take sweeping shots of autumn colours.
If you want to see more pictures of Nami Island, check out my Transport Guide For Nami Island. You’ll see a few more Korean autumn leaves pictures from Nami Island in that article, too.
3: Naejangsan National Park
Naejangsan National Park in the south-west of Korea is one of the must-see destinations for Korean autumn leaves. This small but stunning national park is packed with photogenic spots, such as the Maple Tree Road, Naejangsa Temple, Uhwajeong Pavilion, and the observatory at the top of the mountain.
You’ll probably recognise some of these views from iconic Korean autumn leaves pictures. If you want to see more, check out my article all about Visiting Naejangsan In Autumn.
If you want to know more about where and how to see fall foliage in Korea, be sure to check out my detailed guide to Autumn Leaves In Korea.
Please note: The majority of these pictures are all photos I’ve taken during my time living in Korea. A few are ‘borrowed’ from free photo sharing sites.
Planning to visit Korea? These travel essentials will help you plan your trip, get the best deals, and save you time and money before and during your Korean adventure.
Visas & K-ETA: Some travellers to Korea need a Tourist Visa, but most can travel with a Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA). Currently 22 Countries don’t need either one.
How To Stay Connected: Pre-order a Korean Sim Card or a WiFi Router to collect on-arrival at Incheon Airport (desks open 24-hours). Alternatively, download a Korean eSIM for you travels.
Where To Stay: For Seoul, I recommend Myeongdong (convenient), Hongdae (cool culture) or Gangnam (shopping). For Busan, Haeundae (Beach) or Seomyeon (Downtown).
Incheon Airport To Seoul: Take the Airport Express (AREX) to Seoul Station or a Limo Bus across Seoul. Book an Incheon Airport Private Transfer and relax to or from the airport.
Korean Tour Operators: Tour companies that have a big presence in Korea include Klook, Trazy, Viator, and Get Your Guide. These sites offer discounted entry tickets for top attractions.
Seoul City Passes: Visit Seoul’s top attractions for free with a Discover Seoul Pass or Go City Seoul Pass. These passes are great for families and couples visiting Seoul – you can save lots.
How To Get Around: For public transport, grab a T-Money Card. Save money on Korea’s high speed trains with a Korea Rail Pass. To see more of Korea, there are many Rental Car Options.
Travel Money: Use money exchanges near Myeongdong and Hongdae subway stations for the best exchange rates. Order a Wise Card or WOWPASS to pay by card across Korea.
Flights To Korea: I use flight comparison sites such as Expedia and Skyscanner to find the best flights to Korea from any country. Air Asia is a good option for budget flights from Asia.
How To Learn Korean: The language course from 90 Day Korean or Korean Class 101 both have well-structured lessons and lots of useful resources to help you learn Korean.
Seoul Autumn Leaves Pictures
If you want to see autumn leaves in Seoul, then you’re in luck. Seoul is a very leafy city with lots of natural beauty to check out throughout the year, especially in autumn. Here’s some of the sights you can see in Seoul.
There are plenty of other places to check out autumn leaves in Seoul, such as Seoul Forest, along the Han River, Gwanaksan Mountain, Bukhansan National Park and Seoul National Cemetery.
Now, here’s a whole load of Korean autumn leaves pictures from the rest of Korea.
Korean Foliage Pictures From National Parks
Although there are lots of nice places to see autumn leaves in Seoul, the best places are outside of the capital, amongst the forests, mountains, and parks that Korea is packed full of.
If you’re visiting Korea in autumn, be sure to book a few trips out of the cities for the best views. Here are some of my personal favourite Korean autumn leaves pictures, but there are a lot, lot more that I haven’t covered here.
For info about how to get to the national parks, check out my guide about How To Go Hiking In Korea.
Other Autumn Sights To See In Korea
There’s not just autumn leaves to see during autumn, it’s also the best time to see these tall reeds, known as silver grass. Some great locations for this include Mindungsan (above), Haneul Park in Seoul, Seoul Forest, and along the shores of many rivers in Korea.
Finally, here are some pictures from the city I live in, Daejeon. Like many big Korean cities, Daejeon has lots of parks, tree-lined streets, and places to see autumn leaves. Daejeon is blessed with many surrounding mountains and Gyeryongsan National Park, too.
Take a look at these final Korean autumn leaves pictures and maybe you’ll understand why I enjoy living in Daejeon.
Here’s one final image from autumn that might surprise you…
This was taken in November 2017, just a few days after the picture above of the yellow ginkgo leaves. Yes, you can see snow during autumn in Korea.
It doesn’t happen often, but it makes a very surprising sight to see autumn leaves one day and then white blankets over everything the next.
Want To Know More About Autumn In Korea?
Autumn is a fantastic time to visit and if you want to take Korean autumn leaves pictures like these yourself, then I’d definitely recommend visiting during this season.
When: Autumn in Korea runs from September until early November. Peak autumn leaves season starts in mid-October (Seoul area) and ends in early November (Jeju / south coast).
Where: Korea is mostly mountainous and has dozens of amazing spots to see autumn leaves in national parks, as well as city parks and areas of natural beauty. Some of the best are Nami Island, Seoraksan National Park, Seoul’s royal palaces, Jirisan National Park and Asan Ginkgo Tree Road.
How: In Seoul and other cities, you can travel to autumn leaves sites on public transport. For Nami Island, you can take a day trip there from Seoul. For the national parks and other locations, you can book day trips from reputable tour companies such as Klook and Trazy.
October: Visit Korea in October for the best autumn leaves, fun festivals, delicious fresh foods, and great weather. This is my favourite month to travel in Korea.
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