The once-verdant landscape transforms into near-neon hues in a South Korea autumn—jazzy yellows and shocking oranges, swaggering reds that make your heads pleasantly dizzy.
Now we’ve been on a seasonal kick lately: asking our fellow travel blogger friends about their top autumn travel destinations, and finding the best spots to experience autumn in Korea.
So in our expertise, we just called it: this fall in Korea, literally, won at life. It may just be better than Spring in Korea.
Be it the scent of warm sugary cinnamon stuffed pancakes (hotteok) that start to fill the air this time of year, the harvest goldmine of apples, tangerines, and persimmons, or the magnificent color story spanning the entire country, Fall in Korea is incredible.
There’s a reason going hiking during fall foliage is on the South Korea Bucket List. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Let the photos speak for themselves!
🍂 Simplify your travel arrangements, with this tour—a perfect day trip for experiencing several places during autumn in Korea.
Before You Go
- Download the Korean Naver app and use the Seoul Metro website to plan out directions
- Read our guide on how to score the cheapest flights
- Book your flight to Korea
- Arrange your rental car or airport pickup
- Search for discounted hotel stay or vacation rental
- Protect your travel plans with trip insurance
- Check phone plan for international data or get unlimited Data SIM cards for Korea
- Review our carry-on packing list
- Learn everything you need to know about traveling through airport security
- Pack the right travel cameras and comfortable travel clothes
Here are 30 photos that prove, unequivocally, how badass the South Korea autumn really is.
These were all taken on our DJI Phantom, Canon G7X, and Canon Rebel, but we have since upgraded to the Canon 80D and are in love with it. Make sure to check out our traveling with a drone and essential cameras for every traveler guides for more info.
The following pictures were taken at Daedunsan Mountain, Nami Island, the Secret Garden at Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul, and in South Korea.
For more information about each South Korea autumn destination, check out our travel guide for the Top Spots to Enjoy Autumn in Korea.
1. Fall in Korea brings the landscape to life, like here at the Daedunsan Provincial Park
Be sure to check out our complete Daedunsan guide.
2. Vibrant greens transform into South Korea autumn colors
Fall in Korea displays such a gorgeous array of shades of leaves!
3. Like reds
This was taken at Nami Island, one of our must-see spots for autumn in Korea.
4. And super reds
These leaves at the top of Namsan Mountain in Seoul are a spectacular display of the hues of South Korea autumn.
5. And SUPER DUPER reds
Daedunsan is seriously a magical place to experience fall in Korea.
6. And don’t forget the yellows
Don’t miss venturing to one of Seoul’s palaces to experience fall in Korea. It’s also the perfect time and location to rent hanbok in Seoul (the traditional Korean dress) for a photoshoot!
7. Like these spectacular gingko biloba trees
Gingko biloba trees dot the streets of Seoul in autumn and the sight is magical.
8. Or the vibrant orange hues
Like these magnificent orange shades cascading up Daedunsan during fall in Korea.
9. Like here at Daedunsan’s cloud bridge
The Korea autumn season is SERVING.
10. (A perfect photo op, btw)
Don’t miss a chance to snap a pic on the Cloud Bridge at Daedunsan while surrounded by the colors of fall in Korea.
11. Or its even higher exposed staircase
Don’t look down! Daedunsan is quite high but it sure is a beautiful place to spend October in Korea to see the fall colors!
12. And if you’re lazy, you can take the scenic cable car
Gaze down at the mesmerizing South Korea autumn colors as you make your way to Daedunsan by cable car.
13. After all, the South Korea autumn leaves look just as magnificent from the sky
October in Korea is best spent at Daedunsan, for sure!
14. As they do on the ground
Nami Island serving up Gingko Biloba trees galore during fall in Korea.
15. Or on the tree
Seoul in autumn is magical at its palaces.
16. (Or many trees)
Nami Island, how we love spending fall in Korea with you!
Changdeokgung is absolutely gorgeous during fall in Korea!
18.With colors popping against the palace architecture
Take several moments to pause and appreciate the beauty of Seoul in autumn while exploring the Secret Garden of Changdeokgung.
19. You could just get lost in the Seoul autumn beauty
I could just take in the beauty of Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden all day, every day.
20. Or find someone else to get lost with
The Secret Garden in Changdeokgung is one of the best places to experience autumn in Seoul for a date.
21. To feel that warm South Korea autumn sunlight
Seoul in autumn is so dreamy.
22. Beneath a clear blue fall sky
This is the zipline you can take to get to Nami Island to experience fall in Korea! We just took the ferry though.
23. Wandering though some eulalia grass fields
This Eulalia grass is iconic of Jeju Island in the fall.
24. Or framed by some shockingly yellow trees
Nami Island is an extremely popular place to witness the Korea fall.
25. You could discover the beautiful traditional architecture at Changdeokgung Palace
Pick my jaw up off the ground!
26. With its Secret Garden
What a dream to be in Seoul in autumn!
27. Holding an impressive 26,000+ trees
You could certainly take several days to explore Changdeokgung and its Secret Garden, if you had the time.
28. Some with leaves bigger than your face
29. Others perfect for twirling around
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Hanbok: The Art of Korean Clothing |
Pink Silver Hanbok Korean Dress |
Pink Hanbok Korean Dress |
Green & Red Hanbok Korean Dress |
30. And the rest that just plain win at life
Rent hanbok in Seoul, the traditional Korean dress, for yourself!
Contents
When is Autumn in Korea?
Autumn in Korea spans the months of September to November.
Korea in September is still quite summery and only at the end of the month begins to usher in the change to autumn season in Korea.
Note on September Korea weather: September Korea weather can be quite hot and muggy initially, with the weather cooling down towards the end of the month, so if you’re traveling during this time, pay close attention to the weather changes so you can know what kinds of clothing you should pack.
October and November will definitely cool down and become less humid as the Korea autumn takes over.
Changing Autumn Leaves in Korea
The bulk of the color change of the leaves during fall season in Korea is concentrated in the months of October and November.
The best time to see autumn leaves in Korea varies based on where you are in the country. However the colorful autumn leaves in Korea start emerging first in the North, and gradually move down South, so be sure to plan your travel accordingly.
In general, the most prominent autumn month in Korea is October, with most of our sites changing color during the mid and latter parts of this month.
Autumn Wear in Korea: What Clothes to Pack
As the weather cools throughout the months of October and November, be sure to bring appropriate autumn wear to Korea.
During the middle of the day the sun can still bring some warmth, so an autumn outfit in Korea might include a light sweater and removable items such as a scarf and beanie.
As the day wears off the nights will get even cooler, so be sure to bring a jacket that you can throw on as part of your autumn outfit in Korea.
For women, I love this North Face fall jacket, or this more affordable option.
For men, Ben loves this Columbia TurboDown Hooded fall jacket, or this more affordable option.
We’d also recommend taking advantage of the cooler weather to try out renting hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, and taking pictures around the autumn sights!
Stylish Autumn Fashion in Korea
If you’re looking to dress trendier for your travel, autumn fashion in Korea is very much defined by chunky knits, oversized wool coats, and mid-length pea coats for women or tailored trench coats for men.
Anatomie makes stylish, lightweight travel pants we loved for Korea in autumn, and you can see our in-depth review of their travel clothes here.
Fall in Korea is kicking butt and taking names. With sassy “look-at-me!” colors spread across its magnificent body, South Korea has proven itself a champ on the autumn stage. Truly, the splendor of the South Korea autumn rivals that of its beauty in summer, spring, and fall.
Summer
Perhaps you’ll seek seclusion at the Hidden Jeju Beach, the stunning Mount Sangbansan views of Sagye Beach, or maybe you’d prefer the more accessible Iho Beach.
You might choose to:
- climb the iconic Sunrise Peak
- stay at affordable Sunrise Peak accommodation
- eat at the nearby Willala Fish & Chips
- or drink Jeju craft beer at a brewery
Spring
We’ve selected our top 40 photos to convince you spring in Korea is also a magical time to visit.
Jeju Island in spring comes to life with stunning canola fields and Jeju cherry blossoms.
Spring is also a gorgeous time to explore Insadong, as the temples will be covered with lanterns and cherry blossoms.
Winter
Even on Jeju Island, the Hawaii of Korea, where we experienced a wild Jeju Island winter.
Winter is also the perfect time to visit Hallasan Mountain, the tallest mountain in Korea and an icon of Jeju Island.
Still, our years living in South Korea have shown that the most magical time is fall in Korea.
From the fantastic bursts of color to palace-frolicking, mountain-climbing and tangerine picking—there’s no shortage of mesmerizing activities to enjoy the amazing season of fall in Korea.
More Korea Travel Posts
Best Korean Food Dishes to Try in South Korea
Experience the best in Korean cuisine with our Korean food guide.
The Essential Guide to Everland Korea
Learn everything you need to know about visiting South Korea’s largest theme park.
O’Sullloc Tea Museum & Green Tea Fields
A thorough guide into the verdant green tea fields and tea museum on Jeju Island in South Korea.
A Day of Fun While Teaching English Abroad in Korea
Water Fun Day at the Korean private school (hagwon) we taught at, with some insight into what it’s like to teach English in Korea.
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Know something that could rival fall in South Korea?
Let us know in a comment below!