Must Visit Places in Seoul During Autumn

If you are visiting Seoul during the Autumn season – September to Mid November and have no idea where to head to enjoy the magnificent views of the fall foliage. Fret not! this post is exactly for you! 🙂 Read on more for the recommend scenic spots!

 

Nami Island – Chuncheon

Image result for nami island autumn
Photo Courtesy : Flickr

This famous island has many picturesque moments in numerous K- dramas.  And one of the best times to see the real beauty of Nami, is during autumn season! It’s that time of the year when the island’s broad-leaf trees become a parade of golden, crimson and tangerine hues. Furthermore, a visit to Nami during autumn lets you enjoy the clean and crisp scent of the bushy pine trees and tall redwoods that line the island’s trails.

Stroll leisurely or cycle along the paths where the soft brown leaves make a pleasant rustling sound Nothing compares to the clean scent of the tall redwoods and bushy nut pine trees that line the trails.

Haneul Sky Park

Image result for haneul sky park
Photo Courtesy : minienmonde.blogspot.com

Once a landfill site, a recovery project in 2000 transformed this place into a beautiful silver grassland that is home to Seoul Eulalia Festival held every year.  This sky park is simply breathtaking during the month of October when the silver grass – Eulalia is in full bloom. This park is usually closed at the night in order to reduce the negative effect of visitors to the plants and animal, but however, during the festival, it remains open until 10 pm.

This year the blooming of the silver / Seoul pampas grass festival runs from 7th until 16th October. The silvery grass against the backdrop from the azure blue sky makes a picturesque moment for anyone visiting this place! When night fall comes, the green space is decorated with multi-colored lights. Visitors will also be able to enjoy stunning views of the Han River standing from the peak of Haneul Park.

If you enjoy seeing the silver grass, but not going to stay in Seoul you can also go to the Suncheon Bay Reeds Festival or Mindungsan Mountain which is known as the silver grass mountain because of the waves of Eulalia covering its sides. 🙂

Seoul Forest

Image result for seoul forest in autumn
Photo Courtesy : Have Halal, Will Travel

This enormous park has something for everyone, young or elderly. There are various exhibitions such as an insect garden, art park, and water slide park and they provide large areas for playing games or big group gatherings. During the autumn season, I fully recommend heading to the Ecological Forest where the forest path is completely covered by falling leaves and provides a gorgeous walk amongst all the golden hues of red, orange and brown leaves.

If you have the time, take a stroll along the Cloud Bridge and you are sure to be awed by the magnificient views of the autumn scenery along the Hangang riverside. Upon reaching Ttukseom Hangang Park under the Cheongdamdaegyeo Bridge, you will see a large riverside park featuring numerous facilities like swimming pools and musical fountains. The sprouting of the water jets along the music provides great entertainment to everyone.

Shinsadong, Garosugil

Image result for garosugil autumn
Photo Courtesy : Twitter QiQiKWON

For those of you who don’t know by now “Garosu” means trees along the street and “gil” means street. This tree-lined street is all filled with gingko trees and is widely known as the little “Europe in Seoul” for its original creations by aspiring Korean designers and imported brands. Step into Garosugil and you will be transported into a picturesque trendy Europe street with art studios, exhibition galleries, unique cafes, designer clothing boutiques that boast a pleasant mix of boho chic and current trendiness.

Hence a stroll in this ever popular area during the autumn season surely brings about a sweet and heart warming sigh, especially you are there with your significant other. 🙂 One cannot help but to take a few selfies with the bursting palettes of gold, orange and red gingko leaves.

How to get there: Alight at Sinsa Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 8. Go straight (250m), until you see the street on the left.

Gyeongbukgong Palace

Image result for gyeongbokgung palace in fall
Photo Courtesy : www.pinterest.com

One of the must visit places for anyone visiting Seoul, this beautiful palace and its amazing surroundings provide the most unforgettable backdrops from anyone taking selfies or professional photographers alike.

Be prepared to be awed by the sheer images of the reflecting ponds and pavilions of Gyeongbokgung draped in the colors of autumn have been luring romantic couples, artists and photographers from all over Korea to come to this scenic royal palace. And when nighttime comes, the place becomes a brightly lit sanctuary. Be amazed by the variety of performances and dances held throughout the autumn season. 🙂

Deoksugung Palace’s Stone Wall Road

Image result for deoksugung palace stonewall in fall
Photo Credit : rjkoehler.tumblr.com

Deoksugung Doldam-gil (Deoksugung Stone Wall Road) is the road along Deoksugung Palace’s stone wall and this is a hugely popular place for romantic strolls for lovey dovey couples. Wait no more if you are visiting Seoul during autumn! 🙂 This 900m road is lined with gingko trees whose leaves turn dramatically yellow during autumn, making strolls even more romantic than before.

This road stretches from Deoksugung Palace, past Seoul City Hall towards Chongdong Theater, you can see numerous cultural sites and traditional and modern structures along the way. Other popular tourist attractions nearby include the Deoksugung Palace, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. This location is also close to the Myeongdong shopping district and Namdaemun Market.

Namsan Mountain

Image result for namsan mountain in fall
Photo Courtesy : HomeAway Asia Blog

Nestled comfortably right in the heart of the city, a climb to the top lets you have an amazing bird’s eye view of this cosmopolitan city. Wear good walking shoes and you are good to go! 🙂 Especially during autumn, one cannot help but in awe of the bursting of colours of red, yellow and gold leaves around the mountain area.

If you walk up from the Namdaemun Market to the Namsan Mountain, you will come across a few interesting sites like the Namsan Botanical Garden, Namsan Library and Goethe-Institute of Korea. Continue along the mountain for another ten to fifteen minutes, you will arrive at the iconic N Seoul Tower. As you stand at the viewing gallery outside, be sure to admire the paranomic views of the fall foliage. Alternatively, you can buy a cup of beverage and enjoy the beautiful sun set while chatting with your friends or loved ones! 🙂

Activities During November

Bangeo Festival

  • Date: November 12- November 15, 2016
  • Location: Moseulpo Port in Seogwipo-si, Jeju

Held annually on every November at Moseulpo-Port, The Bangeo ( Yellowtail) festival is one of the most anticipated festivals in Jeju island. Most visitors flock to watch a ship parade, catching a fish with bare hands and participate in various fishing contests. The breathtaking landscapes are an additonal bonus! 🙂

Seoul Lantern Festival

From Nov 4th-20th, the annual Seoul Lantern Festival will run from 5pm until 11pm daily along the 1.2km stretch of the Cheonggyecheon Stream. It takes about an hour for visitors to take a look around the entire venue.  The Seoul Lantern Festival has been held every year since 2009 and it is one of the most colourful festivals held within the city of Seoul. During the festival, you will be able to see hundreds of lanterns of all different shapes are displayed along the 1.2km Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Visitors will be able to enjoy the fabulous lantern exhibitions and artworks that show the historical, cultural, and daily living features of the Han River and the stories surrounding it. Displays of Seoul’s surrounding areas in the past will also be exhibited. This year’s theme is “Lightened Hangang River where history flows.” The Han River, meaning ‘large river’, is the lifeline of Seoul – the source of life that penetrates through Korea. It is a symbol of fertility as well as good taste in the arts. There will also be various hands-on programs and events where visitors can participate in during the festival period. Head over to Gwangtonggyo Bridge and Gwanggyo Bridge gallery if you want to participate!

Visitors are highly encouraged to take public transport and enter the stream from three places: Cheonggye Plaza, Sam-il Bridge, and Supyo Bridge.

If you would like to go to Cheonggye Plaza, get off at Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5) Exit 5 or City Hall Station (Line 1, 2) Exit 4.

For Samil or Supyo Bridge, get off at Euljiro 3-Ga Station (Line 2, 3) Exit 1.

lantern

Everyone can write their well-wishes for the upcoming new year and put up their own wishing lanterns.  Choose from three different types of lanterns: Square lantern (15,000 KRW), Hanji lantern (10,000 KRW) and Colored lantern (5,000 KRW). They will be put up on the underside of Gwanggyo Bridge and you can collect them on Nov 18~20. Prior registration is required on the website for this activity.

Alternatively, you can also write a wish on the outside cover of a lantern and float it along the waters of Cheonggyecheon. If you apply in advance, the ticket for the experience will cost 2,000 KRW but costs 3,000 KRW when purchased on-site. Redeem your wishing lanterns at the Gwanggyo Bridge gallery booth. Or just simply  buy a coloured piece of ‘hanji’, a Korean traditional paper, and write your hopes and dreams for the ‘Year of the Chicken’ in 2017 written on it! Hanji paper can be purchased at the Gwanggyo Bridge gallery booth for only 1,000 KRW!

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