Autumn In Seoul:
6 Wonderful Places You
Should walk In 2019
Every fall, sightseers flock to Korea's beautiful rural destinations to
enjoy the fiery colors of autumn. For international tourists, however,
traveling to other regions in the autumn season is sometimes a bit more
difficult. To enjoy the fall in Seoul, plan a visit to one of the following
sites, known as the best places to see rich fall.
Waving fronds of silver grass at Haneul Park(하늘공원)
World Cup Park is made up of five parks: Haneul Park, Pyeonghwa Park, Noeul Park, Nanjicheon Park, and Nanji Hangang Park. Haneul Park derives its name, which means “sky park” in Korean, from its status as the park with the highest elevation in the area. Haneul Park has many walking paths, including a shady path lined with metasequoia trees reaching the sky, and multiple paths crisscrossing a field of eulalia, or silver grass. In autumn every year, Seoul Silver Grass Festival is held at the top of the park to highlight the magnificent field scenery. Walk among the dancing silver grass to feel autumn at its fullest. There are few convenience facilities within the park so be sure to prepare drinks or snacks before visiting.
Bird’s-eye View of Seoul from Namsan Mountain(남산)
The routes that stretch from Namdaemun Market to Namsan Library and from Namsan Library down to Grand Hyatt Seoul offer a landscape rich in autumn colors, notably lined with dense forest areas. You can observe varying aspects of Seoul as you look down at the houses on the hill below.
As you walk up from Namdaemun Market to Namsan Park, you will also find a number of notable sites such as Namsan Library, and Namsan Botanical Garden. Follow the walking path from Namsan Library up the mountain for about 10 minutes and you will arrive at the popular Namsan Seoul Tower. Many couples visit to hang a love lock, signifying their promise to love each other forever. For a unique view of the fall foliage in Seoul, ride up in Namsan Cable Car, or visit the observation deck in Namsan Seoul Tower. The observatory has a glass façade and offers a panoramic view of the city. As the sun sets, sit at the café with a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy the dramatic cityscape from the tower.
As you walk up from Namdaemun Market to Namsan Park, you will also find a number of notable sites such as Namsan Library, and Namsan Botanical Garden. Follow the walking path from Namsan Library up the mountain for about 10 minutes and you will arrive at the popular Namsan Seoul Tower. Many couples visit to hang a love lock, signifying their promise to love each other forever. For a unique view of the fall foliage in Seoul, ride up in Namsan Cable Car, or visit the observation deck in Namsan Seoul Tower. The observatory has a glass façade and offers a panoramic view of the city. As the sun sets, sit at the café with a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy the dramatic cityscape from the tower.
Fall at Deoksugung Palace(덕수궁)
The first place to visit is Deoksugung Palace. The palace grounds
offer a mix of traditional royal architecture from the Joseon Dynasty with
Western-style buildings. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary
Art, Deoksugung is also located within palace grounds, hosting various
exhibitions. Seoul Museum of Art is located a short walk down the
road from the palace. The leaves of a 500-year-old maple tree in the garden are
rich in color. Sit down in the calming sunlight, or visit one of the
exhibitions in the gallery. Travelers interested in traditional culture and
performing arts can visit Jeongdong Theater, located just off the stone
wall road. Select a performance to suit the autumn mood.
Seoul’s past and present life meet at Seoul
Fortress Wall Trail(낙산공원)
Seoul Fortress Wall Trail is a popular tourist destination in Seoul to
take in Seoul’s natural and historical beauty. The trail follows the outlines
of the city as it was during the Joseon Dynasty. The Naksan Park section
and Bugaksan Mountain section in particular are easy for all visitors
to enjoy. The Naksan Park section is especially beautiful at night, with the
houses in the village below glowing. It is also close to Daehangno Street, the
center of performing arts culture in Korea. The Bugaksan Mountain section is a
popular walking course because of the old fortress road and the view of Seoul
beyond. Sightseers in fall can enjoy the twin visual pleasures of the city to
one side and the bright foliage to the other. When visiting the fortress wall
at Bugaksan Mountain, make sure to bring proper identification (resident
registration card, driver's license, or passport) as this area is under
military control. Also note that photos can only be taken where officially
permitted.
A cultural walk along the streets of Samcheong-dong(삼청동)
Samcheongdong-gil Road runs from the stone wall road of Gyeongbokgung Palace to Samcheong-dong, passing through a variety of settings. The site is highly recommended in the fall, as the ginkgo trees paint the area with striking yellow hues. Sightseers can enjoy the palace, visit the National Folk Museum of Korea, and travel along the road through the autumn atmosphere. The street is lined with small galleries and shops selling paintings and accessories. With so much to see, a walk along Samcheongdong-gil Road will feel as if it has ended before it even started.
Enjoy the forest and the river, Seoul Forest to
Gwangjingyo Bridge(서울숲)
Seoul Forest boasts beautiful autumn scenery, with trees in vibrant
shades of red and gold. The forest is largely separated into the four areas of
a culture & arts park, educational experience park, eco-forest park, and
riverside park. If you walk all the way to the far end of the park, you can
reach the spotted deer enclosure! Continue walking towards the Hangang River to
arrive at Cloud Bridge. This beautiful observation point provides fantastic
views of the forest in autumn and the river at sunset.
