Korea Autumn Foliage 2026: 5 Best Spots in Seoul for Maple and Ginkgo, and When to Go
Korea's 2026 autumn foliage season is under way: according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), first foliage appeared on Seoraksan on September 28, Odaesan on October 1 and Chiaksan on October 6, while Bukhansan had not yet turned as of October 11. Seoul's palaces and parks usually look their best from late October to early November. The top spots are Gyeongbokgung, the Changdeokgung Secret Garden, Deoksugung Stone Wall Road, Ewha Womans University and Namsan. Gyeongbokgung costs ₩3,000, and entry is free in hanbok.
Key takeaways
- KMA observations for 2026: first foliage on Seoraksan on September 28, Odaesan on October 1 and Chiaksan on October 6; Bukhansan was still "before foliage" as of October 11.
- By KMA's definitions, "first foliage" means about 20% of a mountain has turned and "peak" about 80%; the peak usually comes around two weeks after first foliage.
- Gyeongbokgung costs ₩3,000 for adults, closes on Tuesdays and is open 9:00–17:00 from November.
- The Changdeokgung Secret Garden needs a separate ₩5,000 ticket on top of the ₩3,000 Changdeokgung ticket, and October–November slots sell out fast.
- Visitors wearing hanbok get free entry to Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and the other royal palaces.
When is the best time to see autumn foliage in Korea in 2026?
In 2026, Korea's leaves are turning from north to south and from the mountains down to the lowlands: mountains in Gangwon-do such as Seoraksan saw first foliage from late September to early October, and Seoul's city spots usually peak from late October to early November. Check the KMA mountain foliage status page for the latest.
| Location | 2026 first foliage (KMA) | Peak (guide) |
|---|---|---|
| Seoraksan (Gangwon-do) | September 28 | Around mid-October (about two weeks later) |
| Odaesan (Gangwon-do) | October 1 | Around mid-October |
| Chiaksan (Gangwon-do) | October 6 | Around late October |
| Bukhansan (Seoul) | Not yet turned as of October 11 | Usually late October to early November |
| Seoul palaces and parks | — | Usually late October to early November |
Peak dates are estimates based on KMA's definitions and past patterns; actual timing depends on temperatures, so check the latest observations before you go.
Ginkgo at Gyeongbokgung in late October. Photo: Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service (Jeon Han) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
Best autumn foliage spots in Seoul: the top 5 at a glance
The five best foliage spots in central Seoul are Gyeongbokgung, the Changdeokgung Secret Garden, Deoksugung Stone Wall Road, Ewha Womans University and Namsan. All are on the subway and fit into a one- or two-day plan. Fees and hours from official sources:
| Spot | Adult fee | Hours (November) | Closed | Nearest subway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung | ₩3,000 | 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00) | Tuesdays | Gyeongbokgung Station, Line 3 |
| Changdeokgung + Secret Garden | ₩3,000 + Secret Garden ₩5,000 | 9:00–17:30 (last entry 16:30) | Mondays | Anguk Station, Line 3 |
| Deoksugung and Stone Wall Road | Deoksugung ₩1,000; the road is free | 9:00–21:00 (last entry 20:00) | Mondays | City Hall Station, Lines 1 and 2 |
| Ewha Womans University | Free | Campus open (stay out of teaching buildings) | — | Ewha Womans Univ. Station, Line 2 |
| Namsan Park and N Seoul Tower | Park free; observatory ticketed | Park always open; observatory 10:00–22:30 (to 23:00 at weekends) | None | Myeongdong Station, Line 4 |
Palace hours and fees are subject to the Korea Heritage Service Royal Palaces and Tombs Center.
The 5 best places to see autumn leaves in Seoul
Gyeongbokgung: how much is it, and is it free in hanbok?
Gyeongbokgung costs ₩3,000 for adults (foreign visitors aged 19–64), entry is free in hanbok, and it closes on Tuesdays. It's open 9:00–18:00 in September and October and 9:00–17:00 from November, with last entry an hour before closing.
- Foliage highlights: ginkgo around Geunjeongjeon Hall, maples by the Gyeonghoeru pond, and the Hyangwonjeong area at the back.
- Getting there: Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3 brings you right to the palace's west entrance.
- Nearby: the National Folk Museum inside the grounds and Bukchon Hanok Village to the east are both walkable.
Changdeokgung Secret Garden: how do you book?
The Changdeokgung Secret Garden (Huwon) can only be visited on guided tours at set times. You need a ₩5,000 Secret Garden ticket plus the ₩3,000 Changdeokgung ticket. Online booking opens at 10:00 six days before your visit, and same-day tickets go on sale at 9:00; the palace warns that October–November tickets sell out very quickly.
Buyongji pond in the Changdeokgung Secret Garden. Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public domain
- Foreign-language tours: English daily at 10:30, 11:30, 14:30 and 15:30 from March to November; Chinese at 12:30 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; Japanese at 13:30 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
- Foliage highlights: Buyongji pond, Aeryeonjeong and the Ongnyucheon stream, where the leaves reflect in the water.
- Getting there: about a 5-minute walk from Anguk Station on Line 3.
Deoksugung Stone Wall Road: when are the ginkgo trees most golden?
Deoksugung Stone Wall Road is central Seoul's best-known ginkgo walk, about 1 km long and free, and it's usually most golden from late October to early November. Deoksugung itself stays open until 21:00 (last entry 20:00) and costs ₩1,000, so it's also a good evening stop once the palace is lit up.
- Getting there: City Hall Station on Lines 1 and 2 brings you out at Daehanmun Gate.
- Nearby: the Seoul Museum of Art along the road, and Sungnyemun (Namdaemun) within walking distance.
Ewha Womans University: how should you explore the campus?
Ewha Womans University's campus is free to visit, and in autumn its ginkgo and maples turn it gold and red. Walk in from the main gate past the sunken ECC (Ewha Campus Complex) and up to the Gothic-style main hall and chapel area for the best photos.
- Getting there: Ewha Womans Univ. Station on Line 2, about a 5–10-minute walk to the main gate.
- Note: it's a working campus, so keep noise down and stay out of classrooms and dormitories.
- Nearby: the Ewha and Sinchon shopping streets are full of clothes shops and cafés.
Namsan Park and N Seoul Tower: how do you get up?
Namsan Park is open all day and free, with foliage along its walking trails. The N Seoul Tower observatory at the top is open until 22:30 on weekdays and 23:00 at weekends (last entry 30 minutes before closing); see the official website for ticket prices. If you'd rather not walk, take the Namsan Cable Car from near Myeongdong Station or the Namsan circular bus.
- Foliage highlights: the trails on Namsan's north side and Namsangol Hanok Village.
- Best time: go up in the late afternoon for sunset and the city lights.
Where else in Korea can you see autumn foliage?
To see whole mountainsides change colour, extend your trip to the national parks of Gangwon-do or the Jeonbuk region: Seoraksan is one of the first famous mountains to turn, while Naejangsan is known for its late-autumn tunnels of maples, usually peaking around early November.
Autumn foliage at Seoraksan. Photo: Joycekim77 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Seoraksan (Sokcho, Gangwon-do)
First foliage appeared on September 28, 2026. It's the most popular foliage day trip or overnight trip from Seoul, and peak weekends bring heavy crowds and traffic, so go on a weekday if you can.
Naejangsan (Jeongeup, Jeonbuk State)
Still "before foliage" as of October 11, it's one of the last famous mountains in Korea to peak, which suits travellers heading out in November.
What should you do with your luggage on a foliage trip?
A common luggage problem for foliage travellers: you want to head straight to Gyeongbokgung or Namsan on arrival day, but suitcases aren't welcome in the palaces and are a pain on Namsan's trails. On check-out day you want another half day of sightseeing, and lockers near the palaces and hotspots are often full in peak season. With the palaces closing around 17:00 in November, time is short.
One solution is a luggage delivery service. LuggAgent can pick up your bags at Incheon or Gimpo Airport or your Seoul hotel and deliver them the same day to your hotel or the airport, so you can go leaf-peeping straight from the airport; see Seoul luggage delivery for coverage.
If you're heading straight out after landing at Incheon, hand us your bags at the airport and we'll take them to your hotel in Seoul:
If you're flying via Gimpo, we can deliver from Gimpo to your Seoul hotel, or from your hotel to the airport on the way home:
FAQ
When is peak autumn foliage in Seoul in 2026?
Seoul's palaces and parks usually look their best from late October to early November. In 2026, first foliage appeared on Seoraksan on September 28, and Bukhansan had not yet turned as of October 11; check the KMA mountain foliage status page for the latest.
How much is Gyeongbokgung, and is it really free in hanbok?
Gyeongbokgung costs ₩3,000 for adults; foreign visitors aged 18 and under get in free, and so does anyone wearing hanbok. It closes on Tuesdays, and from November to February it's open 9:00–17:00 with last entry at 16:00.
Do you need to book the Changdeokgung Secret Garden?
The Secret Garden can only be visited on timed guided tours, booked online (from 10:00 six days before) or bought on the day from 9:00. The ticket costs ₩5,000 plus the ₩3,000 Changdeokgung ticket, and October–November slots sell out quickly, so book early.
Is Deoksugung Stone Wall Road free?
Yes, Deoksugung Stone Wall Road is a public street and free to walk. Deoksugung itself costs ₩1,000, is open until 21:00 (last entry 20:00) and closes on Mondays.
How many days do you need for autumn foliage in Seoul?
One or two days covers the five main Seoul spots: one day for Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon and the Changdeokgung Secret Garden, and another for Deoksugung Stone Wall Road, Ewha and Namsan. Add one or two days for Seoraksan or Naejangsan.
Cover photo: Tung Thanh Dang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
This article offers general travel tips for reference only. For actual services and conditions, please rely on the booking page and the latest official announcements.
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