KOREA UNBOXED · AUTUMN 2026

Find your autumn.

A foliage map for planning your next Korea day out.

From mountain walks to city gardens, compare 15 places across South Korea. Start with a forecast, then check what has actually been reported.

Read the full Korea fall foliage guide →
2026 seasonObservations checked 5 Nov 2026Forecasts issued 22 Sep
EXPLORE A PLACE

Select a pin to explore its story, autumn dates and directions.

Choose a place

View the list ↓

Tap a pin for its story, autumn dates and directions.

Tap a pin to explore, or browse the places below.

Forecast peak

October
1–7 November
8–15 November

Illustrated relief map. Ranges follow regional elevation patterns; pins are approximate and spaced for readability.

Where will you find your autumn?

Browse the selected places in forecast-date order. Every date below is an estimate for maples.

20 October

2 places · earlier forecasts

AI-enhanced autumn illustration of Seoraksan’s Ulsanbawi granite ridge in mist.

Gangwon

Seoraksan

설악산

Ulsanbawi is a wall of six enormous rock peaks, spread out like a stone fence. It gives Seoraksan’s autumn forests a striking backdrop.

Expected peak

20 Oct2026

Peak reported 16 Oct

KMA report ↗
AI-enhanced Sobaeksan observatory beneath early-evening stars and autumn woodland.

Chungbuk / Gyeongbuk

Sobaeksan

소백산

Sobaeksan has a surprise on Yeonhwabong: an astronomy observatory. Above the wooded slopes, open grassland on Birobong adds wide horizons to the mountain scenery.

Expected peak

20 Oct2026

Peak reported 22 Oct

KMA report ↗

26–30 October

7 places · late October

AI-enhanced Juwangsan waterfall and rocky pool framed by autumn leaves.

Gyeongbuk

Juwangsan

주왕산

Juwangsan was once called Seokbyeongsan for its jutting stone peaks. Its valleys bring those towering cliffs together with caves and waterfalls, giving a foliage walk a dramatic setting.

Expected peak

26 Oct2026

Peak reported 4 Nov

KMA report ↗
AI-enhanced Hwaeomsa Temple hall and stone monuments beneath Jirisan autumn woodland.

Jeonbuk / Jeonnam / Gyeongnam

Jirisan

지리산

Korea’s national park story began here in 1967. Jirisan’s valleys, waterfalls and old temples give an autumn visit plenty to explore beyond its high peaks.

Expected peak

27 Oct2026

Peak reported 22 Oct

KMA report ↗
AI-generated illustration: An autumn garden inspired by Gangwon Provincial Arboretum.

Gangwon

Gangwon Provincial Arboretum

강원도립화목원

This Chuncheon arboretum pairs themed gardens with a Forest Museum about Gangwon’s wildlife and mountain village life. A walk here can reveal the region behind the trees.

Expected peak

28 Oct2026

No matched observation

This location is outside KMA’s mountain observation list.

AI-enhanced Haeinsa Temple courtyard and tiled roofs beneath Gayasan autumn woodland.

Gyeongbuk / Gyeongnam

Gayasan (Gyeongbuk)

가야산(경북)

On Gayasan’s Hapcheon side, Haeinsa Temple safeguards Buddhist texts carved onto roughly 80,000 wooden printing blocks in the 1200s: a remarkable piece of history beneath the mountain.

Expected peak

28 Oct2026

Peak reported 3 Nov

KMA report ↗
AI-enhanced five-story Palsangjeon wooden pagoda at Beopjusa in autumn.

Chungbuk / Gyeongbuk

Songnisan

속리산

At Beopjusa Temple, look for Palsangjeon’s five wooden stories. Korea’s only surviving wooden pagoda from before the modern era adds an unusual architectural stop to Songnisan’s forest scenery.

Expected peak

28 Oct2026

Peak reported 2 Nov

KMA report ↗
AI-generated illustration: A golden woodland path inspired by Korea National Arboretum.

Gyeonggi

Korea National Arboretum

국립수목원

The arboretum lies within Gwangneung, a forest protected for centuries around King Sejo’s royal tomb. Its autumn trees are part of a landscape shaped by royal history.

Expected peak

29 Oct2026

No matched observation

This location is outside KMA’s mountain observation list.

AI-enhanced Gatbawi Buddha with its flat stone hat, granite backdrop and autumn foliage.

Daegu / Gyeongbuk

Palgongsan

팔공산

Palgongsan’s Gatbawi Buddha wears a broad, flat stone that resembles a hat. The rock wall behind the statue forms a natural halo, turning the mountainside into part of the sculpture.

Expected peak

30 Oct2026

First colour reported 16 Oct

KMA report ↗

1–11 November

6 places · November

AI-generated illustration: Layered autumn ridges inspired by Gyeryongsan.

Chungnam / Daejeon

Gyeryongsan

계룡산

Look at Gyeryongsan’s ridgeline and imagine a dragon wearing a rooster’s crest. That resemblance gave the mountain its name, adding a playful story to its rocky autumn skyline.

Expected peak

1 Nov2026

Peak reported 30 Oct

KMA report ↗
AI-enhanced view from Seoul Botanic Park greenhouse skywalk over tropical palms in warm autumn light.

Seoul

Seoul Botanic Park

서울식물원

The greenhouse takes you through plants from 12 tropical and Mediterranean cities. An elevated skywalk brings tall leaves into view, adding another world of plants to an autumn park visit.

Expected peak

2 Nov2026

No matched observation

This location is outside KMA’s mountain observation list.

AI-enhanced blue-roofed Uhwajeong pavilion reflected in Naejangsan lake in autumn.

Jeonbuk / Jeonnam

Naejangsan

내장산

Uhwajeong Pavilion takes its name from a legend that it grew wings and flew heavenward. Today, its lake setting offers a memorable pairing of pavilion and autumn reflections.

Expected peak

4 Nov2026

First colour reported 3 Nov

KMA report ↗
AI-enhanced 1100 Highland wetland with basalt rocks, autumn shrubs and a wooden boardwalk.

Jeju

Hallasan: 1100 Road

한라산(1100도로)

At 1100 Highland, Hallasan shelters a mountain wetland recognized under the Ramsar conservation treaty. Its wooden boardwalk offers a closer look at this quieter side of Jeju’s highland landscape.

Expected peak

6 Nov2026

No matched observation

1100 Road forecast. Hallasan’s separate Eorimok report does not describe this point.

AI-enhanced red Cloud Bridge above Wolchulsan granite peaks and autumn woodland.

Jeonnam

Wolchulsan

월출산

Wolchulsan means “moon rising mountain.” Its rocky peaks stand above flat fields and paddies, while a red suspension bridge offers a striking encounter with the mountain’s steep landscape.

Expected peak

9 Nov2026

Peak reported 2 Nov

KMA report ↗
AI-enhanced Daeheungsa Temple entrance gate framed by Duryunsan autumn foliage.

Jeonnam

Duryunsan

두륜산

On Duryunsan, Daeheungsa Temple carries a story of Korean tea. The Buddhist monk Choui practiced at nearby Iljiam Hermitage for decades, linking this wooded mountain to a lasting tea tradition.

Expected peak

11 Nov2026

First colour reported 27 Oct

KMA report ↗

Sources & further reading

The forecast dates

The Korea Forest Service and National Arboretum’s 2026 map predicts when at least 50% of maple foliage will be coloured. These are planning estimates, not guaranteed best-visit dates.

Read the official 2026 forecast ↗

The observation reports

KMA records first colour at about 20% from the summit, and peak at about 80% across a mountain. A report is a dated milestone. Its viewing point may differ from the forecast site.

Check KMA’s latest mountain reports ↗

This selection covers maples. Ginkgo and other trees have different timing. Before travelling, check the destination’s opening, reservations, trail access and weather. Map searches help you find a place; they do not confirm an entrance or an open route.

Explore the places

Discover more of the history, landscapes and stories in these official references.

Seoraksan ↗Sobaeksan ↗Juwangsan ↗Jirisan ↗Gangwon Arboretum ↗Gayasan / Haeinsa ↗Songnisan ↗Korea National Arboretum (PDF) ↗Palgongsan (PDF) ↗Gyeryongsan ↗Seoul Botanic Park (PDF) ↗Naejangsan ↗1100 Highland ↗Wolchulsan ↗Duryunsan ↗

Image credits

Autumn imagery includes AI-generated landscapes and edited photographs.

Seasonal AI adaptations by Korea Unboxed. ShareAlike versions use the same licenses linked below.

Seoraksan: Alexandre Chambon / CC0.

Sobaeksan observatory: Microbrain000 / CC BY-SA 4.0.

Palgongsan / Gatbawi: Barnkim / Public domain.

Gayasan / Haeinsa: Bernard Gagnon / CC0.

Naejangsan / Uhwajeong: Tung Thanh Dang / CC BY-SA 3.0.

Songnisan / Palsangjeon: Carl MiKoy / CC BY-SA 2.0.

Wolchulsan / Cloud Bridge: Jpbarrass / Public domain (additional reference view).

1100 Highland: SEUNGMIN WOO / CC BY-SA 3.0 (additional reference view).

Juwangsan: garycycles3 / CC BY 2.0.

Jirisan / Hwaeomsa: eimoberg / CC BY 2.0.

Seoul Botanic Park: Tjwlgns / CC BY 4.0.

Duryunsan / Daeheungsa: Steve46814 / CC BY-SA 3.0.

Terrain reference: Mapzen Terrain Tiles, with SRTM/GMTED2010 data courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey and ETOPO1 from NOAA. Coastline: Natural Earth.