Autumn Colour in Seoul
Palaces and parks for the cooler months
October is dry and mild in Seoul, with an average high of 20°C and about 52 mm of rain, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration, and November is cooler at 12°C. 15 places on this map carry the autumn tag. The royal palaces head the list, and their closing days differ. Gyeongbokgung is closed on Tuesdays, and Changdeokgung, with its Huwon garden, and Deoksugung are closed on Mondays. Namsan Park, Naksan Park, Seoul Forest and Haneul Park are open for walks, and Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon and Incheon Grand Park are the day-trip options. Seoul's normal first frost falls on 28 October.
15 places
October to November When
The places
Palace or temple · Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun Gyeongbokgung Palace The largest of Seoul's five grand palaces, with Gwanghwamun Gate at the south end and the throne hall, Geunjeongjeon, behind it. The National Folk Museum and the National Palace Museum sit inside the grounds.
Palace or temple · Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun Deoksugung Palace A palace in front of City Hall with stone Western-style buildings next to wooden Korean halls. It stays open until 21:00, so it works as an evening stop.
Palace or temple · Bukchon and Samcheong-dong Changdeokgung Palace A UNESCO-listed palace that follows the slope of the land instead of a strict grid. Entry to the main halls is self-guided, while the rear garden, Huwon, needs its own timed ticket.
Palace or temple · Bukchon and Samcheong-dong Changdeokgung Huwon (Secret Garden) The rear garden of Changdeokgung, visited only on a guided walk. A palace-hall ticket is also required.
Park · Namsan Namsan Park A park on the lower slopes of Namsan with walking trails and the Patriot Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall. Entry is free.
Park · Dongdaemun Naksan Park A hillside park along the Seoul City Wall, open 24 hours and free, with city views and a lit wall path at night.
Park · Hongdae and Yeonnam-dong Gyeongui Line Forest Park (Yeontral Park) A linear park on the former Gyeongui rail line, about 6.3 km in total, with cafes and restaurants along the Yeonnam-dong stretch near Hongik Univ. Station.
Park · Mapo and World Cup Park World Cup Park A free park complex built around the 2002 World Cup site. Peace Park, Nanji Stream Park and Nanji Han River Park are open at all times.
Park · Mapo and World Cup Park Haneul Park A hilltop park in World Cup Park on a former landfill, known for autumn silver grass.
Park · Seongsu-dong Seoul Forest Large city park in Seongdong-gu with an Eco-Forest, an insect and plant garden, a butterfly garden and a ground fountain. The park itself is open around the clock and free.
Park · Yeouido Yeouido Park City park opened in 1971 on the site of a former runway, with a Korean Traditional Forest, a Culture Plaza, a grass field and an ecological forest.
Shopping · Gangnam and Sinsa Garosu-gil A ginkgo-lined street in Sinsa-dong that runs from Sinsa Station toward Hyundai High School, with cafes and designer shops. Visit Korea says it is busiest in autumn when the leaves turn.
Day trip · Suwon Hwaseong Fortress The UNESCO-listed fortress wall around Suwon's old town. Walking the wall is free.
Day trip · Incheon Incheon Grand Park A large urban park with a zoo, botanical garden and Future Environment Hall. The park is free to enter.
Day trip · Nami Island Nami Island A river island reached by ferry from Gapyeong Wharf. The ticket price of ₩19,000 for adults includes the round-trip ferry.
