Fall foliage is soon in full force: Check out these spots first

It's that time of year again, as the mountains in Korea change out their green summer wardrobe for warmer hues. But before heading out to enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage, it’s important to check out the best dates to visit each place.

Hwadam Forest, inside Konjiam Resort in Gyeonggi, requires a reservation to visit. The best time this year to view the fall foliage here, according to the resort, is from late October to early November. [KONJIAM RESORT]

It's that time of year again, as the mountains in Korea change out their green summer wardrobe for warmer hues of red, yellow and orange. But before heading out to enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage, it’s important to check out the best dates to visit each place in order to behold nature's utmost beauty.

According to the Korea Forest Service, the first autumn foliage on Mount Seorak this year was spotted on Sept. 30, about two days later than previous years due to the late summer heat. And as Korea's autumn season slowly shortens each year, popular spots quickly become overcrowded.

The following is a guide to viewing this year’s fall foliage across the peninsula, along with any festivals around the region.

Fall foliage fanfare The gingko tree forest in Hongcheon County, Gangwon, is only open to the public during the autumn. The vast 40,000-square-meter (10-acre) forest is filled with more than more than 2,000 gingko trees. Because this forest is actually on private property, owned by an 80-year-old resident named Yoo Gi-choon since 1985, it’s usually closed to the public. However, believing that the autumn foliage is too wistful a scene to see alone, Yoo decided to open the forest to the public for the month of October every year, attracting visitors from all over the country. The best time to visit is in the morning from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. when the sun is out.

Yoo said that this year, the best days to visit will be after Oct. 15, because the leaves began changing colors quite late. There’s no entrance fee. The forest is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

686-4 Gwangwon-ri, Nae-myeon, Hongcheon County, Gangwon(033) 433-1259

Beartree Park's Autumn Leaves Trail [JOONGANG ILBO]

Beartree Park, situated in Sejong, Gyeonggi, is known for its arboretum that houses Asiatic black bears. But what many may not know is that it’s also a great autumn foliage spot. The Autumn Leaves Trail on site only opens during the arboretum’s autumn festival. This year, the trail will open from Oct. 21 to Nov. 5. The walk only takes about 20 minutes but provides a scenic autumnal experience with its tree-lined trail with gingko and zelkova trees. Tickets to Beartree Park cost 12,000 won ($9) for adults. During the months of October and November, the park is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

217 Sinsong-ro, Jeondong-myeon, Sejong City(044) 866-7766beartreepark.com

From Oct. 13 to 29, Chollipo Arboretum, located in Taean County, South Chungcheong, will begin a special program titled Secret Garden Tour. During this time, only 20 people per day will be able to access the off-limit areas inside the arboretum, which normally only researchers are able to access. The tour, which includes a commentary in Korean from the gardener, takes two hours. Reservations are needed.

The arboretum opens from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance tickets to the arboretum cost 10,000 won for adults, while the garden tour ticket costs 30,000 won, including entry.

187 Cheollipo 1-gil, Sowon-myeon, Taean County, South Chungcheong(041) 672-9982www.chollio.org

The Taean Autumn Flower Festival can be added to any Taean traveler's itinerary. The festival, which runs until Oct. 31 at the Korea Flower Park, will be filled with gobs flowers of different colors. Since the Korea Flower Park is located near Ggotji Beach, known for its beautiful sunset, it’s recommended to visit the beach area after the arboretum to enjoy both the flowers and the sunset. The flower park opens from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets cost 10,000 won for adults.

400 Kkotjihaean-ro, Anmyeon-eup, Taean County, South Chungcheong(041) 675-5533 Koreaflowerpark.com

Reservations needed Fall foliage spots inside national parks are often accessible only to those with reservations, in order to prevent environmental damage from increased visitors during the season. Currently, reservations are needed to enter 33 of Korea's walking trails at national parks famous for their foliage.

Reservations can be made from the Korea National Park Service homepage.

Chilseon Valley in Mount Jiri [JOONGANG ILBO]

The trekking course in Mount Jiri, known as the Chilseon Valley course, which stretches 9.7 kilometers, is only accessible for those who book in advance, and are always done with a guide. This fall until Oct. 31, only 60 people will be allowed on the trail per day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. According to the Korea Forest Service, the foliage on Mount Jiri will be at its prime on Oct. 31.

The 3.1-kilometer Heulimgol trail on Mount Seorak in Gangwon is known for its diverse colors of autumn leaves. The trail is open to 5,000 people per day. The foliage will be at its prime around Oct. 23.

Mount Bukhan is an option within Seoul. Mount Bukhan’s Uiryeong Trail, which stretches 4.5 kilometers, can be accessed by 1,190 people per day. As it was a restricted zone for about four decades after armed North Koreans used the route in 1968, the ecosystem in the area is known for being well-preserved. The trail opened to the public in 2009.

Hwadam Forest, situated in Konjiam Resort, Gyeonggi, is another popular spot. A group of 450 people can access the forest every 15 to 20 minutes from 9 a.m.; however, the spots get filled up very quickly during mid-October to early November.

Royal palaces foliage

Changdeok Palace in central Seoul [NEWS1]

Korea's royal palaces offer even more great places to visit during this time of year. The trees turn red, yellow and orange inside the palace, providing a beautiful backdrop for the traditional Korean buildings. From Oct. 13 to 18, the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center at the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) will be kicking off its “2023 Fall K-Royal Culture Festival” inside Seoul’s four palaces.

This biannual festival is held once in the spring and again in the fall. During the spring edition held in April, about 383,000 visitors participated, according to the CHA.

Inside Gyeongbok Palace, a traditional pansori (traditional Korean narrative singing) performance will be organized from Oct. 13 to 14 at the palace’s Heungbokjeon Hall. The performance, which tells the story of the restoration of the Gyeongbok Palace, will be held twice — at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. Reservations are required to guarantee a seat, though some will also be available for on-site visitors.

At the Jibokjae Hall of the Gyeongbok Palace from Oct. 17 to 18, another performance will be staged in the evening — first at 7 p.m. and again at 8:10 p.m. On Oct. 17, the fusion band Second Moon, pansori singer Kim Jun-su, jeongga (Korean traditional song) vocalist Ha Yoon-ju and traditional Korean musician Kim Mu-bin will perform, while pianist Yang Bang-ean and an orchestral band will give a performance on the second day.

At Changgyeong Palace, a photo exhibition will be held from Oct. 13 to 18 at Hwangyeongjeon Hall, displaying photographs that highlight the past 40 years of efforts to bring back the palace's Korean name, Changgyeonggung.

At the Tongmyeongjeon Hall of Changgyeong Palace, various lectures are organized from Oct. 16 to 17 at 4 p.m. On the first day Korean history lecturer Choi Tae-seong will give a lecture on the subject under the title, “Palace Journal, That Day” and talk about the lifestyle of the palace, specifically King Yeongjo’s 50th birthday ceremony. On the second day, historical storyteller Sun Kim will give a lecture on the history of Changgyeong Palace.

Reservations for all programs of the festival can be made for free on Naver. For more information, visit the website of the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center at the Cultural Heritage Administration (royal.cha.go.kr). For phone inquiries, call 1522-2295.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE, KIM JI-YE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]