When to see Korea's spectacular — albeit belated — autumnal foliage

Korea will likely see gold and amber autumn foliage later than usual this year due to the belated end of a grueling heat wave in mid-September. The country's mountains and trees would burst into autumn colors between Oct. 16 and Nov. 14 this year.

Visitors enjoy autumn foliage in Gangwon in October last year. [YONHAP]

Korea will likely see gold and amber autumn foliage later than usual this year due to the belated end of a grueling heat wave in mid-September.

The Korea Forest Service (KFS) announced on Monday the expected peak dates for fall foliage across the country, forecasting that half the country's mountains and trees would burst into autumn colors between Oct. 21 and Nov. 14.

Generally, autumn foliage will first arrive in the northern Gyeonggi and Gangwon regions before moving southward.

A forecast map shows autumn foliage peak dates [KOREA FOREST SERVICE]

Over half the leaves in the greater Seoul area will turn color in late October to early November — maple trees will start on Oct. 24 and ginkgo trees on Oct.21.

Peak foliage on Gangwon’s Mount Seorak is predicted for Oct. 22.

Autumn foliage on Mount Songni in North Chungcheong in central Korea will peak starting Oct. 24 for maples and beginning Oct. 30 for ginkgos.

In the southern region, Mount Jiri, which straddles the provinces of South Gyeongsang, North Jeolla and South Jeolla, will experience peak foliage season for maple trees beginning Oct. 25. Hikers on Mount Halla on Jeju Island can take in the autumnal maple leaves from Nov. 6.

The peak dates have been delayed by 0.39 days for maple trees and 0.45 days for ginkgo trees over the last decade. The KFS also added that the peak autumnal foliage of Mongolica Fischer, a species of oak tree, will be delayed by around five days compared to the last two years.

The KFS attributed the delay to a rise in summer temperatures, which rose approximately 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.34 degrees Fahrenheit) between 2009 and 2023.

Choi Young-tae, an official from the KFS, said it “appears that the prolonged heat wave caused by climate change delayed the autumnal foliage season.” This year’s heat wave lasted until Sept. 18, 28 days longer than last year.

On Monday, the KFS also promised to increase the forecast's accuracy by expanding its specimen and environmental data collecting sites.

Current forecasts are based on meteorological data from the National Institute of Forest Science and seasonal biological data collected at 112 spots and nine state-run arboretums nationwide.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]