Photo by Hyemin Lee ()
Autumn is special in Korea as the cool, clear weather is perfect for outdoor activities. The autumn scenery is magnificent not only because of colorful leaves, but also the beautiful sunflowers, cosmos, silver grass, pink muhly, and other vegetation turning the landscape into a painting. In this article, I recommend activities that allow you to take in the wonderful scenery, sample delicious foods and simply have fun with your family and friends.
1. Camping (Glamping)
I love camping because I can feel connected with nature, have a BBQ party and sit around the campfire for hours with friends. Don’t you feel excited just thinking about it? Here are some great camping spots that allow you to make reservations in English. Take a look and then start making plans!
National Parks
For a more adventurous experience, try a multi-day hike at a national park to conquer more challenging courses or to just go at a more relaxed pace. It’s important to note that camping in the parks is illegal in Korea, except in designated areas. If you wish to spend the night in a national park, visit the Korea National Park Service website to explore available accommodations.
Note: If you need assistance with booking, please call 1670-9201 (available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Fri, with a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m.) or email csnp@knps.or.kr.
Byeobitmaru Glamping
If you love history and nature, try this glamping spot in Gyeongju! This city is surrounded by cultural sites from ancient Korea, Silla, as well as by the sea and mountains. Byeobitmaru Glamping is a 10-minute walk to a famous silver grass field and is near other popular destinations, including Pohang beaches, Mujangsan Mountain, and the cultural heritages of Silla.
If you love camping near the sea, fall is a great time in Korea since it’s the season of fishing and seafood. In Taean, you can enjoy camping at the beach with a variety of activities such as fishing, collecting shellfish, visiting a fish market, and trekking on a vast silver grass field. And there’s nothing like BBQing and enjoying a campfire while listening to waves wash ashore.
Gapyeong-Nami Island Best Caravan Glamping
This luxurious glamping site is surrounded by nature near Nami Island and Jarasum Island, top destinations for autumn foliage and flowers. This glamping site offers hotel-like amenities and stunning interiors with beautiful river views and forest surroundings.
Address: 517-8, Bukhangangbyeon-ro, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Taean-Starlight Sea Glamping Pension
Located by the sea in Taean, this glamping spot is perfect for those who love beachside camping. You can engage in various activities such as fishing, shellfish collecting, visiting fish markets, and trekking on a vast silver grass field. Enjoy BBQs and campfires while listening to the soothing sounds of the waves. The beautiful ocean view from your room and stunning decorations make this site a sensation site on social media.
Address: 21-37, Hakampo-gil, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Jeju Starlight Glamping
Jeju Starlight Glamping is well known among Koreans as a recommended spot for couples because of its clean, comfortable, beautifully decorated facilities and romantic atmosphere.
2. Finding peace in the mountains
Photo by Korea National Park
Many famous mountains in Korea are home to Buddhist temples due to the deep-rooted history the country has with the religion. Buddhist temples boast unique beauty and harmonization with the surrounding mountains. You can certainly visit, but did you know that some temples offer overnight stays? Travelers can experience meditation, trekking and other activities within the temple grounds for a taste of monk life. For comprehensive information and a list of temples offering English-language services in Korea, visit the website.
Price: About 60,000 won to 80,000 won ($42.5-$57) for one night, including food, accommodation, and activities.
Website for booking
This website has all information about temple stay in Korea. They organize all temples with English service.
Reservations for Golgulsa
Photos courtesy of Golgulsa
Golgulsa is a popular temple that offers a variety of programs with English-speaking monks. If you want to learn martial arts, they have programs for you.
3. Traveling by train
Trains in the fall are full of travelers with backpacks who want to leave their homes and explore other cities. The great parts of the train trip are enjoying the beautiful scenery from the tracks and trying tasty local food while wandering a different city. There are a lot of great destinations to visit when traveling by train, but here are three spots that are the best during the fall.
Jeongjua
Things to try: * Wearing Hanbok at Jeonju Hanok Village * Wandering at Jaman Mural Village * Viewing lotus flowers at Deokjin park * Eating local food at Nambu Outdoor Market * Walking into the bamboo forest at Gyeonggijeon Shrine
Suncheon
Things to try: * Enjoying the best natural landscape in Korea at Suncheon Bay Nature Reserve * Seeing flowers at Sunchoen Bay National Garden * Experiencing time slip to Joseon Dynasty at Nagan Eupseong Folk Village * Taking photos at Suncheon Drama filming
Gangneung
Things to try * Riding Sea Train at Gangneung station * Riding Railbike at Jeongdongjin beach * Going on a cafe tour on Anmok beach * Renting a scooter or bike at Gyeongpodae beach * Walking at Daegwallyeong Natural Recreation Forest * Seeing cute sheep at Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch * Trying local food at Gangneung Jungang Market
Korail Pass (unlimited train rides) If you plan to travel to many different cities in a short time by the high-speed train KTX, try Korail Pass. You can ride most trains in Korea without booking tickets if you have a pass. For more details, check the KORAIL website
4. Wear traditional Korean clothing
Visit the five royal palaces in Seoul, wear beautiful traditional clothes, hanbok, and take photos in the breathtaking autumn scenery! In Korea, wearing hanbok near historical sites is a popular activity during the fall and spring seasons. Among the numerous historical sites, Gyeongbokgung Palace stands out as a top destination for this experience. For those who wear hanbok, the admission fees for all five palaces which cost about 3,000 won ($2.25) are free.
Please note that Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesdays and rental shops may close early in case of rain.
K-Royal Culture Festival
Experience life of the royal family in Joseon Dynasty at the K-Royal Culture Festival, held at the royal palaces in Seoul. During the festival period, many visitors rent hanboks to fully experience Korea’s royal culture. Take this wonderful opportunity to wear a hanbok and enjoy the beautiful palace festival!
Dates: Oct. 14 (Sat) – Oct. 18 (Wed)
Location: Gyeongbokgung Palace
Changdeokgung Palace
Changgyeonggung Palace
Deoksugung Palace
Respect nature
Do not enter restricted areas or you could be fined 100,000-500,000 won (about $70-350)
Do not making loud noises with devices like Bluetooth speakers: maximum 300,000 won (about $210) fine
Do not bring a pet: 100,000 won (about $70) fine
Drinking alcohol while hiking: 50,000-100,000 won (about $35-70) fine
Do not smoke or bring in flammable materials: maximum 300,000 won (about $210) fine
Do not camp or cook in areas that are not designated: maximum 500,000 won (about $350) fine
Do not collect forest products like acorns, mushrooms and wild greens: maximum 50,000,000 won (about $35,100) fine or five years in prison
Speakin’ Korean
While hiking, it’s very common to friendly say hi or engage in chatting with other hikers. For hiking greetings, Koreans usually say “good work!” and “cheer up!” to encourage each other instead of saying hello when running into people in the mountains. Give some of these phrases below a try to give your fellow hikers on the path a smile! Making interaction with locals will definitely add more excitement on hiking!
Take care/Good work/ Keep up the hard work: Sugo-haseyo (수고하세요)
Cheer up/ Hang in there: Himnaeseyo (힘내세요)
You can do it!: Hal su isseoyo! (할 수 있어요!)
Go first please/After you: Meonjeo gaseyo (먼저 가세요)
Thank you: Gamsa-hamnida (감사합니다)
How far should I go more?: Eolmana deo gaya haeyo? (얼마나 더 가야 해요?)
I love hiking: Jeoneun deung-san-ee joayo (저는 등산이 좋아요)
The autumn leaves are really beautiful: Danpung-ee neomu ah-reum-da-woyo (단풍이 너무 아름다워요)
Mountain: San (산)
Hiking: Deung-san (등산)
Nature: Jayeon (자연)
Fall/Autumn: Gaeul (가을)
Autumn leaves: Danpung (단풍)
