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. Check out these top autumn 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)

There are some beloved cities for fall camping where you can have a BBQ party and sit around the campfire for hours with friends in cool weather. Here is a list of Korea’s best camping spots and check out the recommended glamping hotels available for English booking.

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. Learn more about camping in Korea’s national parks (Check QR code).

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.

Reservations

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Gyeongju

Gyeongju City is perfect for enjoying history and nature together as the city is surrounded by cultural sites from the ancient Silla Kingdom, as well as by the sea and mountains.

- Byeolbitmaru Glamping

Byeolbitmaru 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.

Reservations

Naver Map

Gapyeong

Gapyeong County, located in the northern part of Korea, is also famous for camping due to its natural surroundings and proximity to the famous Nami Island, as well as a variety of outdoor activity options.

- Namiseom 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, Naver Map

Taean

Taean County, home to 27 beaches, offers numerous camping opportunities right by the sea. Whether you prefer fancy glamping or open-field camping, anywhere in Taean is a camper’s heaven to enjoy a campfire while listening to the waves wash ashore. Also, a variety of fall activities are available in this area, such as fishing, collecting shellfish, visiting a fish market, and viewing fall grasses and flowers.

- Byeolbit Bada Glamping Pension

Located in stunning Hakampo Beach, this glamping spot has become popular on social media among those looking for beachside camping. The pretty glamping tents make for a great environment for envious Instagram pictures along with beautiful ocean views.

Address: 21-37, Hakampo-gil, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Naver Map

Jeju Island

Jeju Starlight Glamping (or Byeol Heneun Bam Glamping) is beloved among Korean couples for its romantic atmosphere and breathtaking ocean views. The glamping tents are beautifully decorated and well-maintained with clean and comfortable settings.

- Jeju Starlight Glamping

Jeju Starlight Glamping (or Byeol Heneun Bam Glamping) is beloved among Korean couples for its romantic atmosphere and breathtaking ocean views. The glamping tents are beautifully decorated and well-maintained with clean and comfortable settings.

Reservations

Naver Map

2. Finding peace in the mountains

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.

- Temple Stay website:

The “Temple Stay” website offers comprehensive details and a list of temples with stay programs. The website is easy to navigate even for foreigners, so you can browse options that suit your taste, from historical temples to fun activities. Check the QR code for booking.

Reservations

- Price:

Most temple stay programs are affordable, usually from 40,000 won to 80,000 won. Many temples also accept credit cards.

- Reservations for 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.

Reservations

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.

Jeongju

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 Wetland Reserve

• Seeing flowers at Sunchoen Bay National Garden

• Experiencing time slip to Joseon Dynasty at Nakan Eupseong Folk Village

• Taking photos at Suncheon Drama Open Flim Set

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

4. Hanbok rental at The Five Royal Palaces

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 are free.

Please note that Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesdays and rental shops may close early in case of rain.

- Hanbok rental shops

Hanbok rental usually costs between 10,000 won and 50,000 won, depending on the design of the hanbok and the rental duration. You can easily find numerous rental shops around the five palace areas, or you can try Hanboknam, a franchise hanbok rental shop with branches near Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Yongin Korean Folk Village, and Jeonju Hanok Village. Search for “Hanboknam” or “한복남” in NAVER MAP.

- The 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. 9 (Wed.) – Oct .13 (Sun.)

• 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.

• Do not making loud noises with devices like Bluetooth speakers: maximum 300,000 won fine.

• Do not bring a pet: 100,000 won fine.

• Drinking alcohol while hiking: 50,000-100,000 won fine.

• Do not smoke or bring in flammable materials: maximum 300,000 won fine.

• Do not camp or cook in areas that are not designated: maximum 500,000 won fine.

• Do not collect forest products like acorns, mushrooms and wild greens: maximum 50,000,000 won 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)

Camp Casey

USAG Yongsan

Camp Humphreys

Osan Air Base

Kunsan Air Base

USAG Daegu

Fleet Chinhae

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