Uncover Korea's most Instagrammable autumn locations

By Pyo Kyung-min

Because the sweltering warmth of summer season fades, Korea’s panorama is present process a spectacular transformation stuffed with wealthy, vibrant colours. This marks the proper time to discover among the nation’s most picturesque spots the place the great thing about fall foliage reaches its peak, providing best settings for capturing post-worthy moments.

Vacationers on the “Hadong Bukcheon Cosmos & Buckwheat Flower Pageant” at Hadong County of South Gyeongsang Province, take images in opposition to the cosmos flowers, September 2022. Newsis

Autumn blossoms

Because the crisp air of autumn descends, the Korean landscapes come alive with quite a lot of blossoms. A various array of recent flowers marks the season, drawing guests from across the nation to soak up their magnificence and take part in colourful festivals.

One of the vital iconic of those flowers is the cosmos, which begins to bloom in early September. Adorning roadsides with its easy, lovely petals in shades of pink, purple and white, the cosmos maintain a particular place within the nation’s tradition, typically showing in basic literature as an emblem of autumn’s magnificence and ease.

Equally beloved is buckwheat, which bursts into bloom across the identical time. Its delicate white flower, swaying within the autumn breeze, is alleged to evoke imagery of rolling sea waves, making it a favourite for nature fans.

In celebration of those flowers, Hadong County in South Gyeongsang Province hosts the annual Hadong Bukcheon Cosmos & Buckwheat Flower Pageant, working from Sept. 13 to 29. The competition spans 200,000 sq. meters of fields stuffed with these iconic blossoms, providing guests an opportunity to immerse themselves within the seasonal magnificence.

Past the flowers, the competition guarantees all kinds of experiences, from harvesting potatoes to creating tteok, or Korean rice muffins. Guests may also pattern “memilmuk,” a jelly constructed from buckwheat flour, a standard Korean delicacy.

Guests benefit from the globe amaranth competition held over two days at Yangju’s Nari Park, Gyeonggi Province, September 2017. Newsis

Autumn additionally brings with it the colourful globe amaranth, a flower that blooms from the peak of summer season and continues via the autumn. Identified for its deep purple, gentle pink and white hues, the globe amaranth additionally provides a splash of colour to the season’s photogenic palette.

Nari Park, situated in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, residence to Korea’s largest globe amaranth fields, will host a competition devoted to the flower from Sept. 27 to 29. Attracting round 310,000 guests final yr, the park goals to offer an much more spectacular show this time, with totally different flowers together with roses and cosmos to captivate nature lovers and vacationers alike.

One other latest addition to Korea’s autumn panorama is pink muhly grass, a decorative plant initially from the USA. Whereas not a standard a part of the Korean panorama, pink muhly has quickly gained reputation on social media for its alluring, gentle pink waves that rework gardens into romantic, photo-ready scenes.

Gochang, North Jeolla Province, will maintain the Gochang Pink Muhly Pageant via Nov. 3, celebrating this distinctive plant. The competition will function huge fields of pink muhly, together with chrysanthemums and the majestic pampas grass, all of which add texture to the autumn surroundings.

Whereas pink muhly has lately grow to be a social media sensation, silver grass retains its timeless attract because the quintessential image of autumn. The Mindungsan Silver Grass Pageant, working via Nov. 2 at Mount Mindung in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, showcases breathtaking views of huge fields of silver grass. The scenic magnificence is particularly rewarding after a trek to the mountain’s summit, providing a serene and picturesque expertise.

Starlight Backyard in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Gyeonggi Tourism Group

Stargazing spots

Stargazing continues to captivate many in Korea throughout autumn, a convention rooted in historic gatherings the place households would honor their ancestors with freshly harvested choices, then climb to excessive factors to gaze on the full moon and stars, making needs beneath the autumn evening sky. Though the traditions have light in fashionable instances, the attract of observing the celebs beneath the clear, crisp autumn sky stays as a well-liked seasonal exercise.

One such vacation spot is the Starlight Backyard in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, the place guests can take pleasure in breathtaking mountain views through the day and gaze on the full moon at evening. One of the best time for stargazing is between 10 p.m. and a couple of a.m. and with Gapyeong being about two to a few hours from the Seoul metropolitan space, guests are suggested to pack snacks, water, heat clothes and a mat for consolation throughout their nighttime journey.

Seojangdae of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress / Courtesy of Gyeonggi Tourism Group

Seojangdae, situated on the summit of Mount Paldal throughout the UNESCO-listed Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, presents one other prime location for moon viewing. Because the fortress’ highest level, Seojangdae offers sweeping views of Hwaseong’s historic partitions and Suwon’s glowing nightscape, making it one of many high locations to understand the autumn moon.

Simply behind Seojangdae additionally lies Seonodae, a lesser-known however equally enchanting spot for moon gazing. From right here, guests can seize the complete moon rising above Seojangdae, softly illuminated by its serene, romantic lighting.

Additional afield, Namhansanseong Fortress in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, additionally presents wonderful stargazing alternatives. The world round its West Gate Commentary Deck offers guests with a surprising panoramic view, that includes a golden sundown transitioning into an evening stuffed with stars and metropolis lights.

Lotte World Journey Busan will host its fall competition till Nov. 17. Courtesy of Lotte World Adventures Busan

Amusement parks

The cool autumn climate offers the proper alternative for households, {couples} and mates to go to Korea’s amusement parks, that are additionally gearing up with photo-worthy festivals to rejoice the season.

At Everland, considered one of Korea’s largest theme parks, the autumn competition is in full swing with points of interest that embrace an autumn-themed backyard and a Halloween-themed horror zone.

Everland’s iconic 4 Seasons Backyard has been reworked into the Autumn Festa Backyard, that includes photogenic fall harvest decorations good on your social media feed. Guests can stroll via ornamental fields of rice and millet, providing picturesque views harking back to Korea’s considerable autumn fields.

The eighth season of Everland’s Blood Metropolis, the park’s signature fall attraction, options collaborations with Netflix and Samsung Electronics. Courtesy of Everland

For these looking for extra thrills, Blood Metropolis, Everland’s signature horror-themed zone, is a must-see. Launched in 2017 for the Halloween season, Blood Metropolis has grown into an indicator of Everland’s fall choices.

Now in its eighth season, Blood Metropolis has returned even larger, that includes collaborations with massive names like Netflix and Samsung Electronics. The big-scale attraction zone mimics a film set, the place guests can immerse themselves in terrifying interactive experiences impressed by standard Netflix collection, together with “Stranger Issues” and “All of Us Are Lifeless.”

These heading to Busan for the autumn vacation may also expertise the seasonal magic at Lotte World Journey Busan, which is internet hosting its fall competition, Darkish Forest, till Nov. 17. The competition options two distinct themes: one centered on Halloween spooks and one other on harvest competition celebrations.

As a part of the autumn festivities, Lotte World Journey Busan has additionally revamped its evening parade. Beloved Lotte World characters, Lotti and Lorry, will be a part of the parade in newly designed outfits, partaking with guests all through the evening.

Guests in Everland, considered one of Korea’s greatest amusement parks situated in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, take selfies on the venue’s 4 Seasons Backyard on this undated photograph. Courtesy of Everland