The crisp air envelopes you as you snuggle into your favorite jacket. You look around as the vibrant colors of Autumn pierce through the dim gray that is sure to become winter. Although this beautiful season is short, its extravagance comes from the fleeting and wonderful feelings it bestows.
If you love Autumn foliage as much as I do and want to experience it for longer, trek down south to Naejangsan National Park. This lovely mountain boasts Baekyangsa Temple and the foliage does not disappoint. Both are famous places in Jeolla-do province for crimson leaves.
The Perfect Selfie
If you seek photography perfection, then this special place shall deliver. Trees gently sprinkling their colorful leaves into clean ponds make for a romantic setting and great photo opportunity. There are lots of people, but rest assured most Koreans are nice enough to wait for you to get your photo and there’s 76,032 sq. km of space to find a great place.
Scenic Pond
I have taken one of my most favorite photos here. With the pond highly reflective of what’s around it, you can’t go wrong here. You can walk across and snap a bunch of photos but be careful because it’s slippery and you don’t want to fall. My boyfriend may or may not have fallen as collateral damage to my art. P.s. He’s the best boyfriend in the world.
You’ll Love Baekyangsa Temple
The grounds of the temple are set to the backdrop of a mountain. Even if it rains the place has a charm of its own as you watch the clouds roll over the mountain. In addition, you’ll hear the recordings of monks singing and get a peaceful feeling being around a Buddhist Temple.
You can do a temple stay
Temple stays are becoming super popular because, duh. Who wouldn’t want to wake up in a peaceful atmosphere overlooking mountains? If you can’t sleep on a hard wooden floor, this may not be for you, but I’ve slept on an undol floor and it is so toasty and cozy.
Clean Air and Nature
I love mostly everything about Seoul, but one of the things I dislike is the yellow dust runs rampant and clogs up your lungs and pores. What better way to escape the pollution than to frolic in nature and enjoy yourself? There’s no shortage of creeks to watch and listen to the sound of running water and the trees are lined up spectacularly to show off their best foliage.
Awesome Bonus Photos For Your Visual Hangover
How To Get there: From Gangnam Bus terminal in Seoul take a bus to Jangseong for three and a half hours. From Jangseong, take the bus 36 for about an hour. Get off at Baekyangsa 백양사.
Cost: There is a 2,000 won parking fee and a 3,000 won entry fee.
Autumn is but a short season where we can enjoy cooler temperatures before the harsh winter sets in. This is your opportunity to dress in your best, take perfect selfies and fall in love with the thousands of years of culture that makes Korea so unique. When are you planning your trip to see the foliage at Naejangsan National Park?
24 Comments on Five Reasons You Need to See Naejangsan’s Autumn Foliage
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Such beautiful colors – I love fall, I had thought that Japan topped the list for most beautiful fall foliage, but from looking through your photos, South Korea provides some pretty fierce competition!
Right? It’s so sad that South Korea gets knocked out for foliage, but it’s definitely just as beautiful if not more so. You have to know where to look!
It looks really colorful and beautiful. I would definitely love to visit Korea during autumn. It is so fascinating. Lucky that you already experienced it. I am excited to go there next year.
JM | Man Of Wanders
Where are you going in Korea next year?
So beautiful and colourful. I would like to visit Korea next year during autumn. You are lucky to experienced it this year.
Such colorful photos! I would really love to stay in a temple some fall weekend!
I would definitely love to do a temple stay as well. It’s on my bucket list for Korea for next Autumn.
Wow, I could just keep looking at your photos all day Gina – they are amazing. Those autumn colors are just incredible. I am loving the deep reds and oranges, against the yellows and greens. Plus the Baekyangsa Temple sits so well amongst the autumn colors. I would love to do a temple stay – I reckon it would be such a great experience.
Thanks so much for your sweet compliment! I take a lot of pride in my photography and I hope to keep improving my skills. I also like how the temple is a stark contrast against the vibrant foliage?
I love autumn leaves and it’s always a joy to discover new places where you can photograph them. South Korea’s autumn foliage is fantastic. Well captured Gina.
Thanks so much! I wish I would’ve had more time to capture them. Autumn in Korea is so short and I don’t have enough time off.
Oh my gosh! This looks like a fairytale! Korea is one of the places in my travel bucket list, and my husband and I are looking into visiting maybe next year, if possible. Autumn is the best time to go! I love the foliage. So beautiful! Be careful though, and try not to slip too much 😉
Hahaha. Luckily, I didn’t slip, but my bf took quite the tumble. I started calling him the Instagram bf because he suffers for my art. Hahaha.
Oh my God! how mesmerizingly beautiful the place is. It looks like heaven, actually, it must be as it is so beautiful. Autumn has rendered a surreal aura to the place. Stunning pictures!
Thanks Vyjay! Autumn makes everything 10x better. Have you ever been in a place that has an amazing Autumn?
Those colours are beautiful Gina! Love all the crimsons and oranges. I hadn’t realized it was so far away from Seoul – how did you find the long travel time?
The travel time is about 5 hours by bus because of traffic. You definitely have to stay overnight and make it a weekend trip.
It is confirmed from your pictures autumn is any day better than Spring! Such gorgeous locations and captures. I want to get lost there.
This is definitely a spot worth getting lost in because no matter where you are, it’s amazingly beautiful!
Such beautiful colors..that tree blooming with the red color particularly looks at fire..I love the vibrant shades so much
I thought the tree also looked like fire as well. It makes me a bit sad that Autumn in Korea is getting shorter and shorter. I would love to have a long Autumn like Japan.
I love the colors of Autumn! You found some wonderful photo spots. I am so sad we never made it to Naejangsan National Park, we tried to make it to as many as possible but got a little lazy towards the end of our 2nd year! Glad I got to experience through your post. I love how they are all full of beautiful temples and scenery.
I spent two years living in Southern Jeolla and I feel there are so many hidden gems there than many people who only hang around Seoul or Busan sadly don’t get to see. You’re right — Naejangsan National Park is a sight to see during the fall months especially. I just love the colors of the trees when autumn is in full force in Korea.
I am going to put Naejangsan national park high on my bucket list. Totally loved the autumn foliage tour that you took me on with this post. I love the autumn colors so much, and then to have all of these splashed together ..what can be better than that