Autumn foliage in Korea: best spots and timing for fall colors

Korea's fall foliage (단풍) is stunning, usually peaking mid-October to mid-November: Peak timing (north to south): - Seoraksan: Early-mid October - Seoul: Late October - early November - Naejangsan: Early-mid November - Jeju: Mid-late November Best spots: 1. Naejangsan National Park — the most famous, red maple tunnels 2. Seoraksan — dramatic mountain + foliage, crowded but worth it 3. Bukhansan (Seoul) — accessible, great for day hiking 4. Deoksugung Stonewall Road (Seoul) — romantic city walk 5. Baekyangsa Temple — less crowded, equally beautiful Seoul urban spots: - Olympic Park — ginkgo tree road - Namsan — easy hike with color - Seoul Forest — free, gorgeous maples Pro tip: The color peak varies by elevation. Start at mountain summits, then valleys over 2-3 weeks.