Pink muhly grass starts to bloom at the Hueree Nature Life Park in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, Sept. 12. Yonhap
As the sweltering heat of summer fades, Korea's landscape is undergoing a spectacular transformation filled with rich, vibrant colors. This marks the perfect time to explore some of the country's most picturesque spots where the beauty of fall foliage reaches its peak, offering ideal settings for capturing post-worthy moments.
Tourists take photos against the cosmos flowers at the Hadong Bukcheon Cosmos & Buckwheat Flower Festival at Hadong County of South Gyeongsang Province, September 2022. Newsis
Autumn blossoms
As the crisp air of autumn descends, the Korean landscapes come alive with a variety of blossoms. A diverse array of new flowers marks the season, drawing visitors from around the nation to take in their beauty and participate in colorful festivals.
One of the most iconic of these flowers is the cosmos, which begins to bloom in early September. Adorning roadsides with its simple, adorable petals in shades of pink, purple and white, the cosmos hold a special place in the nation's culture, often appearing in classic literature as a symbol of autumn's beauty and simplicity.
Equally beloved is buckwheat, which bursts into bloom around the same time. Its delicate white flower, swaying in the autumn breeze, is said to evoke imagery of rolling sea waves, making it a favorite for nature enthusiasts.
In celebration of these flowers, Hadong County in South Gyeongsang Province hosts the annual Hadong Bukcheon Cosmos & Buckwheat Flower Festival, running from Sept. 13 to 29. The festival spans 200,000 square meters of fields filled with these iconic blossoms, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the seasonal beauty.
Beyond the flowers, the festival promises a wide variety of experiences, from harvesting potatoes to making tteok, or Korean rice cakes. Visitors can also sample "memilmuk," a jelly made from buckwheat flour, a traditional Korean delicacy.
Visitors enjoy the globe amaranth festival at Yangju's Nari Park in Gyeonggi Province, September 2017. Newsis
Autumn also brings with it the vibrant globe amaranth, a flower that blooms from the height of summer and continues through the fall. Known for its deep purple, soft pink and white hues, the globe amaranth also adds a splash of color to the season's photogenic palette.
Nari Park, located in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, home to Korea's largest globe amaranth fields, will host a festival dedicated to the flower from Sept. 27 to 29. Attracting around 310,000 visitors last year, the park aims to provide an even more spectacular display this time, with different flowers including roses and cosmos to captivate nature lovers and tourists alike.
Another recent addition to Korea's autumn landscape is pink muhly grass, an ornamental plant originally from the United States. While not a traditional part of the Korean landscape, pink muhly has rapidly gained popularity on social media for its alluring, soft pink waves that transform gardens into romantic, photo-ready scenes.
Gochang, North Jeolla Province, will hold the Gochang Pink Muhly Festival through Nov. 3, celebrating this unique plant. The festival will feature vast fields of pink muhly, along with chrysanthemums and the majestic pampas grass, all of which add texture to the autumn scenery.
While pink muhly has recently become a social media sensation, silver grass retains its timeless allure as the quintessential symbol of autumn. The Mindungsan Silver Grass Festival, running through Nov. 2 at Mount Mindung in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, showcases breathtaking views of vast fields of silver grass. The scenic beauty is especially rewarding after a trek to the mountain's summit, offering a serene and picturesque experience.
Starlight Garden in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Gyeonggi Tourism Organization
Stargazing spots
Stargazing continues to captivate many in Korea during autumn, a tradition rooted in historical gatherings where families would honor their ancestors with freshly harvested offerings, then climb to high points to gaze at the full moon and stars, making wishes under the autumn night sky. Although the traditions have faded in modern times, the allure of observing the stars under the clear, crisp autumn sky remains as a popular seasonal activity.
One such destination is the Starlight Garden in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, where visitors can enjoy breathtaking mountain views during the day and gaze at the full moon at night. The best time for stargazing is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. and with Gapyeong being about two to three hours from the Seoul metropolitan area, visitors are advised to pack snacks, water, warm clothing and a mat for comfort during their nighttime adventure.
Seojangdae of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress / Courtesy of Gyeonggi Tourism Organization
Seojangdae, located at the summit of Mount Paldal within the UNESCO-listed Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, offers another prime location for moon viewing. As the fortress' highest point, Seojangdae provides sweeping views of Hwaseong's historic walls and Suwon's sparkling nightscape, making it one of the top places to appreciate the autumn moon.
Just behind Seojangdae also lies Seonodae, a lesser-known but equally enchanting spot for moon gazing. From here, visitors can capture the full moon rising above Seojangdae, softly illuminated by its serene, romantic lighting.
Further afield, Namhansanseong Fortress in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, also offers excellent stargazing opportunities. The area around its West Gate Observation Deck provides visitors with a stunning panoramic view, featuring a golden sunset transitioning into a night filled with stars and city lights.
Lotte World Adventure Busan will host its fall festival until Nov. 17. Courtesy of Lotte World Adventures Busan
Amusement parks
The cool autumn weather provides the perfect opportunity for families, couples and friends to visit Korea's amusement parks, which are also gearing up with photo-worthy festivals to celebrate the season.
At Everland, one of Korea's largest theme parks, the fall festival is in full swing with attractions that include an autumn-themed garden and a Halloween-themed horror zone.
Everland's iconic Four Seasons Garden has been transformed into the Autumn Festa Garden, featuring photogenic fall harvest decorations perfect for your social media feed. Visitors can stroll through decorative fields of rice and millet, offering picturesque views reminiscent of Korea's abundant autumn fields.
The eighth season of Everland's Blood City, the park's signature fall attraction, features collaborations with Netflix and Samsung Electronics. Courtesy of Everland
For those seeking more thrills, Blood City, Everland's signature horror-themed zone, is a must-see. Introduced in 2017 for the Halloween season, Blood City has grown into a hallmark of Everland's fall offerings.
Now in its eighth season, Blood City has returned even bigger, featuring collaborations with big names like Netflix and Samsung Electronics. The large-scale attraction zone mimics a movie set, where visitors can immerse themselves in terrifying interactive experiences inspired by popular Netflix series, including "Stranger Things" and "All of Us Are Dead."
Those heading to Busan for the autumn holiday can also experience the seasonal magic at Lotte World Adventure Busan, which is hosting its fall festival, Dark Forest, until Nov. 17. The festival features two distinct themes: one centered on Halloween spooks and another on harvest festival celebrations.
As part of the autumn festivities, Lotte World Adventure Busan has also revamped its night parade. Beloved Lotte World characters, Lotti and Lorry, will join the parade in newly designed outfits, engaging with visitors throughout the night.
Visitors in Everland, one of Korea's biggest amusement parks located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, take selfies at the venue's Four Seasons Garden in this undated photo. Courtesy of Everland