3 Amazing Day Trips You Should Take This Autumn in Korea
With crisp air, clear blue skies and perfect temperatures, autumn in Korea is certainly the best time to get outdoors and enjoy nature.
Plus, you can take in the gorgeous fall colors, which will be seen all over Korea in the coming weeks.
For those who want to experience the fall foliage and all the best things Korea has to offer this fall, here are some of the best day trips from Seoul that should be on your radar right now.
1. A leaf-peeping adventure to Seoraksan National Park
If you want something truly spectacular this autumn, then go on a fall foliage trip to Seoraksan National Park located in Gangwon Province, the eastern part of Korea.
The park is home to Seoraksan, or Seorak Mountain, the third highest mountain in Korea, which is the first place in Korea to see the foliage in the country.
Jam-packed with awe-inspiring landscapes, it is no wonder that Seoraksan is hailed as one of the best fall foliage destinations in Korea.
While hiking and climbing are just some of the best activities on offer, Seoraksan offers dramatic mountain peaks, unique rock formations and gorgeous valleys along with spectacular fall foliage.
For those who want some serious fall foliage experience, visit the southern part of Seoraksan National Park, which is renowned for Osaekyaksu (Mineral Spring Valley) that offers unparalleled autumn foliage.
Or if you just want to enjoy nature and like being outdoors, you can opt for the cable car or visit the famous Sinheungsa Temple located in the eastern part of the park.
And if you’ve got time, explore other nearby attractions, including Naksansa Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple complete with stunning ocean vistas, and Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, a popular sheep farm that gives you an opportunity to feed the sheep, and Nami Island.
| Where: Seoraksan National Park, Sokcho City, Gangwon Province
| When to visit: While most of the hiking trails should be covered in reds and yellows by mid-October, the peak fall foliage can be seen until early November. Those you don’t want to miss out on these incredible fall colors in Seoraksan, be sure to plan and book your fall foliage trip ahead of time.
| How to go to Seoraksan National Park: A trip to Seoraksan National Park, both southern and eastern, involves approximately three hours of driving from Seoul. Since getting to the park without a car can be tricky, it’s best to take a tour that can take the hassle out of organizing your trip.
Check out the best day trips from Seoul to Seoraksan:
• Seoraksan Fall Foliage Trip
• Seoraksan Hiking Trip
• Seoraksan & Naksansa Temple
• Seoraksan & Nami Island
• Seoraksan & Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm
2. A fabulous family apple-picking trip to Pocheon
Looking for something a little different to do with the family?
Take the whole family on a day trip to one of the best apple orchards in Pocheon, a mountainous city on the outskirts of Seoul, located in the northeast Gyeonggi Province.
You and your family can get your hands on fresh mini apples and take home 1 kg of self-picked mini apples!
You can take a self-driving tour or join a one-day tour to the apple orchard. The tour offered by Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop, offers a mini apple-picking experience coupled with some of Pocheon’s most popular tourist attractions, such as Pocheon Herb Island and Pocheon Art Valley.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Pocheon Herb Island, it is a Mediterranean-themed park that features botanical gardens, herb museum, gondola and pony rides, a petting zoo and a Santa Village that offers a romantic light festival all year round.
Pocheon Art Valley, which was once a granite quarry site, is now famous as a culture and arts complex with a beautiful sculpture garden and a man-made Cheonjuho Lake, a picturesque lake, which was featured in Korean dramas, such as “The Legend of the Blue Sea” and “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.”
| Where: Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province
| When to visit: The apple picking experience in Pocheon is offered until early November, so start planning or book your apple picking trip ASAP. Both Pocheon Herb Island and Pocheon Art Valley are open all year round.
| How to go to Pocheon: Take the subway to Soyosan Station (Subway Line #1), then take a local bus to your desired destination. Or you can take an express bus to Pocheon Intercity Bus Terminal and then taken a local bus as well. It takes around two hours of driving from Seoul. To make the most of your trip, hire a driver and a private vehicle, join a tour, or drive yourself.
Check out the best day trips from Seoul to Pocheon:
• Mini Apple Picking & Pocheon Herb Island & Pocheon Art Valley
• Pocheon Herb Island & Pocheon Art Valley & Sansawon Brewery
• Pocheon Herb Island & Sanjeong Lake
3. An autumn outing to the sea of silver grass in Jeongseon
Head out of Seoul to explore the unparalleled beauty of the Korean countryside!
Located in central Gangwon Province, Jeonseon County is a lesser-known jewel that is not always on everyone’s itinerary but is absolutely worth visiting, particularly in the autumn.
In the autumn, the expansive silver grasses on Mindungsan Mountain, or Mount Mindung, turn into beautiful golden and silver colors.
You won’t find vibrant fall colors here but instead, you’ll be treated to some of the magical fields of silver grass (eulalia) that cover the surrounding landscape.
Besides its amazing natural scenery, the site has long attracted adventure travelers for its hiking, rail-biking, zip-lining, skiing and other exciting activities as well.
One of the best activities to try is the Jeongseon Rail Bike. During the 40-minute ride, you will be able to take in the landscapes of the mountains and forests. If you’d like to try, be sure to get your Jeongseon Rail Bike tickets in advance.
If you want an adrenaline rush, head over to the Arii Hills located near Byeongbangsan Mountain in Jeongseon.
Here, you can find a skywalk that projects from the cliff at an altitude of 583m and offers you breathtaking views of Bamseom, a unique land formation that looks like the Korean peninsula, and the U-shaped curves of the Sahaengcheon Stream.
And for die-hard thrill seekers, there’s the zip wire that drops you off the cliff and takes you through the sky at speed up to 60 miles per hour! The zip wire operates from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 am to 6 pm, and the ride costs 40,000 KRW (around $36).
| Where: Jeongseon County, Gangwon Province
| When to visit: The Mindungsan Mountain Silver Grass Festival runs until October 29, 2017. For anyone interested in going to the festival, there’s a one-day tour available from October 14 to 29, 2017.
| How to go to Jeongseon: A trip to Jeongseon involves approximately three hours of driving from Seoul (depending on the traffic). You can get to Jeongseon by taking an express bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal bound for Jeongseon Express Bus Terminal. However, it can be very difficult to actually get around the sites without a car. Therefore, hiring a driver and a private vehicle, joining a day tour, or self-driving is strongly recommended.
Check out the best day trips from Seoul to Jeongseon:
• Mindungsan Mountain Silver Grass Festival
• Jeongseon Rail Bike & Sky Walk
Now, if you are inspired, start planning your autumn getaway or fall foliage trips in Korea now at Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop!
