PHOTOS Fall foliage going full-blown across Korea
Cosmos are in full bloom on an allotment in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on Oct. 12. / Yonhap
By Chyung Eun-ju
Now is the time to unpack those heavier scarves and set out to see the colorful autumn foliage.
From cozy weekend getaways with breathtaking views to local exploration, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the cooler weather across the country.
From Oct. 21 to Nov. 5, 2017 Fall Travel Week awaits travelers nationwide with about 530 programs with discounts in 6,393 places.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism with Korea Tourism Organization, Korea Tourism Association, and 17 other regional municipal corporations have organized the special week.
Where does it begin?
The first foliage was seen on Sept. 27 on Mount Seorak, a high mountain in Gangwon Province in eastern Korea. Seorak is expected to have bountiful autumn leaves around Oct. 19.
Leaves started to turn ion Mount Bukhann, Seoul, on Saturday.
The fall colors are expected to spread from Seorak to the south. Mount Halla, the highest mountain in the south, on Jeju Island will be covered with picturesque fall colors around Oct. 31.
A red sumac leaf wet from the fall rain in Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon Province on Oct. 12. / Yonhap
Palace events
Royal palaces in Seoul, built during Joseon Kingdom, will be laced with colorful foliage from around Oct. 20, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration.
The administration recommends visiting the palaces and historical sites during the first week of November when the leaves are expected to be at their most beautiful.
Admission to four major palaces _ Gyeongbok, Changdeok, Changgyeong and Deeoksu Palaces _ will be halved from Oct. 21 to Nov. 5.
A variety of cultural events will enliven the festival. Gyeongbok Palace will offer a royal music concert until the end of October. Changdeok Palace will hold a reading festival from Oct. 17 to Nov. 12.
Every weekend until Oct. 29, Changgyeong Palace will offer “a walk into the daily life in the palace.”
Autumn art tours
In Gwangju, Korean artist Lee Lee-nam will host a tour of the Asia Culture Center as part of the Gwangju Design Biennale.
In Gyeonggi Province, artist Ho Sang-gun will guide travelers around Chang Ucchin Museum of Art, Gana Art Gallery, Yangju Art City, and others.
In South Chungcheong Province, poets and writers will introduce artworks from Gongju National Museum, Buyeo National Museum and Shin Dongyeop Literary Museum.
Jeju Island will offer a ‘Jeju Bienalle Art Tour.”
Students take a photo of reddened kochia weed in Everland, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province on Oct. 13. / Yonhap
Night culture events
From nightscapes to night street food, there will be a variety of night events.
A “Nighttime Travel Party” for teenagers will be held for young people to talk about life as they travel through Gyeonggi Province, Suwon, Gangwon Province, North Chungcheong Province and North Gyeongsang Province.
Semiwon Botanical Garden in Yangpyeong will extend its opening hours to 9 p.m. for visitors to view the aquatic plants under colorful lights.
Singer Heize will perform a fall-themed concert. “Yeosu Night Sea “in Yeosu, where the audience can enjoy a view of the ocean at night
Promotions
Several restaurants, theme parks, museums, resorts and other facilities are offering discounts up to 70 percent.
Lotte World Adventure is offering a 35 percent discount on entry tickets. A two-day temple stay fee will be cut from 70,000 won to 10,000 won courtesy of the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism.
Hanhwa Hotel and Resorts is offering 30 percent discount, Saewha Hostel has a 20 percent promotion, and Dajayon Hanok Stay will also offer a 20 percent discount.
All discounts can be downloaded and found at
.
For further information and registration details, go to
https://fall.visitkorea.or.kr.
Korea spindle tree fruit is ripening in Taebaek National Park on Oct. 8. / Yonhap