Weekender Indulge in autumn palettes
By Lee Hyo-won
It seems a great firebird has swallowed up Korea whole — it’s that time of the year when intense red, gingery orange and mellow yellow hues stain landscapes in a way that would have had the Impressionists eating their hearts out.
Whether you’re passing by neat tree-lined streets in the city or are in view of cascading mountains in the countryside, indulge in the visual delights of the fall foliage while taking in a breath of crisp air — prepare a good pair of walking shoes.
Strolling around town
Set aside the broom for the meantime — Seoul City has designated 74 streets to enjoy the fall colors. Until mid-November, fallen leaves won’t be swept up, providing an atmospheric mise-en-scene for romantics.
Samcheong-dong-gil, spanning 1.5 kilometers from Dongsipjagak, Jongno to Samcheong Tunnel, is lined with ginkgo and zelkova trees. The street is of course a popular destination among both tourists and locals, given its proximity to Gyeongbok Palace and eclectic array of art galleries, book cafes, “hanok” (Korean traditional housing)-style Italian restaurants and whimsical accessory boutiques.
Lovers have long been avoiding the path along the Deoksu Palace stonewall in Jongno, since urban legend says it’s jinxed. But the 800-meter-long trail is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to stroll around within the city, with ginkgo, zelkova and apricot trees providing a scenic backdrop. It is also a cultural hotspot, being surrounded by not only the palace but also the Seoul Museum of Art, Chongdong Theater and other nifty venues.
Itaewon-no connects Samgakji Station on subway line 4 with Noksapyeong Station on line 6, stretching over 3 kilometers, and is also lined with ginkgo and platanus trees. Lately the area, dubbed Comme des Garcons Street, has gained a reputation as a trendy place to be spotted (much like Garosu-gil in Sinsa-dong, which is considered the Soho of Seoul) and boasts trendy bistros, patisseries and cafes. The Samsung Leeum Museum of Art can also be found nearby.
One must not forget that Seoul is surrounded by mountains. Mt. Nam’s hiking trail is frequented by office workers during lunchtime and schoolchildren on picnics. The cherry trees boast pink blossoms in the springtime but take on a new look for fall. Moreover it’s baby stroller/wheelchair-friendly and has cushiony paths that provide for a pleasant stroll. Korea House, Namsangol Hanok Village and the National Theater of Korea are note-worthy places to visit.
Another popular place to hike is the 2-kilometer path spanning from the entrance of Mt. Gwanak. The tree leaves are known to signal autumn the fastest in Seoul. Visitors should not miss the library and other facilities located in the woods. The trails also cater to baby strollers and wheelchairs.
Other venues to take in a view of fall leaves include Yangjae Citizens’ Forest and the nearby Seocho Culture and Art Park in Yangjae-dong, as well as Songpa Naru Park, which is home to the scenic Seokchon Lake. Giant cherry trees can be found in all three locations.
Olympic Park, Ttukseom Seoul Forest, World Cup Park, Boramae Park and other large parks cater to the occasion. Seoul Grand Park has a “leaf pool” for children to dive in and have fun.
For those looking for a more sophisticated atmosphere, the surrounding hills around Walker Hill Hotel in Gwangjin-gu are recommended.
In addition to tending to fallen leaves, Seoul City is also hosting a fall foliage-themed photography contest. Visit parks.seoul.go.kr for more information.
Climbing mountains
For those wishing to enjoy the fall foliage more fully on a grander scale, numerous mountains and parks around the country are awaiting visitors.
Mountains around Seoul/Gyeonggi, Chungcheong and Gangwon Provinces began displaying the height of their seasonal palette in mid-October. The southern parts of the country are still awaiting their prime time for the reds and oranges to come.
The autumn leaves of Mt. Gangcheon, Mt. Naejang and Mt. Deokyu in North Jeolla Province and Mt. Gaya and Mt. Geumo and Busan’s Mt. Geumjeong in North Gyeongsang Province are expected to reach the height of their beauty early this month.
Meanwhile, various autumn leaf festivals are opening around the country through Sunday in Hyeonchungsa, South Chungcheong Province (www.hcs.go.kr); Hantaek Botanical Garden in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province (www.hantaek.co.kr); and Baekyang Temple, South Jeolla Province (www.baekyangsa.kr). Mt. Soyo in Dongducheon Gyeonggi Province is famous for beautiful trails and is also hosting a festival through Nov. 13. The festivals feature various outdoor music performances and family-friendly art fairs. Call (031) 860-2070 for more information.
Not to miss is a visit to the Hongcheon Ginkgo Forest in Gangwon Province, which opened its doors to the public for the first time in 25 years. Some 2,000 ginkgo trees cover 40,000 square meters to provide for a brilliant, golden-hued wonderland. Visit www.hongcheon.gangwon.kr for tourism information.