Perhaps, South Korea boasts the brightest autumn in Asia. Here, for the incredible beauty of colorful autumn leaves, they even came up with a separate name, which has no analogues in any language - danpung. The best opportunity to see the unique phenomenon is to go to the Korean mountains in October or November, when the leaves are at their peak.
Why choose Korea for your autumn trip?
Autumn in South Korea is accompanied by favorable and mild weather. Depending on the time of day and the altitude to which you plan to climb, the temperature varies. In autumn, not only tourists, but also Koreans themselves come to see the beauty of the forests covering the mountains under the clear blue sky.
While the beaches and lakes are overcrowded in the summer, the roads leading to the mountains are overcrowded in the fall. During this period, Koreans tend to plan outings with friends and family. At the end of the day, they head to the hot springs. The waters are full of minerals and have a beneficial effect on the health and condition of the skin. That is why the unique phenomenon of Danpung is a good reason to come to Korea in the fall and combine the process of contemplating the scenery with the healing of the body.
There are several places to enjoy Danpung to the fullest:
Seoraksan
The Seoraksan Mountains, located in Gangwon Province, are undisputedly the most famous fall destination in Korea. This national park is a mix of cliffs, deep caves, waterfalls, temples and forests. Seoraksan is beautiful at any time of the year: natural colors change depending on the season, but they reach their peak in autumn. Another reason to visit the mountains is the popular hiking trail that runs near the hot springs. After a long excursion in the fall, it is especially pleasant to take a mineral bath.
Chirisan
Chirisan is the birthplace of Korea's first National Park. It is the highest mountain in the country, so there is an opportunity to get the best views. The local valley of Piagol is especially popular: it even hosts the Crimson Leaves festival. Oaks and ash trees grow in the lower part of the mountains, pine and spruce trees grow a little higher. People come to Chirisan for inspiration, which is given not only by the surrounding nature, but also by several Buddhist temples - valuable architectural monuments.
Nezhangsan
If it is not possible to visit South Korea in October, the Nezhangsan Mountains are the best option. The peak of flowering occurs here in November. The main attraction of this mountain range is a 200-meter natural tunnel made of crimson, yellow and orange leaves. At the peak of leaf fall, hundreds of tourists come to the mountains every day. You can escape from them to mountain waterfalls, rivers, temples and traditional villages. The natural beauty can be seen from the observation deck, to which the cable car leads.
Gwanaksan
Closer to Seoul - the main base of many tourists - are the Gwanaksan Mountains. Transforming in autumn, the trees of this area delight those wishing to see the colorful leaf fall. Gwanaksan has become a favorite vacation spot for residents of the capital, and this is largely due to its affordability. You can get to the mountain by metro, and then change to a bus that will take you to the very entrance. Like many other mountain peaks in Korea, Gwanaksan is home to several Buddhist temples.
