Discover all of the best things to see, do, eat, and enjoy during winter in Korea this year. Try out ice fishing from a frozen river. Play in the snow, go hiking, or do winter sports in Korea’s many mountains. Then sit back and relax with a bowl of hot, spicy Korean winter food.

This article will provide you with lots of essential information about what to wear and pack for your trip to Korea, special holidays during winter in Korea, and tips to help you get the most out of this cold season. Start planning your snowy winter trip to Korea right now.

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What’s In This Winter in Korea Guide

There are many awesome things to do in Korea during winter, which means that this is quite a long article. To make it easier to find what you’re interested in, click the links below to jump straight to that section, or read on to discover all the amazing things that winter in Korea has to offer you.

Winter Activities In Korea

Not sure what to during winter in Korea? Want to know what Korean winter activities you can try when you travel? Here are some of my favourite winter activities to experience in Korea that will give you a memorable journey, show you snowy sights, and keep you warm during the cold days.

You can experience several of these activities in one day. One idea for you is to start a wintry theme park, seeing snowy sights and ice sculptures, then go skating on ice before heading indoors to soak in a steamy sauna. That’s certainly how I love to spend the cold days in winter when it’s freezing.

Visit A Wintry Theme Park

Korea’s theme parks are fun places to visit during winter as they hold winter or Christmas-themed parades, events and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Take in the festive sights and winter activities at each one, such as winter sledding, snowball fights, and illuminations.

Here are some of the best theme parks to check out for wintry fun when you visit Korea:

• Everland Resort
• Lotte World Adventure Seoul
• One Mount Snow Park Seoul
• Lotte World Busan

Warm Up At A Korean Sauna

There’s nothing better on a winter’s day in Korea than sitting in a hot, steaming pool or sauna, letting the warmth return to your bones. Korean saunas, known as jjimjilbang in Korean, are very popular in winter to escape the cold.

There are 2 places in a Korean sauna. The first is the bathing area, where you sit naked with people of the same gender. The second is a communal room where everyone can meet wearing pyjamas, relax, and sleep.

Want to visit an outdoor hot spring in Korea? Visit Onyang Hot Springs in Asan City, the oldest hot springs in Korea, used by locals for over 600 years to take away the winter chills. Prefer luxurious pampering in Seoul? Try the O Hui and Whoo Spa for an indulgent spa care package.

Try Ice Skating In Seoul

Ice skating is a popular Korean winter activity and there are ice skating facilities in major cities across Korea, such as in Seoul, Busan, Incheon, and Daejeon. Ice skating rinks appear in December and stay open until February.

You can find ice skating rinks both indoors and outdoors. The outdoor rinks, such as the one outside Seoul City Hall (Seoul Plaza Ice Rink), is a great place to try skating or to watch others sliding around on a sunny winter’s day. I love visiting ice rinks for the atmosphere and to experience a ride on the ice.

Want to try ice skating in Korea? The good news is you don’t need to worry about bringing your own equipment, you can rent it all at the skate rink. Here are some of the best ice skating rinks in Korea. These places are suitable for families and first time skaters.

• Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul
• Lotte World Ice Rink in Seoul
• Grand Hyatt Ice Rink in Seoul
• Yeouido Hangang Park Ice Skating Rink in Seoul
• Seonhak International Ice Rink in Incheon
• Shinsegae Centum City Rink in Busan
• Daejeon Expo Plaza in Daejeon

Han River Park Sledding

After 3 years of absence, the sledding slopes have returned to Seoul and the Han River at Ttukseom Hangang Park. This is a family-friendly winter activity in Korea that everyone can enjoy. Grab a sled or rubber tube and zoom down the icy slope towards the river.

There is also a winter sledding park at Jamwon Hangang Park. As well as regular slopes, this park has slopes for younger fun-lovers and is designed for children under the age of 6. Perfect for introducing your children to winter sports. If you’re visiting Korea with children, definitely check out one of Seoul’s sledding parks.

Sample Korean Strawberries

Winter in Korea is when some of the best fresh fruit is available, including Jeju Island’s hallabong oranges and sweet strawberries. These juicy fruits grow in Korea from mid-December until early March and you’ll find them for sale in markets and shops. There are also a few places in Seoul that offer strawberry buffets with unlimited strawberry-based desserts and treats.

Want to pick strawberries in Korea? A more fun options it to pick your own strawberries at a strawberry farm in Korea. Why not book a day tour that includes strawberry picking as an extra to visiting another site? Visit Pocheon Art Valley in winter to harvest fresh strawberries from the wide fruit fields or this winter-only tour that includes the Garden of Morning Calm, too.

Experience Korean Coffee Culture

Korea, like me, is addicted to coffee. There are more than 75,000 coffee shops in the country and over 18,000 in Seoul alone. Winter is a great time to visit Seoul’s hot cafes, found in quiet back streets or in popular hanok villages, such as Bukchon Hanok Village.

If you want to experience Korean coffee culture outside of Seoul, be sure to visit Gangneung on the east coast, home to the Gangneung Coffee Street and Gangneung Coffee Festival. Enjoy a hot coffee, watch the waves, and stay out of the cold. Jeju Island also has great cafes which are perfect for cold-weather cafe hopping.

Besides coffee culture, you can also enjoy traditional Korean tea culture in Seoul and other places. Korean tea houses feature wooden floors and furniture, delicate and healthy teas, and a serene atmosphere to contemplate what Korean winter activities to enjoy next.

Take A Walk In The Snow

A free activity that everyone can enjoy during winter in Korea is a walk in the streets when snow falls. Korea’s cities can be drab during the day, but come alive with neon lights at night. During snowy days, which are more dark than light, seeing snow-covered streets and shining lights is a real treat.

You should definitely take a walk around Seoul and other historic cities, such as Gyeongju or Andong. Winter walks are especially rewarding as you can see fortress walls, palace grounds, hanok houses, and curved rooftops covered in snow when it’s cold enough.

Want to explore Seoul on foot? Check out these city walking trails in Seoul that you can enjoy in winter or any other time of year, all for free. It’s really the best way to see a city and get some exercise.

Here are some videos showing what Seoul looks like when it snows.

Ski Resorts And Winter Sports 2024

Fans of winter sports, or those who want to learn, will find plenty of places to ski and snowboard in Korea’s many mountains. The majority of Korea’s ski resorts are located between Seoul and the east coast in Gyeongi and Gangwon Provinces.

This is one of the most popular winter activities in Korea, so expect ski resorts to be busy on weekends. The weekdays can be quieter and provide a better ski or snowboard experience.

Ski Resorts In Korea 2024

There are 14 major ski resorts in Korea that open between December and February or March each year. The opening times of these ski resorts vary depending on their location, the onset of winter, and their elevation. The start of ski season in Korea is December and the end is February.

The first ski resorts in Korea open in early December and can be found in the northern part of Korea and around Seoul. The last ski resort to open for the season is Eden Valley, which is much further south, close to Busan. This opens around mid to late December each year.

The full list of opening dates for Korean ski resorts this winter can be seen below.

There are several family-friendly ski resorts in Korea that provide not only good ski facilities, they also have a range of other winter activities for the whole family to enjoy. The best ski resorts for families are Jisan Forest, Elysian Gangchon, Yongpyong, and Vivaldi Park.

Ski Resort Tours & Packages

Driving is the most convenient way to get to Korea’s ski resorts. If you rent a car in Korea, you can drive to the ski resorts in an hour or two from Seoul. Some ski resorts can also be accessed by a shuttle or tour bus from Seoul or nearby towns. Only drive if you’re comfortable driving in snow though.

One of the easiest ways to get to a Korean ski resort without public transport or hired car, is to book a ski-resort tour. There are many tour options available, from one-day trips to ski or play in the snow, to multi-day trips that include accommodation and equipment rental. I’ve added tours for you below.

An overnight stay is a good option for those who want to experience a sunrise in the snowy peaks and typically comes with all the necessary parts of the trip included, such as transportation, ski rentals, and accommodation. If you’ve never seen a mountain sunrise, I highly recommend it!

Here are some of the best ski resorts in Korea for winter snow sports and tour options for each. As these are located high up in the snowy mountains, with limited public access, tours are generally the best option to get to ski resorts, which is why I’ve added a couple of options for each location.

High 1 Ski Resort: This massive ski resort is one of the most exciting places to ski in Korea and comes with world-class skiing facilities. High 1 features 18 ski slopes covering 21km of snow-filled mountain paths that are suitable for any level, from beginners to experts.

Vivaldi Park Ski Resort: The most popular ski resort in Korea, with state of the art facilities and amazing courses. There are 12 slopes and 10 lifts here, with something suitable for any level, as well as Snowy Land – a family-fun play area to mess around in the snow.

Jisan Forest Ski Resort: Feauturing a range of slopes from beginner to advancd, Jisan Forest is a compact ski resort nestled in forested slopes that also has a snow sleigh park to play in and teaching area for people interested in learning to ski for the first time.

Alpensia Ski Resort: One of the main resorts used for the 2018 Winter Olympics, Alpensia Ski Resort offers a range of winter activities for levels of all ages. There are 6 courses for various skill levels.

Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort: The lovely Elysian Gangchon Resort offers skiing, snowboard, and snow sledding. You can also hike around the area and see the beautiful snow-covered Korean nature.

Yongpyong Ski Resort: Another resort used for the 2018 Winter Olympics. This is a large ski resort that has 28 slopes to choose from. Very popular with ski and snowboarding enthusiasts.

Eden Valley: Looking to ski close to Busan? This ski resort on the slopes of Sinbulsan Mountain has 7 slopes for different levels and has a ski school for those looking to learn to ski or board.

There are plenty of ski tours and day trips to ski resorts available. If you want to check out a different ski resort or package, these companies have a wide range of ski tours for you.

Winter Festivals In Korea 2024

I love travelling in Korea as it’s a country that has many wonderful festivals throughout the year, and winter is certainly no exception. Discover sparkling illuminations and glowing lanterns, see icy sculptures and snowy landscapes, and try your hand at winter activities in Korea such as ice fishing, sledding, listening to temple bells ringing on New Year’s Eve, and watching the first sunrise of the year.

Here are some of the different types of winter festivals you can experience in Korea, as well as some of the best of each type. For a more detailed list of what’s on, check out my guide to the best Korean winter festivals, which include lots more incredible winter festivals to check out.

Winter Illumination Festivals 2024

Once it’s dark, dazzling displays can be found at winter illumination festivals, such as at Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul or Haeundae Beach in Busan. The best places to see winter lights are usually outside the cities, in areas of natural beauty that transform into winter wonderlands. The sight of millions of lights provides a truly extraordinary experience.

Here are some of the most popular winter illumination festivals in Korea this winter.

Garden of Morning Calm Winter Illuminations 2024

Herb Island Light Festival 2024

Busan Christmas Tree Cultural Festival 2023-2024

Jeju Light Garden Festival 2024

Ice Fishing Festivals 2024

Several towns across Korea take advantage of the frozen rivers to put on winter ice fishing festivals. Grab a small fishing rod and bag, drop it into the ice, and then catch your lunch. There are many other activities, such as tubing, catching fish with your hands, and sledging. Furthermore, you can usually find snow & ice sculptures on display. My article about the Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival will give you a taste of what’s on offer at these awesome winter festivals.

Here are three of the biggest ice fishing festivals in Korea this winter.

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival 2024

Pyeongchang Trout Fishing Festival 2024

Inje Ice Fishing Festival 2024

Snow & Ice Festivals 2024

With the cold winter weather comes frozen rivers, snowfall, and wintry festivals to enjoy. Gangwon Province in Korea’s north-east is one of the best places for winter festivals as it’s the coldest part of Korea. At these festivals, you can see sculptures, icy waterfalls, snowy scenes, and winter lights. There’s also winter activities such as sledding and skiing. My article about the Chilgapsan festival will show you the beautiful snowy scenes you can expect at a Korean winter festival.

Here are three of the most popular snow festivals in Korea this winter.

Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival 2024

Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival 2024

Daegwallyeong Snowflake Festival 2024

New Year’s Eve Festivals

New Year’s Eve in Korea is celebrated in two different ways. The first is the traditional Korean way, where people come together to listen to the ringing of a giant bell to signal New Year at midnight. The other way to welcome to New Year is to watch fireworks displays light up the night sky. You can see fireworks displays across Korea for New Year’s Eve.

To celebrate New Year’s Eve in Korea in the traditional way, head to Bosingak Pavilion in central Seoul to see watch the giant bell ring in 2024. For fireworks performances, these can be seen at Lotte World Tower, along the Han River by Yeouido Park, and near City Hall Station.

Most large cities in Korea will have some official and unofficial fireworks celebrations for New Year’s Eve. It’s common to see fireworks being launched at beaches, too.

You can watch the 2022 New Year’s Eve fireworks at Lotte World Tower in the video below.

New Year’s Day Festivals

After celebrating New Year’s Eve at midnight, there are further New Year’s Day festivals held in Korea to welcome in the new year ahead. A popular tradition for New Year’s Day is to watch the first sunrise of the year on the east coast. There are New Year’s Day festivals in coastal towns to watch the sunrise, eat rice cake soup, and contemplate life.

Here are the best New Year’s Day festivals to see the first sunrise of the year in Korea.

Homigot New Year Sunrise Festival: Famous for being the easternmost point of Korea, therefore the first place to see the sunrise, this is the biggest sunrise festival in Korea. See the giant hand statue rising from the water and enjoy a range of festival stalls and activities.

Address in Korean:
경북 포항시 남구 호미곶면 대보리

Seongsan New Year Sunrise Festival: Located on Jeju Island’s easternmost point, this sunrise spot has been a place of celebration since the 13th Century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is certainly a unique place to watch the sun rise in the New Year

Address in Korean:
제주 서귀포시 성산읍 성산리 78

Gyeongpo & Jeongdongjin Sunrise Festivals: These two sunrise festivals, located around Gangneung in the north-east, are both convenient festivals to witness if you’re staying in Seoul. Party all night and watch the sunrise before enjoying festival food and events.

Address in Korean:
강원도 강릉시 안현동 산1

Winter Sightseeing In Korea

Winter in Korea is as good a time to go sightseeing as any other time of year. Actually, it might be even better than in summer as the winter weather is dry and there are more blue skies. If the snow falls in winter, it’s even better and can look truly magical, creating beautiful photo opportunities.

Unfortunately, many trees and plants die off during autumn and don’t return until spring, which makes sightseeing in places of natural beauty less colourful. However, these places adapt to winter with light displays and other attractions that make up for the lack of nature.

What are the best places to go sightseeing in Korea during winter? There are plenty of places to see. These are popular places that you can visit all year round, with some additional features during winter that make them worth the trip, especially if there has been a recent snowfall.

Seoul’s Royal Palaces

Seoul’s royal palaces, such as the impressive Gyeongbokgung Palace, are impressive any time of year and should be on any Korean bucket list for travellers to Korea. When it snows, the curved palace rooftops catch the snow, creating a white crown for the colourfully decorated walls. Frozen ponds, palace walls, and falling snow provide the perfect background for a hanbok photoshoot.

How to get there: Take the subway to Gyeongbokgung Palace Station and use exit 5. The other royal palaces are within 20-30 minutes of Gyeongbokgung Palace by foot.

Address in Korean:
서울 종로구 효자로 12

Garden of Morning Calm

The winter illuminations at the Garden of Morning Calm are some of the best in Korea and visiting here during winter is just as fun as in any other season. Best viewed at night, this carefully crafted garden leads you down winding trails past hanok houses, sparkling ponds, and round pagodas. A truly wonderful day out from Seoul.

How to get there: You can get to the Garden of Morning Calm from Seoul by train (from Cheongpyeong Station), by bus (from Cheongpyeong Terminal), with the Gapyeong City Tour Bus, or with a guided tour.

Address in Korean:
경기 가평군 상면 수목원로 432

Want to take a tour to the Garden of Morning Calm? Garden of Morning Calm tours from Seoul are very reasonably priced and usually include a trip to Nami Island and other nearby attractions, including Alpaca World, Petite France or the Gangchon Railbike.

Jogyesa Buddhist Temple

Korea is blessed with hundreds of Buddhist temples that are open all year round. These can be found in cities, such as Jogyesa Temple in Seoul, in national parks, such as Beopjusa Temple in Songnisan, and even along the coast, such as Busan’s famous Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. Visit in winter to see snowy temple scenes and monks in mufflers.

How to get there: Take the subway to Gyeongbokgung Palace Station and use exit 5. The other royal palaces are within 20-30 minutes of Gyeongbokgung Palace by foot.

Address in Korean:
서울 종로구 우정국로 55

Lotte World Tower

The Lotte World Tower is a great place in Seoul to watch New Year’s Eve fireworks, but is also worth visiting any other day during winter. As winter has more sunny days than other seasons, you’re more likely to get clear views from the Seoul Sky Observatory on the 117th floor of the tower. The tower lights up each night and is best seen from Seokchon Lake.

How to get there: Take the subway to Jamsil Station. The Lotte World Tower can be accessed from the subway station. Follow the signs to get directly into the tower.

Address in Korean:
서울 송파구 올림픽로 300

Wondaeri Birch Forest

Discover a winter wonderland at Wondaeri Birch Forest in Gangwon Province. A day trip out from Seoul, this place is home to 700,000 silver birch trees and provides a lovely scene for a snowy hike through silvery trees. There are many trekking paths to explore in this tranquil forest and photo-worthy spots to enjoy the Korean winter scenery.

How to get there: Take the intercity bus from Dong-Seoul Bus Terminal to Inje Intercity Bus Terminal. Transfer to a local bus or take a taxi (20,000 KRW). I recommend taking a taxi as there are only 3 buses per day stopping at the forest.

Address in Korean:
강원 인제군 인제읍 자작나무숲길 760

Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm

The Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm is a perfect place to explore Korea’s winter scenery on a snowy day. Visit ‘The Alps of Korea’ and gaze at the fields and surrounding forests blanketed in snow whilst trying to find camouflaged sheep. Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm is close to Gangneung, a city with many seaside cafes to stay warm in during winter.

How to get there: Take an intercity bus from Dong-Seoul Bus Terminal to Hoenggye Bus Terminal. Take the red shuttle bus going to the farm or take a taxi (10,000 KRW).

Address in Korean:
평창군 대관령면 대관령마루길 483-32

Gamcheon Culture Village

Busan’s colourfully painted Gamcheon Culture Village is a unique destination on Korea’s south coast that features murals, painted buildings, fun statues, and lots of photo spots. Wind your way through the hillside streets, taking it all in. Visit during December to see the Gamcheon House Lantern Exhibition, which makes it even more mesmerising.

How to get there: From Busan Station, take a subway or bus to Jagalchi Market Station and then transfer to green minibus 1-1, 2, or 2-2. This will stop outside the entrance to Gamcheon Culture Village.

Address in Korean:
부산 사하구 감천동 9-53

Want a tour of Gamcheon Culture Village? Day tours of Busan will take you to the Gamcheon Culture Village and other hot spots in Busan all in one day. This is useful as many of Busan’s best sights are spread out across the city and can take a long time to see by bus or train.

Jeju Island

Want to escape the freezing cold of Seoul but still have the chance to see snowy scenes during winter in Korea? Then visiting Jeju Island in winter is a great option. Explore sandy beaches one day, then climb the snow-capped peak of Korea’s largest mountain – Hallasan. Jeju also has great cafes, delicious food, and a unique culture.

How to get there: You can access Jeju from airports across Korea, including Gimpo Airport in Seoul. Check Skyscanner for the best prices. Flights last about 30-40 minutes.

Korean Winter Weather 2024

Here’s a brief overview of Korea’s winter weather. Please note, these figures apply to Seoul. Weather further south of Seoul, such as Jeju Island, can be different (i.e. warmer).

Temperature: Korean winters are cold and dry with short days. The coldest month is January, where temperatures in Seoul rarely get above freezing and can go as low as -20 Celsius at night. November and March aren’t as cold as December to February, which have temperatures below zero most of the day, but these months can be cold enough for snow.

Clear Skies: Winter in Korea is sunny. Almost 50% of the days during the Korean winter are clear and sunny, making it a good time to travel in Korea as you’ve got a good chance to see blue skies without clouds. Only October has more sunshine than the winter months in Korea.

Rainfall: December to February are the driest months in Korea and there is around 10% chance of precipitation in Seoul during January (July has almost 50%). Precipitation includes both rain and snow, meaning an even lower chance to see rain during winter.

Snowfall: The chance to see snow in Seoul is highest during January, with December and February both having similar average snowfalls. Snowfall peaks early January in Seoul, but there can be heavier and longer snowfalls at higher elevations, such as the national parks.

Want to know where to see snow in Korea this winter? Check out this guide to all the best places to see snow in Korea, packed full of pictures, tips, and advice. There’s so many beautiful places to see snow in Seoul and across Korea, especially in the national parks.

Source: Weather Spark

Korean Public Holidays In Winter 2024

There are several holidays in Korea during winter – Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year). These public holidays are important to consider when travelling to Korea as they can affect what’s open and when public transport runs.

Christmas Day: Christmas Day (December 25th) is a public holiday in Korea, but the celebrations for this date are much smaller than you’d find in other Christian countries. In Korea, couples tend to go out together to enjoy a meal out for Christmas Day.

New Year’s Day: New Year’s Eve (December 31st) and New Year’s Day (January 1st) are celebrated in Korea, even though the Lunar New Year is also celebrated. Koreans typically visit the east coast on New Year’s Day to see the first sunrise of the new (solar) year.

Seollal: Seollal, also known as Korean Lunar New Year, is one of the biggest public holidays in Korea. Lasting for 3 days, Koreans travel across the country, returning to their hometowns to spend time with their family and visit their ancestral graves to clean and look after them.

Because Seollal follows the lunar calendar, the actual dates change each year. Also, when the main date lands on a Sunday, there can be an additional day off. Below is a table of the Seollal dates for the next 4 years.

Public Transport: Local buses in Korea run a reduced schedule on Sundays and public holidays. Travel in Korea during the Seollal holiday can be difficult as tickets are booked up for trains and buses as soon as they’re available. Roads will also be very busy.

Tip: I recommend staying in Seoul or another big city during Seollal. You’re more likely to find places that are still open and you can also enjoy free entry to Seoul’s royal palaces. There are often cultural performances on during these holidays, too.

Korean Winter Foods

What should you eat in Korea during winter? What’s the best Korean winter dishes to try in Seoul? There are loads of incredible Korean winter foods that will warm you up and give you energy for a busy day of winter sightseeing and activities.

Korean winter foods can be categorised as street foods, little bites that you can grab on street corners, and winter dishes, big broths and meals that are shared together on a cold day. There are a wide range of both for you to try this winter.

Korean winter street food tends to be sweet or spicy and a guilty snack while you’re outside. Winter meals range from healthy hot dishes, to bubbling pans full of delicious goodies. Here are 5 of the best Korean winter dishes you can eat when it’s cold outside.

These 5 winter dishes are just a sampler of the varied menu of warming snacks and meals you can discover in Korea this winter. To find more delicious delights, check out my article about the best Korean winter foods. It’s a must read and shows you the amazing treats you must try.

Hotteok: Korean Sweet Pancakes

Walk along a busy street in Korea during winter and you’ll probably find a hotteok seller flipping and pressing down the balls of sticky dough filled with sweet syrup, cinnamon, and crunchy nuts that become hotteok. The combo of fried, sweet, crunchy goodness in a hotteok, along with the warmth it gives you as you gingerly hold it, really gives you a boost.

Name in Korean:
호떡

Bungeo-Ppang: Goldfish Bread

A popular Korean winter food for amongst locals and tourists alike, this cute goldfish bread is baked in a fish-shaped mould to give it its distinctive shape. This treat not only looks great, it tastes great. Stuffed with sweet red-beans, common in Korean baked goods, this fish is a classic Korean winter snack. Crispy outside, sweet and delicious inside.

Name in Korean:
붕어빵

Tteok-Bokki: Spicy Fried Rice Cakes

Tteok-bokki is a blend of steamed and sliced rice cakes (tteok 떡), fish cakes (odeng 오뎅), and scallions in a sweet and spicy sauce with plenty of chili paste. Eat it fresh from the market vendors at traditional Korean markets, or sit in for a meal with extras. This spicy, salty mishmash of classic Korean ingredients is perfect as a snack or meal.

Name in Korean:
떡볶이

Kimchi-Jjigae: Kimchi Stew

Kimchi-jjigae is mix of cabbage kimchi, tofu, cellophane noodles, pork, and vegetables, with rice and extra side dishes, often served in a large bowl for two or more people. When the kimchi is sautéed, it releases all its flavour into the stew, creating a hearty broth. Best eaten by putting all the ingredients on a spoon and dipping it in the broth.

Name in Korean:
김치 찌개

Dolsot Bibimbap: Stone Bowl Mixed Rice

The winter version of one of Korea’s most famous foods – bibimbap. Whereas regular bibimbap is served cold, this hot stone bowl version really mixes things up. Instead of a fried egg, a raw egg is dropped on top and mixed together with the rice, vegetables, sauces, etc. This creates a kind of egg fried rice that is both delicious and healthy.

Name in Korean:
돌솥 비빔밥

Winter Hiking In Korea

One of the most popular winter activities in Korea is hiking in Korea’s national parks. More than 70% of Korea is mountainous, meaning there’s always a peak to be climbed close to wherever you are staying.

Inside the borders of Seoul is Bukhansan National Park, a great place for a day trip to go winter hiking from Korea’s capital. I recommend hiking to Baegundae Peak for the best views of snowy Seoul.

The best national parks for snow hiking in South Korea are the tallest mountains as these see more snowfall and the snow on top stays for longer. The three highest mountain ranges in South Korea are Hallasan on Jeju Island, Jirisan, and Seoraksan.

There are also other national parks that have unique features that make them great for snow hiking. Here are 5 of the best national parks for winter hiking in Korea.

Hallasan National Park

The tallest mountain in South Korea is located on Jeju Island, a semi-tropical island south of the mainland that is more often associated with palm trees than snowy peaks. However, due to its height, Hallasan sees a lot of snow each year and is a great place for winter hiking. Hiking Hallasan in winter is very popular and reservations are required.

How to get there: To get to the Gwaneumsa Course start point, take bus 281 from Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal (heading to Seogwipo) for 25 mins and get off at Jeju University. Then, take the bus 475 for 15 minutes. Get off at the entrance of the Gwaneumsa Trail.

Address in Korean:
제주특별자치도 제주시 1100로 2070-61

Deogyusan National Park

Deogyusan National Park in central Korea provides a long hike through snow-covered valleys and past temples before ascending quickly to a peak with distant views all around. The peak connects to the Muju Deogyusan ski resort, which offers an easy way down via cable car, as well as a shortcut to the top if you want the views without hiking.

How to get there: Take a bus to Gucheon-dong bus stop from Daejeon and follow the hiking trail to the peak. Free shuttle buses run from the Muju Deogyusan ski resort to Muju. You can get to other cities from Muju Intercity Bus Terminal.

Address in Korean:
전라북도 무주군 설천면 구천동1로

Seoraksan National Park

One of the most beautiful national parks in Korea, Seoraksan is most popular in autumn, for fall foliage, and winter, for winter hiking. Wooded valleys, icy streams, and frozen peaks can be accessed through the various hiking courses here. There’s also a cable car that will take you to a smaller peak, complete with a Korean temple and views of the coast.

How to get there: There are tours from Seoul that will take you directly to the main entrance of the national park. To get there by public transport from Seoul, take an intercity bus to Sokcho, then change to local bus 7 or 7-1 to the park entrance.

Address in Korean:
강원도 속초시 설악산로 833 KR

Jirisan National Park

The highest peak on mainland Korea, Jirisan offers the chance to stay overnight at a mountain shelter and enjoy a short sunrise hike to the peak for breathtaking views. Winter hiking in the foothills and mountains of Jirisan provides the chance to see snowy-rivers, frozen waterfalls, and maybe an Asiatic bear, although it will probably be hibernating.

How to get there: Jirisan National Park is Korea’s largest national park and has many entrances and trails. Take an intercity bus to nearby towns, such as Namwon, Gurye, or Hadong, then transfer to local buses to reach the various park entrances.

Address in Korean:
경상남도 하동군 화개면 대성리

Staying at Jirisan National Park: If you want to book an overnight shelter at Jirisan or other parks, use the KNPS reservation site. There are several guesthouses and hotels in Jirisan, too, which are great for overnight hiking in winter.

Sobaeksan National Park

Sobaeksan, known as the ‘backbone of Korea’, is the 3rd largest national park in Korea. It’s home to a wide variety of animals, including wid boars, deers, and chipmunks. Sobaeksan is famous for winter hiking in Korea as it provides long views over cloudy peaks as you ascend the main peaks and is considered the most beautiful park to see snow.

How to get there: Sobaeksan is not an easy park to reach as it’s not close to any major cities. One option to get to Sobaeksan is to take a train to Jecheon or Yeongju, then take a train to Huibangsa Station and taxi to the park entrance.

Address in Korean:
충청북도 단양군 단양읍

Want to see how beautiful winter hiking in Korea can be? Check out this video of a snowy hike through Sobaeksan during winter.

Winter Hiking Essentials

Want to go hiking in Korea during winter safely? Here are a few essentials that you’ll need to have a safe and enjoyable trip to Korea’s snowy mountain peaks. You can bring these items with you or buy them when in Korea.

Hiking Boots: A sturdy pair of hiking boots are a must for winter hiking in Korea. You will be crossing rocky, snowy, and icy terrain and you can sprain your ankle or slip over easily if you wear the wrong shoes. Also, hiking boots are usually waterproof and will keep your feet warm.

Hiking Socks: Woollen hiking socks are good, but a couple of pairs of regular socks will do, too. These will stop your boots slipping and also stop your toes from getting too cold.

Thermal Inner Wear: If it’s windy, the cold will seep into your legs and arms very easily. Thermal inner wear (t-shirt and leggings) will keep your body warm and protected. Not essential, but very useful even when walking outside at night.

Wind-resistant Hiking Jacket: You can wear as many fleeces, t-shirts, or jumpers as you like, but a good jacket is the key to staying warm. Ideally water and wind-resistant, a hiking jacket will keep you warm without being too heavy.

Hat, Gloves, and Neck-warmer: I wouldn’t travel in winter without these anyway, but they’re essential while hiking in winter. The temperature will be below zero and you should cover up as much as possible.

Hiking Poles: These adjustable hiking sticks will give you extra balance and help you get up and down rocky paths more easily. They’re also useful for checking how deep the snow is. Not essential (I don’t use them), but useful.

Crampons (Ice Cleats): Crampons are metal spikes that go on the bottom of your shoes and stop you falling over on ice or snow. You basically can’t hike in winter without them.

Heat Packs: Heat packs either stick to your body/in your shoes, or go in your pocket to keep your hands warm. If you’re not used to the cold weather, I recommend both.

Food & Water: There aren’t many places to buy food or water after the park entrances, so make sure you stock up before hiking. Bring food for lunch, snacks, and at least 1 litre of water. I recommend a bottle of Powerade, it really helps when hiking.

Seasonal Korean Hiking Guide: Want to hike go hiking in Korea during winter or other seasons but not sure what to do? Then check out my seasonal guide to hiking in Korea with information about what to expect in each season, how to prepare, and which mountains to hike.

How To Survive Korean Winter

Winter in Korea is dry and cold and for travellers not used to such extreme weather, visiting Korea in winter can be a shock. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to prepare for the worst of the winter weather to keep you warm and safe.

The main things to be aware of are wearing the right clothes and bringing sun and skin care. I’ll explain these two issues in more detail in the next section. For now, here are a few of my best Korean winter survival tips, built up from years of living in Korea and enduring the cold.

Drink more water: The cold weather makes you less thirsty and encourages you to eat more salty hot foods. Combined, these can lead to dehydration and a day in bed, which is not fun (trust me!). Drink lots of water, especially if you’re hiking.

Watch out for ice: If it snowed or rained recently, pavements, roads and walkways can be slippery. If you’re hiking, definitely bring crampons. It’s easy to slip and hurt yourself.

Use heat packs: Grab a pocket warmer or heat pack and keep them in your bag in your pocket to warm your hands up when outside. Your fingers can go numb very quickly.

Be prepared to sweat on buses: Korean buses are notoriously hot during winter. Heating is usually turned up to max and if you’re wearing winter clothing, be prepared to sweat a lot.

Bring a tumbler: If you’re out walking and want to keep your drinks hot and fresh, and not add more pollution to the world, bring a tumbler or buy one. Starbucks has tumblers with cool Korean designs.

What To Wear In Winter

Winter in Korea is cold and you should definitely pack clothes that will keep you warm and protected. Hats, gloves, and a scarf will help keep you insulated and a thick jacket is a must for January and February, as well as something to keep your arms and legs warm.

Many Koreans wear padded down jackets with lighter clothes underneath. These keep you really warm and can be easily removed when you move inside. Fleeces and thermal layers can help, too. Uniqlo’s heat-tech range is a good example of winter-ready clothing.

If you plan to go hiking, bring some appropriate hiking boots that can handle snow, such as these North Face hiking boots (I use a similar pair). These are great even if you don’t plan to go hiking as they’re comfortable for walking around all day and will keep your feet dry.

Travelling from a country without many winter clothes or forgot to pack some winter essentials? Don’t worry. There are plenty of places to buy winter clothes in Korea, including Uniqlo, hiking stores, department stores, shopping centres, and traditional markets.

What To Pack For Winter

Besides warm winter clothes, here are a few more essential items to pack for your trip to Korea. Again, these items can be bought in Korea, but if you prefer certain brands or have allergies, it might be best to bring your own, especially for skin care.

Sun Care: It’s easy to forget about sun protection during winter as you don’t feel hot, but it’s still important. Korean winters are sunny and you’ll need sun cream and sunglasses with you. Sunglasses are essential if you’re hiking in snow or outside a lot. The sun reflects strongly from white snow and can be blinding.

Skin Care: Winter in Korea is very dry and your skin will dry out quickly. I find that hotels lack moisture and get really dry at night. Using hand and face moisturiser daily will stop your skin drying out. I use Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy, it’s good for sensitive skin. Lip balm is also recommended.

Heat: Your hands can get cold in winter, even with gloves on. I recommend bringing hand warmers for your pockets and feet. This is useful if you normally get cold fingers and toes during winter. Thermal under layers are also useful for keeping you warm during cold days.

Visiting Korea In Other Seasons

Korea is an amazing country to visit any time of year and undoubtedly has four very distinct seasons with lots of other activities, sights, foods, and festivals waiting for you in each one. If you plan to travel at any other time of year, here are some of the things you can expect.

Spring in Korea is a time for Korean cherry blossoms and Korean spring festivals that celebrate the return of nature. The weather is warm, making it one of the best times to visit Korea. Visit the mountains in spring for good hiking and to see the celebrations for Buddha’s Birthday.

Summer in Korea is really hot, making it perfect for indulging in sweet Korean summer dishes. There are lots of fun summer activities to enjoy, such as water sports, camping, and beach trips. It’s also wet, so these indoor activities in Seoul will help you plan for the worst.

Autumn in Korea is all about the incredible Korean autumn foliage, where you can see golden gingko leaves and multi-coloured maple leaves turning from green to gold and red. There are also loads of harvest and cultural festivals to enjoy and amazing weather.

Winter In Korea FAQs

Finally, here are a few FAQs about winter in Korea, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you. If you have any other questions you’d like to ask, feel free to leave a comment.

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This guide will tell you where to see cherry blossoms in Korea and includes the official 2024 Korean cherry blossom forecast to help you plan your trips during Korea’s prettiest season. There are cherry blossom forecast dates for the whole of Korea, from Seoul to Jeju Island.

Discover incredible cherry blossom festivals, viewing spots, and unique events across Korea and how to get there. As well as knowing where to see cherry blossoms in Korea in 2024, you’ll find my own travel tips & insights and useful information to help you travel Korea.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

Why See Cherry Blossoms In Korea?

Why should you visit Korea to see cherry blossoms this spring? Well, simply put, there’re amazing and give you the chance to see pretty spring blossoms when the weather is warm and the seasons are changing. They’re also all over the country, from city streets to winding around mountains on long, pink paths, which means that you can’t miss them. You’ll find incredible cherry blossom sights in Korea.

Leaping out in pinky-white waves across Korea, heralding the start of spring, the blossoms are the perfect antidote to the cold, dark winter that grips Korea for several months beforehand, and marks the start of warmer weather and prettier sights all round. When you visit Korea during cherry blossom season, you will see for yourself why Koreans and tourists alike love celebrating cherry blossom season.

My Favourite Cherry Blossom Spots In Korea

My personal favourite places to see cherry blossoms in Korea are:

These places all have cherry blossom festivals where you can not only take in the pinky-white petals, you can also enjoy festival activities and other natural or cultural sights nearby. When can you see cherry blossoms in Korea? The next section will show you the Korean cherry blossom forecast for 2024 for the best dates for blossom watching.

South Korean Cherry Blossom Forecast 2024

Cherry blossoms in Korea come out from mid March until early April. The first blossoms of the cherry blossom season in Korea always start in the south on Jeju Island and slowly work their way up towards Seoul, entering full bloom by early April. Thanks to the way cherry blossoms slowly work their way up through the country means you can see several cherry blossoms sights around the country.

Update: The 2024 South Korea cherry blossom forecast is now available and the dates of the first cherry blossoms in South Korea are March 19th on Jeju Island, March 20th in Jinhae, March 27th in Seoul, and April 4th in Chuncheon Province, which is close to where Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm are located. The peak blossom dates are 4 to 7 days after the first blooms.

Source: Weatheri website and Naver News

The start date is when 20% of the blossoms are out and the peak blossom date is when 90% of the blossoms have appeared. Therefore, I recommend visiting each location 1 or 2 days before the peak blossom dates for the best chance of stunning cherry blossom views in Korea. You should see at least 70-80% of the blossoms on display.

Please note: the Korean cherry blossom dates can change due to unforeseen weather conditions. Heavy rains, frost, or strong winds can cause the cherry blossoms to drop from the trees earlier than expected.

Below you can find the Korean cherry blossom start and peak dates for various locations in 2024 and the yearly average peak blossom dates. Yet again, the Korean cherry blossom forecast shows earlier blossoming date than average in most areas of Korea. This is likely due to a warmer February than usual in Korea, even though January saw quite a lot of snow and cold temperatures.

Available Cherry Blossom Tours

This article introduces the best cherry blossom spots across Korea, starting with Seoul and working down across the country, including the best festivals. If you’re interested in booking a cherry blossom tour, here are some of the best tours available this spring 2024.

Top 5 Cherry Blossom Tours from Seoul:

Top 3 Cherry Blossom Tours from Busan:

Top 3Cherry Blossom Tours on Jeju Island:

If you’re visiting Korea in mid-March, which is a bit early for cherry blossoms, you can still see the beautiful plum blossoms, which are known in Korea as maehwa.

• Gwangyang Maehwa & Jeonju Hanok Village Tour from Seoul – witness the birth of spring with the first blossoms of the year – maehwa plum blossoms.

Not sure where to go and whether you need a cherry blossom tour in Korea or not? Keep reading to find out about everything to do with cherry blossoms in Korea this spring.

Cherry Blossom Festivals In Korea

The best way to see cherry blossoms in Korea is by attending a cherry blossom festival. These festivals go all out and have a lot of other attractions besides the colourful blossoms. You can find food trucks, cultural performances, games, and even live music at these festivals. Read on to find out the best cherry blossom festivals in Korea.

Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival 2024

More than 2 million people visit the Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival each year, making it the biggest cherry blossom festival in Korea. People flock to Jinhae to see the blossoms create a magnificent painting of colours, with lines of trees painting pinky-white stripes across the city. Visitors to the Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival can also see cultural performances, walk along romantic riverside walkways, try delicious street foods, and take pictures with the colourful street murals.

When: March 25 – April 5 2024

Address in Korean: 경상남도 창원시 창원시 진해구 여명로

How to get there: To get to the Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival, take a bus from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal directly to Jinhae. The festival is held throughout the city. The trip takes four hours and costs around W27,000.

Tour options: Tours to Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival are available from Seoul and Busan.

Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival 2024

The Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival is a free festival at the butterfly-like lake that sits below Lotte World Tower. The wings of the lake are lined with hundreds of cherry trees that explode with colour at the start of April. Visit on a sunny day to get views of the angelic blossoms reflected on the lake’s surface and falling from the heavens above. It gets very crowded during cherry blossom season, but fortunately there are many places to take pretty cherry blossom selfies.

When: April 1 – April 4 2024

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 송파구 잠실6동

How to get there: To get to the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival, take the subway to Jamsil Subway Station (Lines 2 & 8) and go out exit 2 or 3. The lake is visible in front of you.

Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival 2024

Yeouido Island is a popular destination in Seoul where locals flock to enjoy being outdoors on the weekends, drinking a Cass and eating ramyeon while sitting along the Han River’s grassy banks. During April, thousands of people swarm the scenic streets of Yeouiseo-ro Road to experience the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival.In this colourful festival you’ll not only find cherry blossoms, but also azaleas, forsythia, royal azaleas, and other spring flowers all in full bloom. Stay for the night-time light show, where flowers are lit up as a backdrop to street performances and art exhibitions.

When: March 29 – April 2 2024

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 영등포구 여의서로

How to get there: To get to the Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival, take the subway to either National Assembly Subway Station (Line 9) or Yeouinaru Subway Station (Line 5) and follow the signs to the festival.

Tour options: There is a cherry blossom tour from Klook that will take you to 3 of the hottest cherry blossom spots in Seoul, including this location. The locations change depending on which site has the best blossoms in bloom.

Gyeongpodae Cherry Blossom Festival 2024

Head to Gyeongpodae Lake in the beautiful coastal city of Gangneung to combine cherry blossoms with beaches. Gaze at the cherry blossoms floating on trees above you and blowing down to the lake’s waters when a sea breeze blows through the trees. With over 4km of trees to walk through, this is certainly a lovely way to spend a warm spring day. Check out the pavilion for romantic views that are best shared with a loved on. There are lots of fun games and activities to enjoy, as well as unique festival foods, such as flower pancakes.

When: March 29 – April 4 2024

Address in Korean: 강원도 강릉시 초당동 459-2

How to get there: Take a train or bus from Seoul to Gangneung City. From Gangneung Intercity/Express Bus Terminal, take Bus 202 and get off at Gyeongpodae Lake.

Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival 2024

At the Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival you can find streets full of cherry blossom goods, arts and craft stalls, and festival food stalls, all overlooked by the cloudy cherry blossoms. This is the most popular cherry blossom festival on Jeju Island and a perfect place for blossom viewing.

Jeju is home to a special type of cherry blossom, the King cherry blossom. These trees are said to be the original Korean cherry trees and the best of all the cherry blossoms in Korea. The blossoms are larger than other types of cherry trees in Korea. Like a pink sponge, more a full flower than a simple blossom.

When: March 22 – March 24 2024

Address in Korean: 삼도일동 721-14번지 제주시 제주특별자치도 KR

How to get there: Take bus 122 from Jeju Airport to Jeju Bus Terminal. Walk north along the river for 10 minutes or take a taxi there in less than 10 minutes. You can also see the cherry blossoms at Jangjeon-ri in Aewol and outside Jeju National University.

Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival 2024

The Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival is your chance to view cherry blossoms growing around ancient Korean architecture in the historic city of Gyeongju. You’ll find the most incredible views of traditional Korea. At this festival you’ll have the chance to enjoy various activities, such as face painting, traditional games, live music, a cherry blossom shower, and tours around the city. The Bomun Lake Tourist Area offers the chance to see cherry blossom reflections while riding rollercoasters, sitting by the lake, or enjoying coffee from a lakeside cafe.

When: March 27 – Mar 31 2024

Address in Korean: 경상북도 경주시 보문로 446 (Bomun Lake)

How to get there: Take an intercity bus from Busan Sasang Bus Terminal to the Gyeongju Bus Terminal. From there, follow the main road towards the historic central area or take a taxi to Bomun Lake Tourist Area.

Tour Options: book a private taxi tours of Gyeongju to see cherry blossoms and other sights. As Gyeongju’s main sights are quite spread out, this can be a time-saving and hassle-free option.

Hwagae Market Cherry Blossom Festival 2024

Located near Jirisan National Park in southern Korea is one of the most magical cherry blossom festivals in Korea – the Hwagae Market Cherry Blossom Festival. What makes this so spectacular is the landscape, set in the Korean countryside for a very different view of cherry blossoms surrounded by nature. The main draw to the area is the ‘marriage road‘, which is rumoured to guarantee a long and happy life together if couples walk down it holding hands. When the sun hits the towering cherry blossoms from above, they cast a romantic pink glow on the road below.

When: March 22 – March 24 2024

Address in Korean: 경상남도 하동군 화개면 쌍계로 15

How to get there: Take the intercity bus from Nambu Bus Terminal (Seoul) to Hwagae City. Get off at Hwagaejangteo Market and walk to the temple from Hwagae following the river.

Where To See Cherry Blossoms In Seoul

Seoul is the most popular tourist destination in Korea and this bustling capital city has so many great sights to offer. There are countless places to see cherry blossoms in Seoul – in parks, along rivers, and amongst historic buildings.

The following locations offer the chance to not only take pictures with the cherry blossoms, but also to see pretty natural, historic and traditional Korean sights. When visiting Seoul for cherry blossoms, you get to enjoy the sights with extra colour. Here are my recommendations for the best places to see cherry blossoms in Seoul.

Seoul’s Royal Palaces & Secret Garden

Seoul’s royal palaces are the perfect traditional Korean backdrop to the natural beauty of cherry blossoms. The central lake at the heart of Gyeongbokgung in particular has spectacular views with cherry trees running along the edge and is very popular during cherry blossom season. The Secret Garden, located inside Changdeokgung Palace, is a restricted royal garden area that showcases some of the finest natural sights in Korea and is less packed with photographers due to the limited number of people who can visit each day.

How to get there: The royal palaces (and nearest subway) are Gyeongbokgung (Gyeongbokgung Station), Changdeokgung (Anguk Station), Changgyeonggung (Anguk Station), Deoksugung (City Hall Station), and Gyeonghuigung (Gwanghwamun Station).

Opening Times:
Gyeongbokgung – closed Tuesday
Other palaces – closed Monday

Cherry Blossom Viewing With Hanbok: If you plan to visit Seoul’s royal palaces, I recommend renting traditional Korean hanbok. Not only will you look beautiful, you can gain free entry to the palaces. Hanbok rental starts from as little as ₩10,000 and will give you the perfect clothes for a cherry blossom photo shoot in Seoul.

Seoul Grand Park

Located in southern Seoul, Seoul Grand Park is a family-friendly area surrounded by woody hills and nature, making it a great place for views of cherry blossoms. The park includes Seoul Land amusement park, Seoul Zoo, a healing forest, theme park, and more. Stroll along the wide lake, join the festival activities, watch cultural activities, and more. To enjoy the cherry blossoms fully, grab some snacks and coffee from the vendors near the subway station and find a peaceful place to sit and take in the views.

Address in Korean: 경기도 과천시 막계동 267-1

How to get there: Take the subway to Seoul Grand Park Station and go out exit 2. The main park is in front of you, as well as convenience stores, cafes, and street vendors.

Tour options: There is a cherry blossom tour from Klook that will take you to 3 of the hottest cherry blossom spots in Seoul, including this location. The locations change depending on which site has the best blossoms in bloom.

Seokchon Lake Area

As mentioned previously, the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Seoul. Walk around the tree-lined pathways that surround the lake, taking in the views over the water and overhead as you go. Head to the Seoul Sky Observatory in Lotte World Tower and see the lake from above, or visit Lotte World Magic Island, which looks out over the lake. For more cherry blossom views, head east to the nearby Olympic Park for beautiful blossoms and walking paths.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 송파구 잠실6동

How to get there: To get to the Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival, take the subway to Jamsil Subway Station (Lines 2 & 8) and go out exit 2 or 3. The lake is visible in front of you.

N Seoul Tower (Namsan Tower)

The N Seoul Tower (Namsan Tower) in central Seoul has dozens of cherry blossom trees at the peak and on the road leading up to it. Walk up the path and see cherry blossoms above or ride the Nasman Cable Car and see them passing by below. You can see the whole city from here, as well as the towering mountains of Bukhansan National Park in the north. I recommend taking the cable car to the top just before sunrise, checking out the views and other attractions, and then walking down the hill at night when the lights come on.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 용산구 남산공원길 105

How to get there: There are several ways to get to the N Seoul Tower, including on foot, by cable car, bus, or car. The most scenic way is by cable car. Walking takes about 30 minutes from Myeongdong Station and involves an uphill ascent (paved).

Tip: You can save money on entrance fees and attractions at the tower by booking online, which also avoids long queues and gives you more time to see snowy sights in Seoul.

Yeouido Hangang (Han River) Park

There’s more to the Yeouido Han River area than just the Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival. Featuring long, green river banks, you have lots of space to explore and enjoy cherry blossoms away from the crowds. Walk along the river, or sit and have a picnic. The best views are from Yeouido Hangang Park, which you can find outside Yeouinaru Station. You can rent bikes from here, as well as tents, lawn mats, and buy a range of essential cherry blossom viewing supplies.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 영등포구 여의동로 330

How to get there: Take the subway to Yeouinaru Station (Line 5) and use exit 2 or 3. The park spreads along the river.

Han River Cruise From Yeouido: After a busy day strolling under cherry blossom trees, relax and see the colourful bridges and sights of Seoul from the comfort of a cruise along the Han River.

Seoul Forest Park

Seoul Forest is Korea’s answer to Central Park in New York and makes you feel like you’re not in a city any more. Packed full of parks for children of all sizes, petting zoos, deer, and plenty of places to be in nature, this is the perfect place for cherry blossom viewing in Seoul. Entrance is free and is likely to be less busy than some of the other top cherry blossom spots in Seoul. Head to the far side of the park for raised walkways that give you views of the park, walking through the trees, with sights of the Han River in the background.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 성동구 뚝섬로 273

How to get there: Take the subway to Seoul Forest Station (Bundang Line) and use exit 3. You’ll probably have to transfer at Wangsimni Station if you’re coming from central Seoul.

Kyung hee University Campus

The Kyung Hee University campus provides a peaceful environment for students and visitors and is packed with ponds, parks, and relaxing pathways, as well as millions of cherry blossoms. The impressive neo-classical architecture provides an interesting backdrop to the blossoms, as do the students’ creative works that are on display.Take a walk through the grounds, along the ponds, and feel at ease in this pleasant surrounding. Once you’ve finished, you’ll find lots of nice cafes and restaurants to eat at outside. The top of the College of Fine Arts building offers 360 degree views of the area.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 동대문구 경희대로 26

How to get there: Take the subway to Hoegi Station (Line 1) and use exit 1. Follow the signs towards Kyung Hee University and look for the small hill in the background. The campus is located below that.

Seoul National Cemetery

Spring is a symbol of birth and regrowth and what better place to witness this than at a cemetery? Set in beautiful grounds, over slowly sloping hills, and packed with cherry trees, the Seoul National Cemetery is a remarkable place to visit any time of year. The cherry blossoms, perhaps in keeping with the setting, are weeping trees, with thick branches full of cherry blossoms, falling down towards the ground. After you’ve finished exploring the Seoul National Cemetery, find out more about Korea’s history at the nearby National Museum of Korea and War Memorial of Korea.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 동작구 현충로 210

How to get there: Take the subway to Dongjak Station (Lines 4 & 9) and use exit 6 or 7.

Ganghwa Sanseong Fortress & Goryeogung Palace

Travel to the beautiful Ganghwa Island to discover cherry blossoms blooming amongst the historic fortress walls and buildings of the ancient Ganghwa Sanseong Fortress and Goryeogung Palace. Cherry blossoms straddle the pathways around this area, creating an umbrella of blossoms for you to enjoy. This was an important location during the Goryeo Dynasty, which ran from the 10th to 14th Centuries. Learn about the how the soldiers in this area defended Korea from Mongolian invaders for decades while you appreciate the views.

Address in Korean: 인천광역시 강화군 불은면 중앙로 602-14

How to get there: Take the 3000 bus from Hongdae to Ganghwa Terminal and then take a taxi to the fortress. It’s only a short ride and shouldn’t cost more than a few thousand won.

Tour options: There is a tour to Ganghwa Island to see cherry blossoms and enjoy other activities available from Klook.

Nami Island & Garden Of Morning Calm

Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm are close to Seoul and are both full of nature and great for cherry blossom viewing in spring. They are both in Gapyeong County and can be accessed on a single day trip, either with a tour or by local transport. Nami Island features tree-lined streets, woodland animals, cafes, and cultural attractions. The Garden of Morning Calm is the best sculpted garden in all of Korea and offers views of Korean pagodas surrounded by cherry trees. Both can be seen in a day.

Address in Korean: 강원도 춘천시 남산면 남이섬길 1 (Nami Island), 경기도 가평군 상면 수목원로 432 (Garden of Morning Calm)

How to get there: Take the ITX train from Yongsan Station (Seoul) to Gapyeong Station, then take the Gapyeong City Tour Bus to Nami Island. For other transport options, check out the guide in the article about how to get to Nami Island From Seoul.

Tour options: There are plenty of tour options to take you to these locations and other sights in Gapyeong with a day tour departing from Seoul. Check out Klook, Trazy, and Get Your Guide for their various packages.

Less Visited Cherry Blossom Spots In Seoul

Looking for some less crowded areas in Seoul to see cherry blossoms away from the main festivals and throngs of people? Then check out these more peaceful areas of Seoul which still have many cherry blossom tree-lined streets to enjoy but aren’t yet as crowded.

Seongnaecheonduk-gil: Part of the Songpa Trail in the Jamsil area of Seoul, this waterside walkway starts north of Jamsillaru Station and takes you down a narrow lane starting at the Asan Medical Center and splits on the other side of Olympic Park. This area is also a great place for autumn foliage spots and Olympic Park is a lovely place to visit for a summer picnic or stroll on a sunny day.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 송파구 풍납2동 416-1 성내천길 다리

Walkerhill Street: Starting from the top of Achasan (a small hill) and leading down to the shores of the Han River, this 800 meter walkway stretches from the Achasan Mountain Ecological Park to the Walkerhill Hotel & Resort and passes under beautiful blossoms, considered one of the best sites in Seoul to see cherry blossoms, but not as busy as it’s a bit further out from the centre than other spots.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 광진구 광장동 370

Yeonhee Forest Shelter: Explore one of Seoul’s lesser-known mountain parks and see cherry blossoms at the Yeonhee Forest Shelter along the Ansan Jarak-gil walking trail in Ansan Mountain. This trail goes along leafy lanes and up the shallow slopes of Ansan Mountain (it’s not a mountain), offering views of blossoms, metasequoia trees, tulips, magnolias, and Korean forsythias near and far.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 서대문구 연희동 산2-128

Hwarangdae Railyway Park: Located in a northern part of Seoul near the old Hwarangdae Station in Nowon-gu, the Hwarangdae Railway Park is now an urban park that combines historic steam trains and trams from as far back as the 1890s with spectacular spring cherry blossom displays. There’s a peaceful cafe to relax in, old trains to sit in, and the colourful Nowon Light Garden to see at night.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 노원구 공릉2동 29-4

Gyeonggui Forest Line Park & Donggyo-ro 41 Gil: Check out the parallel streets of the Forest Line Park and Donggyo-ro 41 in Hongdae’s Yeonnam-dong area (near Hongik Uni Station) to see tree-lined pathways covering an abandoned railway track and blossom filled walking streets packed with boutique shops, bars, and lots of dessert cafes. Trendy blossom views with tasty treats together.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 마포구 동교동 147-89

Where To See Cherry Blossoms On Jeju Island

Spring comes early to Jeju Island and the King Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the first and most colourful of the spring cherry blossom events. The big blossoms offer lots of photo opportunities, but are not the only thing to see on Jeju Island in spring.

Jeju Island, known as one of the New 7 Wonders Of Nature, has a reputation for incredible natural beauty, which can certainly be seen if you visit Noksan-ro. This area features long, winding roads that are lined with vibrant displays of yellow and pink together from the cherry blossoms and canola flowers.

This area is very popular with cyclists and bikers in spring. Drive or bike around to the south coast and cruise along endless lanes of yellow and pink. Hikers can check out cherry blossoms and other spring flowers from the slopes of Hallasan Mountain. The volcanic mother to Jeju Island has some wonderful trails to explore and you’ll see cherry blossoms along the way.

Where To See Cherry Blossoms In Gyeongju

In Gyeongju City, witness the cherry blossoms blooming among old hanok buildings and above ancient tombs, the way they would have hundreds of years ago. This is definitely one of the best cities to see cherry blossoms in Korea and a really simple day trip from Busan.

You’ll find the best views in the Gyeongju Historic Area. Highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site include Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory (built in 675), Gyochon Traditional Village, and Woljeonggyo Bridge, a stunning bridge that looks like a palace wall.

Besides the colourful sights at the Gyeongju Historic Area, you can also find cherry blossoms at the Bomun Lake Tourist Complex to the south. One of my favourite sights here is the massive Hwangnyongwon (a 9-story golden tower), as well as the lake itself.

If you’ve an extra day in Gyeongju, then definitely visit Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto located in the mountains outside the city. Bulguksa is one of the most impressive Buddhist temples in Korea and hosts six National treasures of South Korea.

How to get there: Take an intercity bus from Busan Sasang Bus Terminal to Gyeongju Bus Terminal. Follow the main road towards the historic central area or take a taxi to Bomun Lake Tourist Area.

Taxi Tours Of Gyeongju: Gyeongju’s attractions are in several areas, including the Gyeongju Historic Area, Bomun Lake, and Bulguksa Temple. It can take a long time to get between these areas so an easier way to see the sights is with a Private Taxi Tour of Gyeongju.

Where To See Cherry Blossoms In Busan

All major cities in Korea have parks, rivers, or even mountains that provide great cherry blossom views, and Busan is no exception. There are plenty of places to see cherry blossoms in Busan, both in the city streets and in the nearby mountains around Busan.

These are 3 of the best places to see Busan’s cherry blossoms:

Oncheon Stream Park

With other 1,300 cherry trees lining the banks of the Oncheon Stream, this pleasant location is perfect in spring. A place for local residents to walk, run, and ride, this busy park is a prime location for cherry blossom viewing in Busan. Not only can you see cherry blossoms along the river, you’ll also find rows of bright yellow canola plants. There are small cafes and restaurants along the river, great for watching the night lights illuminate the delicate blossoms.

Address in Korean: 부산광역시 연제구 연산동

How to get there: There are multiple subway stations that lead out to the Oncheon Stream. The closest to Oncheon Stream Park is Dongnae Station. Use exit 2 and walk south towards the stream. The park is to the east (turn left at the river).

Samnak Ecological Park

The Samnak Ecological Park walkway, named one of the 100 most beautiful places in Korea, hosts a large number of cherry blossom trees that come to life in early April each year. With more than 1,200 trees blooming at the same time, you can see tunnels of pinky-white petals like in the picture above. You’ll also find dozens of other blooming plants, wetland birds, and tall flame grass along the Nakdonggang River banks. Rent a bike and explore this area at your own leisure or bring some lunch to have a picnic in the park in the warm spring weather.

Address in Korean: 부산광역시 사상구 삼락동 686

How to get there: Take the subway to Sasang Station and use exit 3. The park is directly ahead following the road straight. The Busan Seobu Intercity Bus Terminal is also in this area, which makes it a good place to visit for a day trip from other cities.

Dalmaji Hill & Dalmaji-Gil Road

Dalmaji Hill is perfect for quiet strolls away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Haeundae Beach. The area is famous for cafe lovers and artists and features markets, galleries, and cosy places to sit and relax. You can walk from Haeundae Beach, but it’s quite far. A better option is to ride the Haeundae Beach Train from Mipo.

In April, the hilly Dalmaji-Gil Road is crowded with cherry trees, creating an intimate forest of blossoms, adding to the area’s own beauty. From atop the hill enjoy breathtaking views of the coast. The area is a favourite with local artists and there are several galleries in the area. On weekends there are art markets at the Haeweoljeong Pavilion square.

Address in Korean: 부산광역시 해운대구 중2동 1488-1

How to get there: Take bus 1003 from Haeundae Beach or bus 39 | 100 | 141 | 200 from Haeundae Traditional Market to Dalmaji Hill and explore on foot. The Haeundae Beach Train stops here, too.

Where To See Cherry Blossoms In Daejeon

Daejeon isn’t on most people’s radar when they travel, but it’s a lovely city and certainly comes to life during cherry blossom season. I know, I’ve lived in Daejeon since 2015. There are several great places to view cherry blossoms in Daejeon, including at KAIST University, along the Gapcheon River, and in nearby Gyeryongsan National Park.

The KAIST University campus is reminiscent of a K-Drama filming location and is an ideal place to sit on the grass and enjoy the warm weather while viewing the blossoms. There are various cafes and restaurants to get food and drinks on the campus, and you can even order food to be delivered directly to you while you sit on the grass.

Outside the KAIST University campus is the Gapcheon River, which runs through the central area of Daejeon and is lined with many cherry trees and yellow canola plants. The riverside is a wide public space with parks, bridges, and walkways for people to walk at their leisure. The area near Expo Bridge and Hanbat Arboretum is especially nice.

For cherry blossom festivals near Daejeon, visit Donghaksa Temple in Gyeryongsan National Park. The cherry blossom festival at Donghaksa Temple runs for two weeks in early April and features traditional festival events, such as trot singing, performances, and games. You can also see blossoms falling upon the temple buildings and stone walls.

Address in Korean: 충청남도 공주시 반포면 동학사1로 462 (Donghaksa Temple), 대전광역시 유성구 구성동 (KAIST), 대전광역시 유성구 도룡동 (Expo Bridge)

How to get to Daejeon from Seoul: Take the KTX train to Daejeon Station, then change to the subway. For KAIST University get off at Wolpyeong Station. For Expo Bridge get off at Government Complex Station and walk north.

How to get to Donghaksa Temple: Take bus 107 from central Daejeon and get off at the final stop. Follow the main street to get to the park entrance and Donghaksa Temple.

Where To See King Cherry Blossoms In Korea

King cherry blossoms, which are bigger, brighter, and more pinky than regular Korean cherry blossoms, come from Jeju Island and have spread to a few locations across Korea. These are some of the most photogenic cherry blossoms and, in my opinion, look the best.

Where can you find King cherry blossoms? Apart from Jeju Island, the home to King cherry blossoms, here are a few of the best locations to see King cherry blossoms on the Korean mainland.

• Seosan Gaesimsa Temple
• Seosan Munsusa Temple
• Cheonan Gakwonsa Temple
• Songnisan Beopjusa Temple
• Wansan Flower Garden
• Jeonju Hanok Village

You can find them at other locations, typically at temples and gardens. I can highly recommend Beopjusa Temple, which is where a lot of the King cherry blossom pics for this article come from. It’s not only lovely for cherry blossom viewing, it’s also a very beautiful temple set in the foothills of Songnisan National Park.

When do King cherry blossoms come out in Korea? They’re actually later than the regular cherry blossoms, so if you’re visiting Korea after the main blossoms, you can still see them. King cherry blossoms usually bloom between the last week of April and the first week of May, depending on which part of the country you’re in.

Tour options: Here are some tours you can take that will show you these gorgeous King cherry blossoms.

• Seoul King Cherry Blossom Tour
• King Cherry Blossom Day Trip From Seoul
• King Cherry Blossom Tour From Busan

You can also make your own way to places in Seoul, Busan, and other cities on foot. I recommend downloading Naver Maps and using it to help plan your route.

Tips For Seeing Cherry Blossoms In Korea

Cherry blossom season in Korea is one of the busiest times to travel as local and tourists alike are eager to get the best views. Here are 5 tips that will help you travel more easily and let you make the most of your time in Korea.

1: Book ahead. If you plan to travel and need a hotel or tour, book ahead and make sure you can get a seat or room. I recommend booking tours at least in January or February. Trains can only be booked 30 days in advance.

2: Check the weather. Spring weather in Korea can be unpredictable. Keep an eye on forecasts and be flexible if you can. If it’s raining, check out some alternative indoor activities you can enjoy and adjust plans to be outside when it’s dry.

3: Wrap up warm. Winter winds and chills can persist during Korean cherry blossom season. Bring a jacket and warm clothes, just in case. This is especially important if you’re going to visit a national park.

4: Try unique tastes. Cherry blossom season in Korea brings with it some interesting foods and drinks. Give them a try while they’re available. You’ll mostly find these at festivals, such as the cherry blossom festival in Jinhae.

5: Walk a lot. Put on your walking boots, and explore as much as possible. City streets, riverside pathways, forest trails – experience them all. There are many streets lined with cherry blossoms that won’t be listed here and yet provide photogenic views.

Check out these Korean travel essentials to find more great tips for travelling in Korea.

Weather During Cherry Blossom Season

The weather during cherry blossom season in Korea is cool, with temperatures around 10 – 15 degrees Celsius during the day, rising to 20 degrees on a sunny day. The weather is mild, with clear or cloudy skies and a slight chance of rain. Jeju and the south coast will be warmer than Seoul by a few degrees. Spring starts two weeks earlier in Korea’s southern regions, which is why cherry blossoms in Korea bloom at different times. See the Korean cherry blossom forecast for exact dates.

Tours To See Cherry Blossoms In Korea In 2024

Travellers visiting Korea in spring have various options to see cherry blossoms. Those in major cities such as Seoul and Busan can easily reach popular cherry blossom sights by public transport or by walking around on foot. However, some of the best places to see cherry blossom in Korea are outside big cities and to get to these places, a day trip (or weekend away) is the best option.

Here are 5 of the best day trips to see cherry blossoms in Korea:

1: Jinhae in Changwon City (Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival)

2: Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm

3: Jirisan National Park (Hwagae Festival & Gurye Sansuyu Festival.)

4: Gangneung City (Gyeongpodae Cherry Blossom Festival)

5: Gyeongju City

You can visit these places by public transport if you’re comfortable with the Korean public transportation system, or book a day tour from a reputable company. Tour companies in Korea that offer cherry blossom tours include Klook, Trazy, and Get Your Guide. Please note, these tours are seasonal and usually available to book from January onwards. If there are no tours available now, check again closer to spring.

Where To Stay To See Cherry Blossoms In Korea

Although some of the best cherry blossom sights in Korea are in the countryside, I’d recommend staying in larger cities like Seoul and Busan and then travelling out for day trips to see cherry blossoms. Hotels in smaller areas like Jinhae and Gyeongju are likely to be more expensive, as well as booked out in advance. You’ll get better deals and more options staying in Seoul or Busan. However, the prices in these cities can be high during cherry blossom season, too.

Book ahead to avoid disappointment and higher prices.

Seoul: Hotels in Myeongdong offer convenient access to N Seoul Tower and royal palaces. Hotels in Hongdae are ideal for visiting Yeouido and Han River parks. Hotels in Gangnam provide easy access to Seokchon Lake and the Lotte World Tower.

Busan: For hotels in Busan, stay in Haeundae or Seomyeon are generally the most convenient for travelling around Busan. Both areas are connected to the subway system and have good bus connections, too.

Jeju Island: For hotels on Jeju Island, stay in either Jeju City or Seogwipo City. Jeju City is closer to the cherry blossom festival, but Seogwipo is closer to nature and has some of the best walking trails along the coast.

Visiting Korea In Other Seasons

Korea is an amazing country to visit any time of year and undoubtedly has four very distinct seasons with lots of other activities, sights, foods, and festivals waiting for you in each one. Therefore, don’t forget to check out my other awesome seasonal guides for Korea to make sure you’re getting the most out of your trip to Korea whenever you travel. Be sure to check out the best spring festivals in Korea, too.

Summer: A hot and rainy time of year, but perfect for getting out to enjoy the best Korean summer activities, such as water sports, camping by the beach, summer festivals, eating yummy Korean summer foods, and getting a tan. If the rain is too heavy, there are plenty of indoor activities in Seoul where you can stay dry and still have fun.

Autumn: Like spring, autumn is all about nature and the change of seasons represented by the fall foliage. There are many places to see autumn leaves in Korea, including golden gingko leaves and multi-coloured maple leaves, which change from green to gold to red.

Winter: After the beauty of the fall foliage and the rains of summer, winter is the complete opposite – snowy white and extremely dry. Winter has very little rain, which makes it perfect for exploring outside and enjoying one of the many winter activities in Korea. Just make sure you wrap up warm! If you’re visiting Korea in winter, I highly recommend check out my Jeju Island winter itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about seeing cherry blossoms in Korea. These answers are based on my own experience and from research conducted to write this article.

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The good news is, you don’t have to go too far to see snow in Korea, especially if you’re visiting during the snowiest months – January and February. From Jeju Island to Seoul, there are snowy sights across Korea to enjoy this winter.

This article will tell you the best places to see snow in Seoul, which winter festivals look good with snowy sights, activities where you can enjoy seeing snow in Korea, and famous places in Korea for the prettiest snowscapes.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

Best Places To See Snow In Korea

The best place to see snow in Korea is undoubtedly in the mountains, national parks, and ski resorts as these are the highest places in Korea and therefore have the most snowfall. The snow can be knee-deep and falls regularly, creating pristine white landscapes to fall in love with.

When it does snow in Korea, there are plenty of other sights in Seoul and beyond where you can enjoy a wide range of winter activities, get snowy backdrops for your travel pictures, and have fun playing in the snow.

Korean festivals are some of the best places to see snow in Korea as you not only get to enjoy the snowy scenes, you can also engage in fun activities, learn about Korean culture, and try something unique you may never have experienced before, such as ice-fishing or snow sledding.

Top tourist attractions can be even prettier during winter when covered by snow, especially those with winter illuminations shining off the glistening snow. There are many family-friendly attractions to see on a snowy day in Korea, such as Nami Island, Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, Seoul Grand Park, and Seoul Forest.

I am recommending these places as I’ve visited (or had friends visit) many of them. Others are unmissable spots in Korea with great reputations for winter fun. I personally love to go hiking a lot during winter as it’s so much fun to see the snowy peaks, especially winter hiking on Hallasan Mountain on Jeju Island.

When Does It Snow In Korea?

The first snowfall in Korea in 2023 was on October 21st, 2023, falling on the slopes of Seoraksan Mountain before the autumn leaves had even finished coming out. This was slightly earlier than usual as the highest mountains typically see snowfall in early November.

The Korean snow season runs from late November to early March and it can snow at any time during these months. You’re most likely to see snow in Korea in January and February as these are the coldest months, with temperatures around 0 degrees (and colder at night).

Please note: Korea isn’t a country that sees constant snowfall during winter. It can be sporadic and fall for a single afternoon or a whole week. When it does snow, it typically lasts for 2-3 days.

Where Does It Snow In Korea?

It typically snows more in the mountains than in the cities. Korea is 70% mountainous, though, which means there are loads of places to see snow in Korea.

The tallest mountains will have snow throughout January and February, making them the best places to see snow in Korea. They also see the first and last snow fall each year.

You can still see snow in other areas, even on the palm-tree lined beaches of Jeju Island! Snow can fall anywhere in Korea and the whole country is cold in winter.

However, snow is relatively rare outside the mountainous areas and there are often only 3-4 weeks per year where it will snow in Korean cities, and this is not constant.

Where To See Snow In Seoul

When it snows in Seoul, the city transforms into a winter wonderland, with snow-topped fortress walls and palaces, frozen lakes and rivers, and historic sights buried in snow.

As Seoul is a must-see destination for travellers to Korea, the first 10 snowy sights in Korea are all based in Seoul. These locations are perfect for those who want to capture pretty pictures of the city bedecked in powdery white snow.

Many of these snow spots in Seoul are great places to visit at any time of year, but I think they look even more magical when covered in snow. Whenever you visit, you’re sure to enjoy these sights.

1: Seoul’s Royal Palaces

Located in the centre of Seoul, and within walking distance from each other, Seoul’s royal palaces are a beautiful reminder of Korea’s past and definitely something to add to any winter bucket list for South Korea.

The bright greens, reds, and other vivid colours that set these traditional buildings apart from the drab greys of modern buildings look even more impressive than normal when covered in shiny white snow during winter. Enjoy delicious, hot Korean winter street snacks as you explore these cold palaces and frozen lakes.

How to get there: The royal palaces (and nearest subway) are Gyeongbokgung (Anguk Station), Changdeokgung (Anguk Station), Changgyeonggung (Anguk Station), Deoksugung (City Hall Station), and Gyeonghuigung (Gwanghwamun Station).

Tip: You can get free entry to the palaces if you wear hanbok. Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on Tuesday, the others are closed on Monday.

Snowy Hanbok Pictures: If you want to get the most memorable, authentically Korean pictures during your winter trip to Korea, why not rent traditional Korean hanbok when you’re in Seoul? Alternatively, rent an Ewha Korean School Uniform near Lotte World & Lotte Tower for fun pictures.

2: Bukchon Hanok Village

The historic district of Bukchon Hanok Village is full of old hanok buildings beautifully preserved and restored. Walk through these peaceful streets with wooden beams and black tiles covered in soft white snow.

This is also a great place to dress up in hanbok. Grab your camera, choose one of the many doorways or streets, and take some pictures.

If the snow gets too heavy, visit one of the many cafes and tea rooms and experience traditional Korean drinks in a warm and cosy atmosphere.

How to get there: Take the subway to Anguk Station (Line 3 – orange) and walk north from exit 2. You should see signs for the Bukchon Hanok Village straight away.

Tip: Bukchon Hanok Village is a residential area and it’s best to visit during the daytime to not disturb the residents. There are many hanbok rental shops nearby and both Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces are within walking distance of Bukchon Hanok Village.

Try A Hanok Stay In Seoul: If you want to experience sleeping in a Korean hanok house in winter (with heated flooring), check out Bonum 1957 Hanok and Boutique in Bukchon Hanok Village.

3: N Seoul Tower (Namsan Tower)

A must-see sight in Seoul, the N Seoul Tower is great for looking out to see snow blanketing Seoul like a clean cotton sheet in all directions.

Take a hike up the short trail to the top of Namsan Mountain to reach the N Seoul Tower, passing by snow-covered fortress walls and ghostly snow-lined limbs of trees on the way.

If hiking isn’t for you, take the Namsan Cable Car to the top and enjoy a pleasant ride, looking down over central Seoul, royal palaces, and Bukhansan National Park in the distance.

How to get there: There are several ways to get to the N Seoul Tower, including on foot, by cable car, bus, or car. The most scenic way is by cable car. Walking takes about 30 minutes from Myeongdong Station and involves an uphill ascent (paved).

Tip: You can save money on entrance fees and attractions at the tower by booking online, which also avoids long queues and gives you more time to see snowy sights in Seoul.

4: Lotte World Theme Park

For those travelling with children, you certainly can’t beat the Lotte World Theme Park in Jamsil. See the Magic Island (pictured), which is located on the edge of the pretty Seokchon Lake.

From here, you might see frozen waters with snow on the empty cherry blossom trees that are waiting to show their glory in the coming spring. A perfectly magical spot to see snow in Seoul.

Take a trip up to the 123rd floor of the Seoul Sky Observatory in the nearby Lotte World Tower for incredible views across snowy Seoul.

How to get there: Take the subway to Jamsil Station (Line 2 – green or Line 8 – red). Lotte World is right outside subway exit 4 and the Lotte World Tower is outside exit 1.

Tip: Save money on the cost of the entrance by booking online or get free entry with the Discover Seoul Pass. Stay late for night views of Seokchon Lake and Lotte World Tower.

Perfect Discover Seoul Pass Itinerary: If you want to save money in Seoul, the Discover Seoul Pass is one of the best ways to do it. Get free entry to dozens of top attractions, including Lotte World Theme Park. Find an itinerary to suit you in my Discover Seoul Pass Itineraries article.

5: Bukhansan National Park

An obvious choice for snow in Seoul has to be in Seoul’s own national park – the ruggedly astounding Bukhansan National Park. You’ll probably recognise this mountain range if you’ve been to the top of the N Seoul Tower and looked north. You can’t miss it.

I’ve climbed Bukhansan several times, including in mid-March, and there was still snow falling at that time. In January and February, you’re more likely to see thick, powdery snow here than in other places in Seoul.

How to get there: Take the subway to Gupabal Station (line 3 – orange), Exit 2, and then transfer to a bus outside the station. Buses 34, 701, 702, and 704 all go to the main entrance.

Tip: Join a hiking group on Facebook, such as Seoul Hike, if you’re not confident about hiking on your own or you want to hike with other people.

Here’s some information about how to climb Bukhansan in winter, how to hike to Baegundae Peak – the highest peak in Bukhansan, and some general hiking in Korea tips that’ll help you prepare.

6: Seoul’s Fortress Walls

Walk along Seoul’s lofty fortress walls to gaze out over the city when it’s covered in snow, and to see clean snow not trampled down by traffic and pedestrians in the busy streets below.

The fortress walls are great for a bit of winter exercise (but be sure to wrap up warm), and see a historic side of Seoul.

The fortress walls are over 600 years old and are the perfect place for a morning stroll or night hike without having to leave the city.

How to get there: Take a subway to Hyehwa Station (Line 4 – light blue) and walk east up the hill towards the park. Alternatively, head to Dongdaemun Station (Line 4 – light blue) and you’ll find fortress walls here, too.

Tip: If you’re feeling active, start your snowy day out in Seoul walking from Naksan Park, down through Dongdaemun towards Namsangol Hanok Village, and then walk up to the N Seoul Tower.

7: Haneul Park & Han River Parks

The Haneul (Sky) Park near World Cup Stadium in Seoul, a great place for autumn leaves, looks so beautiful when the snow falls in winter. The tall reeds are crested in white snow and offer many interesting photo opportunities.

Perhaps even better is the meta sequoia lane in the adjacent Nanji Han River Park. Meta sequoia (dawn redwood) are tall conifers soaring up to 165 foot into the air, certainly unmissable in the snow. The dark trunks provide a wonderful contrast to light snow.

How to get there: Take a subway to World Cup Stadium (Line 6 – brown) and head towards the rivers. There are numerous parks in this area. Haneul Park is on top of the hill – you can’t miss it. You can also find the Oil Tank Culture Park here, a free attraction that is worth a visit.

Tip: There are loads of pretty riverside parks to see the snow in Seoul, including Yeouido Hangang Park and Banpo Hangang Park. Take a stroll along the Han River and enjoy them all. If it’s cold enough, the river might even be frozen, too!

8: Seoul Land In Seoul Grand Park

Seoul Land, located in Seoul Grand Park, is a fun spot for families to enjoy a day outside playing in the snow. Besides the regular attractions on offer in the park, there are special winter activities available for the snowy season, including snow sledding on Samchulli Hill.

This area is great fun for kids and adults alike and everyone can have fun playing in the snow in Seoul Land. Grab a sled, walk to the top of the snowy mound, then zip down to the bottom. Also check out the winter illuminations here.

How to get there: To get to Seoul Grand Park, take the subway to Seoul Grand Park Station (Line 4 – light blue). The Elephant Train runs between Seoul Land, Seoul Zoo and Seoul Grand Park.

Tip: Seoul Zoo is also located in Seoul Grand Park and has a wide variety of animals to see. You can visit both areas in a day and you can get discounted tickets to see all the attractions.

9: Seoul Forest & Seongsu-Dong Neighbourhood

Seoul Forest in Seongsu-dong district has been described as the Hyde Park or Central Park of Seoul. Wedged between two parts of the Han River, the park is a welcome oasis from the busy city any time of the year.

You can find dozens of deer in Seoul Forest, giving you the impression of being in Lapland, not Korea. This is a family park, so if you’re travelling with children, they can have fun with the animals (there’s a petting zoo), snow covered trees, frozen lakes, and play on the many slides and swings.

How to get there: Take the subway to Seoul Forest Station (Bundang Line – yellow/orange). You’ll probably have to transfer at Wangsimni Station if you’re coming from central Seoul.

Tip: If the cold weather becomes too much, head into the hip Seongsu-dong area to warm up. You’ll find lots of artsy shops, cafes, the Under Stand Avenue (shipping container galleries, shops, and cafes), unique restaurants, and several museums and galleries.

10: Ice Skating Rinks In Seoul

One of the most popular ice skating rinks in Seoul is the Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink, located close to Deoksugung Palace, meaning you can combine these two great snowy locations in Seoul.

There are other indoor and outdoor rinks you can visit in Seoul, too. Why not grab some skates when it snows in Seoul and slip and slide through the hard ice, or watch as others do it more gracefully? A wonderful wintry activity amongst the snowy streets of Seoul.

How to get there: Take the subway to City Hall Station (Line 1 – dark blue). The ice rink is near the City Hall building, opposite Deoksugung Palace.

Please note: Check ahead to make sure the ice skating rinks are open when you plan to visit. There may be closures this winter due to the ongoing pandemic in Korea.

Winter Attractions To See Snow In Korea

Korea has many wonderful attractions to see during winter. They’re fun places to visit any time of the year, but excel in winter when the snow falls.

You can visit a lot of these on day tours from Seoul and other major cities. Where there are tour options, I will add links for your convenience.

Here are some of the best attractions to see when it’s snowing:

Nami Island

Nami Island, famous for its long, tree-lined walkways, unique statues, and cosy cafes, provides dozens of photo-worthy spots to enjoy the snowy sights, as well as snowman statues and winter lights. Not only can you witness the natural beauty of Nami Island covered in snow, you can also experience cultural festivals, see the island’s wildlife, and ride around the island on a rented bike.

How to get there: Here’s a guide about How To Get To Nami Island by public transport.

Tour options: There are plenty of tour options to take you to Nami Island and other locations in Gapyeong with a day tour departing from Seoul. Check out Klook, Trazy, and Get Your Guide for their various packages.

Gangchon Railbike

Pedalling your way along an abandoned railway track with views of the Bukhan River and forested valleys all covered in snow is the perfect way to spend a sunny winter’s day. Located close to Nami Island (and available for day trips from Seoul), the Gangchon Railbike Park offers a chance to get out and see Korean nature draped in snowy blankets.

Address in Korean: 강원도 춘천시 신동면 김유정로 1383

Tour options: There are plenty of tour options to take you to Nami Island and other locations in Gapyeong with a day tour departing from Seoul. Check out Klook, Trazy, and Get Your Guide for their various packages.

Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm

Tucked away in the ‘Alps of Korea’, the Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm is an interesting place to explore Korea’s winter scenery on a snowy day. Gaze at the fields and surrounding forests blanketed in snow whilst trying to find the camouflaged sheep.

The Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm is located close to Gangneung City on Korea’s east coast, a city that has lots of lovely seaside cafes to stay warm in during winter.

Address in Korean: 강원도 평창군 대관령면 대관령마루길 483-32

Onyang Hot Springs

The hot waters of Onyang Hot Springs (온양온천지구), Asan, are the ideal remedy for the cold winter weather, and also provide a unique place to see falling snow. Sit outside in the steaming hot water while snow falls from above and melts into the pool. Not only are the hot springs a relaxing place to enjoy winter in Korea, they’ll do wonders for your body with their healing waters.

Address in Korean: 충청남도 아산시 온천대로 1459

Wondaeri Birch Forest

The Wondaeri Birch Forest near Inje, home to more than 700,000 silvery birch trees, provides a peaceful winter trek through the snow. There are many paths to explore in this tranquil forest, winding through the tall trees, with plenty of photo-worthy spots and places to sit and contemplate the scenery.

The four main trekking courses are:

• Birch Forest Course
  (0.9km, 40-50 mins)
• Healing Course
  (1.5km, 1.5 hrs)
• Exploration Course
  (1.1km, 40 mins)
• Healing Course
  (2.4km, 1.5 hrs)

The easiest way to get to the Wondaeri Birch Forest, which is located in Gangwon Province, is to take a day tour from Seoul, such as this Wondaeri Tour by Klook.

Address in Korean: 강원도 인제군 인제읍 원대리 581

Snowy Korean Winter Festivals

Korea loves to hold festivals in all seasons, and winter provides some of the most interesting festivals of the whole year. These winter festivals celebrate the winter snow and activities that you can enjoy best when the temperature drops below zero.

Wrap up warm and head to these festivals for the best sights of snow in Korea and also to have a fun day out. From fishing in icy lakes, to evening strolls through snowy winter illuminations, there are so many charming ways to enjoy seeing snow.

Ice Fishing Festivals

A wonderfully unique place to experience snowy (and icy) fun in Korea is at one of the big ice-fishing festivals held in January and February. These are held in smaller towns across the country and offer you the chance to try a range of activities in snowy surroundings.

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival: This festival claims to be one of the 4 best winter festivals in the world and is one of my favourite Korean winter festivals. Located in the northern city of Hwacheon and running for more than 3 weeks in January, this festival gives you the chance to experience life as an ice fisher, trying to catch your lunch even when the water is frozen. You can also enjoy a range of other wintry attractions, including sledding, ice sculptures, and bare-handed ice fishing.

Address in Korean: 강원도 화천군 화천읍 중리 196

Learn more: Check out my guide to visiting the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival to learn more about this fun winter festival and see why it’s a must-visit this winter.

Pyeongchang Trout Ice Fishing Festival: Home to the 2018 Winter Olympics, you can understand why Pyeongchang would be the perfect place to host this winter festival. The main draw at this festival is the chance to catch (and then cook) your own lunch. Head over to the large icy river and get ready to fish.

Address in Korean: 114-1, 하진부리 진부면 평창군 강원도

Inje Ice Fishing Festival: This winter festival has a lot more to offer than just ice fishing. Running for more than 20 years, the Inje Ice Fishing Festival has developed a range of other activities for fun in the snow. You’ll find family-friendly areas such as the Ice Playground and Snow Playground. There are loads of ice and snow-based winter activities and sports for all ages.

Address in Korean: 강원도 인제군 남면 부평리 555-2

Hongcheon Ggong Ggong River Ginseng Trout Festival: Want to try an ice fishing festival in Korea with a difference? Then head to the Hongcheon Ggong Ggong River Ginseng Trout Festival, where the fish are fed on a diet of 6-year old Hongcheon Gingseng. Besides the healthy lunch you can catch with your bare hands, there is also a lot of wintry fun to be had nearby, including Vivaldi Park Snow World for ice sledding and the ice sculpture exhibition.

Address in Korean: 강원도 홍천군 홍천읍 너브내길 59

Please Note: This festival hasn’t been confirmed for 2024 yet.

Winter Illumination Festivals

What’s better than seeing the glittering white snow? How about millions of colourful lights reflected in that snow, creating a crystalline carpet of colours in some great gardens and parks? You’ll find incredibly colourful displays at these festivals. There are lots of winter lights festivals across Korea, including many that you can visit on a day trip from Seoul.

Garden Of Morning Calm Lighting Festival: The Garden of Morning Calm Lighting Festival is one of the top spots to visit during the dark, wintry days. Walking through the gardens when the sun has set is like entering into a magical world, a true winter fantasia. Explore the diverse themed areas that focus on animals, plants, and even love. A great place to take your loved one for some romantic memories walking between the electric forests and white snow.

Address in Korean: 경기도 가평군 상면 수목원로 432

Herb Island Light Festival: These herb gardens transform into an electric circus of lights, illuminations, and wonderful displays in winter. Herb Island also has a Santa’s Village area, with over 300 Santa Clauses to meet. Great for unforgettable snowy Christmas pics.

This winter festival is a place for lovers to share a romantic stroll, or for friends to make lasting memories of their adventures together. Families will also enjoy a magical time here.

Address in Korean: 경기도 포천시 신북면 청신로947번길 35 KR

Seoul Lantern Festival: This dazzling festival is held in Gwanghwamun Square outside Gyeongbokgung Palace, giving over it’s large pedestrianised areas to massive glowing lanterns. These installations are definitely the main draw, featuring different concepts each year like aquarium scenes, starry nights, nature landscapes, and Korean folktales. Last year there was a giant rabbit.

Address in Korean: 서울 종로구 세종대로 175 세종이야기

Winter Theme Park Festivals

You might not think about visiting a theme park in winter, but there are actually a lot of fun things to do in this season, including some big winter festivals that embrace the cold weather and give you a chance to enjoy snowy sights.

Although several of the major theme parks are in Seoul, which I’ve covered in the article below, I’ll include the two biggest theme parks here for your information. On a snowy day, they’ll be a great place for a family fun day out.

Everland Winter Wishes Festival: Everland is one the best theme parks in Korea, and a fun place to enjoy snow and winter activities. The festivals on offer change each year, but typically include a Christmassy-style festival called Winter Wishes in November and December and then a snow-based festival from January until early March.

Address in Korean: 경기도 용인시 처인구 포곡읍 에버랜드로 199 KR

Tour options: If you want to get to Everland this winter, save money with a discounted one day pass from Klook. To get to the park, you can also arrange round-trip transportation from Seoul.

Lotte World Christmas Miracle: As you can see from the picture above, Lotte World in Jamsil, Seoul, takes a lot from Disneyland and even has a fantasy-themed ‘Magic Island’, which sits in the lovely Seokchon Lake. For families looking for a magical place to see snow in Korea, then the Lotte World Christmas Miracle is for you.

There are Christmas decorations, parades, carols, an appearance from Santa Claus, and a lot of photo-worthy spots to see the snow. If it gets too cold, the good news is that the rest of the theme park, Lotte World Adventure, is indoors.

Address in Korean: 서울특별시 송파구 올림픽로 240

Tour options: Save money on entrance fees with discounted one day pass from Klook for big savings on entry to Lotte World Adventure, Lotte World Aquarium, and Seoul Sky Observatory.

Snow & Ice Festivals

What could be a better place to see snow in Korea than at a festival dedicated to the powdery white goodness? There are a couple of big festivals that run in January each winter, where you have a good chance to see snow and enjoy a wide range of snowy activities, too.

Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival: The Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival offers you the chance to see rural Korea, up in the mountains of Taebaeksan National Park. Walk among gigantic snow and ice sculptures and try a spot of hiking, too. You can enjoy snow sliding, snow hiking, pop into an ice igloo, and see the various performances at this festival. Come on the weekend for performances, or any time for snowy beauty. Taebaeksan is one of the best regions to hike and see snow in Korea, so don’t miss it.

Address in Korean: 강원 태백시 태백산로 4834-31

Daegwallyeong Snow Festival: Located at the previously mentioned Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, there is a snow festival that runs during the middle of January and has a range of fun activities to enjoy in the snow. Try snow sledding and sliding down the snowy slopes into soft snow below. You can also walk around huge ice sculptures representing building-sized structures, such as castles, people, characters, and more. There are performances during the day, parades, and a fireworks show to light up the skies at night.

Address in Korean: 강원도 평창군 대관령면 대관령마루길 483-32

See Snow At Ski Resorts In Korea

There are many ski resorts in Korea, where you can enjoy a range of winter sports, or play around in the snow and make a snowman. As they’re high up in the mountains, these resorts can have snow for several months, giving the best chance to see snowy landscapes.

Skiing and snowboarding are very popular winter activities in Korea and there are a range of resorts that offer slopes and training for all levels, from absolute beginners to experts.

Below is a list of the ski resorts in Korea and their opening dates for the 2023-2024 ski season. Ski resorts in Korea open in December and stay open until February or March, depending on the available snow.

Most of the ski resorts in Korea are in the north, located in Gyeonggi and Gangwon province. These are really convenient for day trips or weekend breaks from Seoul and you’ll find a lot of locals visiting on the weekends.

Some resorts, such as Vivaldi Park, have a separate area for families or non-skiers where you can ride sleds, slide down icy slopes, mess around in playgrounds, see winter illuminations, chill in cosy cafes, and just take in the sights.

Below are some of the best ski resorts in Korea for winter snow sports. I’ve added links to some package tours from tour companies in Korea. These companies offer a range of well-priced tours to ski resorts, as well as discounted ski passes, equipment, and overnight stays.

Booking a tour often works out a lot cheaper and easier than trying to travel yourself.

Vivaldi Park Ski Resort: The most popular ski resort in Korea, with state of the art facilities and amazing courses. There are 12 slopes and 10 lifts here, with something suitable for any level, as well as Snowy Land – a family fun play area to mess around in the snow.

Alpensia Ski Resort: One of the main resorts used for the 2018 Winter Olympics, Alpensia Ski Resort offers a range of winter activities for levels of all ages. There are 6 courses for various skill levels.

Elysian Gangchon: The stunning Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort offers skiing, snowboard, and snow sledding. You can also hike around the area and see the beautiful snow-covered Korean nature.

Yongpyong Ski Resort: Another resort used for the 2018 Winter Olympics. This is a large ski resort that has 28 slopes to choose from. Very popular with ski and snowboarding enthusiasts.

Jisan Forest Ski Resort: Feauturing a range of slopes from beginner to advancd, Jisan Forest is a compact ski resort nestled in forested slopes that also has a snow sleigh park to play in and teaching area for people interested in learning to ski for the first time.

Welli Hilli Snow Park: If you’re into snowboarding, this is one of the best resorts in Korea for you. Featuring one of Korea’s few half-pipes, these courses favour snowboarders over skiers.

Eden Valley: Looking to ski close to Busan? This ski resort on the slopes of Sinbulsan Mountain has 7 slopes for different levels and has a ski school for those looking to learn to ski or board.

There are plenty of ski tours and day trips to ski resorts available. If you want to check out a different ski resort or package, these companies have a wide range of ski tours for you.

Hike In Korea’s Snowy Mountains

This is one of my favourite winter activities and there are lots of wonderful national parks across Korea where you can find snowy mountain peaks.

Not only can you hike and trek through the increasingly deeper snow, you’ll also get to see traditional Korean Buddhist temples covered in snow, which is a sight worthy of the effort alone.

Whilst any national park would be good to visit in winter, these 5 mountains and national parks have some of the best snow scenes or highest chances of snow.

Taebaeksan Mountain

Taebaeksan Mountain, a holy place littered with shamanistic shrines, is one of the best mountains for seeing snow in Korea. It’s tall, at over 1,500 metres, and located in the heart of the Korean Alps. If you come to Taebaeksan, be sure to check out the aforementioned Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival, too.

Deogyusan Mountain, Muju

A personal favourite of mine as it’s close to Daejeon, Deogyusan Mountain is one of the tallest mountains in Korea and offers a great day hike to the top. Start by passing through snowy valleys, eat lunch at a snow-covered temple, and then ascend to the all-white peak. The peak is right next to Deogyusan ski resort, which offers fantastic views of the snowy slopes and a scenic cable car that you can ride to get down the hill.

Cheonwangbong Peak, Jirisan

The highest peak in Jirisan National Park and the second highest mountain in Korea, Cheonwangbong offers a rare chance to sleep overnight and make a sunrise hike in the morning to see rows of mountains covered in snow and the valleys below. You don’t have to stay overnight, however, you can still hike in Jirisan during the day see many snowy sights and walk through snow that can be knee-deep.

Hallasan Mountain, Jeju Island

Can you believe there’s deep snow only 20 minutes from sandy beaches on a semi-tropical island? On the slopes of Hallasan Mountain, Korea’s only active volcano, you can see some incredible snowy scenes whilst looking out at the coast.

If you’re looking for snow on Jeju Island, then Hallasan is the place to go. There are several courses that lead to the peak of Hallasan, or pass by the side, and all offer some of the best snow scenes in Korea I’ve ever seen. The best part? Sliding down the pathways on the way back down.

Read my detailed guide about how to hike Hallasan in winter for more information about making a hiking reservation, what to wear, how to get there, and lots more.

Seonjaryeong Ridge, Pyeongchang

Seonjaryeong, located close to Gangneung and the aforementioned Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, offers one of the prettiest treks through winter snow. It’s also known as one of the snowiest places in Korea. The trek through this area is slow and steady (not steep), passing fir-lined snowscapes and suitable for most hikers. The main route takes about 4 hours to complete.

Korea’s National Parks: Almost all Korean national parks with tall mountains will have snow on them, so if you can’t get to one of these listed above, it’s still worth visiting one that is closest to you. Bukhansan National Park is easiest for visitors to Seoul, Jirisan National Park is good if you’re in Busan.

For those in Jeju, be sure to check out Hallasan National Park. Check out my list of the 10 Best National Parks in Korea packed with useful information all about them. Not sure about how to go hiking in Korea? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with these 21 Top Hiking In Korea Tips.

Tips To Enjoy The Snow In Korea Safely

Here are a few tips for enjoying the Korean snow sights safely. Winter may be colder and icier than you’re used to, and being prepared will save you from problems later.

Wear The Right Clothes: First, I want to say how important it is to wear the right clothes. The ice can be slippery, the weather is bone-numbingly cold at times, and the snow can get everywhere. Wear several layers and make sure you have a thick jacket when you go outside.

Be prepared for the weather and you should be fine. Even if you’re not, Korea has all you will ever need to survive and you can buy stuff in Korea. Check out the markets near Seoul Station or in Myeongdong Market and Namdaemun Market for cheap winter clothes.

Bring The Right Equipment: Hiking boots are a must if you plan to hike one of Korea’s many mountains. Whilst you don’t need to dress like a professional hiker all the time, the right equipment will definitely help you out a lot. If you’re going hiking in deep snow or ice, find out whether or not you’ll need crampons (probably) to stop you slipping. And try to bring some hiking poles, too.

Pack Some Heat: Heat packs, whilst not too great environmentally, are certainly a wonderful way to keep warm and stop your fingers from falling off. You can buy these from convenience stores, cosmetics shops, and supermarkets.

Look After Your Skin: Winter is the driest season in Korea and your skin will dry out quickly. Be sure to pack lots of skin cream, hand cream, and lip balm and apply them daily. You can buy these from cosmetics shops in Korea at reasonable prices.

Stay Hydrated & Fill Up: As mentioned, winter is very dry. Stay warm and drink lots of hot drinks. Stay hydrated to avoid problems, especially if you’re out in the mountains. You can get heated drinks at convenience stores, including healthy ginseng drinks for extra energy.

Try some Korean Winter Dishes, you won’t regret it. There’s nothing like a bit of spice for staying warm inside, but be careful with some of it or you’ll be sweating like a turkey at Christmas.

Book Ahead To Avoid Disappointment: Winter festivals and hotels in popular places can sell out far in advance. To avoid disappointment, make sure to book tours and accommodation as soon as you make plans to go somewhere.

Wherever you go to see snow in Korea, I hope you have a safe and exciting time!

Visiting Korea In Other Seasons

Can’t travel to Korea in winter? No worries, Korea has so many amazing sights to see and things to experience all year round. Here are a few articles that will help you out in other seasons:

Spring in Korea is a time for Korean cherry blossoms and Korean spring festivals that celebrate the return of nature. The weather is warm, making it one of the best times to visit Korea. Visit the mountains in spring for good hiking and to see the celebrations for Buddha’s Birthday.

Summer in Korea is really hot, making it perfect for indulging in sweet Korean summer dishes. There are lots of fun summer activities to enjoy, such as water sports, camping, and beach trips. It’s also wet, so these indoor activities in Seoul will help you plan for the worst.

Autumn in Korea is all about the incredible Korean autumn foliage, where you can see golden gingko leaves and multi-coloured maple leaves turning from green to gold and red. There are also loads of harvest and cultural festivals to enjoy and amazing weather.

Where To See Snow In Korea FAQs

Finally, here are a few FAQs about where to see snow in Korea, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you. If you have any other questions you’d like to ask, feel free to leave a comment.

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Not only does the Korean countryside come alive with autumn foliage; parks, palaces, fortresses, and other city sights display resplendent views of autumn beauty and provide the perfect backdrop for memorable photos. You don’t have to travel far to see incredible sights during autumn in Korea.

You’ll easily understand why fall is the most popular time to visit Korea and to travel out of the main cities. It’s a season where you can’t stay in, you’ve got to go out and embrace the gorgeous Korean autumn sights. That’s why I want to share this list of the 20 best places to see autumn leaves in Korea.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

Why You Should See Autumn Leaves In Korea

Autumn in Korea is peak travel season for many reasons. The weather is beautiful, with clear skies and warm temperatures. There are several public holidays where people can travel and enjoy this pleasant season. But the biggest attraction in Korea during autumn has to be the beautiful fall foliage.

Korea is a country that’s 70% mountainous and packed with hills, mountains, valleys, and rivers – all of which are blessed with a variety of leafy trees that display breathtaking sights during autumn foliage season. It’s so easy to find a picturesque scene of autumn foliage in Korea wherever you are.

Korean maple trees, golden gingko trees, and giant-leaved platanus trees are some of the stars of this season, producing multi-coloured paintings in the trees above, and crispy, crunchy carpets of leaves on the streets below. There’s also fresh harvest foods, traditional Korean dishes, and fun festivals.

When you mix the beauty of autumn foliage with Korea’s unique architecture and traditional buildings, you realise you don’t have to travel far to see incredible sights. Indeed, some of the best places to see autumn leaves in Korea is in the big cities, especially in the royal palaces and hanok villages.

My Favourite Autumn Foliage Spots

Where should you see autumn foliage in Korea? There are so many places to choose from, all of which I’ll cover in this article, broken down by region. My personal top 5 places to see autumn foliage in Korea (which I’ve visited many times since moving to Korea in 2015) are as follows:

• Naejangsan National Park
• Nami Island
• The Secret Garden
• Seoraksan National Park
• Bulguksa Temple

These sights are just the tip of the foliage iceberg. There are many more wondrous sights awaiting you in Korea this autumn. Keep reading to find out what awaits you.

What Are You Looking For?

To help make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for, I’ve broken this article into the following sections. Click the quick links below to jump straight there or keep reading through all parts.

Autumn Leaves Forecast

Autumn Foliage Tours

Seoul’s Autumn Leaves

Best Foliage Day Trips

Korean National Parks

Busan’s Autumn Foliage

Gyeongju’s Autumn Foliage

Lesser-known Korean Foliage Sights

Guide To Visiting Korea In Autumn

Official Korean Autumn Leaves Forecast 2024

Please note: The 2024 autumn foliage forecast for Korea will be available from early September 2024. This 2023 forecast will give you a rough idea of when to visit various places.

When is the best time to visit Korea for autumn leaves in 2024? When does autumn foliage appear in Korea in 2024? Knowing when the fall foliage in Korea starts and peaks is the key to timing your journey around the country, catching the autumn foliage at the perfect time.

Korean autumn foliage begins at the start of October in northern parts of Korea, peaks by mid to late October, and ends in southern Korea in early November with the arrival of colder winter weather and snow. The start, peak, and end dates change depending on which part of Korea you’re in.

The Korean autumn foliage dates were later than usual in 2023 due to higher average daily temperatures in September and October that were higher or slightly higher than usual. As a result, the first foliage date moved from September to October in 2023 and peak dates are slightly later, too.

The first place for autumn foliage in Korea is on the north-east coast, with Seoraksan National Park being one of the first and also most impressive places to see Korean autumn leaves. The autumn foliage in Seoraksan began at the start of October in 2023, but peaked 3 weeks later on October 23rd.

Seoul’s autumn foliage began on October 20th in 2023 and peaked by October 31st. There were still fall leaves on the ground in early November, but October is definitely the best time to visit Seoul for fall foliage. Bukhansan National Park and Nami Island saw autumn foliage at the same time.

In central Korea, including Daejeon, Songnisan National Park, and Woraksan National Park, the autumn foliage began and peaked from mid-October until late October, lasting until early-mid November. Fall foliage on the east coast of Korea started early October and peaked late October.

In Busan and southern Korea, including Jirisan National Park, the fall foliage began in mid-October and peaked by the end of October. Jeju Island autumn foliage also began in mid-October and peaked by the end of October. Late October is the best time to view autumn leaves in Busan and Jeju.

The last place to see autumn foliage in Korea is around Naejangsan National Park, where the autumn leaves appear at the end of October and peak in the first week of November. Naejangsan is one of the last places to see autumn foliage in Korea, but also one of the most beautiful places.

If you want to know more about travelling in Korea’s different seasons, check out seasonal articles. Also visit my guide to visiting Korea in October, which is arguably the best month to travel in Korea, for info about where to go, what to see, festivals, foods, and lots more.

Recommended Korean Autumn Foliage Tours

This article introduces the best autumn foliage spots in Korea, starting with Seoul and covering the whole country, including Jeju Island. If you’re interested in booking an autumn foliage tour, here are some of the best tours available this autumn. Please note that tours book out quickly in this season.

Not sure if you need an autumn foliage tour in Korea or not? They can certainly save time and effort and help you avoid long journeys on public transportation. In this guide to the best Korean autumn foliage spots, I’ll include details about how to get to each place so you can see if it’s feasible or not.

Where To See Autumn Leaves In Seoul 2024

Seoul is one of the best places to visit during any trip to Korea and there are so many incredible things to do in Seoul all year round. Visiting Seoul in autumn is even better as you can see these sights with the added charm and magnificence of autumn foliage towering above or carpeting the streets below.

Here are 10 amazing places to see autumn leaves in Seoul:

1: Seoul’s Royal Palaces & Secret Garden

Marvel at the contrast between nature and history in Seoul’s Royal Palaces during autumn and see aesthetic delights provided by traditional Korean architecture blended with the natural beauty of autumn in Korea.

All of the palaces in Seoul will offer incredible views of autumn leaves, but the best place to visit has to be the Secret Garden located inside Changdeokgung Palace. This hidden garden showcases some of the finest fall foliage in Korea.

There’s a beautiful pond where you can see the golden autumn leaves reflected in the water. Entry to the garden is limited each day, therefore get there early to book tickets and avoid disappointment.

Don’t forget to hire traditional Korean hanbok for truly memorable pictures. Not only will you look great, you’ll get free entry to the royal palaces if you’re wearing it!

2: N Seoul Tower

The N Seoul Tower in the heart of Seoul is a great place to hike and see fall foliage on cool autumn days, as well as impressive views of Korea’s capital from up high.

You can hike from Myeongdong Station all to the top, passing old stone walls, leafy trees, and views of Seoul to the sides. For an easier journey, take the Namsan Cable Car. Relax on the short journey to the peak and back, taking in the sights as you go.

3: Seoul Forest Park

With platanus trees dropping leaves the size of dinner plates, you’ll find some unique autumn foliage in Seoul Forest Park. This is a great place for families to spent time outside in Seoul. In the park you’ll find a petting zoo, deer, playgrounds, flower displays, and lots more.

If you’re in the area, be sure to check out the trendy cafe and restaurant area north of Seoul Forest. You’ll find lots of delicious modern Korean cuisine here.

4: Kyung Hee University

Kyung Hee University is my favourite campus to see autumn foliage in Seoul and features picturesque views of forested hills overlooking European style buildings. Walk along gingko tree-lined streets before discovering maple trees hanging low over stone bridges and forest paths.

It takes 2 hours to explore the campus, seeing the beautiful scenery. After enjoying a tour around Kyung Hee University, visit the nearby student cafes and restaurants for cheap eats and relaxing views.

5: Gwanaksan Mountain

Located in the heart of the downtown Seoul area, close to Seoul National University, is Gwanaksan Mountain. This popular hiking area provides peaceful tree-lined streets and leaves you with a view overlooking the modern Gangnam area.

It’s a great site and, above all, it’ll give you a chance to hike without leaving the city. Take some time out to visit Yeonjuam Hermitage, a temple located on the side of the mountain.

6: Seoul Grand Park

Located in the same area as Gwanaksan Mountain, the Seoul Grand Park is a place for families to have fun in nature and to enjoy autumn foliage sights in Seoul away from tall buildings and concrete.

This sprawling park, surrounded by wooded slopes, includes Seoul Land, Seoul Zoo, a petting zoo, gardens, and a central lake that’s ringed by a long tree-lined walkway with small parks and benches to rest in while taking in the autumn leaves above.

7: Seoul Olympic Park

Seoul’s Olympic Park is a large open park in the Songpa district of Seoul that’s more peaceful than some of Seoul’s other parks. It’s a place for people to stroll slowly through the maze-like pathways, taking in the natural sights along the way.

What makes Olympic Park such a nice place to visit in autumn is the combination of floral displays, patches of pink muhly, and the rows of trees with autumn leaves, as well as the impressive view of the Lotte World Tower in the background.

8: Seokchon Lake

Seokchon Lake rests below the imposing Lotte World Tower in Jamsil and is the perfect place for an autumn foliage viewing break in Seoul after shopping in the tower or visiting Lotte World Adventure.

Sit in one of the lakeside cafes and watch the rusty leaves fall or take a walk around the figure-of-eight shaped lake. There are many fall foliage sights at Seokchon Lake, so keep walking to find new sights with the Lotte World Tower as a unique background.

9: Deoksugung Palace Stone-Wall Road

Not only can you see autumn leaves inside Seoul’s royal palaces, there’s a chance to see them creeping over the stone walls from the outside, too. The best place to see this in Seoul is the Deoksugung Stone-Wall Road outside of Deoksugung Palace.

This street curves around the palace for 900 metres, lined by tall palace walls with Korean-style curved tiles on top. There are many leafy trees both on the road and inside the palace that create a stunning view as you walk along the peaceful roads.

10: Haneul Sky Park

Haneul Sky Park is one of the prettiest of the Han River riverside parks and really comes to life in autumn thanks to the ocean of tall silver reeds (Eulalia) that crowns this wide hilltop park.

Not only can you see silver reeds at Haneul Sky Park, there are also long, stretching views across the Han River and the riverside parks, with some of my favourite autumn foliage views in the whole of Seoul. If you’re looking for pink muhly in Seoul, the Haneul Sky Park has a big garden full of it.

Autumn Foliage Day Trip Locations Near Seoul

There are many beautiful autumn foliage spots in Seoul. However, some of the most spectacular spots are outside the city, located in the Korean countryside that surrounds the capital. These autumn foliage spots can all be reached from Seoul within an hour or two by car, tour, or public transport.

Here are 7 amazing autumn foliage day trips locations near Seoul:

1: Nami Island

Nami Island is famed for its year round natural beauty, but the best time to visit is definitely in autumn. With tree-lined streets of giant metasequoia and golden gingko, this is one of the most pleasant places to see autumn leaves in Korea.

Known as a family-friendly eco-park, as well as a romantic day-trip spot, there’s something for everyone here. You can combine a day trip to Nami Island with the Garden of Morning Calm for a perfect day of fall foliage viewing.

2: Garden Of Morning Calm

Close to Nami Island, this sculptured garden provides dozens of pathways through hundreds of beautiful plants, trees, and bushes. The Garden of Morning Calm also holds festivals throughout the year, including the gorgeous Maple Tree Festival.

Strolling through this area provides dozens of opportunities to get close to nature, and take some amazing pictures, too. Coupled with Nami Island, this makes for a great day trip out of Seoul and a chance to really see a beautiful, natural side to Korea.

3: Asan Gingko Tree Road

Imagine yourself strolling down the beautiful, tree-lined streets of Asan Gingko Tree Road, with a carpet of golden leaves below, and lemony clouds above. Gingko trees are famous for their copious leaves and creating a golden carpet all around. In short, it really is magical and worth the trip.

There are two trees that are perfect for seeing autumn leaves in Korea, they are the maple and gingko. The Asan Gingko Tree Road specialises in the latter and is the best place to see this gorgeous golden cascade of colours.

4: Namhansanseong Provincial Park & Fortress

A lesser-known autumn leaves hotspot in Korea is the Namhansanseong Provincial Park and Fortress. Located a short distance from Seoul, this is a great place to see fall foliage away from the city and the crowds.

There are several hiking paths to enjoy, as well as cultural relics from Korea’s past. Hiking paths take as little as 90 minutes but pass through several historic and natural sights. Top sights include the tall fortress gates, Sueojangdae, the pine forest, and 12.4km of fortress walls.

5: Hwadam Botanic Garden

Hwadam Botanic Garden is a large, beautiful eco-friendly arboretum inside the Konjiam Resort, which is a popular ski and spa resort close to Seoul. Featuring over 4,300 types of trees and plants spread over 165,000 square metres, this is an impressive place to come and enjoy autumn foliage in Korea.

One of the highlights of this botanic garden has to be the monorail path which takes you through the crispy canopies, offering the most incredible sights of the autumn foliage at eye level. If you visit Hwadam Botanic Garden, you really must take a ride on the monorail.

6: Yangju Nari Park

Yangju’s Nari Park isn’t a spot for autumn leaves, but I wanted to include it anyway as it’s a festival of colours and autumn flowers and a great place to spend a day out away from central Seoul.

Nari Park in Yangju is a haven of autumn plants and flowers, including Mexican fire brush, globe amaranth, and the ever popular pink muhly. Take a stroll through the pinks, purples, and reds of these fall flowers and look out at the mountains.

7: Jeonju Hanok Village

Jeonju Hanok Village is Korea’s must-see hanok village outside of Seoul and features over 700 traditional hanok houses and other historic sights, such as the Jeondong Cathedral. Thanks to the traditional Korean architecture, wide streets, and numerous trees around the Jeonju Hanok Village, it’s especially pretty during autumn.

You can see loads of golden leaves stretching out over the black-tiled rooftops of the low hanok buildings. For the best views, head to the Omokdae (오목대) hilltop lookout. Don’t forget to rent Korean hanbok for the ultimate Korean foliage pictures.

Where To See Autumn Foliage In Korea National Parks

Korea’s national parks are without a doubt the best places to see foliage sights in autumn thanks to the abundance of tree-covered slopes and leafy valleys they have. There’s so much to see and do in these parks, too. You can hike, explore Buddhist temples, or just sit back and take in the views.

Here are 8 incredible national parks to visit in Korea for autumn foliage views:

1: Naejangsan National Park

Naejeangsan National Park is one of the must-see places for autumn leaves in Korea for many reasons. Naejang, meaning ‘many secrets’, is packed full of delightful presents. From the fiery colours you’ll see passing through the Maple Tree tunnel, to the golden gingko leaves surrounding Naejangsa Temple, this park has an impressive array of photo-worthy locations.

You’ll also want to see the Uhwajeong Pavilion, located inside a crystalline lake and surrounded by leafy slopes of warm fall foliage. Besides this, you will find several waterfalls, wonderful Buddhist temples, and hundreds of different plants and animals.

2: Seoraksan National Park

Hiking Seoraksan is a real treat and this national park is one of the most convenient for beautiful fall foliage viewing from Seoul. Situated near the northeastern coast, this is also one of the first places to see the autumn leaves in Korea.

Seoraksan is packed full with stunning rocky peaks, the most important Buddhist temple in Korea, and plenty of ways to explore it all. There’s a large range of trails for all levels and seeing it all from the bottom is worth the trip alone. If you want to explore the mountain range more comfortably, take the Seorak Cable Car.

3: Jirisan National Park

The largest national park in Korea offers so many chances to see Korean autumn leaves. Packed full of maple trees and other fall foliage, as well as small villages, wild animals, and mountains, this is an all-round experience not to be missed. Jirisan National Park is great for all levels of hikers & trekkers.

There are many easy courses that anyone can walk, including a 16-stage loop around the national park.You can book lodges to stay overnight on the mountain and lower down the mountain which can be used as a stopping point between day hikes / treks.

4: Bukhansan National Park

Bukhansan National Park provides great options for hiking and enjoying fall foliage. There are several hiking routes, with each one providing stunning views of northern Seoul and autumn’s splendour. My favourite one is the hike to Baegundae Peak, the highest peak in Bukhansan.

Hikes will take the best part of 3-5 hours to get to the top and back. The weather is cool at this time of year, which is perfect for hiking. If you’re only visiting Seoul, this is probably the most convenient place to see autumn leaves in Korea and try hiking at the same time.

5: Odaesan National Park

Odaesan National Park is great for those who want to experience trekking and all the stunning autumn views you’d expect from a national park without having to hike up to the top of a mountain. Although you certainly can and should reach the peak if you’re up for it.

Odaesan’s Seonjae-gil Road is a 10km trekking path that follows the valley floor through lush autumn foliage. The start location, Woljeongsa Temple, also includes another treat, a fir tree-lined street. Fans of K-drama may recognise it from the hit show ‘Goblin: The Great and Lonely God’.

6: Gayasan National Park

Gayasan National Park is a great place to hike and see autumn leaves for people in Busan. This national park explodes with colour from mid-October, with grey boulders from the rocky mountains providing a stark contrast of views. Culture lovers will also enjoy visiting Haeinsa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and very impressive temple that’s worth the visit alone.

Like Jirisan, the most prominent type of tree on display in autumn is the maple tree, with each tree showing off thousands of small, spiky leaves that can often include green, yellow, and red leaves on the same tree.

7: Hallasan National Park

Hallasan Volcano, rising up out of the ocean to create Jeju Island, provides an incredible hiking experience. It’s also one of the last places to see the autumn leaves in Korea as the cold weather makes its way through Korea, touching Jeju Island just before winter sets in.

Don’t worry, you won’t have to climb the highest mountain in Korea to see the fall foliage. Shorter routes around the base of the mountain will give you great views of autumn’s splendour and leave you enough energy to enjoy Jeju’s other sights.

8: Songnisan National Park

Located in the heart of Korea, Songnisan National Park was one of the first national parks in Korea and remains one of the best, especially for an all-round autumn experience that includes hiking, traditional food, and an impressive Buddhist temple.

The hiking trails take you from the historic Beopjusa Temple, with a gigantic standing golden Buddha, past shaded streams, a lush valley floor, and up into the moderately high peaks. There are lovely fall sights at every step and peaceful restaurants to enjoy the views in as you hike.

Where To See Autumn Leaves In Busan 2024

Busan is a charming coastal city on Korea’s south coast that’s famous for summer activities like surfing, swimming in the ocean, and relaxing on the beach. However, there are also lots of places to see autumn leaves in Busan, especially in the mountains, parks, and temples that surround the city.

If you want to see autumn foliage in Busan in 2024, you don’t have to go far from the main areas of Haeundae or Seomyeon to find them. Wide riverside pathways that wind their way to the sea are lined by trees with colourful foliage on both sides. There are even autumnal scenes along the coast.

Here are some of the amazing places you can see autumn leaves in Busan:

Temples In Busan

Busan is famous for the stunning cliffside Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, but if you want to see autumn leaves at a temple in Busan, you should visit Beomeosa Temple (범어사). You can see the foliage-covered slopes of Geumjeongsan Mountain when you visit Beomeosa and there are golden gingko trees in the park, too. Another beautiful temple to visit in Busan during autumn is Samgwangsa Temple (삼광사), which provides clear views over Busan from Baegyangsan Mountain.

Eco Parks In Busan

Busan is has many eco parks and green spaces where people can reconnect with nature. During autumn, Busan’s eco parks are ideal for seeing autumn leaves, pink muhly, and silver reeds. Daejeo Eco Park (대저생태공원) and Samnak Eco Park (삼락생태공원) in Busan’s Sasang District are perfect for an afternoon walk through tall reeds and under leafy trees. Further down the river is Eulsukdo Eco Park (을숙도), located on a small island where the river flows into the sea. This park is perfect for picnics and watching the sun set.

As well as eco parks, there are hilltop and family parks where you can see autumn leaves in Busan. Busan Children’s Grand Park (부산어린이대공원) has the most impressive autumn views as it looks out over Seongjigok Reservoir and the slopes of Baegyangsan Mountain. Other parks to see autumn leaves include Yongdusan Park (용두산공원), home to Busan Tower, Yeonji Park (김해연지공원) in Gimhae, and Jungang Park & Democracy Park (부산민주공원), which has views of the whole city.

River & Coastal Views

There are several lovely waterside places where you can enjoy blue skies, flowing water, and autumnal views in Busan. One of my favourite is Oncheoncheon Citizen’s Park (온천천시민공원) – a tree-lined riverside pathway that runs all the way to Millak Park and Gwangalli Beach. There’s also Dadaepo Beach Park (다대포해변공원) that has millions of silvery reeds waving in the wind. For gorgeous autumn sunset views, visit this park in the evening.

Where To See Autumn Foliage In Gyeongju 2024

Autumn is a fantastic time to visit Gyeongju for several reasons, not least of all are the magnificent autumn colours you can see at Gyeongju’s many famous sights. The blue skies and cool weather of autumn also make this the ideal time to visit Gyeongju, where most of the sites are outdoors.

Visitors to Gyeongju in autumn can see pink muhly next to Cheomseongdae Observatory, walk down a leafy pathway between Seokguram Grotto to Bulguksa Temple, and see silver reeds and autumn trees stretching around the wide Bomun Lake. That’s not to mention all the traditional hanok houses, too.

Gyeongju isn’t a large city and you can see most of the top sights in one or two days. I recommend a two-day stay if you want to visit Gyeongju in autumn so you can see more and enjoy the night sights that are available – both traditional and modern. Day tours from Busan are also convenient.

Here are the best places you can see autumn foliage in Gyeongju:

Autumn In Central Gyeongju

Gyeongju is known as an outdoor museum due to the wealth of historic artefacts on display in this UNESCO World Heritage City. The best place for autumn sights in Gyeongju is the sprawling Gyeongju Historic Area, home to Cheomseongdae Observatory (pictured). This area is packed with famous sights and is surrounded by nature, including pink muhly, silver reeds, and autumn foliage. You can spend several hours walking around this area and not get bored of the history, culture, and natural wonder on display.

Make sure to head to Woljeonggyo Bridge and the Gyochon Traditional Village for pretty pictures by the river. From here you can walk along the road to the hilltop Gyeongju National Museum for more autumn views below. A short walk from the museum is the Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond, which is best visited at night for illuminated autumn leaves and amazing reflections in the water. Another pleasing autumn leaves sights in central Gyeongju is Bunhwangsa Temple (pictured).

Autumn In Outer Gyeongju

The best autumn views in Gyeongju are outside the city centre, located in Bulguksa Temple (불국사) – a 1,500 year old temple complex in the foothills of Tohamsan Mountain. Bulguksa is blessed with autumn foliage sights inside and out. See weeping willows, vibrant maple leaves, and golden gingko trees contrast spectacularly with bright greens of traditional Korean temple architecture. I recommend starting at Seokguram Grotto (석굴암) at the top of Tohamsan Mountain and following the shaded path down to Bulguksa Temple.

The Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju may be one of the best places to see Korean cherry blossoms, but it’s also beautiful during autumn and definitely worth visiting. The main attraction is Bomun Lake and the pathways that go around its edge. You’ll find some cosy cafes and restaurants on the lake’s shores, perfect for sitting and enjoying the autumn scenery. Also check out the unique Jungdo Tower (황룡원중도타워), a recreation of the gigantic 9-storey wooden pagoda of Hwangnyongsa Temple.

Lesser-Known Autumn Leaves Spots In Korea

This final section to this guide to seeing autumn foliage in Korea is dedicated to the lesser-known autumn foliage sites outside of the national parks and big cities. These are foliage spots that I’ve discovered while hiking in Korea or been told about by locals that I want to share with you.

Here are 5 autumn foliage hotspots in Korea that are worth the journey:

1: Daedunsan Provincial Park

Daedunsan Provincial Park near Daejeon is a joy to visit for autumn leaves and the unique attractions you can see when hiking. For those only interested in the sights, take the cable car to the top of the mountain. Don’t worry, you won’t miss out on the best parts of the mountain, such as the suspension bridge passing between two rocky slopes with autumn views below. Just before the peak, you can climb a near vertical ladder over a sheer drop to another peak. Known as the Cloud Bridge, this is not for faint-hearted people, but provides amazing views.

2: Gangcheonsan County Park

A popular place with Koreans, but not well known by tourists, is the culturally and nature-rich Gangcheonsan County Park. Hidden away in Sunchang, this large park has lush valleys lined with thick, bushy trees that turn red, yellow, and orange during fall and tall hills bedecked with resplendent fall foliage.

Inside Gangcheonsan you’ll find cultural wonders such as Gangcheonsa Temple, the Geumseongsanseong Fortress, and the Gancheongsan Five-story Stone Pagoda. The best site is the suspension bridge hanging above the valley, which offers trekkers the chance to see these autumn leaves from high above.

3: Mindungsan Mountain Trail

There’s more to autumn leaves in Korea than maple trees and gingko trees. Autumn is also a time to see willowy silver grass – tall reeds that create white waves atop mountains, rivers, and lakes across Korea. These reeds are a symbol of autumn and you’ll find a whole mountain’s worth of them at the Mindungsan Mountain Trail, which has its own festival from mid-September to early November, celebrating these special reeds. There’s also plenty of autumn leaves to see on the hike to the top, which is where the reeds are on display.

4: Seonunsa Temple

Located far away in Seonunsan Provincial Park is one of the best places to see autumn leaves in Korea if you have a car – Seonunsa Temple. This hidden temple is almost 1,500 years old and due to it’s remote location, feels like you’re transported back in time to a more natural past. During autumn, take a stroll along the picturesque Dosolcheon Stream and see fallen foliage floating by, see the bright reds and yellows spreading over the hills behind the temple, and see the many historic artefacts and treasures in the temple.

5: Damyang Metasequoia Road

The 8.5km Damyang Metasequoia Road is one of Korea’s loveliest pathways, especially in autumn when the trees turn golden brown and drop their leaves. Metasequoia are famed for their tall height, rising high above the road and creating a tunnel for people to pass under with rays of sunlight sneaking through to add a touch of illumination. This road is close to another top Damyang attraction – the Juknokwon Bamboo Garden.

Guide To Visiting Korea In Autumn 2024

If you’re interested in hiking during autumn, which I would really recommend, then check out my guide to hiking in Korea, featuring lots of great tips all about Korea’s number 1 outdoor pastime.

Here are a few more tips to help you get the most out of your time seeing autumn leaves in Korea, such as what the weather is like, what to wear, and how to travel to see fall foliage.

Why Autumn Is The Best Time To Visit Korea

Korea has 4 very distinct seasons, ranging from really hot and humid summer (40+ degrees) to a freezing cold winter (-18 degrees). Spring and autumn are short, but packed full of opportunities to travel.

Although spring has cherry blossoms to see, autumn is the best for me due to the better weather, lower air pollution (which peaks in spring), and the feeling of relief that comes with the cooler weather after a long, tough summer.

If you want to travel to Korea, September to early November are definitely the best times to travel. You’ll see autumn leaves, get to enjoy local foods and fresh produce, and witness a lot of festivals and public holidays.

Autumn Weather In Korea

The weather in autumn ranges from hot and humid in early September (30 degrees) to freezing cold by mid-November. October temperature range from 15 to 25 degrees during the day, but can fall below 10 degrees at night. November is much colder.

Typhoons during September and October can change the weather very quickly, and rain showers or strong winds can appear one day and be gone the next, leaving the spectacular skies you can only see at this time of year.

What To Wear During Autumn In Korea

Because the temperature can change quite a lot from morning to night, I’d recommend packing a light jacket or sweater to keep you warm after the sun sets. Lighter clothes should be fine during the day until mid-October, after that it’s time for more layers.

How To See Fall Foliage In Korea

The best way to see fall foliage in Korea is to get out into the mountains and national parks and try hiking. You don’t need to be a seasoned hiker to experience the best of the leaves, and in fact you don’t want to go too high as the best views are in the valleys.

Most national parks have walking trails through the valleys that can range from a couple of kilometres up to 10km (at Odaesan) of forest trails.

Alternatively, head to the historic sites across Korea, such as the royal palaces in Seoul, fortresses, or historic cities such as Gyeongju or Buyeo. Here’s a guide to visiting Buyeo in case you end up going.

Visiting Korea In Other Seasons?

Can’t travel to Korea in autumn?

No worries, Korea is an amazing country to visit any time of year and undoubtedly has four very distinct seasons with lots of other activities, sights, foods, and festivals waiting for you in each one.

Spring: Spring is all about the new blossoms and nature returning for the new year. The biggest thing to do in spring is to see cherry blossoms in Korea. From royal palaces to riverside walkways, there are loads of places to enjoy the fresh nature. There are also lots of fun spring festivals in Korea.

Summer: A hot and rainy time of year, but perfect for getting out to enjoy the best Korean summer activities, such as water sports, camping by the beach, summer festivals, eating yummy Korean summer foods, and getting a tan. If the rain is too heavy, there are plenty of indoor activities in Seoul where you can stay dry and still have fun.

Winter: After the beauty of the fall foliage and the rains of summer, winter is the complete opposite – snowy white and extremely dry. Winter has very little rain, which makes it perfect for exploring outside and enjoying one of the many Korean winter activities. Just make sure you wrap up warm! If you’re visiting Korea in winter, I highly recommend check out my Jeju Island winter itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Finally, here are a few FAQs about where to see autumn leaves in Korea, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you. If you have any other questions you’d like to ask, feel free to leave a comment.

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Although summer in Korea lacks the cooler days of spring or autumn, or the snowy sights of winter, there’s an abundance of natural beauty, sandy beaches, fun attractions, and night-time activities just waiting to be checked out.

In this article, I’ll give you some great tips about what to eat, how to stay cool, where to visit, and what to wear during this bright and colourful season. Learn about the best beaches, festivals, and delicious Korean treats that you’ll love. There are loads of great summer activities in Korea that are just right for you! Read on to find out more.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

About These Summer Activities In Korea

Find out about the top 20 summer activities in Korea right here, as well as information about the weather during summer, what to pack, and what to wear during this hot season.

After the top 20, you’ll also find some tips about how to deal with the summer conditions (hot and humid) and some other articles about travelling in other seasons.

First, here’s a short introduction about to what to expect during summer and some really useful tips to help you enjoy these various summer activities safely and enjoyably.

An Introduction To Summer In Korea

Here’s a few key bits of information that will help you figure out if you want to travel during summer in Korea and how to be prepared for it if you do.

Summer Weather

The first half of summer in Korea is hot and humid, with high chances of rain. Rainy season runs from mid June to late July. However, it’s not always raining, but there is a high chance of it. Evenings are cooler, but still warm. Stuck in Korea when it rains? Check out these Seoul rainy day activities or Busan rainy day activities in case the weather doesn’t go your way.

The second half of summer runs from late July to early September and is mostly hot and humid. Really hot. The temperatures can get up to 40 degrees (the humidity makes it feel hotter than it is) and it’s over 20 degrees even at night.

What To Wear

For a comfortable summer in Korea, you’ll definitely want to bring light clothes, comfortable sandals for walking around in, and a light jacket that you can stuff in your bag. The light jacket is for going inside, ironically. Korean cafes and shops love to run the air-conditioning at full during summer and you can often find yourself getting cold when you’re inside. If you plan to visit the beach (you definitely should), then don’t forget your swimwear.

What To Pack

Essentials for summer are sun cream (the stronger the better), mosquito repellent, a fan (electric or otherwise), sunglasses, sun hat, and a reusable water bottle. You can fill up with water in many restaurants and cafes and it’s a great way to save money and stay hydrated as you travel. Korea will have all of these available at reasonable prices, so don’t worry too much if you forget something.

If you want to know more about what to prepare for before you visit Korea, check out my complete South Korea Travel Guide, which has dozens of tips for travelling to Korea.

The 20 Best Summer Activities In Korea

Whether you enjoy the great outdoors, or prefer to stay cool indoors, there are loads of incredible summer activities in Korea for you to enjoy. Solo travellers, families, and everyone else in between will find something fun during this sunny season.

I’ll admit, being a big lover of Korean food, there are also a lot of delicious things to enjoy during this time of year. If you’re anything like me, be sure to check out tips #3, #11, and #12. Your taste buds will be eternally grateful!

Now, without further ado, here are the 20 coolest summer activities in Korea:

1: See The Sea At Korea’s Beautiful Beaches

Without a doubt, this has to be the best of all summer activities in Korea. Grab your swimwear and suncream, find a spot on the sandy shore, and work on your tan as the gentle waves lull you to sleep.

Try out some beach sports and other activities to work up a sweat before a big seaside dinner of raw fish and cool beer. The evening is the best time to enjoy the cooler weather. Visiting the beach at night allows you to watch fireworks and take in the night lights.

Top 4 Beaches To Visit:

Here are four of the best beaches to visit. These will be very popular during summer in Korea, so if you plan to visit, be sure to book ahead.

Sokcho Beach, Sokcho
Located on the east coast, Sokcho is one of the premier beaches in Korea, with silky white sands lined by scenic pine trees. There are loads of great facilities here, and you can rent all the beach equipment you need. You can only swim in the beach during July and August, but the beach is open all year round.

Gyeongpo Beach, Gangneung
Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung is one of my favourite beaches to visit during summer in Korea. The long, sandy beach goes on for a long way, melting into other beaches as you walk along the coast. Not only is there the beach to check out, with various water sports and family fun games to play, this area is a treat for coffee lovers (like myself).

Haeundae Beach, Busan
One of Busan’s top attractions, Haeundae Beach is a gorgeous stretch of sand that winds its way along one of the most lively areas of Korea’s second city. At night, when the temperature is still warm enough to sit outside, you can see fireworks or listen to live music from local artists looking for an audience.

Surfyy Beach, Yangyang
For lovers of surfing, you’ll have to check out Surfyy Beach on the northeast coast. Located within the Hajodae Beach area (which is beautiful itself), this area is restricted to surfers only, which means no swimmers getting in the way of your surfing pleasure.

Here are some other honourable mentions:

• Daecheon Beach, Boryeong
• Guryongpo Beach, Pohang
• Hyeopjae Beach, Jeju Island
• Eurwangni Beach, Incheon

Looking for some fun water sports activities? Check out these great water sports activities in Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island.

2: Enjoy Korea’s Awesome Summer Festivals

Summer is one of the best times to get out and join a festival. I’ll cover 3 of the top summer festivals below, but if you want a complete guide to all the best festivals in Korea, check out my guide at the end of this section.

The Boryeong Mud Festival – July 19th to Aug 4th, 2024
The Boryeong Mud Festival has it all – mud wrestling, mud bathing, extreme mud sports, K-pop concerts, fireworks, a water park, and lots of great beachside restaurants. This is the perfect way to cool off during summer in Korea, as well as help your skin feel great.

Daegu Chimac Festival – July 3rd to July 7th, 2024 (2024 Dates TBC)
Korea has a love of fried chicken and beer which is combined perfectly at the Daegu Chimac Festival. The ice cold beer keeps you fresh, while the fried chicken just tastes so damn good! This year’s Daegu Chimac Festival runs from July 3 to July 7, 2024.

Sinchon Water Gun Festival – Aug 12 to Aug 13th, 2024 (2024 Dates TBC)
With the slogan of ‘Making Korea More Fun Through Festivals’, the Sinchon Water Gun Festival is certainly succeeding. One of the craziest festivals in Korea, as well as one of the most needed in the summer, this festival reminds me of the Songkran festival in Thailand.

3: Sample Korean Summer Dishes

Here are a couple of the best Korean dishes to enjoy in summertime. I’ll cover some other refreshing dishes later on, including the famous bingsu dessert. If you want to know more about why these are perfect for summer, or about Korea’s other delicious traditional dishes, then check out my guide to the traditional Korean dishes.

Naengmyeon (Cold Noodles)
There are two main versions of naengmyeon – mul-naengmyeon (icy-water) and bibim-naengmyeon (spicy noodles, no water). Both are fairly simple dishes, with a generous helping of noodles, a few veg, a boiled egg, and a few side dishes. Simple, yet really delicious and refreshing.

Samgyetang (Whole Chicken Soup)Samgyetang includes a whole small chicken packed with rice, garlic, jujube, and ginseng inside a bowl of steaming hot broth. The thick soup absorbs all of this whilst cooking, leaving a soft, tender chicken and an aromatic, hearty broth. Perfect!

4: Hike Seoul’s Fortress Walls At Night

Once the sun goes down, the weather cools a lot and it’s the perfect time to explore more. Take this chance to discover Seoul’s Ancient Fortress Walls that weave through the heart of the city. You can join the fortress walls in many places throughout Seoul and two of the easiest ones are from Hyehwa Station (Naksan Park) or Dongdameun Station (Heunginjimin Gate).

Bring your camera and get ready to snap lots of awesome night pics, with outstanding views across central Seoul at night. End the hike in one of the rooftop bars and cafes that stay open late in summer.

5: Go Island Hopping On The South Coast

Korea has literally thousands of islands to explore along the south coast, as well as the world-famous Jeju Island a short flight away. Island trips often include many of these summer activities into one experience. Some of the best places to visit on the south coast, with great beaches, BBQ, and natural wonders to enjoy, include Geoje, Yeosu, Tongyeong, Jindo, Wando, and Namhae.

You’ll find loads of great Korean summer activities, such as water sports, hiking, camping, sharing BBQ, boat tours, skyline luge (Tongyeong), canoeing / kayaking, and even visiting some K-drama filming sets (Wando). If you have an international licence, renting a car and driving along the south coast is also an incredible way to see more of this stunning area.

6: Enjoy A Summer Picnic In Style

In recent years, picnicking has become a popular event for locals in Seoul and other cities across Korea, mostly thanks to the Instagram-friendly scenes you can create with a well-crafted picnic set. Yeouido Hangang Park is one of the most popular places for a summer picnic in Seoul.

But there’s a lot more to enjoying a summer picnic than the style – you can also rent some really lovely picnic sets that range from the basics up to champagne sets, like you’ll find at Bohemian Picnic in Seoul (link below).

If you want to rent a picnic basket and the relevant equipment, you can usually find these near river parks or picturesque lakes, such as Hwaseong Fortress, Suwon, or World Cup Park, Seoul. Rent a picnic basket from Bohemian Picnic Seoul. Here’s more info about picnic spots in Seoul.

7: Spend Long Summer Nights By The River

The Han River is the perfect place for summer activities in Korea, both day and night. During the day it’s a great place to see local Seoulites enjoying a picnic on the grass, riding, skating, swimming, and generally relaxing. At night the area comes alive with music, food trucks, night markets, and people enjoying the warmer evening weather you find during summer in Korea.

For those who want a cheap night out, head to the convenience stores by the exit of Yeouinaru Station (Line 5 / Purple Line) and grab some discount beers and instant ramyeon noodles or gimbap. Relax by the river and enjoy the peaceful summer night.

To see all the Han River sights, book a river cruise. These cruises are best in the evening when you can see fireworks shows, Seoul’s night lights, and the illuminated banks and bridges along the river.

8: Explore Seoul’s Night Markets

Known as the ‘Bamdokkaebi Night Markets‘, Seoul hosts a wide range of night markets across the city that are awesome places to spend the hot summer evenings.

You can find these night markets in several of Seoul’s hottest spots, including Yeouido Hangang Park, Banpo Hangang Park, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), and along the Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Most markets are also open before it gets dark, too. You’ll find plenty of unique accessories, fashion, street food, souvenirs and other knick-knacks at these markets.

Please note: Night markets operate on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during summer in Korea, but not all are open on each night.

9: Visit Korea’s Thrilling Theme Parks

This is a great family-friendly activity to enjoy during summer. Two of the best theme parks to visit in Korea are in or close to Seoul – Everland and Lotte World.

Everland, Yongin City, Gyeonggi
Everland is Korea’s largest theme park and boasts one of the world’s steepest wooden roller coasters. Great for thrill seekers, families, couples looking to create some unforgettable memories, and even animal lovers. With rollercoasters, safaris, a magical kingdom, water rides, panda world, and flowers all year round, you won’t get bored in Everland.

Click here for Everland Discount Tickets

Lotte World, Jamsil, Seoul
Although smaller than Everland, Lotte World has a lot to offer and is the world’s largest indoor theme park, which means you can escape the heat and still have lots of fun. Featuring loads of exciting roller coasters, attractions, games, VR-zones, and family friendly rides, this is perfect for the whole family. There’s also an outdoors section called the Lotte Magic Island, which offers views of Seokchon Lake and the Lotte World Tower.

Click here for Lotte World Discount Tickets.

If you plan to visit Lotte World, then I’d really recommend checking out the Discover Seoul Pass. This pass gives you free entry to the park, as well as a range of Seoul’s other sights and attractions.

10: Splash Around At A Water Park

The second of these hot summer activities in Korea for thrill seekers are the water parks. Korean summer is brutally hot and there is nothing better than stripping off to your swimming stuff and splashing around in the cool, refreshing water at a water park.

There are many amazing water parks in Korea where you can have watery fun, such as Caribbean Bay (Seoul), Ocean World (Vivaldi Park, Gyeonggi Province), Lotte Water Park (Busan), Sealala Water Park (Seoul), and Onemount Water Park (Seoul).

Caribbean Bay
Caribbean Bay, modelled after the gorgeous beaches of the Caribbean, is the premier destination for water park lovers in Korea. Packed with pools, slides, rides, and ways to chill out in the sun, this is one of the best day trips from Seoul in the summer heat.

Some of the best rides at Caribbean Bay include the Mega Storm, Aqua Loop, and the Tower Raft. Caribbean Bay also features an indoor infant pool, sauna, spa, diving pool, and many types of swimming pools.

Lotte Water Park
Korea’s largest water park, Lotte Water Park near Busan is packed full of attractions to enjoy. Taking inspiration from a Polynesian island, Lotte Water Park features both outdoor and indoor wave pools, a 118m tornado slide, Tiki Island spa, and loads of other great facilities to keep you entertained and feeling cool.

For those who want to enjoy playing in the water without fear of sunburn, this is definitely for you. You can get to Lotte Water Park by subway / light train in around 45 minutes from Seomyeon Station in central Busan.

11: Sip Cool Lattes In Cosy Cafes

Summer is a time for cool drinks and even cooler desserts (more on that soon). Take time out during your busy day exploring to recover and recharge in one of Korea’s many cafes. There are so many unique drinks to keep you cool.

Come and see for yourself and find your new drink addiction. Ever tried a Jeju Honey Peanut Latte, Organic Jeju Green Tea Latte, Jeju Hoji Tea Cream Frappuccino, Sweet Potato Latte, Oatmeal Latte, Lavender Cafe Breve, ‘Monkey Banana’ Coffee, or even a Black Pepper Latte?

That last one was pretty gross, to be honest, but you’ve got to try them all at least once, right?

12: Indulge In Korea’s Famous Bingsu Desserts

There’s one dessert that defines summer – bingsu. Bingsu is a very simple dessert consisting of shaved ice flakes with a topping and sauce. It’s ridiculously refreshing and keeps you cool when the weather is hottest.

There are many types of bingsu you can enjoy with a plethora of different toppings. Some of the simpler ones contain fruit, ice cream, yogurt, sauces, nuts, or red beans. The red bean topped bingsu are known as pat-bingsu.

Modern-day dessert maestros have concocted all sorts of original bingsu that contain cakes (whole slices), chocolates, cookies, injeolmi (rice cake), brownies, macarons, and just about anything else you might think to eat for dessert. Find one that’s right for you.

13: Cool Off In Korea’s Beautiful Nature

Getting out of the big cities is one of the best summer activities in Korea as it means getting back to nature and away from the concrete jungle. Korea is awash with charming natural beauty, with vibrant green trees and a cacophony of brightly coloured plants to get lost in.

Here are 3 of the best day trips from Seoul to take during summer in Korea for some unforgettable experiences in nature. You can also visit these places from other parts of Korea, too.

Damyang Bamboo Forest
The lush, dense Damyang Bamboo Forest drowns out the noise and heat of modern Korea and is a breath of fresh air. Take a deep breath and cleanse your lungs and soul as you walk through the cool forest.

The Damyang Bamboo Forest provides a unique opportunity to see incredible gigantic bamboo trees, to get lost within the shaded pathways, experience a traditional Korean village, and even try some delicious bamboo beer.

Nami Island & Surrounding Area
Nami Island is an idyllic island that you access by boat or zip-line that has long tree-lined streets and loads of cool cafes, walking spots, and photo-zones.

Located in the same area are The Garden of Morning Calm, Petite France, and the Gangchon Rail Bike, which you can book together in one tour. Alternatively, you can make your own way by public transport, as detailed in my guide to getting to Nami Island.

Boseong Green Tea Plantation
The vibrant rows of fresh, bright green tea leaves spreading out over the hills of Boseong are an incredible sight to see. The oldest tea plantation in Korea, and the home of Korean tea, Boseong Green Tea Plantation is a great place to visit during in summer.

Besides growing the tea, the plantation now welcomes curious tourists who wish to learn more about green tea. Spend your time walking around the green tea bushes, where you might even be able to see the sea on a sunny day. Truly postcard-like views!

For more summer day tours from Seoul, check out my top day tours from Seoul.

14: Try Your Hand At Kayaking

If you’re looking for cool and healthy summer activities in Korea, then jumping in a kayak and paddling on a river or in the ocean is a great choice. You can find places to rent kayaks all over Korea. Here are some of the best spots to rent a kayak:

• Ttukseom Hangang Park (Seoul)
• Gwanggali Beach (Busan)
• Hado Beach (Jeju Island)
• Baekripo Beach (Taean)
• Naerincheon Stream (Inje)

There are plenty of other spots where you can rent a kayak and do other water sports, such as body boarding, windsurfing, or snorkelling. Check out the beaches mentioned in #1 and #5 of this list for places to find water sports.

15: Get Back To Nature In The Parks

If you want to experience life as a local, then grab some cold drinks, bring some food (or get it delivered!), and chill out on the grass.

Some of the major parks to visit in summer in Seoul include:

• Seoul Forest
• Haneul Park
• Songdo Central Park
• Yeouido Hangang Park
• Olympic Park
• Seokchon Lake
• Yangjae Citizen’s Forest
• Gyeongui Line Forest Park
• Gyeongui Line Book Park
• Seoullo 7017
• Seoul Children’s Grand Park

There are countless parks and green zones where you can do this all over Korea, and many of the big cities will have market stalls, food trucks, and sometimes live performances by local artists.

16: Rent A Bike And Go For A Ride

If you want to see the best parts of Seoul, or even other parts of Korea, then why not rent a bike? Bikes are a really convenient to get between places and avoid traffic congestion.

There’s no better time to do this than during summer in Korea, when nature is abundant and the days are long and often sunny. It’s a great summer activity that gives you some exercise, let’s you move around quickly, and shows you some excellent parts of Seoul at the same time.

You can rent bikes through the Seoul Public Bike system, or through the yellow Kakao T Bikes that appear throughout the city. There are also single and tandem bikes for rent at popular parks such as Yeouido Hangang Park. You can also book bike tours from We Ride Korea, in Seoul.

Want to know more about where to go and what to see by bike? There are so many places to go cycling in Korea, including mountain passes that bring you to glistening lakes, wooded national parks with Buddhist temples inside, and long cycle paths following Korea’s biggest rivers.

17: Go Camping Or Glamping Around Korea

This is another of my favourite summer activities in Korea and one that is incredibly popular with Koreans. Korea has some incredible camping and glamping sites across the country.

You can go camping in the mountains at the national parks, or by the beach along the coast. Both are really popular options and most campsites provide modern conveniences and BBQ facilities (the must-have meal when camping!). There are many incredible national parks in Korea to check out.

Good news for those who don’t want to rough it, Korea has embraced the glamping (glamourous-camping) movement and there are many great glamping spots throughout Korea, too. Again, you’ll usually find glamping sites in national parks or along the coast.

Click here to read a Guide To Camping In Seoul.

18: Make New Friends At A Rooftop Bar

Spread throughout the city, in some of the coolest districts like Hongdae, Gangnam, Itaewon, and Myeongdong, there are some sweet spots for watching the sunset and city lights at night.

You’ll find plenty of locals and tourists mixing at these busy summer hotspots, with plenty of drinks, games, and conversation to keep you company. In fact, if you want to make some Korean friends, or practice Korean, then this is a great for that.

If you want to spend the nights in Seoul’s rooftop bars, here are some places you might want to visit:

• Playground Rooftop Cafe & Bar – Hongdae
• Owl’s Rooftop – Hongdae
• Southside Parlor – Itaewon
• Rooftop Bar KLOUD – Gangnam
• Rooftop Bar @ Hotel Cappuccino

For those who want their night views in Seoul that are even more breathtaking, then I’d recommend visiting N Seoul Tower or the Seoul Sky Observatory at Lotte World Tower.

19: Rock Out At A Summer Music Festival

Expats and travellers spending summer in Korea have a whole load of fantastic summer music festivals available to them. Grab a mat, cold beer, and a nice spot in the sun, and get ready to rock out at one of these awesome events.

From peaceful soul music at the Seoul Jazz Festival, to head-banging tunes at the Pentaport Rock Festival, and fast electronic beats at Ultra Music Festival Korea, there’s so much good music to enjoy.

Here are some of the best summer music festivals you won’t want to miss.

K-Pop Music Festivals In Korea:

• Dream Concert – Seoul
• Spectrum Dance & Music Festival – Seoul

Rock Music Festivals In Korea:

• IT’S A FEST – Incheon
• Pentaport Rock Festival – Incheon

Indie Music Festivals In Korea:

• GreenPlugged – Seoul
• Grand Mint Festival – Seoul
• Rainbow Island – Gapyeong

EDM Music Festivals In Korea:

• Seoul World DJ Festival – Seoul
• Ultra Music Festival Korea – Seoul
• 5tardium – Seoul
• EDC Korea – Seoul

Other Music Festivals In Korea:

• Seoul Jazz Festival – Seoul
• DMZ Peace Train Music Festival – Seoul
• NBA Buzzer Beat Festival – Seoul
• Rapbeat Fesitval – Seoul
• SKA Superswag Festival – Incheon
• Big Day South – Busan

20: Walk Around And Explore The Night Life

I’ve saved the simplest and most popular of all summer activities until last – walking at night. It’s definitely my favourite.

The weather is warm (you can go around in a t-shirt all night long), and, as Korea has a strong all-night culture, there’s always somewhere to go or something to do.

From 24-hour saunas (jjimjjilbang) and karaoke (noraebang), to late night cafes and night markets, you can have an incredible time exploring when the sun goes down.

There are often special night-time events in Seoul that you can only find during summer in Korea, including evening shows at Gyeongbokgung Palace, late-night cruises along the Han River, or live performances in outdoor spaces.

In case you’re worried that walking around at night during summer in Korea might be dangerous, I can only say that I don’t think I’ve ever felt safer or more comfortable walking at night than I have in Korea.

How To Survive Summer In Korea

I hope you’ve enjoyed my list of the best summer activities in Korea and how to make the most of this hot time. Here’s a few final summer in Korea survival tips that will help you make the most of this season, keep cool, and have an awesome time.

1. Dress Down
2. Drink Lots Of Water
3. Buy A Mini Fan
4. Stay Cool In A Mall
5. Eat All The Ice Cream

If you want to see my full list of 10 tips to help you survive the tough season so summer when you’re visiting Seoul, check out my tips about how to survive summer in Seoul.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Korea?

Korea is an amazing country to visit any time of year and undoubtedly has four very distinct seasons with lots of other activities, sights, foods, and festivals waiting for you in each one. Don’t forget to check out these other awesome seasonal guides for Korea to make sure you’re getting the most out of your trip to Korea whenever you travel.

Spring: Spring is all about the new blossoms and nature returning for the new year. The biggest thing to do in spring is to see cherry blossoms across Korea. From royal palaces to riverside walkways, there are loads of places to enjoy the fresh nature. There are lots of incredible spring festivals to see, too.

Autumn: Like spring, autumn is all about nature and the change of seasons represented by the fall foliage. There are many incredible places to see autumn leaves in Korea, including golden gingko leaves and multi-coloured maple leaves, which change from green to gold to red. I highly recommend visiting Korea in October as it’s my favourite time of year here.

Winter: After the beauty of the fall foliage and the rains of summer, winter is the complete opposite – snowy white and extremely dry. Winter has very little rain, which makes it perfect for exploring outside and enjoying one of the many things to do during winter in Korea. Just make sure you wrap up warm! If you’re visiting Korea in winter, I highly recommend check out my Jeju Island winter itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Finally, here are a few FAQs about summer activities in Korea, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you. If you have any other questions you’d like to ask, feel free to leave a comment.

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There’s many good reasons to visit Jeju Island in winter, and for me there was a bucket item list that I’ve been waiting more than 5 years to do that I finally achieved. I wanted to hike the snowy slopes of Hallasan Mountain in winter and see the island below while knee-deep in snow up above.

I got to do that, and a lot more, including visiting Udo Island, eating loads of delicious Korean dishes, shopping at the traditional markets, playing in the snow, seeing Jeju’s winter flowers, eating winter fruits, and lots more.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links and I may earn commission for purchases made after clicking these links.

Tips For 1 Week On Jeju Island In Winter

Please feel free to use this Jeju Island winter itinerary as a guide to planning your own 1 week on Jeju Island in winter. This itinerary shows what I did each day, and I’ve also included extra activities that you can do on Jeju Island in winter. There’s loads of extra tips for getting the most out of Jeju Island in winter. I hope you can get lots of inspiration for future travels.

For those of you looking to spend 1 week on Jeju Island in winter, here’s some important info that will help you plan your trip.

Weather On Jeju Island In Winter

Jeju Island is far south of Seoul and closer to the equator, meaning that it’s warmer than the capital. However, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t cold. You can see snow on Jeju Island in winter and the weather can be quite random.

Temperatures can fall below zero, or be above 15 degrees. When I visited Jeju in winter, the lowest temperature was -5 and the highest was 18 degrees. I saw snow, rain, clouds, and sun. Generally winter is quite dry and clear, but be prepared for anything.

Transportation On Jeju Island

Jeju Island is definitely a lot easier to visit if you Rent A Car as many attractions are spread out across the island. However, it’s not impossible to get around by public transport and on foot, especially if you stay in the two main cities.

I didn’t use a car when I visited Jeju Island in winter, but that didn’t stop me doing what I wanted to. With planning and a little Korean to read the bus timetables, you can get just about anywhere.

Booking day tours is also a good option for getting around Jeju Island in winter, as these tours can take you to several places more conveniently than a public bus would do.

Layout Of Jeju Island

Jeju Island is a tale of two cities. Quite literally, with the island being split horizontally into Jeju City area in the north and Seogwipo City area in the south. These two cities are great places to base yourself to get around the island more easily.

In the centre of Jeju Island is Hallasan – a volcano that dominates (and created) the island. On the lower slopes of Hallasan are a lot of forests, oreums (small hills), and lots of the non-coastal attractions (museums, theme parks, etc.).

Around the edge of Jeju Island there are loads of beautiful beaches to visit, as well as other sea-front attractions, nearby islands, and cosy cafes to sit in and watch the sunrise / sunset.

During my 1 week on Jeju Island in winter I was able to visit all these different areas. Read on to find out what I did and what to expect in each place.

Day 1: Jeju City Sights, Traditional Market, & Local Beers

Flying into Jeju Island on a sunny day is an incredible experience – passing islands & fishing boats, and seeing Jeju ‘the fried egg’ Island from above. If you’re arriving on Jeju Island in winter, you might even see snowy slopes on South Korea’s tallest mountain – Hallasan.

I’d planned to spend a busy 1 week on Jeju Island, so I didn’t want a tough first day. I flew in early, dropped my bags at the hotel, and walked to the sprawling Dongmun Traditional Market. This market is packed with Delicious Korean Street Foods to try, including local specialities such as abalone-wrapped gimbap and dol hareubang bread (shaped like the island’s famous statues).

The traditional markets are best explored at night, so after a quick snack I hopped on a bus to the Magpie Brewery & Taproom. Here you can experience Korean-inspired beers, such as the Kimchi Ghost, and indulge in pizza & fried chicken (a perfect combo). After this, I visited the nearby beach in Samyang – but it wasn’t very active during winter so I took the bus back to Jeju City.

Night was approaching, the perfect time to explore Korean cities. It gets dark early on Jeju Island in winter. Jeju City has a lot of pretty areas to explore in the evening in the Ildoil-dong area, such as the Black Pork Street, Arario museums, Dongmun Traditional Market, streets painted with murals, and plenty of seafood restaurants.

After exploring the night markets and getting my fill of Korean street food, I decided to have an early night. Tomorrow was going to be the toughest day during my 1 week on Jeju Island!

Day 2: Hiking Hallasan’s Snowy Slopes & Korean BBQ

Today was the day I achieved one of my top Korean bucket list items – Hiking Hallasan Mountain In The Snow. I’ve hiked it in September, and been rewarded with sunny views over the whole island, but now I really wanted to scale the slopes whilst draped in deep, fluffy snow.

After a quick breakfast I headed to the Jeju City Bus Terminal to take the bus to the start of the Yeongsil Course. My plan was to start on the south-western side of Hallasan, hike up to Witse-Oreum Shelter near the peak, and head back down the Eorimok Course on the northern slope. Two courses in one day and some incredibly snowy sights on the way.

The snow started to show whilst riding the bus to the start, and was ankle-deep even at the start of the course, rising to knee-deep as I made my way up the snowy slopes. I stopped to play in the snow a lot, taking loads of pictures, and enjoying the breathtaking sights. They truly were awesome and I’m so happy that I got to see these sights at last.

Unfortunately, due to a blizzard at the top (not meant to be there according to my weather app), I had to turn back just before the Witse-Oreum Shelter. It would have taken too long to make it to the end of the course before it got dark. Fortunately, I was able to lie back and slide some of the way to the bottom as the thick snow, trodden down, makes for a great human bobsleigh track!

Even if you don’t plan to hike far, you can still enjoy playing in the snow at the start of the hiking courses. There are ropes and flags to keep you on course and plenty of pristine snow to play in if it’s been snowing recently.

Exhausted, but really happy with all I’d seen, it was time to take the bus back to Jeju City, warm up with a hot shower, and spend the night indulging in one of my favourite Korean dishes – Korean BBQ. No trip to Jeju Island in winter would be complete without trying out Korean BBQ and washing it all down with some of the local soju, aptly named Hallasan Soju.

Day 3: Udo Island, Seongsan Ilchulbong, & Jeju Gogi-Guksu

The sun was shining brightly, blue skies met bluer seas, and today was the perfect time to jump on a ferry and head over to Udo Island on Jeju’s north-eastern coast. The ferry departs from Seongsan, home to another of Jeju’s incredible sights which I’ll return to later.

I arrived mid-morning and headed for a walk from the ferry terminal (Haumok-dong) to the other side of the island. Udo is only 1km wide and mostly made up of farms, beaches, small buildings, and one hill on the southern tip topped with a famous lighthouse (Udo-deungdae), which makes it quite easy to walk around.

After 30 minutes of gentle walking past short walls made from volcanic rocks, green fields, and even a few haenyeo (diving women), I made it to peaceful Hagosudong Beach. There are a few really nice cafes here, so I stayed (at Cafe U.D.O.1) to read, watch the waves, and indulge in coffee and a brownie. After some seafood pasta in a nearby restaurant (Seom Sonai), it was off to explore the coast and make my way along the eastern shore towards the lighthouse.

The sun was up and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It was cold, but in a good way. Exploring Jeju Island in winter is actually much nicer than in summer, when it gets really hot. The shore holds many delights and if you don’t want to walk it, you can rent a small electric scooter-car (most people were) to drive around and stop where you want to.

Udo Island is famous for several things, including peanut ice cream, beautiful beaches, and being shaped like a cow (the name U-do literally means ‘cow-island’). Once I’d finished walking to the lighthouse (not difficult), I made my way to Sanho Beach on the western coast to try out the famous peanut ice cream. It was ok, but nothing amazing.

Finally it was time to head back to Seongsan to see the Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as Sunrise Peak. This is the best place in Korea to watch the New Year sunrise. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and definitely a must see during any 1 week on Jeju Island trip. Unfortunately, I arrived a too late to climb up. It was still awesome to see Seongsan Ilchulbong though.

After watching the sun go down, I headed back to Jeju City to explore another famous food street – Guksu Geori (Noodle Street). This is home to several places serving Jeju’s famous gogi-guksu, which is basically a big bowl of noodles and sliced pork in a salty broth. Perfect after a long day walking. Once that was finished off, I walked it all off exploring more of central Jeju City at night.

Day 4: Hamdeok Beach, Manjanggul Lava Tube, & Fresh Seafood

I’ve visited Jeju a few times before, and couldn’t imagine 1 week on Jeju Island without visiting Hamdeok Beach. It’s one of the best beaches on Jeju Island and seeing it in winter is just as good as seeing it in any other season. The sand is golden, which contrasts perfectly with the black volcanic rocks that seem to have been thrown along the coast, while the sea is almost turquoise.

There are plenty of amazing cafes, restaurants (including gourmet burger places), and places to sit down and absorb the beautiful coastal views. My favourite place is Cafe Del Mundo, situated closest to the water’s edge and with yummy freshly baked goods inside. A morning spent chilling here definitely is a morning well spent. If I didn’t have other plans, I would have stayed all day.

The desire to see more pushed me on, and after filling up on a second chocolate croissant, I headed to the bus stop to visit the Manjanggul Lava Tube. This is one of the world’s longest lava tubes and gives you an interesting insight into the history of Jeju Island, which was borne from the ocean by the wild eruptions of Hallasan – an active volcano. You can walk about 1km along the lava tube and see the world’s highest lava column.

The Manjanggul Lava Tube was nice, but only took about an hour, so I decided to get a bus to another beach – Gimnyeong Beach. It was a nice place to walk around, but the weather had started to get bad after an hour so I packed up and headed back to Jeju City.

My time in Jeju City was at an end, but I wasn’t going to leave without checking out a really good sushi place I’d heard about (there are many) – Sushi Tomodachi. 10+ plates of sushi later, I was full and ready to take the bus to Seogwipo City to start part 2 of my fun 1 week on Jeju Island in winter.

Day 5: Jeju Folk Village, Cosy Cafes, & Black Pork BBQ

I awoke early grabbed a quick coffee and egg tart at a Hong Kong-style cafe (Blue Haus) and went off to the Jeju Folk Village in Pyoseon. It had started raining a bit, which isn’t common on Jeju Island in winter (or other parts of Korea). The Jeju Folk Village is a sprawling collection of traditional buildings showing how people used to live before modernity came to Jeju.

There are lots of different houses to explore, games to play, and Korean culture to learn about. You can see scenes from some famous Korean dramas there were filmed here, see a real traditional market, feed some local animals, and lots more. One of the highlights was seeing the camellias in bloom. These are one of the famous sights of Jeu Island in winter and I was planning to go to Camellia Hill to see them, but I didn’t need to after seeing them here.

I was actually quite surprised with how much there was to see and do. Walking around the Jeju Folk Village took about 3-4 hours and, despite the rain, I enjoyed my time here. I learnt some interesting facts, including about the old-style toilets that fed into the pig’s feeding troughs! The place was family friendly and ideal for anyone interested in Korea’s history.

Once I’d seen all there was to see, I headed out to the coast for lunch and a rest in a beachside cafe (Cafe Cocotiere), looking out over Pyoseon’s very wide beach. When the rain finished, I headed back to Seogwipo to clean up and prepare for the meal I’d most been looking forward to – a Korean BBQ with Jeju’s legendary black pork.

Jeju’s black pigs are said to produce the best meat for Korean BBQ and the best place to try them is obviously on Jeju Island. On a cold night on Jeju Island in winter, I couldn’t really think of anything better to eat. The meal was great, and left me stuffed. I needed to walk it off, so I explored some of the streets around central Seogwipo, including the Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market, Myeongdong Street, Arang Joeul Food Street, and Lee Jung-Seop Art Street.

I finished the night with a couple of beers from the Jeju Beer Fountain – home to beers from the best Jeju craft beer brewers (including Magpie & Jeju Beer). I’d really recommend this place as they let you sample three beers before trying them and they’re all really good. I grabbed a couple of bottles and some snacks and had a peaceful night back at the hotel.

Day 6: Yakcheonsa Temple, Olle Trail 8, & Jungmun Saekdal Beach

I had an early night at the end of day 4 so that I could wake up and enjoy the early morning sunrise. I wasn’t disappointed. I sat and watched it from my hotel window whilst munching a few oranges. The sun was out after yesterday’s rain and it felt divine to be basking in the light, so I decided to visit one of the most intriguing Korean Buddhist temples I’ve been to – and I’ve been to many.

Yakcheonsa Temple, bedecked with palm trees, tiny elephant statues, and looking out over the southern shore below, felt like it should be in Bali or Thailand, not on Jeju Island. Visiting this place during my 1 week on Jeju Island in winter felt surreal. I was transported to SE Asia, with fresh fruit hanging on the trees, palm trees everywhere, and the sun, sky, and sea all dazzling. The weather was also around 15 degrees (up from -5 a week ago!), which added to the illusion.

This temple is a must-visit place on Jeju Island for 2 reasons. Firstly, it’s awesome – beautiful architecture, massive 3-layered roof, a hidden cave-temple, juicy oranges waiting to be picked, and you can even do a temple-stay here! Secondly, it’s the start of the Jeju Olle Trail Course 8, which is what I was about to start now.

The Jeju Olle Trail goes all the way around the island and is meant to be trekked over 3 or 4 weeks. It takes you to all the best sites and provides a ready-made course to follow, with lots of signposts and stamps that you can collect as you go. Course 8 is one of the best, leading you along the coast, past fishing villages, Jusangjeolli Cliffs (unique hexagonal rocks), all the way to the Jungmun Saekdal Beach area.

It was a really peaceful way to spend the day and with the perfect weather I was in heaven. It’s not difficult and only took a few hours to reach the Jungmun Saekdal Beach – a really popular place for locals and tourists who want to stay at the luxurious hotels, see one of Jeju’s other incredible beaches, and watch the sunset from the cliffside bar (my plan).

Whilst walking along the beach, I saw some local kids practicing ssireum (Korean wrestling – like sumo), loads of people surfing, and dropped onto the sand to read for a while. In the late afternoon, I headed to The Cliff – a cocktail bar / lounge with incredible views over the beach and the perfect place to watch the sunset.

A couple of beers and a sunset later, I headed back to Seogwipo to explore more of the city and grab some more craft beer from the Jeju Beer Fountain. Sadly the end of my 1 week on Jeju Island was coming to an end, so I walked until quite late, exploring the harbour and watching the squid-fishing boats head out to sea at night.

Day 7: Seogwipo Sights, Walks & Waterfalls, & Maeil Olle Market

I couldn’t believe 1 week on Jeju Island was nearly at an end. There was so much that I still wanted to see, but there’s never enough time to see it all. I decided to spend my last day exploring Seogwipo and the surrounding area. I’d only been here at night and many attractions had been closed then.

Seogwipo has a surprising number of attractions to enjoy for art lovers, nature enthusiasts, or shopping addicts. I started off visiting the Lee Jung-Seop Art Street, which includes the famous Korean artist’s house and a museum. This is a great place to pick up some cute Jeju souvenirs, and to check out the various art and murals along the street as you walk.

This led me down to Yudong Coffee, run by one of Korea’s most awarded baristas – Cho Yu Dong. If you like coffee, I’d highly recommend this place. For lunch I had some delicious black pork tacos from b.pork bistro – they were so good and I could have eaten half a dozen!

From here I walked east towards the sea and the mighty Jeongbang Waterfall. This 75 foot waterfall over black cliffs offers a fun spot to take waterfall selfies as you can walk down to the beach and get close to the falls. One waterfall wasn’t enough, though, so I walked back along the coast and headed to the Cheonjiyeon Falls – a smaller but still impressive scene hidden away in thick forests and a strangely large number of ducks.

The Cheonjiyeon Falls are on the way to Oedolgae Rock on the Olle Trail 7 course (another popular section of the Jeju Olle Trail). I followed the Olle Trail 7 from the falls to the viewing area around Oedolgae rock, which was only 30 minutes by foot. The Oedolgae rock stands alone like a tall sentinel in the rocky surf away from the cliff.

After walking back to the centre, via the Geolmae Eco Park, I decided to do some last minute shopping at the Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market. This large traditional market is great for tourists to get some souvenirs, try the local delicacies (loved the black pork croquettes), and witness the many sides of traditional Korean markets. If you live in Korea, you can order food from the market sent to your house wherever you are in Korea.

I stocked up on a few sweet treats and bought another bag of oranges as they’re in season on Jeju Island in winter (and also really sweet). My flight home was at sunset, which seemed an appropriate end for my 1 week on Jeju Island in winter. I soared away from Jeju Airport (only an hour from Seogwipo) as the sun set on my winter adventures on Jeju.

I’ll definitely be back soon as there’s so much to do on Jeju Island in winter (and any season).

Where To Visit On Jeju Island In Winter

If you plan to spend 1 week on Jeju Island in winter, then hopefully my 7 day itinerary has given you some food for thought. However, not everyone wants to go hiking, or you might be travelling with children, or want to visit different attractions.

Here’s some of the other places I’d recommend to visit on Jeju Island in winter. There’s bound to be something to suit your own personal itinerary:

• Dodu-dong Rainbow Coast Road
• Saryeoni Forest Path
• Hyeopjae Beach
• Joeun Horse Riding
• O’sulloc Green Tea Plantation
• Jeju Haenyeo Museum
• Camellia Hill
• Jeju Love Land
• Jeju Light Garden
• Chocolate Museum
• Jeju Toy Park
• Aqua Planet Jeju (Aquarium)
• Marado Island
• Aewol Coastal Road

There are dozens of museums, scenic spots, coastal walks, and cosy cafes – too many for me to mention them all. If you want some extra ideas, I’d recommend visiting the Visit Jeju Website.

And here’s a list of 20 of the Best Things To Do On Jeju Island any time of year.

Where To Stay For 1 Week On Jeju Island

I split my 1 week on Jeju Island between Jeju City and Seogwipo City. These are great cities to explore and work perfectly as a base to travel out to other attractions on the island.

I stayed at The Jade Hotel in Jeju City. It’s a small but comfortable hotel in central Jeju City that is close to the traditional market, hiking routes, and coast. It features an open rooftop with bar, perfect for looking at the sunrise or sunset.

In Seogwipo I stayed at the Ocean Palace Hotel. This was a budget hotel and is an older building, but has been recently renovated to offer an apartment-like stay. The room was massive and included a kitchen and dining area, which was perfect for cooking and late night snacks.

These were both really nice hotels, with central locations and reasonable prices. I was close to the markets in both cities and the hotel in Seogwipo had incredible views of the coast.

Of course, these aren’t the only options available. If you prefer to be closer to nature and want to experience beach life, I’d recommend staying in Hamdeok on the north coast or at the hotels in the Jungmun Saekdal Beach area (but these are more expensive).

Advice For Visiting Jeju Island In Winter

For those who want to spend 1 week on Jeju Island in winter, here’s a few tips to help

1: Check the weather before and as you travel. Make sure you know what to expect, but be careful as the weather can change quickly.

2: Plan a flexible schedule. Sometimes rain will arrive when you’d planned to go to the beach. Try to include a few activities that are indoors and not weather-sensitive.

3: Learn how to read Korean city names. You don’t need to master Korean, but knowing the location you want to go to will help a lot on public transport.

4: Jeju Island in winter can be both cold and hot. The temperatures ranged from a freezing cold blizzard on Hallasan to warm, sunny weather where I didn’t need a jacket. Pack appropriately.

5: Take care of your skin. Winter in Korea is very dry and your skin needs care. Pack some hand cream and moisturiser.

6: Enjoy the seasonal delights. Jeju Island in winter is the best time to enjoy fresh citrus, especially red-hyang and hallabong.

7: Check the closing dates of attractions. Many places in Korea, such as museums and galleries, close on Mondays.

8: Use Naver or Kakao map apps to help you get around, but use Google Maps for restaurants and cafes. For some reason, Korean map apps only show me western food options, but Google covers them all.

If you’re travelling to Korea in winter, you should definitely check out my guide to the most delicious Korean winter dishes. You’ll find lots of inspiration for authentic, heart warming Korean meals and snacks you can try out across Jeju. Also, my article about the best places to see snow in Korea will give you lots more itinerary ideas for your winter travels in Korea.

Jeju Island has a visa-free entry system that isn’t available on the mainland, so even if you would normally have to apply for a tourist visa for Korea, you can still travel to Jeju Island. This is great for people who are unable to apply for a Korean travel visa or get denied a Korean visa for whatever reason. Unfortunately, it doesn’t allow access to the mainland.

1 Week On Jeju Island In Winter FAQs

Finally, here’s a few FAQs about spending 1 week on Jeju Island in winter, in case the above information didn’t cover enough for you.

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