Korea Tourism Organization and Korea Forest Service National Arboretum Release 2026 Autumn Foliage Map

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As autumn sets in, the atmosphere is shifting toward full-blown fall outings, including viewing autumn foliage. However, to have a proper foliage trip, it is essential to know and visit during the peak foliage season before heading out. The peak foliage period generally refers to when more than 50% of the leaves on major tree species have turned color.

In this regard, the "2026 Autumn Foliage Map," released by the Korea Tourism Organization (President Park Sung-hyuk, hereinafter KTO) and the Korea Forest Service National Arboretum (hereinafter National Arboretum), is worth referencing as it includes information on peak foliage timing and recommended spots. This map was recently made available through the "Korea Travel" website on the KTO's homepage.

The map not only provides peak foliage timing for maple trees but also for oaks and ginkgo trees.

The map details peak foliage periods across six regions nationwide, and KTO also introduced 36 major spots where one can enjoy the autumn atmosphere. In the metropolitan area and Gangwon region, the season of colorful foliage can be enjoyed from late October, while in the Gyeongsang and Jeolla regions, it can be experienced in early to mid-November.

Among the major spots are: in the metropolitan area, ▲Everland (Yongin, Gyeonggi), ▲Seoul National University Park (Gwacheon, Gyeonggi), and ▲Incheon Grand Park (Incheon), which features a spectacular tunnel of five colors; in Gangwon Province, ▲Hantan River Canyon Gosseokjeong National Tourist Site (Cheorwon, Gangwon), filled with vibrant red and orange foliage; in Chungcheong Province, ▲Sapyo Lake (Dangjin, South Chungcheong), where the sunset turns red behind ships, and ▲Mungwang Reservoir (Goisan, North Chungcheong), where yellow ginkgo trees shimmer above the water surface; and elsewhere, ▲Riverside Ecological Park and Geochang Iris Garden (Geochang, South Gyeongsang), where golden reeds blend with autumn foliage, ▲Meta Provence (Damyang, South Jeolla), an exotic themed village next to a path of orange metasequoias, and ▲Oh Reum-ui (여왕) Tallabi Oreum (Seogwipo, Jeju), decorated with silver pampas grass.

Data from the National Arboretum's citizen science program, the "Plant Phenology Observation Project," was utilized for predicting peak foliage timing.

A KTO official stated, "By combining data contributed by citizens with KTO's travel curation, we are able to provide more accurate and useful autumn travel information." The official added, "We hope you will feel the diverse charm of autumn while traveling throughout Korea."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original