🍁 The Most Beautiful Season to Travel! Hidden Autumn Gems in Korea
Autumn — the season when every corner of Korea turns into a painting.
But if you’ve visited the same famous spots year after year, you might be craving something new.
That’s why the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has launched a special campaign:
“Traveling Autumn” (여행가는 가을) — introducing 27 hidden destinations across the country.
These are lesser-known spots full of local charm, from newly opened attractions to natural wonders that shine especially bright in the fall.
Here are four particularly special places you should add to your autumn itinerary. 🍂
🌿 1. Nature’s Own Recovery Story — Ungok Ramsar Wetland (Gochang)
Located in Gochang, Jeollabuk-do, the Ungok Ramsar Wetland is a living testament to how nature can heal itself.
This area was once a small village with terraced rice paddies and hundreds of residents.
When the Ungok Reservoir was built in 1981, people left — and nature slowly returned.
For 28 years, no one entered the area. Then in 2009, the wetlands re-emerged, teeming with life.
Walking along the narrow wooden deck, you’ll feel the breeze, hear the water, and listen to the chorus of birds.
At the end of the trail lies an ecological park with an information center, cultural exhibits, and one of Asia’s largest dolmens.
It’s a quiet place that teaches a simple truth: sometimes “preserving means not touching.”
📍 Location: 74 Goindol-gongwon-gil, Gochang-eup / 15 Ungokseowon-gil, Asan-myeon
🕒 Hours: Open year-round / Free admission (fees apply for select programs)
🏛 2. Where Architecture Meets Ceramics — Clayarch Gimhae Museum
The Clayarch Gimhae Museum, whose name combines clay and architecture, is Korea’s first art museum dedicated to architectural ceramics.
Its façade, decorated with over 1,000 ceramic tiles, gleams under the autumn sun, while the 20-meter Clayarch Tower proudly marks the skyline.
Inside, two major exhibitions are currently on view:
- “Splash, Renaissance: Into the Living Paintings”
- “A Journey Through Italian Art Museums — From Uffizi to Vatican”
Both shows run until February 2026.
If you’re passionate about design, materials, or the dialogue between art and space, this museum is an absolute must.
📍 Location: 25 Buncheong-ro, Jinrye-myeon, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
🕒 Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00 / Closed Mondays / Admission varies by exhibition
🌉 3. Walking Through Seorak’s Landscape — Seorak Hyanggiro Trail
If you’d like to enjoy the beauty of Seoraksan without a strenuous hike, try the Seorak Hyanggiro Trail —
a 2.7km barrier-free walking path that circles gently through the foothills near Seoraksan Small Park.
Its highlights include an 8-meter-high skywalk and a 98-meter-long suspension bridge,
both offering breathtaking views over the streams and mountain valleys below.
The bridge, built 15 meters above the water, gives a thrilling yet safe sense of adventure.
After sunset, the trail lights up with soft “firefly” lamps, making nighttime walks magical.
Benches are placed throughout for rest and reflection — perfect for a calm evening stroll surrounded by nature.
📍 Location: 3-4 Seorak-dong area, Sokcho-si, Gangwon State
🕒 Hours: Open year-round / Free admission
🌅 4. A Pause Between Sky and Lake — Yedangho Observatory
In Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do, the new Yedangho Observatory opened on October 1, 2025,
bringing a fresh landmark to the region’s largest lake.
Take the glass elevator up 70 meters and marvel at the vast blue expanse of Yedang Lake,
surrounded by the gentle ridgelines of Bongsu and Daebong Mountains.
At sunset, the sky and water merge into shimmering gold — a sight that locals call “the sky above the lake.”
As night falls, the 402-meter suspension bridge and musical fountain light up in vibrant colors,
creating a dreamlike reflection across the still water.
It’s a serene yet spectacular spot to end your autumn day.
📍 Location: 159-22 Yedang-gwan-gwang-ro, Eungbong-myeon, Yesan-gun
🕒 Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–21:00 / Free admission
💡 Want to Discover More Hidden Places?
Beyond these four highlights, the “Traveling Autumn” campaign features 27 hidden gems across Korea.
For more details, visit the official campaign website.
🍁 Final Thoughts
A KTO spokesperson shared,
“There are countless charming places across Korea that remain little known.
We hope these hidden destinations inspire people to travel and bring new vitality to local communities.”
Autumn may be brief, but its beauty lingers.
This year, take a slower path — explore lesser-known corners,
breathe in the crisp air, and discover a new side of Korea waiting quietly beyond the crowds. 🍂
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