Where to look for autumn at its reddest

Seoul City recently announced over 50 places in the city where people can enjoy autumn foliage as the leaves turn their reddest. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the autumn foliage usually looks best around mid-October to mid-November, but this year, the season will begin five or six days later than usual.
On Mount Bukhan, the foliage will reach its reddest around the end of October. The administration also predicted that since there would be many clear days in October with temperature swings between day and night, the colors would be particularly flamboyant.
The places selected include Samcheong-dong, Deoksu Palace and Achasan Park, as well as places where people can enjoy seeing ripe fruit on trees, such as Jungnangcheon causeway. This year’s special features are the restored Cheonggye stream and the newly-established Seoul Forest. Don’t forget the cherry blossom trees on the southern part of Namsan Expressway, either. The city government said it wouldn’t hurry to sweep up the fallen leaves on the street so that citizens can enjoy them. Where to go this weekend? Try a few of these:
Junggu district ― Deoksu Palace
From Deoksugung street near City Hall toward Jeong-dong is a well-known path with beautiful gingko trees. On the left-hand side is the Seoul Museum of Art, Chongdong Theatre, Star Six movie theatre and many other performance halls, which make the area the ideal course for a date.
Jongno district ― Samcheongdong street, Cheongwadae street
A 1-kilometer (0.6 mile) street going from Gyeongbok palace to Samcheongdong, which passes the National Folk Museum of Korea, has a lot of gingko trees. Behind the museum are many galleries, including the Kukje and Hakgoje galleries.
Gangnam district ― Yangjaecheon-gil
Yangjaecheon-gil is an arterial road that runs along Yangjae Stream, going from Dogok-dong through Daechi-dong, and hosts 830 sequoia trees.
Seocho district ― The Citizen’s Forest
The Citizen’s Forest in Yangjae-dong is a nice path on which to enjoy the foliage. It also has a memorial hall for Yun Bong-gil, a patriotic activist during Japanese rule, and other interesting spots inside. Visitors can play tennis and volleyball or ride bikes.
Nowon district ― Hwarang-ro
In this area, the 8.6 kilometer street has over 1,200 trees of various species. Start from subway line No. 6’s Hwarangdae station at exit 4 and walk straight for 10 minutes until you get to the Korea Military Academy, from which you turn left toward Seoul Women’s University. From that area, a path of large trees continues to Samyuk University. After taking a walk, try refreshing yourself in the nearby teashops.

by Choi Sun-young