Reprinted from Agoda Travel Guides
Visiting South Korea’s top tourist spots is an incredible experience any time of year, but seeing top landmarks like the DMZ and Gyeongbokgung Palace is extra special during fall. These autumn activities for Visit Korea Year 2023-2024 feature some of the country’s top attractions and include magnificent views.
Full-Day Cultural and Shopping Tour in Ansung
A day spent with the animals at Anseong Farmland is extra special during the fall. This tour starts with a three-hour visit to Anseong Farmland, where feeding native animals, like kudzu cows and bulls, donkeys, sheep and geese, is part of the adventure package! You also will learn about Korea’s agriculture and livestock industry while tromping around the farm. Spend another two hours view the autumn sky in the 63-meter observatory at impressive Starfield mall, where you can enjoy shopping and a meal in addition to the view.
Mount Seorak + Nami Island + Garden of Morning Calm | Day Trip from Seoul
A natural-filled journey from Seoul, this tour features magnificent scenery at three popular destinations. Enjoy a jaunt through Mount Seorak, considered the most beautiful mountain in Korea, as well as the Garden of Morning Calm and Nami Island with a local guide who will explain the significance of each attraction.
Tour stops
- Seoraksan National Park and Mount Seorak (2.5 hours) – designated a natural monument preservation area and UNESCO Biosphere Preservation District, Seoraksan National Park features autumn surprises down every winding road. Enjoy photographing the unique rock formations, magnificent waterfalls and incredible fall foliage of Mount Seorak, and hike through amazing scenery to historic Shinheungsa Temple and Jujeongol Valley inside Seoraksan National Park. (The cable car ride to Shinheungsa Temple is not included in the fall foliage tour.)
- Nami Island (2.5 hours) – romance awaits under the essence of native ginkgo and cherry trees that line the quaint streets of this inner-city island. The community is loved for its art galleries and cafes, as well as K-Culture hot spots and filming sites.
- Garden of Morning Calm (1.5 hours) – the peaceful pathways in this private garden are gorgeous year-round, but the native trees pop in the fall! Soak up the mystique and embrace the natural beauty of South Korea with a stroll through the curves and unique spaces of this elegant outdoor attraction.
Nami Island / Petite France & Italian Village / Garden of Morning Calm | Korea Day Tour from Seoul
Embark on a charming daytrip from Seoul to some of the most popular tourist attractions in Korea. This fun-filled tour includes stops at Nami Island, Petite France and Italian Village and more! You will not only see K-Culture in action, you will become part of it, too! Stroll down quaint streets and pathways in Nami Island, and experience “little Europe” in Korea at Petite France Italian Village. Get a bird’s-eye view of the region from the Nami Island Skyline ZipWire (advance reservation required and additional fees apply). The Garden of Morning Calm showcases natural Korean scenery during a peaceful walk in an architecturally aesthetic garden.
Round-trip transportation from Seoul is provided with this tour. Admission is free for children age 3 and younger.
*Lunch is not included with this tour. Travelers can bring their own lunch or dine at one of the many restaurants on Nami Island.
BOOK THIS KOREA DAY TOUR FROM SEOUL
Gyeongbokgung Palace – Seohwa Hanbok Rental | Seoul
Choose from hundreds of styles of traditional hanboks from Seohwa Hanbok near Gyeongbokgung Palace. Free accessories and hairstyling are included in this fun service, and you can even visit the largest palace in Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace, fully dressed! Take advantage of endless photo opportunities on the impressive grounds, and venture nearby to Hyangwonjeong Pond and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion for even more fall foliage backdrops.
Fittings are limited to two hanboks. Customers who want to try on more than two hanboks will be charged an additional fee.
RENT A TRADITIONAL KOREAN HANBOK
Best DMZ 3rd Infiltration Tunnel Tour from Seoul (No Shopping)
This 7.5-hour expedition between North and South Korea uncovers the years-long result of the Cold War Era. The most heavily fortified border in the world, the DMZ offers an opportunity to experience history in the making. Feel like you are part of the action as tour guides reveal details of the conflict as you explore the many historic landmarks on this tour.
Tour stops
- Imjingak Pyeonghoa-Nuri Park (one hour) – stroll through the grounds that offered comfort to North Koreans who left the country during the Korean War. Visitors will enjoy one hour in the park.
- Bridge of Freedom (30 minutes) – built to liberate 12,773 prisoners in 1953, the Bridge of Freedom was used by South Koreans returning home from the North. Visitors can walk in their footsteps amidst natural scenery. This 30-minute stop of the tour includes fantastic photo opportunities!
- DMZ Theater (30 minutes) – watch a video about the Korean conflict to get a South Korean perspectie of the Korean War. You’ll also learn about the beginning of the DMZ and how it is viewed today. Learn about the infiltration tunnels dug in North Korea and explore the DMZ Exhibition Hall, a fantastic exhibit for history lovers containing artifacts, photos and remnants from the Korean conflict. The theater tour lasts about half an hour.
- The Third Tunnel (one hour) – this action-packed tour takes guests 52 miles from Seoul to explore a tunnel dug in 1978. With the purpose of invading the south, the tunnel could move an entire division in an hour. Walk through the 1,635-meter tube, and take a step back in time during this one-of-a-kind adventure.
- Dora Observatory (one hour) – Peek into North Korea from the top of Dorasan during the highlight of this tour. Guests get access to high-powered binoculars from the third floor of the observatory, where you can spot North Korea’s propaganda village and Gaesong, the country’s ninth largest city. On clear days, even the famous bronze statue of Kim Il-sung is visible! Rebuilt in 2018 to offer better views, the Dora Observatory is a favorite stop on this tour.
Korean Palace and Temple Tour in Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jogyesa Temple
Follow an expert guide through some of Seoul’s most historical landmarks during this Korean culture and heritage tour. Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace during one of the most gorgeous times of the year and learn about Korean history at the National Folk Museum. Discover Buddhist traditions at Jogyesa Temple, and listen carefully to your expert guide to learn about where the South Korean president hangs his hat.
Tour stops
- Seoul – enjoy being picked up from your Seoul hotel from a professional driver in an air-conditioned, comfortable vehicle.
- The Blue House – pass by the residence and executive office of South Korea’s head of state and president.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace – the primary residence of the royal family of the Joseon Dynasty is now considered the most beautiful palace in Seoul. It is most definitely the largest and grandest of the Five Grand Palaces, and with the help of your expert guide, you will explore the palace compound on foot to see for yourself!
- National Folk Museum of Korea – gain an understanding of ancient Korea as you follow your guide to learn about customs, traditional farming methods and more at this charming museum.
Jogyesa Temple – enjoy a quick stop at the calm sanctuary of Jogyesa Temple, the most popular Zen Buddhism temple in Korea. - Seoul Ginseng Center – pick up some spicy souvenirs at this fun ginseng shop that offers everything from tea to snack cakes.
- Seoul City Hall – your final destination and drop-off point is near Seoul Ginseng Center and a fun area to explore on your own.
