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2 October 2026
South Korea is a country most people first imagine through Seoul, technology, K-pop and fast-moving modern life.
But there is another South Korea that becomes visible when autumn arrives.
In the country’s mountain forests and old palace grounds, the green gradually gives way to red, yellow and gold. People travel out not necessarily to escape the cities, but simply to walk beneath the changing leaves.
One of the places where this seasonal change can be particularly beautiful is Naejangsan National Park, in the south-western part of the country.
The park is known for its autumn foliage, with maple and other trees turning brilliant colours as temperatures fall. Its mountains, valleys and temples give the landscape a character very different from the glass towers associated with modern South Korea.
There is something appealing about this contrast.
A country known around the world for some of the fastest-moving parts of modern life still makes room for people to stop and look at a tree.
Perhaps that is not surprising.
Every culture has its own way of reminding people that seasons change.
In South Korea, autumn offers a particularly beautiful reminder.
The colours do not stay for long.
Maybe that is exactly why people go looking for them.
They know they have only a short time to stand beneath the trees and simply watch the year change.
#SouthKorea #AutumnInKorea #Naejangsan #RajatChandraSarmah
Rajat Chandra Sarmah, Guwahati, Assam, India, Instagram @rajatchandrasarmah, YouTube: conversewithasmile, email rajatchandrasarmah@gmail.com
