Seoul Autumn Guide: Romantic Places & Food
Seoul autumn travel guide. Experience red maple leaves at palaces, Bukchon Hanok Village, AREX express train tips, and cozy local BBQ dining.
Quick summary
- Seoul: 5 hours from HCM; currency Korean Won (KRW); airport ICN
- Experience romantic autumn leaves at Gyeongbokgung Palace and Deoksugung stone path.
- Stroll through 600-year-old Bukchon Hanok Village and enjoy sizzling Samgyeopsal in the evening.
- Take the 43-minute AREX Express train from Incheon Airport and use Naver Map to navigate.
In this guide
- 1. Romantic Autumn Foliage in South Korea's Capital
- — Visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace in Hanbok
- — Scenic stroll along Deoksugung stone path
- Seoul at a Glance
- 2. Historic Bukchon Hanok Village & Warm Autumn Flavors
- — Traditional Bukchon Hanok photography
- — Sizzling BBQ and cozy autumn dinners
- 3. Navigating with the AREX Train & Using Naver Map
1. Romantic Autumn Foliage in South Korea's Capital
Autumn (October to November) is when Seoul transforms into a sea of golden ginkgo and red maple leaves. You must rent a traditional Hanbok dress to stroll through the ancient Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Walk along the romantic stone walls of Deoksugung Palace Path for a serene experience.
Visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace in Hanbok
Rent a traditional Korean Hanbok to gain free admission to Gyeongbokgung and capture photos underneath the historic curved rooftops.
Scenic stroll along Deoksugung stone path
Deoksugung path is lined with fiery red maple trees, making it the most romantic autumn walkway in Seoul for traveling couples.
Seoul at a Glance
Seoul is where 600 years of royal history collides with K-pop, K-drama, and some of the best street food in Asia. For Vietnamese travelers, South Korea has become the second most popular destination after Thailand, driven by the Korean Wave cultural phenomenon. The city is incredibly efficient — a world-class subway system, 24/7 convenience stores that serve actual meals, and fast WiFi everywhere. Seoul rewards the curious: ancient palaces at dawn, design cafes at noon, BBQ at dusk, and karaoke at midnight.
| Country | South Korea |
|---|---|
| Airport (IATA) | ICN |
| Flight time from Vietnam | 5 hours from HCM |
| Currency | Korean Won (KRW) |
| Language | Korean |
| Time zone | UTC+9 |
When to go:
- September – November: Autumn foliage. Perfect 15–22°C. Clear skies. Festival season.
- March – May: Cherry blossom season (early April). Comfortable weather. Seoul's parks at their best.
- December – February: Cold (-5 to 5°C) but ski season, winter festivals, and cheapest flights.
Top experiences:
- Gyeongbokgung Palace: Seoul's main royal palace (1395). Rent a hanbok (traditional dress) for free entry. Guard changing ceremony at 10am and 2pm.
- Bukchon Hanok Village: 600-year-old traditional Korean houses on a hillside between two palaces. Best visited early morning (before 10am) to avoid crowds.
- N Seoul Tower (Namsan): Iconic tower with panoramic city views. Take the cable car up. The love locks fence is a must-see at sunset.
- Korean BBQ in Mapo-gu: Locals eat BBQ in Mapo district, not Myeongdong. Try Maple Tree House or any restaurant with Korean-only menus — that's where the real food is.
- DMZ Tour: Visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea. Must book organized tour — cannot visit independently. Half-day trip.
Full guide: Seoul destination guide on Pingsme.
2. Historic Bukchon Hanok Village & Warm Autumn Flavors
Seoul houses quiet hilly neighborhoods filled with heritage wood houses. The famous Bukchon Hanok Village preserves hundreds of traditional homes dating back to the Joseon Dynasty.
As weather gets chilly, warm up your evenings with hot stews and sizzling Korean BBQ meats.
Traditional Bukchon Hanok photography
Bukchon Hanok Village is a residential neighborhood, so keep your voice down to respect local residents while capturing photos.
Sizzling BBQ and cozy autumn dinners
Indulge in sizzling Samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) dipped in ssamjang, hot Tteokbokki rice cakes, and sweet Jajangmyeon black bean noodles.
3. Navigating with the AREX Train & Using Naver Map
From Incheon Airport (ICN), the AREX Express train is the fastest transit link (only 43 minutes direct to Seoul Station, cost is around 9,500 KRW). Get a rechargeable T-money card at the airport convenience store for easy bus and subway tap-ins.
Autumn temperatures hover around 10-18°C, so pack warm, light jacket layers. Download Naver Map for navigation, as Google Maps does not support walking routes in South Korea due to domestic security regulations.
