Discover the most beautiful spots to capture Seoul’s golden gingko trees and magical autumn foliage.
After countless spring visits to this magical green oasis in the middle of Seoul, I finally made my first autumn visit to Seoul Forest — and oh my, the scenery was absolutely magnificent!
I have always loved Seoul Forest for its lush greenery, peaceful walking trails, and beautiful open spaces. But seeing it transformed by autumn foliage was a completely different experience. Golden gingko trees, warm brown tones, and the soft autumn sunshine made every corner feel like a picture-perfect postcard.
Honestly, I am no longer sure which season is my favorite for strolling through Seoul Forest. Spring has its fresh greenery and delicate blossoms, but autumn has a certain charm that is hard to resist.
In this post, I am taking you on a little autumn walk through Seoul Forest and sharing exactly where to find some of the prettiest photography spots. Whether you are looking for golden gingko-lined streets, beautiful architectural backdrops, or simply a lovely place to enjoy the crisp autumn weather, here are the spots you should not miss!
A Brief Introduction to Seoul Forest
Located in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul Forest (서울숲) is one of the city’s largest and most beloved urban green spaces. Often described as Seoul’s answer to Central Park, this expansive park offers a refreshing escape from the busy streets and trendy cafes of Seongsu.
Seoul Forest opened in 2005 and was developed as a large-scale ecological park, combining nature, recreation, and cultural spaces. Today, it is home to several themed areas, including a Culture and Art Park, an Ecological Forest, a Nature Experience Study Field, a Wetlands Ecological Field, and the Han River Waterfront Park.
What makes Seoul Forest particularly special is how beautifully it changes throughout the year. From cherry blossoms and fresh greenery in spring to lush summer landscapes and vibrant autumn foliage, there is always something new to discover.
And when autumn arrives, the park becomes especially photogenic. Its gingko-lined pathways turn brilliant shades of yellow, while the surrounding deciduous trees add beautiful layers of orange, red, and brown to the landscape.
The best part? There are plenty of photography opportunities scattered throughout the park, and you don’t have to venture far from the main entrances to find them!
Where to Capture the Best Autumn Photos at Seoul Forest
Here are five spots I particularly loved during my November visit. Save these locations for your next autumn photography adventure!
1. The Entrance Across from Under Stand Avenue (언더스탠드에비뉴 맞은편)
Let’s start with a beautiful first impression!
Just across from Under Stand Avenue, you will find an entrance to Seoul Forest surrounded by beautiful seasonal foliage. During autumn, the trees around this entrance create a lovely natural frame, making it a wonderful place to begin your photography walk.
I especially love how the golden and reddish leaves contrast with the surrounding greenery. It is also a great spot to capture that feeling of stepping away from the city and into a peaceful autumn wonderland.
Don’t rush past this entrance — sometimes the prettiest photo opportunities are waiting right at the beginning of your walk!
2. Gingko Street Near the Visitor Center (서울숲 방문자센터)
If there is one autumn photography spot you absolutely should not miss at Seoul Forest, this is it.
The gingko-lined pathway near the Seoul Forest Visitor Center (서울숲 방문자센터) is one of the most beautiful places to experience the park during peak autumn foliage.
When the gingko trees turn bright yellow, their golden leaves create a stunning canopy overhead. The pathway becomes almost magical, especially when sunlight filters through the branches and illuminates the entire walkway.
This is also a fantastic location for portrait photography. You can capture beautiful shots walking beneath the trees, looking up at the golden canopy, or simply standing in the middle of the pathway surrounded by autumn colors.
Photography tip: Try visiting in the morning when the sunlight is softer and the pathways are generally quieter. If you want that dreamy golden glow, look for moments when sunlight shines through the gingko leaves.
3. Ecological Matrix (숨쉬는 그물)
This was one of my favorite discoveries during this visit!
The Ecological Matrix (숨쉬는 그물) is an interesting architectural space featuring a usable stage and creatively designed rows of seating. It is a lovely place to take a short break while exploring the park, but during autumn, it becomes an unexpectedly beautiful photography location.
What makes this spot special is the gingko-lined scenery behind the stage. From certain angles, the golden foliage appears to burst out from above the roofline, creating a beautiful contrast between the modern architectural structure and the natural autumn landscape.
I particularly love how the design of the space frames the trees in the background. It gives your photographs a slightly different composition compared to the usual gingko tunnel shots.
If you are looking for something a little more creative than traditional autumn foliage photography, definitely add this spot to your list!
4. Romantic Garden (로맨틱가든)
As the name suggests, this little corner of Seoul Forest has a particularly charming atmosphere.
The Romantic Garden is a small garden area featuring a cute gazebo with a warm brown-toned roof. Surrounded by seasonal greenery and autumn foliage, the space has a lovely, almost storybook-like appearance.
It may not be the largest or most dramatic photography spot in the park, but I think that is part of its charm.
The gazebo makes a beautiful focal point for photographs, especially when framed by the surrounding trees. It is also a lovely place to capture some quieter, more intimate autumn moments.
If you enjoy photographing little architectural details, cozy garden corners, and romantic scenery, this spot is worth a short detour.
5. Open Space Near the Main Pond
Unlike the previous locations, this area is not necessarily a picture-perfect autumn foliage spot. However, I think it deserves a place on this list for an entirely different reason!
The open space near Seoul Forest’s main pond is a wonderful place to slow down and enjoy the beautiful autumn weather.
During this time of year, when the temperature is pleasantly cool and the sunshine is just right, the park becomes an ideal outdoor retreat. The area features plenty of cute figurines, playful photo zones, colorful installations, and charming seating areas.
You will also find bean bag chairs and cute benches where visitors can sit back, relax, and enjoy the seasonal atmosphere.
I love that Seoul Forest is not just about beautiful scenery and photography. It is also a place where people can enjoy the outdoors, spend time with friends, have a little picnic, or simply soak up the autumn sunshine.
So, after your photography walk, take some time to enjoy this open space. Sometimes the best part of visiting a park is simply being there!
When to Catch Autumn Peak at Seoul Forest
Timing is everything when it comes to autumn foliage photography, especially if you want to see the gingko trees at their brightest golden yellow.
All the photographs featured in this post were taken on November 2nd, and I would say I visited at a particularly beautiful time!
The gingko trees were already displaying their vibrant golden colors, making the pathways and surrounding spaces look absolutely spectacular. However, I also noticed that several other deciduous trees were still transitioning into their autumn colors, with some only beginning to approach their prime.
Based on what I saw during my visit, my recommended window for experiencing Seoul Forest at its autumn best is:
November 3rd–10th!
This should offer a lovely combination of brilliant golden gingko trees and other deciduous trees reaching their peak autumn colors.
Of course, autumn foliage timing varies every year depending on temperatures and weather conditions. Strong winds and rain can also cause leaves to fall earlier than expected, so I recommend checking recent visitor photos and foliage updates before making your trip.
If you are visiting Seoul in early November, Seoul Forest should definitely be on your autumn itinerary!
Pro Tips for Visiting Seoul Forest in Autumn
A few practical tips to help you make the most of your visit:
1. Visit on a weekday if possible.
Seoul Forest is a popular destination, especially during peak autumn foliage. Weekends can get quite busy, particularly around the famous gingko-lined pathway. If you want cleaner compositions without too many people in your photographs, a weekday visit is your best bet.
2. Arrive in the morning for better photography conditions.
Morning light is generally softer and more flattering for portraits and landscape photography. It is also a good opportunity to capture the gingko pathways before they become crowded.
3. Wear something that complements the autumn scenery.
Neutral tones, cream, brown, beige, and warm earth colors look particularly beautiful against golden gingko leaves. If you are planning outfit photos, these colors are an easy way to create a cohesive autumn aesthetic!
4. Bring comfortable walking shoes.
Seoul Forest is a large park, and you will probably end up walking much more than expected while searching for different photography spots. Comfortable shoes are essential!
5. Check the foliage conditions before visiting.
The peak period can be surprisingly short. A few days of strong wind or rain can change the scenery dramatically, so check recent photos and weather forecasts before heading out.
6. Don’t limit yourself to the famous photo spots.
While the gingko street is undoubtedly the highlight, some of my favorite moments came from discovering smaller corners of the park. Keep your camera ready as you walk around — you never know which little corner might become your favorite photograph!
How to Get to Seoul Forest
Location: 273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 성동구 뚝섬로 273)
Nearest subway station: Seoul Forest Station (서울숲역), Suin-Bundang Line.
The easiest way to get there is to take the Suin-Bundang Line to Seoul Forest Station and walk towards the park. Seoul Forest is also accessible from Ttukseom Station (뚝섬역) on Line 2, although the walking distance is a little longer.
Admission: Free!
Final Thoughts: Seoul Forest Is Beautiful in Every Season
After visiting Seoul Forest countless times in spring, I honestly did not expect my first autumn visit to leave such a strong impression.
There is something incredibly special about seeing familiar places transform with the seasons. The lush green landscapes I remembered from spring were now dressed in golden yellow, warm brown, and beautiful autumn shades.
From the iconic gingko-lined pathway near the Visitor Center to the unexpected architectural beauty of the Ecological Matrix, Seoul Forest has so many lovely corners waiting to be discovered.
If you are visiting Seoul during the first half of November, I highly recommend adding this beautiful park to your itinerary. Bring your camera, take your time exploring, and enjoy one of the most magical seasons in the city.
And now I have a new question: Is Seoul Forest more beautiful in spring or autumn? I think I might need a few more visits before I can decide! 🍂🤎
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