By Olga Pynenkova

Junior Editor, Yonsei GSIS Newsletter

Midterm exams are finally over, so now is the time to restore your peace of mind by soaking up the autumn atmosphere. Seoul has plenty of places to relax and unwind after sleepless nights spent studying, writing notes, and presentations. Explore the cultural and historical destinations highlighted here for inspiration on how to make the most of your free time. Whether you’re seeking tranquility in nature or a vibrant cultural experience, autumn in Seoul provides the ideal setting. With its sunny weather, bright skies, bizarre clouds, and colorful leaves, this season is considered one of the best in Korea.

Namsangol Hanok Village

A small hanok village is located on the northern slope of Mount Namsan with its famous TV tower, not far from Chungmuro and Myeong-dong stations. The old Joseon-era houses were moved here from other parts of the city in 1998 and restored. There are five hanoks in the village, which previously belonged to aristocrats and government officials. Nowadays, these houses host master classes (for example, you can make a pearl keychain, fold a hanbok out of paper, or weave a souvenir out of straw), and sometimes even traditional weddings, which you can watch just by coming for a walk. Usually, there are not many people here, especially if you come on a weekday or in the evening. By the way, in the evening, you can go to a concert: the village often hosts various festivals, for example, a festival of young performers of traditional music or performances by pansori singers, and many of them are free. Next to the hanoks, there is a pond with carp and a park with traditional-style gazebos and even a small waterfall. A separate bonus for photography lovers - the village has a beautiful view of the N-tower, and taking good pictures is not difficult.

Deoksugung Palace

This relatively small palace is located near the City Hall. Its main feature is the combination of buildings built in the eastern and western styles. In addition, the palace grounds are open until nine in the evening, which allows you to visit it after sunset and watch how the twilight gradually thickens around, and the lights come on in the pavilions. Not far from the entrance there is a cafe-souvenir shop where you can buy a cup of coffee or one of the traditional Korean teas and sit with it on the bank of a local pond, picturesquely overgrown with mud, where you can sometimes meet a heron or ducks. If you are interested in art, you can also visit the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, one of the branches of which is located on the territory of Deoksugung Palace. In addition, literally behind the wall of the palace is the Seoul Museum of Art, where until November 17 you can see an exhibition dedicated to the work of 23 Korean women artists.

Changgyeonggung Palace

This is another palace that can be visited in the evening hours. During the Japanese occupation, Changgyeonggung Palace was turned into a park, where a zoo and a botanical garden were located, and the buildings were significantly damaged. It received its palace status again only in the 1980s, after which restoration work began there. At the same time, a large park area, which is ideal for leisurely walks, has been preserved there to this day. This palace is not as popular with tourists as Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, so it is much easier to feel privacy, tranquility, contemplate nature and indulge in your thoughts. On the territory of the palace there is a large pond, which looks especially picturesque in spring and autumn, and a greenhouse where you can see collections of bonsai. In addition, during your walk you may meet the cats living here - some of them are not at all against communicating or at least just posing for a photo.

Ansan Park

The park is located right next to Yonsei University and is a great place for lovers of long walks and hiking. If you enter the park through the entrance near the Seodaemun district Town hall, you can see the local artificial waterfall and a small water mill. As you gradually climb to the top of Mount Ansan, you can admire the views of the city or watch the leaves fall while walking along one of the paths laid between the trees. There is a circular route along the mountain that is almost 9 kilometers long, so you can count on a fairly long walk. If you are not ready to devote 2.5 to 3 hours of your time to communing with nature, you can cut the route in half by going down the path to Bongwonsa Temple. You can stay there for a while longer - this place has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, especially on a sunny day.

Seoul Forest

Seoul Forest is a bit further from the university, but it is definitely worth visiting, especially in the fall season. Since it can get quite crowded on weekends, it is best to visit Monday through Friday, or at least on Sunday mornings. The park has several greenhouses, a pond, and a waterfall, surrounded by numerous flower beds and seating areas. From here, you can walk down to the Han River, admiring the banks covered with reeds and tall grass, and watching the birds. There is another attraction in Seoul Forest that will especially appeal to animal lovers: deer live on the park grounds, and you can periodically feed them with special treats.