Korea Seasonal Guide
Autumn Ginkgo (Golden Trees) (은행나무 단풍)
Late October to mid-November
Korea's golden 2 weeks — ginkgo trees turn buttery yellow across Seoul + countryside, the danpung sibling.
Ginkgo trees turn brilliant gold a week after maple foliage peaks. The country's most famous ginkgo: a 1,000-year-old tree at Yongmunsa Temple (Yangpyeong). Seoul's Garosu-gil ('tree-lined street' in Sinsa) gets named for its ginkgo canopy. Cheonggyecheon Stream + Deoksugung Stone Wall Path are urban ginkgo highlights. The yellow lasts just 7-10 days before leaves drop.
Peak dates
Most northern Korea: Oct 25-Nov 5 / Seoul: Oct 28-Nov 10 / South Korea: Nov 5-15
What to expect
- •Strong unpleasant smell from female ginkgo (carpets of fallen seeds)
- •Yellow carpet effect on pathways
- •Sunny days reveal stunning gold backlit
- •Wet days = slippery sidewalks
Best locations
- Yongmunsa Temple Ginkgo (Yangpyeong)1,000-year-old ginkgo (Korea's largest), national protected tree
- Garosu-gil + Sero-su-gil (Seoul Sinsa)Designer boutique street under ginkgo canopy
- Cheonggyecheon Stream (Seoul)City-center ginkgo lining 11km of stream walkway
- Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (Seoul)Most romantic ginkgo walk in Seoul, palace wall backdrop
- Songnisan National Park (Chungbuk)Bopjusa Temple, 600+ year-old ginkgo trees
What to pack
- •Closed-toe shoes (slippery ginkgo seeds)
- •Light jacket
- •Sunscreen + sunglasses
- •Tissue (smell can be strong near female ginkgo)
Tips
- •Female ginkgo trees produce smelly seeds — avoid pathways with seed carpets.
- •Yongmunsa's tree (1,000 years old, 41m tall) is worth the 1.5hr trip from Seoul.
- •Garosu-gil + Sero-su-gil on the same day for ginkgo + shopping.
- •Photos: golden hour 4-5pm makes ginkgo positively glow.
Frequently asked
Best ginkgo viewing in Korea?
Yongmunsa Temple (1,000-year-old tree). In Seoul: Garosu-gil + Deoksugung Stone Wall Path.
When are ginkgo trees yellow?
Late October to mid-November. Yellow lasts 7-10 days before falling.
Why do female ginkgo trees smell?
Female ginkgo seeds emit butyric acid (rancid butter smell). Female trees are slowly being replaced.
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