Ginkgo trees turn color a little later than maples, and they do so all at once. Once the leaves change from green to yellow, the peak season is short, and a single strong wind or rain can cause most of the leaves to fall. Therefore, for a ginkgo tree trip, "when to go" is almost everything.
This page is the definitive guide to ginkgo tree hotspots, updated annually. It distinguishes between places with fixed opening periods (Hongcheon Ginkgo Forest) and those open year-round (Asan Gokgyocheon, Wonju Bangyeri, Seoul Munmyo), and summarizes confirmed operational information for this year in a table. Regional timings for all autumn foliage can be found in Autumn Foliage Hotspots.
| Hotspot | Region | Opening | Admission | Parking | Approximate Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hongcheon Ginkgo Forest | Naemyeon, Hongcheon, Gangwon | Only in October annually, 10:00~17:00 | Free | Free (temporary parking during opening period) | Mid to late October |
| Asan Gokgyocheon Ginkgo Tree Road | Yeomchi-eup, Asan, Chungnam | Year-round | Free | Free | Late October ~ Early November |
| Wonju Bangyeri Ginkgo Tree | Munmak-eup, Wonju, Gangwon | Year-round | Free | Free parking lot (approx. 170 spaces) | Late October ~ Early November |
| Seoul Munmyo Ginkgo Trees (Sungkyunkwan Myeongnyundang) | Jongno, Seoul | March-October 9:00~18:00, November-February ~17:00 | Free | Use nearby public parking lots | Around early November |
The peak season varies by 1-2 weeks each year depending on the temperature. The timings in the table are based on past trends and are not forecasts for this year. It is more reliable to check the current state of the foliage by looking at photos posted on local government SNS or by calling the management office before departing.
This is a private forest located in Gwangwon-ri, Naemyeon, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon Province. It was cultivated by an individual since 1985, with approximately 2,000 ginkgo trees planted in rows, 5 meters apart. After being closed for about 25 years, it has been open to the public only for the month of October each year.
The forest is located deep in a mountain valley, taking about 2.5 hours by car from Seoul. There is no large permanent parking lot like major tourist attractions, so on weekends, cars line up along the surrounding roads. Arriving around 10 AM, when it opens, is the easiest. Facilities such as wheelchair access and accessible restrooms are not available.
This is a riverside path in Chungcheongnam-do, Asan, extending approximately 2.1-2.2 km from Chungmu Bridge over Gokgyocheon, near the entrance to Hyeonchungsa Shrine, towards Hyeonchungsa. About 350 ginkgo trees, planted during the Hyeonchungsa sacred site development project from 1966-1974, have grown for over 50 years, forming a tunnel on both sides. It has been selected as one of the 'Top 10 Beautiful Tree-lined Roads in the Nation'.
Beyond the autumn foliage season, Gokgyocheon is a walking path for all four seasons, with canola flowers in spring and a green tunnel in summer. In early November, when ginkgo leaves fall, the ground is covered in yellow, making for great photos.
This is a Natural Monument ginkgo tree located in Bangyeri, Munmak-eup, Wonju City. It was designated a Natural Monument in 1964. With a height of approximately 32m and a circumference of about 16m, its branches spread widely in all directions, making a single tree look like a forest. Its age is estimated to be over 1,300 years, based on 2024 measurements.
Since it's a place to see one giant tree rather than a long row of trees, 30 minutes to an hour is sufficient for a visit. It's close to Munmak IC, making it a good stop when traveling on the Yeongdong Expressway.
If it's difficult to travel far, you can also see ginkgo trees within Seoul.
When is the peak season for ginkgo tree foliage? It varies by region and year, but generally, mountainous areas of Gangwon are mid to late October, while central plains and Seoul are late October to early November. The timings in the table are based on past trends.
When is Hongcheon Ginkgo Forest open this year? It is open only for the month of October each year. As of September 29, the exact dates for 2026 have not been officially announced, so please confirm by calling 033-433-1259.
Are there any places with admission fees? All four places on this page are free. Changdeokgung Secret Garden has separate admission fees for the palace and the Secret Garden.
If I go during the Hangeul Day long weekend in October, will the trees be yellow? October 9-11 is generally too early for most regions. Hongcheon Ginkgo Forest turns color relatively early, but there might still be some green mixed in around the long weekend. Long weekend plans are summarized in Hangeul Day Long Weekend Outings.
Last checked: 2026-09-29
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