When Do Ginkgo Leaves Turn Yellow in Korea? Best Time and Places (2026)

Ginkgo leaves in Korea usually turn yellow from late October to mid-November. The central region, including Seoul and Asan, typically peaks around late October to early November, while the south comes a little later. The exact week shifts with the weather each year, so check a recent foliage forecast before you book.

Area	Typical peak	Well-known ginkgo spots
Seoul	Late Oct – mid Nov	Deoksugung Stone Wall Road, Samcheong-dong
Asan (Chungcheongnam-do)	Late Oct – early Nov	Gokgyocheon riverside road, Hyeonchungsa Shrine
Gangwon-do	Mid – late Oct	Hongcheon Ginkgo Forest (opens to visitors in October)
Gyeonggi-do	Late Oct – early Nov	Yongmunsa Temple's ancient ginkgo tree

Why go outside Seoul for ginkgo

Seoul's ginkgo streets are beautiful but crowded on weekends. In Asan, the Gokgyocheon road runs along a river for a long, uninterrupted stretch of yellow, and Hyeonchungsa adds a historic shrine to the scene — all about 1h 40m from Incheon Airport.

Tips

• Go early. Morning light is softer and paths are quieter before 9 a.m.
• Mind the smell. Fallen ginkgo fruit has a strong odor — wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty.
• Plan a flexible date. A trip on a weekday in the peak week beats a weekend a week too late.

See our Asan ginkgo & hanok stay trip — we confirm the peak timing with you before you travel.