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Seoul palace fall leaves 2026
- Leaf peak
- Forecast Oct 29–31 (Seoul area)
- Free
- Oct 29 – Nov 15, 4 palaces + Jongmyo
- Not free
- Changdeokgung Secret Garden tour
- Closed
- Mon: Changdeok, Changgyeong, Deoksu · Tue: Gyeongbok, Jongmyo
Seoul-area fall leaves are forecast to peak Oct 29–31, the same week all 4 palaces and Jongmyo go free (Oct 29 – Nov 15). Where the leaves are best inside the palaces, closed days, and a half-day route.
Chundangji Pond, Changgyeonggung · Photo: Noh Mun Duek (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
When the leaves peak
- MAPLESForecast peak Oct 29–31
Korea Tourism Organization's 2026 foliage map puts the Seoul-area (National Arboretum) maple peak at Oct 29; the Korea Forest Service national forecast says Oct 31.
- GINKGOForecast peak Oct 30–31
Korea Forest Service national forecast Oct 30; Seoul-area map Oct 31. 'Peak' here means about half the leaves have turned, so color keeps going into early November.
Free entry, Oct 29 – Nov 15
- FREEGyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Jongmyo
Regular admission is free. Jongmyo switches from timed tours to walk-in.
- PAIDChangdeokgung Secret Garden (Huwon) tour
Not included. Booked programs and paid events keep their prices.
- CLOSEDMon Nov 2, 9: Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung · Tue Nov 3, 10: Gyeongbokgung, Jongmyo
Closed days still apply during the free period.
Where the leaves are best
- SPOT 1Chundangji Pond, Changgyeonggung
Walk the path around the pond; the leaves reflect in the water. From Changgyeonggung you can walk through a gate into Changdeokgung.
서울 종로구 창경궁로 185 창경궁 - SPOT 2Junmyeongdang and Seokjojeon, Deoksugung
Red maples in front of Junmyeongdang hall, and fall color around the stone Seokjojeon hall with the city towers behind.
서울 중구 세종대로 99 덕수궁 - OUTSIDEDeoksugung stone-wall road (Jeongdong)
A leafy walk along the palace wall, near City Hall Station (Line 1/2).
Make it a half day (our route)
- 1Changgyeonggung in the morning
Start at Chundangji Pond (our tip).
- 2Through the gate into Changdeokgung
Regular areas are free; the Secret Garden is a separate paid tour (our tip).
- 3Deoksugung late afternoon
Then walk the stone-wall road toward Jeongdong (our tip). Check the closed day first: Monday for all three.
Say it in Korean (show this screen)
- Is entry free today?
O-neul mu-ryo ip-jang-i-e-yo?
오늘 무료입장이에요? - Where is Chundangji Pond?
Chun-dang-ji-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
춘당지가 어디예요? - Which way to Changdeokgung?
Chang-deok-gung-eun eo-neu jjok-i-e-yo?
창덕궁은 어느 쪽이에요?
Local tips
- Peak dates are forecasts and shift with the weather; the week of Oct 29 – Nov 8 is the safe window (our tip).
- Free entry brings crowds: go at opening, especially on weekends (our tip).
FAQ
When do Seoul's palace leaves peak in 2026?
Forecasts put the Seoul area at Oct 29–31 for maples and Oct 30–31 for ginkgo.
Are Seoul palaces free in November 2026?
Yes. Regular admission to the 4 palaces and Jongmyo is free from Oct 29 to Nov 15, 2026.
Is the Changdeokgung Secret Garden free?
No. The Secret Garden tour is not included and still needs its own booking.
Sources: SBS Biz: Korea Forest Service 2026 foliage forecast (Sep 22, 2026) · Financial News: KTO 2026 foliage map (Oct 8, 2026) · Wikitree: 2026 foliage map by region (Oct 8, 2026) · The Trip Pick: free palace entry Oct 29 – Nov 15 (Oct 19, 2026) · Royal Palaces and Tombs Center notice (Sep 22, 2026) · Seoul Media Hub: palace leaf spots (Nov 3, 2025) · Newsis / Seoul Tourism Organization: city leaf spots