When do Seoul's ginkgo trees turn yellow?

They usually start changing color in late October and peak in early November. Ginkgo trees turn a few days later than maples, and many people say the week after peak — when a carpet of yellow leaves covers the ground — is actually better for photos. The official 2026 foliage forecast will be released in September.

What's the most famous ginkgo tree in Seoul?

The one in front of Sungkyunkwan Munmyo (Myeongnyundang). It's a centuries-old giant designated as a Natural Monument, and at its early-November peak the courtyard fills with people who came just to see it. It's a short walk from Hyehwa Station and admission is free.

Don't ginkgo trees smell bad?

Under the female trees, the fruit that drops in mid-to-late October gives off a distinctive smell. That said, most street-side ginkgo trees are male trees that don't bear fruit, and by the early-November peak most of the fruit has already been cleaned up — so it's not a problem for walking.

6 Ginkgo Walks in Seoul: When the Leaves Turn Gold and the Routes to Follow (Autumn 2026)

The short answer

Seoul's ginkgo trees peak from late October to early November — a few days later than the maples
The single best tree is Sungkyunkwan Munmyo, and the best street is Jeongdong-gil — both free and a short walk from the subway
Don't overlook the fallen-leaf carpet a week after peak — that's when the photos actually turn out best

Why Seoul’s Autumn Belongs to the Ginkgo

The ginkgo is the signature street tree of Seoul. Unlike the maples, which you have to hike into the mountains to see, ginkgo trees turn gold right on the streets of downtown. That’s why a Seoul autumn walk is less a hike and more a stroll through the neighborhood — and all six spots below are reachable on foot from a subway station, with no admission fee.

Timing-wise, the leaves usually start to change in late October and hit their peak around the first week of November. The official 2026 forecast won’t land until September, but since peak has been drifting a little later every year, it’s safe to plan for early to mid-November.

Where to Start — The Top 3

🌳

Sungkyunkwan Munmyo Ginkgo

A centuries-old giant designated as a Natural Monument. It blankets the Myeongnyundang courtyard in gold. A 10-minute walk from Hyehwa Station, free.

🍂

Jeongdong-gil & the Deoksugung Stone Wall Path

Seoul's signature ginkgo walkway, right off City Hall Station. Stone walls, early-modern architecture, and a row of golden trees all in one.

☕

Samcheongdong-gil

A street of galleries, cafés, and ginkgo trees running along the eastern wall of Gyeongbokgung. The easiest one to pair with a palace visit.

🍂 Seoul's 6 Ginkgo Walks Compared (typical-year peak, all free)

#	Spot	Nearest Station	Walk Time	What to Expect
1	Sungkyunkwan Munmyo	Hyehwa Station	30 min in the courtyard	Natural Monument giant, biggest peak crowds
2	Jeongdong-gil & Deoksugung Stone Wall Path	City Hall Station	30–40 min	Stone wall + street trees, easiest access
3	Samcheongdong-gil	Anguk Station	40–60 min	Cafés & galleries, pairs with Gyeongbokgung
4	Seoul Forest Ginkgo Path	Seoul Forest Station	30 min	Park setting, a popular photo spot
5	Garosu-gil, Sinsa-dong	Sinsa Station	20–30 min	Combine with shopping, the only Gangnam pick
6	Kyung Hee University Seoul Campus	Hoegi Station	40 min	Gothic buildings + ginkgo, usually quiet

How to Dodge the Crowds

Sungkyunkwan Munmyo is at its worst on peak-season weekend afternoons — go on a weekday morning and the courtyard is practically empty
Jeongdong-gil and Samcheongdong-gil look lovely at sunset, but that's exactly when the crowds arrive — if photos are the goal, go in the morning
The day after rain, the leaves drop all at once — if you want the fallen-leaf carpet, that's your day; if you want gold still on the trees, go before it rains

📍 Open in Naver Map — Sungkyunkwan Munmyo 📍 Open in Naver Map — Jeongdong-gil 📍 Open in Naver Map — Samcheongdong-gil 📍 Open in Naver Map — Seoul Forest

A Golden Street by Day — What About After Dark?

A ginkgo walk ends when the sun goes down, but Seoul’s autumn nights are when the air is clearest all year, which means the night views are at their sharpest. Add a walking night-view spot (Naksan Park, Eungbongsan) in the evening and your autumn day is full.

🌙 After the sun sets

A night tour that covers only the best night-view spots

Night-view points like Naksan Park and Eungbongsan are scattered around, so stringing them together by public transit in one evening is a hassle. An evening-departure night tour connects this route by vehicle.

See night tours on Klook Compare on KKday

Sources

Peak timing: compiled from recent years of downtown Seoul observations (typical-year baseline — to be updated after the official 2026 foliage forecast is released in September)
Sungkyunkwan Munmyo ginkgo: Korea Heritage Service Natural Monument designation records
Walk times & crowd levels: estimates based on route length — to be re-verified on site