Crowdsourced data powers Korea's official autumn foliage road map
As the summer heat gives way to crisp autumn air, travelers across Korea are preparing for one of the country's most cherished seasonal rituals: chasing the transformation of fall foliage. To help nature enthusiasts time their journeys, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), in partnership with the Korea National Arboretum, released the official 2026 Autumn Leaves Map, offering precise peak…
As the autumn season approaches, travelers in Korea are gearing up for a beloved tradition: tracking the changing colors of the fall foliage. To assist nature lovers in planning their trips, the Korea Tourism Organization teamed up with the Korea National Arboretum to unveil the official 2026 Autumn Leaves Map. This map provides specific peak foliage dates and highlights 36 must-see locations across the country.
According to the forecast for this year, the northern areas, such as the Seoul metropolitan region and Gangwon Province, can expect vibrant colors to start appearing in late October. In contrast, southern regions like Gyeongsang and Jeolla will reach their peak of beauty between early and mid-November.
What sets this year's map apart is the innovative use of crowdsourced data to make its predictions. Instead of solely depending on conventional climate models, the forecast incorporates real-time observations from the National Arboretum’s Plant Phenology Project. This project engages a network of 829 citizen scientists who gather valuable field data at the ground level, contributing to the accuracy of the forecast.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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