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 summer transitions to autumn, Korean travelers are gearing up for one of the country's most beloved seasonal traditions: chasing the stunning display of fall foliage. To assist these nature enthusiasts in planning their trips, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), collaborating with the Korea National Arboretum, unveiled the official 2026 Autumn Leaves Map. This map provides precise peak foliage timelines and a handpicked selection of 36 top destinations throughout the nation.
Forecast data for this year predicts that the northern regions of Korea, encompassing the bustling Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon Province, will witness the peak of autumn colors starting in late October. In contrast, southern regions such as Gyeongsang and Jeolla will experience their vibrant high point between early and mid-November.
What sets this year's map apart is the innovative, crowdsourced data that underpins the predictions. Instead of relying solely on conventional climate models, the forecasts incorporate real-time observations from the National Arboretum’s Plant Phenology Project. This project engages a network of 829 citizen scientists who have contributed valuable ground-level field data to enhance the accuracy of the foliage forecasts.
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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