19 October 2026
Five Korean university campuses to visit for autumn foliage Yonsei University Sungkyunkwan University Jeonbuk National University Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Global Campus Kyung Hee University
Korea JoongAng Daily - Daily News from Korea
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From Yonsei University's historic halls and Sungkyunkwan's centuries-old ginkgo trees to traditional architecture in Jeonju, these campuses offer breathtaking seasonal scenery and nearby attractions worth exploring.
As autumn colors spread across Korea, mountain trails, lakes and parks draw crowds hoping to catch the season at its peak. For university students, however, enjoying the fall foliage does not necessarily require a trip to popular tourist spots.
University campuses offer their own seasonal scenery, from historic buildings framed by colorful maple trees to centuries-old ginkgo trees and leafy walking paths. With midterms over, it is also an ideal time for students to take a break from assignments and explore campus grounds and nearby attractions.
With that in mind, here are five university campuses worth visiting for their autumn scenery.
Cherry blossom season brings beauty, joy to Korean campuses amid midterm stress
Yonsei University's Sinchon campus in western Seoul is a good choice for visitors looking to enjoy autumn foliage against a backdrop of historic architecture, with the added appeal of familiar K-drama filming locations.
At the heart of the campus's historic quarter is Underwood Hall, an iconic stone building completed in the 1920s that stands beside a lawn and other heritage buildings, including Stimson Hall and Appenzeller Hall. As autumn sets in, the ivy climbing Underwood Hall's walls takes on reddish hues, adding seasonal color to the stone facade.
The campus may also look familiar to K-drama fans, as its historic buildings have served as filming locations for series such as "Extraordinary You" (2019), "True Beauty" (2020) and "The Sound of Magic" (2022), making a stroll through its old quarter a chance to revisit scenes from the screen.
Paths branching off to the left wind past other campus buildings framed by colorful foliage, while uphill trails beyond Underwood Hall lead to modern structures such as Daewoo Hall, offering a change of scenery from the campus's historic architectural area.
The campus also borders Ansan Mountain, whose wooded slopes provide a natural backdrop and add another layer of autumn color to the surrounding landscape. Visitors looking to venture beyond the main campus can follow nearby hiking trails for a closer look at the changing foliage.
Sungkyunkwan University's Humanities and Social Sciences Campus in central Seoul offers a distinctive autumn scene shaped by its history rather than landscaped walkways. Its main attraction is a historic courtyard dominated by two enormous ginkgo trees that have stood for centuries.
The trees stand in front of Myeongnyundang, the traditional lecture hall of Sungkyunkwan, the highest educational institution during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The original institution was established in 1398, and the ginkgo trees are believed to have been planted around 1519.
Their thick trunks and sprawling branches tower over the courtyard, while their leaves turn bright yellow in autumn.
Autumn colors extend beyond the historic courtyard. The sloping paths leading to the modern lecture halls uphill are lined with ginkgo trees, their yellow leaves forming a golden stretch along students' way to class.
From the newer lecture buildings, the surrounding hills offer another view of the season, with patches of green, yellow and red spreading across the slopes.
The campus is also close to Daehangno, a neighborhood known for its theaters, small performance venues and cafes. Visitors can pair the foliage with a meal or an evening performance, making the university a convenient stop on a broader cultural outing in central Seoul.
Jeonbuk National University in Jeonju offers a different kind of autumn outing, combining seasonal foliage with traditional Korean architecture across its campus.
The university has incorporated hanok-style (traditional Korean home) buildings into its grounds, including its main gate and structures around Geonji Square, a central...
As autumn colors spread across Korea, mountain trails, lakes and parks draw crowds hoping to catch the season at its peak. For university students, however, enjoying the fall foliage does not necessarily require a trip to popular tourist spots.
University campuses offer their own seasonal scenery, from historic buildings framed by colorful maple trees to centuries-old ginkgo trees and leafy walking paths. With midterms over, it is also an ideal time for students to take a break from assignments and explore campus grounds and nearby attractions.
With that in mind, here are five university campuses worth visiting for their autumn scenery.
Cherry blossom season brings beauty, joy to Korean campuses amid midterm stress
Yonsei University's Sinchon campus in western Seoul is a good choice for visitors looking to enjoy autumn foliage against a backdrop of historic architecture, with the added appeal of familiar K-drama filming locations.
At the heart of the campus's historic quarter is Underwood Hall, an iconic stone building completed in the 1920s that stands beside a lawn and other heritage buildings, including Stimson Hall and Appenzeller Hall. As autumn sets in, the ivy climbing Underwood Hall's walls takes on reddish hues, adding seasonal color to the stone facade.
The campus may also look familiar to K-drama fans, as its historic buildings have served as filming locations for series such as "Extraordinary You" (2019), "True Beauty" (2020) and "The Sound of Magic" (2022), making a stroll through its old quarter a chance to revisit scenes from the screen.
Paths branching off to the left wind past other campus buildings framed by colorful foliage, while uphill trails beyond Underwood Hall lead to modern structures such as Daewoo Hall, offering a change of scenery from the campus's historic architectural area.
The campus also borders Ansan Mountain, whose wooded slopes provide a natural backdrop and add another layer of autumn color to the surrounding landscape. Visitors looking to venture beyond the main campus can follow nearby hiking trails for a closer look at the changing foliage.
Sungkyunkwan University's Humanities and Social Sciences Campus in central Seoul offers a distinctive autumn scene shaped by its history rather than landscaped walkways. Its main attraction is a historic courtyard dominated by two enormous ginkgo trees that have stood for centuries.
The trees stand in front of Myeongnyundang, the traditional lecture hall of Sungkyunkwan, the highest educational institution during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The original institution was established in 1398, and the ginkgo trees are believed to have been planted around 1519.
Their thick trunks and sprawling branches tower over the courtyard, while their leaves turn bright yellow in autumn.
Autumn colors extend beyond the historic courtyard. The sloping paths leading to the modern lecture halls uphill are lined with ginkgo trees, their yellow leaves forming a golden stretch along students' way to class.
From the newer lecture buildings, the surrounding hills offer another view of the season, with patches of green, yellow and red spreading across the slopes.
The campus is also close to Daehangno, a neighborhood known for its theaters, small performance venues and cafes. Visitors can pair the foliage with a meal or an evening performance, making the university a convenient stop on a broader cultural outing in central Seoul.
Jeonbuk National University in Jeonju offers a different kind of autumn outing, combining seasonal foliage with traditional Korean architecture across its campus.
The university has incorporated hanok-style (traditional Korean home) buildings into its grounds, including its main gate and structures around Geonji Square, a central...