Korea Destinations: 18 Places to Enjoy Autumn in Gyeongnam

Autumn brings cooler temperatures, colorful foliage and some of the year’s biggest festivals to Gyeongnam. From mountain temples and flower fields to seaside camping and illuminated night festivals, here are 18 destinations across the province to consider this fall.

1. Dasolsa Temple, Sacheon

Set on the slopes of Bongmyeongsan Mountain, the 1,500-year-old temple is particularly scenic when autumn foliage surrounds its traditional buildings.

2. Ipgok County Park, Haman

A reservoir surrounded by mountains, rocky cliffs and autumn foliage makes this a good option for a family day trip. Visitors can also walk across the suspension bridge spanning the reservoir.

3. Sangnim Park, Hamyang

One of Hamyang’s best-known natural attractions, Sangnim becomes a colorful woodland in autumn. Red spider lilies also bloom along its paths around the Chuseok holiday period.

4. Daesan Flower Land, Changwon

This large flower park fills with cosmos, chrysanthemums and pink muhly in autumn, offering plenty of walking trails and seasonal photo spots.

5. Hwangsan Park, Yangsan

Autumn brings red kochia and colorful chrysanthemums to this riverside park along the Nakdong River. The Chrysanthemum Festival runs from October 30 through November 15.

6. Gigang Rich Flower Festival, Uiryeong

Pink muhly, kochia and yellow cosmos fill the riverside landscape during this fall festival, which also features photo zones, a maze and busking performances. It runs from September 24 through October 25.

7. Star Wind Hill, Geochang

Located near the summit of Gamaksan Mountain, the hill turns purple with asters against a backdrop of highland scenery and wind turbines. The Gamaksan Flower Star Travel Festival runs from September 18 through October 11.

8. Alien Festival, Miryang

The Miryang Arirang Astronomy Observatory hosts this unusual science festival devoted to extraterrestrial life. This year’s “Alien Sports Day” theme includes laser tag, costume competitions and science experiments from September 19 to 20.

9. Hansando Tongjeyeong Theme Village Auto Camping Ground, Tongyeong

Campers can spend the night overlooking the sea around Hansando within Hallyeohaesang National Park, combining ocean views with cooler fall weather.

10. Sandal Sea Camping Ground, Geoje

This oceanfront campground offers views of Geoje’s islands and coastline, with sunsets and cooler sea breezes making autumn an appealing time to visit.

11. Namhae Healing Forest Town, Namhae

Families can explore forest trails, native plants and nature programs along with a butterfly ecology center and children’s forest experience area.

12. Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival, Jinju

Around 70,000 lanterns illuminate the Namgang River and Jinju Fortress during one of Gyeongnam’s signature autumn events. Cultural performances, hands-on activities, fireworks and drone light shows are also planned. The festival runs from October 3 to 18.

13. Gimhae Buncheong Ceramics Festival, Gimhae

Visitors can discover Gimhae’s distinctive Buncheong pottery through exhibitions, traditional kiln demonstrations and hands-on ceramics programs. The 2026 festival is scheduled for November, with exact dates to be announced.

14. Sinsoryang Sports Park, Hapcheon

One of Gyeongnam’s popular pink muhly destinations, the park features large fields of the pink grass alongside yellow cosmos and other autumn flowers near the Hwanggang River.

15. Gyeongnam Goseong Dinosaur World Expo, Goseong

Danghangpo Tourist Site transforms into a dinosaur-themed attraction with large-scale parades, robotic dinosaur shows and fossil excavation activities. The expo runs from September 22 through November 1.

16. Sancheong Medicinal Herb Festival, Sancheong

Traditional medicine experiences, herbal foot baths, medicinal cuisine and wellness programs are among the activities at this annual festival near Jirisan. It runs from October 2 to 11.

17. Namji Gaebiri Trail, Changnyeong

This historic path follows steep cliffs beside the Nakdong River, combining river views, wildflowers and an old walking route recognized as a nationally designated scenic site in 2021.

18. Choi Champan’s House, Hadong

Located in Pyeongsa-ri, Agyang, the traditional village setting is closely associated with Park Kyung-ni’s epic novel Toji. Its tiled and thatched houses overlook fields framed by the Seomjin River and Jirisan Mountains, making autumn particularly scenic.

More information on destinations is available through the Gyeongnam Tourism website, while upcoming festivals can be found through Gyeongnam Festival Damoa.