Fall foliage peaks on Jeju, silver grass rounds out scenery

Although autumn foliage has largely passed its peak across Korea this year, those who missed the season still have one last chance on Jeju, the country’s southernmost region, where the colors have yet to reach their height. According to a 2026 autumn foliage forecast released by the Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea National Arboretum, ginkgo trees and oak species at Halla Arboretum on Jeju are expected to peak — defined as when 50 percent or more of their leaves have changed color — on Nov. 16 and maples on Nov. 19. Around the same time, silver grass blankets Jeju’s "oreum," or small volcanic cones, and its coastlines. Here are some of the best places on Jeju Island to catch the year’s last autumn scenery. Halla Arboretum Opened in 1993 in Jeju City, this public arboretum displays about 100,000 plants representing 1,321 species, including native Jeju and subtropical plants. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment designated it in 2000 as a conservation center for endangered wild plants outside their natural habitats. Its forest bathing area offers a refreshing a