17 November 2025
Naejangsan National Park is highly raved as one of the best mountains to see the autumn foliage in South Korea. The peak autumn foliage is supposed to be in the first two weeks of November. With global warming, the peak period could shift slightly later. Since we are visiting in mid-November, we were just in time and it was an excellent opportunity that we must not miss. Naejangsan is also known for its many hiking trails that lead to its 8 summits. Almost a million people come every year for its breathtaking views. It is especially crowded during the peak autumn foliage season. Hence it is advisable to visit this place on a weekday and arrive before 9 AM. For us who are relying on public transport, it is also advisable to leave before 4.30 PM as there is known to be long queues for the local bus in the late evening.
Getting to Naejangsan from Gwangju
Naejangsan National Park is located near Jeongeup, a city in North Jeolla Province. We made a daytrip to Naejangsan from Gwangju. The fastest way from Gwangju to Jeongeup is to take the KTX (Korea’s high speed train) from the Gwangju SeongJeong Station.
It is advisable to arrive early so we had an early start from Gwangju. We enjoyed a hearty bowl of boiling hot gukbap at the popular Yeongmyeong Gukbap shop located opposite the train station. The store opens at 5 AM and is an ideal place to try the famous Korean’s gukbap (rice soup).
At 6.30 AM in the morning, we were the first few customers, in addition to a group of servicemen in uniform. Based on google reviews, we ordered the assorted gukbap that came with cuts of tender pork head meat, pig stomach, liver, bean sprouts and sundae in a boiling pot of rich savoury broth. There is also a bowl of rice and side dishes provided.
Highly recommended gukbap for 11,000 KWR - assorted soup with sundae, pork and organs.
Side dishes or banchan that is included with the gukbap. The includes pickled garlic, kimchi, salted shrimps and white onions.
After the body-warming breakfast, we had plenty of time to catch the 7.40 AM train to Jeongeup. We had booked our tickets in advance using this online ticketing site. There was no checking of train tickets during boarding. However the inspector would walk through the cabin once the train started moving. Journey from Gwangju to Jeongeup by KTX took about 20 minutes.
From Jeongeup Station, we took the local bus No. 171 to Naejangsan National Park. Getting to the bus stop was easy. It was located across the road from Jeongeup Station and there were many people in hiking gear heading there. The frequency of Bus 171 was about 20 to 30 minutes. We were concerned to see many people waiting at bus stop. There was a big group of hikers with daypacks and hiking poles.
An alternative to bus transport was taxi. It would definitely be more expensive (about 18,000 to 20,000 KRW) but would be a viable option if we could not get onto the bus.
Some taxis came to offer their services. I was glad to see the group of hikers went for the taxis.
Shortly thereafter, bus 171 arrived. There was an orderly queue to board the bus. Despite the many people at this bus stop, we managed to board but it was standing room only. The journey took about 30 minutes and cost about 1,200 KRW. We just need to tap the T-money card on the machine when boarding and disembarking from the bus to pay for the fare.
It was about 9 AM when we alighted at the small town beside the Naejangsan National Park. We took a photo of the bus schedule for the bus back to Jeongeup. Bus 171 is a loop service. We will need to come back to this bus station to take the bus back to Jeongeup.
From there, we just need to follow the main street for about 10 minutes to get to the entrance of the park. I was glad to see colourful foliage on the trees lining the road.
A prelude of what is to come – many trees with red and yellow foliage.
The weather on this day was unusually cold due to what is known as a polar vortex, sending cold air from the arctic southward. In fact, the cold spell would starting on this day which was a Monday and continue till Thursday.
4 degrees C in autumn but the down jacket and windbreaker was effective.
To walk or take the shuttle?
We paid the national park fee of 3000 KRW per person at the entrance of the park. Local residents get free entry. Once past the entrance, there was still a 2 km walk to the center of the park. There was shuttle service for 1000 KRW per person.
Actually, I have read that this 2 km path is one of the best places to enjoy the autumn leaves in Naejangsan. We would have to walk this path either on the way in or do it on our way back.
Since there was no queue, we decided to take the shuttle on our way in.
View of the maple tree “tunnel” from inside the shuttle.
We could see that the road is lined with colourful trees on both sides.
Maple trees with foliage lit by the morning sun.
On hindsight, we should have walked this path on our way in and also on our way out!
Uhwajeong Pavilion
The first attraction we visited was the Uhwajeong Pavilion. It is uniquely placed in the centre of a lake. I had seen picture-postcard views of the pavilion surrounded by fantastic autumn foliage. Although there are still plenty of colourful autumn foliage around, I could not get a decent photo that matched what I saw.
Uhwajeong Pavilion.
Red, orange, yellow and green leaves on the trees.
Naejangsan Cable Car to Yeonjabong Peak
There is an easy way to get to one of mountain peaks in Naejangsan National Park with minimal hiking. That is by taking the Naejangsan Cable Car to Yeonjabong Peak. The cable car station is located near to the Uhwajeong Pavilion.
We made it a point to take the Naejangsan cable car as early as possible, before the massive crowds arrive later in the day.
As per plan, we came early on a weekday and hence there was no queues at the ticket booth and also at the cable car station. We bought the 2-way tickets for 11,000 KRW per person. One-way tickets are also available for those who chose to hike up or down the peak.
The cable car has a rather large capacity, similar to those we had taken in Mount Seorak. 
Short queue to board the cable car.
The journey takes approximately 5 minutes, allowing for panoramic views of the national park. I was lucky to stand next to the window and could enjoy the colourful canopy of the forest below.
Shadow of the cable car cast upon the colourful forest below.
From the cable car station at the top, we walked about 300 metres to the Yeonjabong Peak Observatory. The uneven path to the observatory is on a ridge and it was quite windy. We saw a monk positioned midway on this path, chanting and blessing safe passage for travelers and hikers.
Short 300 m hiking path leading to Yeonjabong Peak Observatory.
The Yeonjabong Peak Observatory is a two-story pavilion. From the second storey, we enjoyed 360 degress panoramic view of 8 mountain peaks (Yeonjibong, Manghaebong, Bulchulbong, Seoraebong, Woryeongbong, Gachibong, Sinseongbong and Janggunbong). We could also see the red, yellow and orange autumn foliage adorning the mountain sides and the valley below. Unfortunately, the morning air was a little misty which muted the colour of the autumn leaves in our photos.
Naejangsan Mountain View from the observatory - Woryeongbong Peak and Seoraebong Peak.
Close up photo of Byeoknyeonam Hermitgage as viewed from the observatory.
The valley beneath Yeonjabong Peak and surrounding mountains.
The cable car station and the lake with Uhwajeong Pavilion could be seen.
It was quite cold and windy up on the mountain. Thankfully there are stalls offering food and drinks near the observatory and also at the cable car station. We took refuge in a coffee shop and had hot drinks before heading back to the cable car station.
A cup of hot coffee from a shop near the observatory.
Back at the cable car station, we went to check out the views from the roof.
Back at the cable car station.
Enjoying the sight of the autumn leaves at the cable car station.
A hiking trail that leads to the actual Yeonjabong summit starts at the cable car station. The information board stated the distance is only 700m but there is an elevation gain of about 275m. We were tempted to go but decided against it. We came to Naejangsan for the autumn leaves, not for hiking on this trip.
At the start of the trail to Yeonjabong peak.
For those who bought the one-way tickets, there is also a hiking trail that leads back down. Hiking down may seem easy, but I think the trail is quite steep and uneven.
We saw a tree full of ripe persimmons at the bottom cable car station.
Maple Tree Trail to Naejangsa Temple
Back down to the valley, we took the trail to the Buddhist temple named Naejangsa. The flat 500 m trail to Naejangsa was so beautiful during the autumn leaves season. I love the combination of red, orange, yellow and green leaves.
Many leaves had fallen but there are still plenty above us.
Naejangsa Temple
Naejangsa was bustling with visitors, both locals and tourists alike, who had come to admire the stunning colors of the surrounding trees.
Originally founded in 636 A.D. during the Baekje Dynasty, the temple were destroyed during foreign invasions of Korea and the Korean War. Most of the structures standing today were reconstructed later.
We spend some time in the area just outside the temple complex as it was so pretty with yellow gingko, red maple and even a small pond. This was the place for us to have a little snack (Snickers bar again!) and drink before heading into the temple complex.
Taking a rest on one of the benches at the entrance.
Outside the gate to the temple complex.
Many people were enjoying a photo-shoot on the many benches beneath a large gingko tree.
Our “lunch”.
Start of hiking trail to Yeonjabong Peak Observatory. Don’t be fooled by the signage. It says 0.8 km to the observatory but it is steep uphill trek all the way with elevation gain of about 185 m.
The buildings in the temple complex were quite spaced out. Even with the large number of visitors, there were plenty of space and peacefulness.
One of the buildings stood out prominently. This was the main hall that was newly reconstructed after the old one was destroyed in a suspected arson attack in 2021.
Newly re-constructed main hall at Naejangsa.
The temple was bare of paint and I think it would look fantastic once it is fully painted like the rest of the buildings in this complex.
Enjoying the surroundings at Naejangsan National Park
We had a lot of time to take more photos and appreciate the beautiful surroundings in the national park before heading back out.
Walking back to the visitor center.
Trying out the exercise equipment in the park. They are so similar to the ones back home.
Walking back from Naejangsa Temple to the entrance
Instead of taking the shuttle bus, we walked down the maple tree “tunnel” to the town. There are many photo opportunities along this trail.
Fallen leaves on moss in the stream next to the trail.
Waited for the shuttle bus to appear in my photo.
Maple tree “tunnel”.
From Naejangsan to Gwangju
Since we left relatively early, we managed to get seats on bus 171 back to Jeongeup Station. We alighted at the same bus stop that we took the bus from in the morning.
From Jeongeup Station, we bought the tickets for the 3 PM KTX train back to Gwangju Seongjeong Station from the ticket counter.
We were quite famished by the time we arrived at Gwangju. The Isaac Toast & Coffee branch at the Seongjeong Station serves good food.
Tea break at Isaac Toast located inside Gwangju Seongjeong Station.
Overall, our day trip to Naejangsan National Park went accordingly to plan. Although we were a a little late to enjoy the peak, the views of the autumn leaves at this park were still magnificent. And we were not hampered by any crowds by going on a weekday and arriving early.
