Autumn foliage in Asia
It’s grey, dreary, and gloomy during this rainy season in Malaysia. But in other parts of Asia, autumn is alive and blazing in an otherworldly palette of golden, auburn, and burgundy with a crisp chill in the air.
If you’ve had enough of the drab and wet, and crave some warm and vibrant hues in nature, a stunning autumn foliage is what you need to experience. And we aren’t talking about those on your computer screens. From rolling hills of China emblazoned in colours to K-drama-esque backdrops in the lush forests of South Korea, here are 7 places in Asia where you can witness breathtaking autumn foliage in all their ardent glory.
Table of Contents
1. Kyoto, Japan
Best times to visit: Mid November to mid December
Image credit: Live Japan via website
Autumn in Japan is every bit as magical as its short-lived cherry blossom season during the dreamy spring. But what makes the autumnal scenery in Kyoto truly unparalleled is the way the historic city wears the fall colours with such grace – the riot of red, gold, and yellow framing opulent shrines, fiery red Japanese maple encircling old temples and ginkgo trees raining gold and carpeting walkways amber.
Kiyomizu Dera Temple is one of the most popular spots right in the heart of Kyoto that exudes the quintessential autumn landscape in Japan. The thicket of trees transforms into such fervent red that almost engulf the temple – it’s almost as if it’s floating in a sea of red. Head up to the terrace for the most phenomenal view of the red maple or momiji leaves, or stay till night to see the entire place glow, literally.
Image credit: @white_fang_7 via Instagram
If you would like to enjoy nature’s artistry without the crowd, Umekoji Park is a great place to head to, it’s mostly popular among locals. The park itself is awash with colours but the highlight is Suzaku No Niwa, a 6m-tall waterfall with crimson-coloured maple leaves adorning the cascade of water.
During the autumn season, this part of the park is usually open from 9am to 9pm from Tuesdays to Sundays.
2. St. Petersburg, Russia
Best times to visit: Mid September to early November
Image credit: Ilya Shtrom via One Big Photo’s website
St. Petersburg, the romantic imperial city of Russia, is plenty picturesque throughout the year with magnificent palaces and pretty parks. But it gets a whole lot more captivating when autumn gets a grip on the city and sets the metropolitan ablaze with rich hues of ochre and russet.
“Golden Autumn” as the Russians call it, the days of leaves turning into burnished gold and bronze autumnal sunlight are rather short.
Image credit: Russia Beyond via website
Bask in the balmy temps and beauty of Tauride Garden, which is home to lush old oaks and linden trees emblazoned in gold, lined along a tranquil pond. St. Petersburg’s oldest park, the popular Summer Garden, boasts dazzling fall foliage that enhances its baroque beauty of verdant shrubs, marbled statues, and bubbling fountains.
The Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood is an enchanting sight not to be missed during the autumn as well. Don’t let the name scare you away – the grandiose structure is at its finest when shrouded in the golden light and decorated against a landscape of vermillion and rust.
3. Seoul, South Korea
Best times to visit: Mid October to early November
Image credit: @8ak8ak via Instagram
Autumn in Korea is as romantic as what you see in those K-dramas. Forests, parks, and Hanok villages erupt in seasonal hues of bright orange and red, even in central Seoul.
While the large metropolitan city is known for its towering skyscrapers and modern malls, the fall foliage is best experienced amidst the country’s traditional and cultural landscapes – especially at the majestic historic palaces.
Explore the scenic pavilions and dreamy gardens of Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden and soak up the changing colours of the maple leaves, their spectacular golden reflected onto the glistening ponds. To truly make a lasting memory, rent a hanbok and make sure to get tons of pictures taken against the enchanting backdrop.
Image credit: @iloveit_color via Instagram
Crunch your way through Seoul Forest Park, where you’ll be in awe at the tall ginkgo trees lined up like sentries along the trails, blanketing the pathways to make a dazzling panoply of crimson and rust shades.
4. Sichuan, China
Best times to visit: Mid September to mid November
Image credit: Hongyu Guo via Flickr
The Sichuan Province in Southwestern China takes on a whole new charm during the fall – the beauty of its lush highlands and mountainous terrains are accentuated when drenched in autumn’s palette, and untouched by torrents of tourists.
There are many reasons why Jiuzhaigou Valley in Sichuan is a UNESCO World Site Heritage. The national park is stunning all year round, but it is truly a sight to behold when Fall arrives The plume of trees and shrubs are draped in every colour imaginable – burnt orange and golden brown are in abundance dotted bright scarlet and even vivid green. When reflected on the various hues of blue, emerald, and turquoise of the lake, the striking image is almost surreal to witness.
Image credit: @tzido via Freepik
Thanks to the otherworldly landscape of snow-capped peaks and ice glaciers that overlook the sprawling hills decked out in golden trees, Daocheng Yading is known as a holy land, or more specifically “The Last Pure Land on Our Blue Planet”. Come autumn, the rolling hills provide a myriad of red, brown, and gold colours that contrast the pure white mountains behind beautifully, views for days and days.
5. Kashmir, India
Best times to visit: Mid October to mid November
Image credit: @photopedia47 via Instagram
“If there is paradise on Earth, it is this, it is this, it is this”. When Amir Khusro, a court poet of the Delhi Sultanate, marvelled at the enthralling beauty of the autumnal scenery of Kashmir Valley in India, we felt that.
There is something so regal and mystifying about the rugged beauty of autumn or ‘harud’ in Kashmir, when forests are a blaze of bloom and chinar leaves strewing the streets are the boldest of carmine and russet.
Meandering through the Mughal Gardens in Srinagar feels like a walk through a forest of fire – solely visually – as it puts on such a brilliant show of autumn foliage, it’s almost cinematic. Brief as autumn may be in Kashmir, it most certainly leaves a lasting impression.
6. Taichung, Taiwan
Best times to visit: Early November to December
Image credit: Arlene Hsu via Flickr
Taichung in Taiwan is criminally underrated when it comes to the topic of autumn foliage, especially since the country flaunts such a vibrant array of fall hues during the autumn season.
Trust us when we say picking one must-see spot isn’t easy, but Wuling Farm is one of the best places in Taiwan to see autumn at its most colourful. Maple trees dominate the scenery mostly, their leaves stained beautiful shades of red and yellow. The farm also features a variety of flowers, fruit trees, and animals, which adds to the charm and excitement of nature walks within the area.
Alternatively, you can rent a bicycle or hop on a sightseeing bus to explore various attractions within the farm, including the watermill house, alpine botanical garden, and high-mountain tea plantation.
Image credit: Ted Tsang via Flickr
Fushoushan Farm is another autumn foliage destination in Taichung that’s an absolute spectacle. Apart from the majestically red maple trees that shroud the farm, visitors can also enjoy a very typical fall activity – apple-picking. Known as the ‘Switzerland of Taiwan’, the high-altitude farm grows fresh apples that’ll have you fully immersed in the flavours of fall once you sink your teeth into those crisp honeyed bodies.
7. Sapa, Vietnam
Best times to visit: September to November
Image credit: Sapa Nomad via website
Sapa in Vietnam flaunts a different kind of autumn foliage, but one that’s no less pretty than the usual red and orange backdrops. Instead of deep scarlet trees and ginger leaves fluttering by your ankles, you’ll find cascading rice terraces glowing golden during the autumn in Sapa, also marking the start of the rice harvest season.
Displaying such a breathtaking scene is the Muong Hoa Valley, its once vibrant green oasis tinged yellow stretching out before you, and the sweet fragrance of ripe rice in the air. Trekking tours are available at the lush rice terraces, where you can experience the traditional way of cultivation, and even try your hands out in some farming activities including planting and harvesting.
Autumn destinations in Asia for best views of the fall foliage
Seasons change, and so too do the leaves of these countries in Asia. And what a sight these canvas of warm-coloured leaves make, so much so that we would travel across lands to revel in these foliages. Whether you’re the type to have a leaf-peeping bucket list or would just love to escape our summer-y lands for a bit, these autumn foliage destinations in Asia will have you hoping for the golden season to last forever.
Read more for guides on travel destinations in Asia:
Cover image adapted from: Hongyu Guo via Flickr, @8ak8ak via Instagram, Live Japan via website, @photopedia47 via Instagram