Hwadam Forest: A Beginner’s Guide to Korea’s Best Autumn Leaf Garden
The easy guide to Korea’s most popular fall leaf garden, from booking to arrival
Every autumn, Koreans do something called danpung nori (단풍놀이). It means “going out to enjoy the colorful leaves.” People take day trips, walk under red and orange trees, and take lots of photos.
One of the most loved places for this is Hwadam Forest (화담숲), a large garden on a hillside about 1.5 hours from Seoul. It is also one of the hardest places to get tickets for. Don’t worry. This guide explains everything in simple steps.
Why Koreans love Hwadam Forest in autumn
- Great leaves. Fall colors here usually peak from mid-October to early November. Many Korean writers say the busiest time is late October to early November. The exact peak changes every year with the weather.
- Easy walking. The paths are gentle wooden walkways, not hard mountain trails. Families with kids, grandparents, strollers, and wheelchairs can enjoy it. One Korean visitor said they spent about 2 hours walking and taking photos.
- A monorail for the view. A small train runs up and around the hillside. You can enjoy the colorful valley from above. You don’t have to ride it, though.
- Close to Seoul. It is a popular day trip, and many people stay at the nearby Gonjiam Resort.
Because of all this, Hwadam Forest has a famous “ticket war.” Some Korean articles say getting a ticket in peak season is like “picking a star from the sky.” That is why booking early matters.
The most important thing: Booking is very competitive
In autumn, Hwadam Forest sells tickets by online reservation only. There are no tickets sold at the gate during peak season. (Only the small Hwadamchae exhibition hall sells tickets on site, if any are left that day.)
Here are the key facts for 2026:
- Peak season: October 23 (Fri) to November 15 (Sun)
- Admission tickets went on sale: September 16 at 1:00 PM (Korea time)
- Monorail tickets went on sale: September 17 at 1:00 PM
- Limit: reportedly up to 6 tickets per person for the whole peak season
- Time slots: you choose an entry time. Hwadam Forest says to use your tickets at the chosen time, and it does not allow exchanges or refunds if you miss it.
Booking dates change each year. In recent years, tickets for the autumn season opened around mid-September. If you plan a trip next year, check the Notice page on the official website in early September.
What if tickets are already sold out? Don’t give up yet:
- Try the night before. You can cancel for free until 11:59 PM the day before the visit, so many Korean bloggers say new tickets often appear that night.
- Check weekdays. Weekdays are much easier than weekends. (Monday is closed.)
- Try the second half of the season. Early-to-mid November (Nov 2–15) is still part of the foliage season.
- Keep checking. Tickets appear all the time when people cancel.
Before you go: the basics
- Address: 278-1 Docheokwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
- Closed: Every Monday
- Opening hours in 2026 peak season (as reported by Korean travel sites):
- Oct 23 – Nov 1: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry 5:00 PM)
- Nov 2 – Nov 15: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry 4:00 PM)
- Phone: 031-8026-6666
- Website: hwadamsup.com (there is an English version)
Hours change by season and weather, and the official pages showed slightly different times. Please check the Notice page before you go.
Prices
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Hwadam Forest admission, adult (19–64) | 11,000 KRW |
| Senior (65+) / Teen (middle & high school) | 9,000 KRW |
| Child (24 months to elementary school) | 7,000 KRW |
| Under 24 months | Free |
| Hwadamchae (optional exhibition hall) | 5,000 KRW* |
| Monorail, first section (optional) | 5,000 KRW* |
| Monorail, round trip (optional) | 9,000 KRW* |
*These optional prices are from Korean travel blogs, not the official pages I checked. Please confirm on the booking page.
No discounts in October and November. The official site says that discounts (such as membership, veterans, and disability discounts) are not offered during autumn foliage season.
How to book (step by step)
Tickets are sold through NOL, a Korean booking app and website.
Step 1. Go to the Hwadam Forest website and click “Reserve” (예매하기). It takes you to NOL.
Step 2. Sign up or log in to NOL. Do this before the day you buy. Korean bloggers strongly say that doing sign-up and login early saves time.
Step 3. Choose admission ticket, then pick your date, time, ticket type, and number of tickets. In busy times, a waiting screen appears. Don’t refresh the page. Just wait for your turn.
Step 4. Choose optional extras: Hwadamchae and the monorail. You can skip them. During peak season, the monorail you can book online starts from Platform 1. Platforms 2 and 3 sell tickets at machines on site, and the official site warns that monorail tickets can sell out early in spring and fall.
Step 5. Press Buy and pay.
Forgot the monorail? You can add it later in the NOL app or website under My page → order history.
How to enter
- You will get a message with a QR code link. You can also find it in the NOL app: My page → order history → View mobile ticket.
- The QR code turns on 30 minutes before your entry time.
- Scan the QR code at the gate. No paper ticket is needed.
- Do not buy tickets from other people or use screenshots. They will not work, and illegal tickets can be canceled.
- If you ride the monorail, Korean travel blogs say to be at the platform about 10 minutes early.
Canceling
| Ticket | Cancel 1+ day before | Day of visit / no-show |
|---|---|---|
| Admission and Hwadamchae | 100% refund | 30% fee |
| Monorail | 100% refund | 30% fee until 2 hours before; no refund within 2 hours |
If you booked the monorail or Hwadamchae together with your admission ticket, cancel them together.
Questions about booking? Call the NOL Customer Center at 1644-1346.
How to get there from Seoul
By subway + taxi or bus
- Take the Gyeonggang Line to Gonjiam Station (곤지암역).
- Take a taxi, or Gwangju Bus No. 9 (about 30 minutes).
By express bus
Get off at Gonjiam Bus Terminal, then take a taxi or Bus No. 9.
- 1113-1 from Gangbyeon Station (about 1 hr 30 min)
- 500-1 from Jamsil Station (about 1 hr 30 min)
- 500-2 from Gangbyeon Station (about 1 hr 40 min)
By car
Search “Hwadamsup” or “Gonjiam Resort” in your navigation app. Staff will show you where to park. One Korean traveler says parking at Gonjiam Resort means about a 10-minute walk to the entrance.
Tip: Fall weekends are crowded, and traffic is heavy. Leave early. Public transport and taxis may be easier than driving for first-time visitors.
Food and things to know
- Bungeopsneun Jumak (번지없는 주막): a traditional-style restaurant near the pond, with seafood pancakes, acorn jelly, and noodle dishes.
- Cafés: a coffee shop with a gift store, and a bakery near the ticket office.
- Lockers (1,000 KRW) and a convenience store are near the ticket office.
- No outside food is allowed inside.
- Wear comfortable shoes and a warm layer. It is cooler on the hillside.
Quick checklist
- Peak season is Oct 23 – Nov 15, 2026, online booking only
- Choose a time slot, and arrive on time
- Sign up for NOL before you buy
- Look for cancellations the night before
- Closed Mondays
- Check the official Notice page before you go
Final thoughts
Hwadam Forest is gentle, beautiful, and very Korean in the best way. The hardest part is getting the ticket, and the rest is easy. If you plan ahead, you can enjoy the same autumn walk that Koreans wait for all year.
