Autumn Leaves Schedule for Korea, 2011

Here's the 2011 Fall Foliage Schedule, lifted from the KTO website.

"The Korea Meteorological Administration recently announced that the autumnal tint will be making its appearance 1-6 days later than it has in previous years. Leaves on Jirisan Mountain and the central regions of Korea are expected to start changing between October 3rd and 19th, while the southern regions will start experiencing the seasonal bursts of color between October 13th and 30th.

The first foliage* of Seoraksan Mountain is predicted to start around October 3rd, and will reach its peak** around October 18th. The peak time of fall foliage on Naejangsan Mountain will be around the 7th of November. Last but not least, the autumnal tint will peak in the central regions and Jirisan Mountain around middle to late October, and in the southern regions around late October to early November.

2011 Autumn Foliage Schedule ( I've just selected some national parks. For the full schedule, click here.)

How to Read the Info Below:
National Park - Date for First Foliage - Date for the Peak Foliage

NOTE:

*First foliage = 20% of a given area’s foliage has changed color
**Peak foliage = 80% or more of a given area’s foliage has changed colors


Seoraksan  in Gangwon-do (설악산) 10.3 - 10.20
Bukhansan  in Gyeonggi-do, nearest to Seoul  (북한산) 10.19 -  10.28
Naejangsan, a popular place for viewing maple reds (내장산) 10.26 -  11.7
Jirisan - one of the biggest national parks (지리산) 10.13 10.23
Hallasan on Jeju-do (한라산) 10.17- 10.28

See earlier posting on shorter autumns in Korea

sources:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FU/FU_EN_15.jsp?cid=1391042
Courtesy of: Korea Meteorological Administration

Autumn Leaves in South Korea - ETA for 2011

Make your date with the autumn leaves in Korea in October - but look sharp. The season, as I've suspected, is getting shorter and more elusive. See the KBS news article below:

from 2010's autumn foliage schedule posted on the KTO website

From the KBS news website:
"Autumn foliage will appear later than usual this year and the beautiful colors of the changing leaves won't last as long. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that leaves are expected to change color first at Mount Seorak around October third and at Mount Jiri around the 13th. The foilage at Mount Bukhan will begin to turn red around the 19th. These dates are three to four days later than average.

But the crimson foliage is expected to reach its peak faster this year, from mid-October in the central region and late October in the south. The weather agency says higher than normal temperatures through mid-September will push back the start of the turning of the leaves but as temps go down from later this month, the changing of colors will pick up speed."


Same news from Arirang:
"Autumn is here in Korea and you can see the leaves turning a beautiful red at Mt. Seorak starting October 3rd.The Korea Meteorological Administration says the fall foliage will move through late October peaking two weeks after the first showing. High temperatures this month have delayed start of the changing colors compared to an average year by about one to six days depending on the region."

Click here for a comparison with 2010 and with 2009.  Am waiting for the official schedule published by KTO and will post here ASAP for fall foliage hunters.

Sources:

http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Sc_detail.htm?No=84575&id=Sc
http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=120474&code=Ne2&category=2

Stunning Autumn Colours in Chuncheon

Although the main event was the 2010 Chuncheon Marathon in Gangwon-do,  I'm cutting and pasting this photo from the Chosun Ilbo on account of the arresting backdrop to the sports event. Forget about the participants running along the bridge. Just look at the tapestry of colours on the cliff in the background. What a sight. Wonder if any of the runners were distracted enough by the beauty to stop and stare?

Just wishing I was there.

From On the Nine Beautiful Sights in a Mountain  by Yi Yi


The seventh is maples and rocks where autumn's reflected
They are clad with silken cloth of thin clear frost.
Sitting on a cold crag I forget where my house is.


칠곡은 어디메고 풍암楓巖에 추색이 좋다
청상淸霜이 엷게 치니 절벽이 금수이로다
한암寒巖에 혼자 앉아서 집을 잊고 있노라


sources:http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/25/2010102500358.html

http://image.chosun.com/special/inside/flash/100920/100920_autumn_eng.html

http://www.ling.ohio-state.edu/~kyoon/sijo.htm

Quintessential Autumn Colours of Korea

Started out posting  photos of what I thought were the quintessential images of winter in Korea. It soon developed into a mini-series of sorts on this blog with two other postings on spring and summer. To complete this set, here are some pictures of my favourite autumnal colours  in Korea in no particular order.

1. The cosmos is one of the earliest heralds of autumn altlhough it actually starts to bloom in late summer. This wild flower comes in various colours and it also provides inspiration for poets like Ko-Un. Thanks to Bro. Anthony for this translation.

Autumn from Young People's Songs for the Four Seasons

Descending from a train, at every rural station
banks of cosmos were blossoming amidst the coughing
and from the heavens your eyelids were drooping.
As night grew deeper, the stars gave birth.
On an empty table heaped with your death
I happened to receive a brief letter.
A letter is always a death, and a life.
Insects in autumn meadows die splendidly only if leaves are
blown from the trees, not simply falling,
and likewise falls the leaf of your fingerprint voice

Click here for where you can admire cosmos a.k.a. 코스모스    or koseumoseu in Korea.

2. The  cluster amaryllis or kkotmureut blooms around Chuseok  in September. A powder extracted from the dried bulbs of thee crimsom flowers has been used to preserve Buddhist paintings so you can expect to see these on temple grounds such as Seonamsa.  

3. The ghostly beauty of the graceful silver grass will be celebrated throughout October in the Mindungsan Mountain Silvergrass Festival in Jeongseon, Gangwon-do.

4. The size of this photo doesn't do justice to the striking view of persimmons hanging like tiny orange lanterns on bare boughs. The appearance of birds must have been an added bonus for the photographer, Robert.

5. Once read that little compares to the ethereal beauty of a field of buckwheat flowers in the evening light. Apparently its scent is also another autumnal pleasure to savour. The 12th Hyoseok Cultural Festival was held recently in Bongpyeong, the birthplace of author, Lee Hyoseok who gained fame for his short story, "When the Buckwheat Flowers Bloom". I've read one version of it and don't really understand why it resonates so strongly with Koreans. Perhaps one has to be Korean to appreciate fully the story but fortunately one doesn't need to be of any particular nationality to enjoy these flowers.

6. A pity that I could never place white chrysanthemums to decorate the home as my culture has the same practice as the Koreans in using them for funeral wreaths. According to one source, Koreans began to use them for mourning rites at the end of Joseon Kingdom in the late 19th century. While I love the austere purity of the white blooms, the flowers traditionally stood for ``nobility'' and ``solemnity'' and the white variety is in keeping with the Korean tradition of wearing mourning clothes made of white hemp. Still, Koreans are free to celebrate with chrysanthemums in other colours in festivals such as the Masan Chrysanthemum Festival.

7. Don't bother asking me which  is my favourite autumn tree as I would always be torn between the gingko tree ( eunhaeng namu ) and the maple tree. I've heard of people cursing the stink emanating from gingko nuts when they are accidentally stepped on  but I just love the lovely gold and fan-shape of the gingko leaves. For some fancilful stories about this tree which proved hardy enough to survive the Hiroshima blasts, click here.

8. There's good reason why KNTO promotes Maple Korea but I've said it before and I'll say it again here. I worry how about global warming is playing havoc with the carotenoids and anthocyanins ( part of the chemistry and metabolic system of the trees that explain the change of colour). Just hope my feat that autumn is getting shorter and shorter in Korea is unfounded.

9. The mellow browns of metasequoias such as those flanking a road in Damyang or a lane in Nami-seon have a regal air about them. Click here for an earlier posting on these impressive trees which look even more awesome in autumn.

10.  Was wondering how to conclude this list - should I focus on the jujube or red date plant or ginseng? But I stumbled upon a website with these pretty yellow-white flowers of the green tea bushes which apparently bloom between September and November. Had never seen these before but I like drinking green tea more than ginseng so the debate ended there.


Sources:
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/12/2010101200361.html

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/09/2010100900322.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/09/13/2010091300346.html
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2926332
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/10/115_73477.html
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/10/115_73391.html
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2926990
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2926950
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=15329¤t_page=2
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2926536
http://www.korea.net/exploring.do
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=697123
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=293025
http://maryeats.com/2006/10/21/the-truth-about-persimmons/
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/beverage/recipe-sujeonggwa-korean-persimmon-punch-075162
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Korea-Andong-Hahoe_Folk_Village-Persimmon_tree_and_birds-01.jpg
http://discoverkorea.co.kr/bbs/view.php?id=news&page=2&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=hit&desc=asc&no=22
http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=260977
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FU/FU_EN_15.jsp?cid=1101200
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/09/113_45777.html
http://www.korea.net/detail.do?guid=28314
http://www.thewip.net/contributors/2008/08/south_asias_oldest_tree_specie.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn_leaf_color

Autumn Leaves Have Reached Seoraksan!

Autumn leaves have started to appear in Seoraksan! Head for Gangwon-do to catch the fall foliage.

Mountain climbers find autumn has arrived at Mount Seorak in Gangwon yesterday. Cool temperatures seem to have spurred fall colors to appear on mountains in the middle of the Korean Peninsula. [YONHAP]

For earlier postings on Seoraksan, click on the headings below:

Part 1 - Not So Easy Getting Away From It All

Part 2 - Beware of Traffic Jams On Mountain Roads

Part 3 - Osaek In The South Corner

Part 4 - Lessons For The Novice Hiker

Part 5 - Sample The Waters At Osaek

Part 6 - Where To Stay In Osaek

sources:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2926391
http://www.korea.net/news.do?mode=detail&guid=50243
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=651225
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=257506

Around Korea By Bus In Two Weeks, Part 3

Here is the third and final part of my travel itinerary for my 2005 visit. For more information on buses, click here.

2 Nov – Wednesday
In Gwangju but it's all business - sent off emails and changed travellers’ cheques in bank; then walked to the Gwangju bus terminal to head towards Naejangsan. Would you believe it? Traffic jams in the provinces. Long stream of tour buses and cars all clogging up narrow countryside lane leading to entrance of Naejangsan Park. But non-drivers could get busy with their cameras even before reaching the park as the maple trees flanking the lane were already looking very photogenic in their autumn finery.

Very noisy though with all the honking of tour buses and excited chatter of groups of walkers who were about to start their walks or who had just finished their walks and were celebrating in the various restaurants. Found a place to stay in the Happy Days minbak near the main tourist village here, far from the hustle and bustle.

3 Nov – Thursday
Full day of walking in the Naejangsan National Park. Mountains, a cable car ride, trees, temples, streams, waterfalls, pavilions - what more could I ask for? There's even a "bridge of love"! For more on Naejangsan,  click here.

4 Nov – Friday
Boarded a bus to Jongeup and then changed buses for Seonunsan; lucky to be allowed an informal temple stay at Dosolam, about an hour's walk away from Seonunsan's main temple. Stunning autumn foliage here. Though there aren't as many maple trees as in Naejangsan, the colours are really rich and the fallen leaves have created a Persian carpet of sorts on the ground.

5 Nov – Saturday
Explored area around Dosolam at Seonunsan Provincial Park; surprised to stumble upon two spots used for the outdoor shooting of scenes for the popular MBC drama, Jewel in the Palace or Daejanggeum.

The first was a cave and the second,  a cliff - both related to death scenes in the drama series.
Also had the privilege of having tea with some seonims in a nearby hermitage.

6 Nov – Sunday
Seonim persuaded the driver of a private chartered bus of local tourists to let me join them as it was bound for Seoul. But there were a few unexpected stopovers.
First, the bus carrying Buddhist devotees stopped by the beautiful temple at Geumsansa. The three-tiered temple is particularly stunning in winter but I was glad to see Geumsan-sa in autumn anyway.

Next, surprise - I got to revisit Naejangsan but sadly the overnight rain had turned the maple trees into sodden dismal damsels in distress unlike the splendid show-offs from a few days earlier. What a difference a few days make - timing is everything.

On the way back to Seoul, we were entertained with karaoke on board. Even the driver took part.
Spent my last night in a Silloam Sauna, a jjimjilbang or public bathhouse with sauna and other facilities near Seoul Station.

7 Nov – Monday
Boarded bus near Seoul Station to get to the Incheon International Airport and spend a fair bit of time shopping in the supermarket in the basement and checking out the Cultural Experience Corner before my flight home.

Earlier Postings:
Around Korea By Bus in Two Weeks, Part 1
Around Korea By Bus in Two Weeks, Part 2

sources:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=824869&nearBy=food&
http://saunasinkorea.blogspot.com/2010/03/seoul-ktx-station-silloam-sauna-jjimjil.html
http://www.silloamsauna.com/site_en/main/main.asp
http://www.silloamsauna.com/site_en/sub1/sub1_05.asp
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=626600

ETA for Autumn Leaves 2010 - Latest Update

Here's the latest info copied from the KNTO website:
"We all might have to wait just a little bit longer this year to be dazzled by Korea’s brilliant fall foliage. The Korea Meteorological Administration recently announced that the autumnal tint will be making its appearance 1~11 days later than it has in previous years. Leaves on Jirisan and the central regions of Korea are expected to start changing from October 3rd to 18th, while the southern regions will start experiencing the seasonal bursts of color around October 17th to the 30th.

The first foliage of Seoraksan Mountain is predicted to start around October 3rd and will reach its peak around October 20th.* On Mt. Naejangsan, the peak time will be around the 6th of November. In the middle regions and Mt. Jirisan, the autumnal tint will peak around late October; in the southern regions, early November.
*First foliage = 20% of a given area’s foliage has changed colors
*Peak foliage = 80% or more of a given area’s foliage has changed colors

Mountains 2010 Autumn Foliage Schedule


Place  - First Foliage Date  / Peak Time Date

Seoraksan (설악산) - 10.3   /  10.20
Odaesan (오대산)   - 10.6   / 10.28
Bukhansan (북한산) -10.22 / 11.1
Chiaksan (치악산) - 10.15  /  10.31
Woraksan (월악산)- 10.19  /10.27
Songnisan (속리산)- 10.18 / 10.26
Gyeryongsan (계룡산)-10.18 /  10.30
Palgongsan (팔공산) - 10.24  / 11.1
Gayasan (가야산) - 10.18  / 11.3
Naejangsan (내장산) - 10.28 /  11.6
Jirisan (지리산) - 10.17 /  10.29
Mudeungsan (무등산) - 10.27  / 11.12
Duryunsan (두륜산) - 10.30  / 11.11
Hallasan (한라산) - 10.22 / 11.9

The information above comes from the Korea Meteorological Administration and it can be found on the KNTO website.

At the same time, bear in mind, that the weather has been playing mind games with the KMA in recent years. It's getting harder and harder to predict what Mother Nature is going to do, especially when we've not been showing her enough respect. Expect her to behave more capriciously.
 
For instance, just today, the nation is experiencing its first frost this year - temperatures in Gangwon-do have dipped to around zero degrees Celcius.Farmers already badly affected by heavy rains and typhoons are bracing themselves for another attack on their crops because of this unanticipated frost.
 
According to KBS, the "Korea Meteorological Administration has forecast that afternoon highs will hover around 20 degrees Celsius, with strong winds expected to subside later in the afternoon. But the weather agency added that the cold weather is expected to continue through Friday before autumn rains hit the nation on the weekend."

Goodness knows what effect the early frost will have on the autumn leaves.
Please also check out this posting. ( from 2009 as an indication of things to come)