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Seongbulsa Temple, Mt. Namsan, Gyeongju

With our first blast of brisk weather and leaves starting to turn, fall is finally settling on Gyeongju.  In about a week or so all the brilliant red, orange and gold autumn leaves will be at their peak, so I suggest getting out to enjoy their beauty before the dreariness of winter sets in.  If you need any inspiration to get out of the house, here’s a photo essay of my favorite fall scenes in Gyeongju. Here they are (in no particular order):

1. The Ginko Trees of Sunhyejeong Shrine (숭혜전):

Sunhyejeong Shrine, Gyeongju

Sunhyejeong Shrine, Gyeongju

2. The Yearly Rice Harvest:

The Rice Harvest In Gyeongju

The Rice Harvest In Gyeongju

3. The Bonsai Trees of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Botanical Gardens (경상북도산림환경연구소):

Bonsai Trees of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Botanical Gardens

Bonsai Trees of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Botanical Gardens

4. Food-drying in the Farm Villages:

Drying Vegetables, Gyeongju

Drying Dwengjang, Gyeongju

5. Autumn Leaves at Bunhwangsa Temple (분황사):

Bunhwangsa Temple, Gyeongju

Bunhwangsa Temple, Gyeongju

6. The Empty Fields of Namsan-dong (남산동):

Namsan-dong Fields, Gyeongju

Namsan-dong Fields, Gyeongju

7. The Maple Trees of Okryeongam Hermitage (옥룡암):

Okryeongam Hermitage, Gyeongju

Okryeongam Hermitage, Gyeongju

8. A Night Stroll in the No-dong (노동) Tombs :

Night in the No-dong Tombs, Gyeongju

Night in the No-dong Tombs, Gyeongju

Even though it’s getting a bit chilly, you can easily visit all of the places I’ve mention in an afternoon if you’re on a bike.  You can rent bicycles for just 7,000 won a day at both the Train Station and Bus Terminal (click here for more info).  But if cycling’s not your thing, you can at least stroll from downtown through the No-dong Tombs, Sunghyejeon Shrine and on to Gyerim Forest and the ruins of Banwolseong Fortress.  And if you happen to stumble some other not-to-miss spots for the fall colors in Gyeongju, please feel free to share them in the comments below.

View Gyeongju Fall Colors in a larger map