Gangwon Autumn Itinerary 2026: Scenic Spots, Festivals and K-Drama Views
Maybe you should skip Seoul this time!
There’s more to Korea than Seoul and Busan. Come autumn, Gangwon State offers a chance to slow down and go beyond Korea's usual city stops.
But what’s even in Gangwon? Quite a lot, especially if your ideal Korea trip involves more than shopping and café-hopping.
If you’re into films, photography, K-dramas, nature, Korean heritage, or simply love dilly-dallying by the beach, Gangwon gives you plenty of reasons to stay a little longer. Here’s a four-day Gangwon autumn itinerary built around different travel interests.
Day 1: For the K-drama fan
Image credit: aqerke.as, stevanysupardi, kimmiso00_, and koreafanclub | Instagram
Route: Gangneung → Jumunjin Breakwater → Jumunjin Beach → Gangneung Coffee Street
Start your trip by the sea in Gangneung, where one of Gangwon’s most famous K-drama moments came to life.
Jumunjin Breakwater
This is the Goblin spot.
Fans of Guardian: The Lonely and Great God will recognise Jumunjin Breakwater as the place where Ji Eun-tak and Kim Shin first meet by the sea.
Recreate the scene if you want, but don’t treat it as a quick photo stop. The coastline is part of the charm, especially in autumn when the weather is cooler and you can actually enjoy standing by the water without rushing off.
Jumunjin Beach
Stay by the coast and slow things down at nearby Jumunjin Beach.
This is your slow part of the day. No major itinerary pressure. Just sea views, photos and enough time to soak up the local coastal vibe, with a little K-drama charm along the way.
Gangneung Coffee Street
Wind down with coffee by the sea at Gangneung Coffee Street, where coffee and coastal views go hand in hand.
Gangneung is well known for its café culture, so this makes an easy final stop after a day of filming locations and coastal views.
If your Korea obsession goes beyond K-dramas to K-pop, save our separate Gangwon guide for BTS and K-pop fans for more fan-focused stops.
Day 2: For the traveller who takes photos of everything
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Route: Wonju → Bangye-ri Ginkgo Tree → Sogeumsan Grand Valley → Wonju Jungang Market & Traditional Market Area
Day two is for the person who comes home from every trip with 3,000 new photos.
Bangye-ri Ginkgo Tree
Start with one of Wonju’s most dramatic autumn sights.
The Bangye-ri Ginkgo Tree is estimated to be more than 800 years old and stands around 33 metres tall. Come during peak autumn and the entire tree turns a brilliant golden yellow, easily making one of the best backdrops for autumn photos in Wonju.
There’s no complicated activity here. You come, take in its sheer size, enjoy the golden hues, and probably spend much longer taking photos than you planned.
Sogeumsan Grand Valley
Next, swap one giant tree for a whole valley.
Sogeumsan Grand Valley has bridges and viewpoints stretching above the Seomgang River and surrounding forest. In autumn, the scenery shifts into warm shades of red, orange and gold.
The cable-car course costs ₩18,000 (around SGD 17) per adult, making it an easy way to take in the views without turning the day into a full hike.
Image credit: VisitKorea Website
If you’re still around in the evening, stay for the Night of Light Show at Ganhyeon Tourist Area. The show uses media projections, lasers, music and a fountain that shoots water up to 60 metres high against the natural rock wall.
In 2026, the show runs on Saturdays and public holidays until 31 October, with a summer break in July and August. It’s free to watch, so it’s an easy add-on after a day at Sogeumsan Grand Valley.
That gives you two very different sides of the valley in one visit: autumn scenery by day, then a light-and-water show after dark.
Wonju Jungang Market & Traditional Market Area
Image credit: VisitKorea Website, FN News Website, Korea JoongAng Daily Website
End the day at Wonju Jungang Market, but don’t stop at the food stalls.
Head up to Level 2 for Maze Art Market, a creative space filled with small workshops run by young entrepreneurs. You’ll find handicrafts, home cooking and ceramic arts, plus occasional performances, flea markets and hands-on activities. It gives the traditional market a more playful side and is worth a quick browse before dinner.
If you’re in Wonju from 23 to 25 October 2026, stay for the Wonju Mandu Festival. This year, star chef Jung Ji-sun, known for her dim sum expertise and TV appearances, is the festival ambassador. She’ll also appear at the festival for a live cooking show.
That makes this stop more than a place to grab a meal. You get local market culture, a creative arts space and, if your dates line up, one of Wonju’s biggest food events in one go.
Day 3: For anyone looking for nature and a little peace
Image credit: _anymont | Instagram, Sanga Park | Getty Images, and Jueon Kim 김주언 | Pexels
Route: Chiaksan National Park → Guryongsa Temple → Guryongsa Valley
Day three is for slowing things down and spending more time outdoors.
Chiaksan National Park
Start with Chiaksan National Park, one of Wonju’s best-known natural attractions.
Autumn is when the mountain really comes alive, with forest trails, cooler weather and slopes turning red, orange and gold. You don’t need to commit to a serious hike either. There are gentler walking routes if you’d rather enjoy the scenery without turning the day into a workout.
Guryongsa Temple
From there, continue to Guryongsa Temple, a historic temple set within Chiaksan National Park. Legend has it that the temple site was once a pond where nine dragons lived.
The walk to the temple takes you through a gentle forest path lined with red pines and vibrant autumn foliage. If you have more time, you can also consider a temple stay for a quieter experience.
Guryongsa Valley
Take your time around Guryongsa Valley before heading back. Follow the stream, take a breather by the water, and enjoy the mountain scenery without rushing to the next stop.
It’s a simple way to end the day, with the kind of nature and peace you came to Wonju for.
Image credit: Korea Tourism Organization (Singapore) | Facebook
If you’re not driving, the Wonju Tourist Taxi can help connect these spots around Wonju. The foreigner-only service costs ₩33,000 before VAT (around SGD 31) for three hours, with each additional hour costing ₩20,000 (around SGD 19). And you can even pick your favourite places, plan your route and explore Wonju at your own pace.
Day 4: For travellers drawn to Korean Heritage and History
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Route: Pyeongchang → Woljeongsa Temple → Needle Fir Forest Trail
Finish the trip in Pyeongchang, where Korean heritage, history and scenery come together beautifully.
Woljeongsa Temple
Head to Woljeongsa Temple, a historic Buddhist temple on Odaesan Mountain with around 1,400 years of history.
The temple complex is surrounded by traditional Korean architecture, stone pagodas and lush forest, making it feel worlds away from the fast-paced streets of Seoul. Even if you’re not especially interested in temples, the setting alone makes Woljeongsa worth the visit.
Needle Fir Forest Trail
Right beside the temple is the Needle Fir Forest Trail, a roughly one-kilometre path lined with around 1,700 tall fir trees.
It’s peaceful, photogenic and easy to walk, with fresh mountain air, forest scents and the soothing sounds of nature. In autumn, the foliage adds beautiful colour, so it works as a gentle finish to the itinerary.
K-drama fans also get one final bonus here. The trail was a filming location for Goblin, including the memorable snowy scene where the goblin and his bride confirm their love. It’s a fitting final touch to a trip chasing that cinematic Gangwon feeling.
Why Gangwon is worth adding to your Korea autumn itinerary
Image credit: kimmiso00_
If you can, time your trip around September to late October 2026, when Gangwon’s seasonal calendar is especially packed.
Here are the key festivals to watch for:
Wonju Dancing Carnival: 18–20 September 2026
Chuncheon Makguksu & Dakgalbi Festival: 14–18 October 2026
Gangneung Coffee Festival: 21–25 October 2026
Wonju Mandu Festival: 23–25 October 2026
That means you can plan your Gangwon trip around more than just fall foliage. Come for dance performances in Wonju, local favourites like makguksu and dakgalbi in Chuncheon, coffee by the coast in Gangneung, or a full-on mandu feast back in Wonju.
Just make sure to check Gangwon Tourism’s official website and social media page for festival updates.
Image credit: @Seoul_CafE, @marlon_gevity, koreatourism | X, and Moha El-Jaw from Getty Images
For travellers who already know Seoul and Busan, autumn is a great time to discover a different side of Korea in Gangwon. Whether you’re into K-dramas, photography, nature, Korean heritage or seasonal festivals, there’s plenty here to build your trip around what you enjoy most.
Note: Singapore dollar conversions are approximate and may change depending on the exchange rate at the time of your trip.
About Author
Wynona Purl is a pop-culture junkie, writer, and editor from the Philippines. She runs an indie style & culture magazine called Modamorph that features artists from the underground scene. A certified chatterbox who loves cats, anything ube, and always has guts and curiosity. For her, life’s fortune always favours the bold. She hopes to see more of the world someday and turn those travels into stories.