Discover the 4 Colors of Korea
Most parts of South Korea are dominated by a temperate climate, so the change of seasons there is quite palpable. Discover the 4 colors of Korea. Warm and short spring and autumn are the most favorable. In these seasons the weather is warm, but not hot. For the summer we have the rainy season that begins in late June and ends in about a month.
Spring (March to May)
A typical spring day in Korea feels warm, bordering on slightly hot while the sun is up, but chilly in the early mornings and evenings, so you may still need your winter jackets in March. However, by April, you can explore the country in much lighter clothing.
Around mid-May, you can feel the Summer approaching. The average temperatures are 11°C, 12°C, and 17°C in March, April, and May, respectively, but some days are warmer than others. If you visit Korea during spring, you will fall in love twice; once with the pleasant weather, and twice with the captivating scenery.
Spring is the perfect time for outdoor activities, especially when festivals are celebrate across the country to celebrate the blooming of the flowers and the season’s arrival.
At this time of the year, kkonnori (flower viewing) and sangchungaek (spring picnickers) are part of Koreans’ daily vocabulary as they travel all over the country to view the colorful blossoms.
Some of the most well-known spring festivals, such as the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival, Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, Gurye Sansuyu Flower Festival, International Horticulture Goyang Korea, and Jeju Canola Flower Festival, all focus on spring flowers.
The Hampyeong Butterfly Festival also heralds the arrival of spring with butterflies and insects that are attracted to flowers. Enjoy the Korean spring to the full by walking around as much as possible. You can also go trekking on the Jeju Olle Trail or Haeparang Trail along the East Sea of Korea to luxuriate in the warm landscape spring.
Summer (June to August)
The scorching hot sun signals the arrival of Korea’s summer, followed by a hot and humid monsoon season. The average temperature can quickly rise from 20°C in June to the upper 30’s°C in some areas by July and August. The monsoon season hits Korea between the end of June and the end of July. Meanwhile, in August and September, a number of typhoons with massive rainfall and disorienting winds hit Korea.
The summer in Korea is the best place for beach lovers. It gets stiflingly hot (above 35°C) in the middle of summer, but that is all the more reason for you to dive into the vast open sea at all of the country’s coasts. Korea bustles with beach festivals everywhere. While the Boryeong Mud Festival in Daecheon Beach may be the most internationally famous, the festivals on Korea’s five major beaches, including Haeundae and Gwangalli, also draw in huge crowds with their amazing fireworks and concerts. In particular, Yangyang in Gangwon-do is great for surfers, while visitors should head out to the west coast to frolic on tideland. Cities offer refreshing summer festivals as well.
Throughout Seoul, the numerous Hangang Parks open public pools during summer, and young crowds. gather at Sinchon for its Water Gun Festival. Lastly, Daegu. known as Korea’s hottest city, is home to the Chimac Festival where you can forget the heat with fried chicken and ice-cold beer.
Fall (September – November)
Clear blue skies blanket Korea during the fall. As the weather gets drier each day, the temperature difference during the day and the night also becomes evident. In September and October, the temperatures average around 21°C and 14°C, respectively. Fall foliage begins to color the streets and mountains in October. By November, you will feel winter’s imminent arrival as you keep yourself warm with winter clothes and heating equipment for many days.
Visitors should head out to forests during fall in Korea as the foliage showcases its enchanting and vivid mixture of red, yellow, and orange hues. Particularly the Seoraksan, Naejangsan and Jirisan Mountains are renowned destinations for fall foliage seekers.
Also, golden waves of silver grass sway with the wind in Mindungsan Mountain and the “Yeongnam Alps” in Ulsan. As the weather cools down and the blue sky clears up, you can enjoy trekking along winding paths, such as the Jirisan Trail and the Namsan Trail, Korea also comes alive at night with various festivals, including the Jarasum International Jazz Festival and the fireworks festival in Seoul, Busan, and other cities across the country.
Winter (December to February)
In Korea, winters can get quite cold, making you want to stay indoors in warm ondol rooms, which use under-floor heating systems. However, Jeju Island, the southernmost part of Korea, stays relatively warm, with temperatures averaging around 7°C to 8°C even in January and February. In contrast, Gangwon-do Province, Korea’s northernmost part, sees the temperature drop to -20°C or lower and receives plenty of snow. Other regions vary in temperatures.
Korea is the ideal place for winter sports aficionados looking for skiing and snowboarding. Several regions have an average temperature of around -20°C with plenty of snowfall. In particular, Gangwon-do Province is home to numerous ski resorts.
Those who don’t wish to ski can still appreciate the breathtaking, snow-covered landscape from the Ski Jump Tower at Alpensia, where the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games were held, or from the gondola along the ski slopes at Phoenix Pyeongchang, Besides skiing and sightseeing, visitors can also enjoy ice fishing at festivals like the Hwacheon Sancheoneo loe Festival and the Pyeongchang Trout Festival. Winter is also a great time to to mountain trekking at Seonjaryeong Pass and Taebaeksan Mountain in Gangwon-do, both boasting wonderful winter landscapes until as late as early March.
