A walk along autumn roads

The leaves are changing colors, and people are getting into an autumn mood. Amid huge daily temperature range, trees are changing their colors from green to reds, oranges, yellows and browns. It is perfect time to walk along autumn roads with loved ones.

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The Seoul Metropolitan Government chose 81 places (148.54km) as this year`s most beautiful autumn streets. From Monday to mid next month, the fallen leaves will not be removed for citizens to enjoy the autumn bliss and romance.

One of the most attractive trail in Seoul is Deoksu Palace (800m) street that starts from Daehan Gate. The street varies in color according to season and is one of the favorite walking spots for families and lovers. In autumn, the place is full of yellow gingko leaves, huge zelkova trees and small leaves allowing people to enjoy the autumn mood. It takes just 20 to 30 minutes to walk from the start to end, and is popular among office workers who want to take a walk after lunch. Other enjoyable spots around are buildings more than 100 years old, the Deoksu Palace, city arts museum, concert hall and a movie theater.

The Samcheong-dong street (1.5km) that starts from Dongsipjagak in Jongno District to Samcheong tunnel is a historic autumn leave street full of beautiful zelkovas. The road, with a 10-30 meter width, is where people in Joseon Dynasty enjoyed autumn leaves. The Gyeongbok Palace, Samcheong-dong gallery, pretty workshops and famous restaurants are lined up on the street. The Itaewon street (1km), ranging from Samgakji Station to Noksapyeong Station, which is now hot spot with unique shopping places and good restaurants, also have gingkos and place trees.

Trails along various streams within Seoul are also a good spot to enjoy the autumn flavor. Since there are no cars there, one can enjoy comfortable walking. The Songjeong bank that ranges from Seongdong Bridge to Gunja Bridge is famous for a dense forest. The Jungnang stream bank in Dongdaemun District has prunus yedoensis and zelkovas lined up for 5.2 kilometers. The Ui stream bank trail (3km) in Gangbuk District where plane trees are stretched up high is also a good place to walk. The Cheonggye stream is a nice place to enjoy chionnanthus retusus. Since it is linked with Dongdaemun and Shinseoldong marketplace, a different mood of fall Cheongye stream can be enjoyed.

For those who can`t go hiking at regional areas can go to Mt. Bukhan and Mt. Gwanak for autumn leaves. The 4.19 street and Insubong street in Gangbuk District, and Jinheung street and Mt. Bukhan in Eunpyeong District have beautiful zelkova and chionnanthus retusus. The Ansan trail in Seodaemun has a zelkova trail and when one walk through it he or she can meet metasequioa forest trail.

The 2km trail from the entry of Mt. Gwanak near the front gate of Seoul National University is one of the places where people can meet Seoul`s first autumn leaves. The library in the forest, rest areas and paved roads attract people in wheelchair or those with baby carriage.