visitseoul.net

If you want to experience the most beautiful moments of autumn in Seoul, university campuses are places you should never miss. When the ginkgo trees turn golden and the maple leaves fill the pathways, every tree-lined road on campus becomes the warmest scenery of the season. The European style architecture of Kyung Hee University glows even more fantastically under the autumn light, while the wide lawn and classical stone walls of Korea University create a quiet, scholarly atmosphere. Yonsei University’s ginkgo tree road has appeared in countless dramas, and the modern glass buildings of Ewha Womans University make the footsteps of free spirited youth shine even brighter. Four campuses and four different moods come together in the autumn light, completing the trajectory of youth that the city of Seoul embraces.

Korea University: Deep Autumn Campus Mood Across a Wide Lawn

The moment you enter Korea University, the scene before you is overwhelming. The vast lawn that spreads out before the main gate, the fountain sparkling in the sunlight, the laughter and cheers of graduates taking photos in their caps and gowns, even the clicking of camera shutters, all fill the campus air with the scent of youth.

As you move further inside the campus, you will notice the tiger that symbolizes the school appearing everywhere. Sculptures, mascots and small tiger dolls at the souvenir shop all reveal the university’s strong pride and passion.

The most striking symbol is the tiger sculpture. Built in 1965 through voluntary contributions from enrolled students, the sculpture represents the spirit of young people standing tall and roaring on the earth. With its form firmly crouched on the ground, standing before it for a photo somehow fills you with courage. This is why many students consider it the emblem of the Korea University spirit.

In autumn, the scenery at Korea University becomes almost excessively beautiful. The ginkgo trees turn golden, and the maples become vivid red, filling the space between the classical stone walls and the gray buildings as if the entire campus were covered with a soft filter. Sitting on the lawn and watching students hurry past, you may suddenly feel the urge to work harder and become better. Youth has the power to be contagious.

Korea University

 1-2 Anam dong 5 ga, Seongbuk gu, Seoul
 Subway Line 6, Anam Station, Exit 2 (about 474 m on foot)

Kyung Hee University: Autumn Light Layered Over a European Style Palace

Kyung Hee University is famous for its beauty in every season. In spring, pink cherry blossoms bloom; in summer, the campus is filled with deep green; and in winter, a fairy tale like snowy landscape unfolds. But Kyung Hee University in autumn is the kind of place that makes you stop and want to stay longer. Shades of gold, orange and deep red blend together, tinting the entire campus in warm colors, and every shutter click captures a scene that looks like it was painted with a brush.

The most impressive spots are the Grand Peace Hall and the Central Library. Designed in a classic European palace style, the dignified colonnades, symmetrical structure and grand staircases become especially romantic when paired with fallen autumn leaves. Major school events and activities are held at the Grand Peace Hall, making it a symbolic space of Kyung Hee University. In front of the Central Library, several statues stand in place, and as the weather grows colder, you may even see students wrapping scarves around them in a heartwarming gesture.

Simply walking along the tree shaded paths is enough to fully enjoy Kyung Hee University’s autumn. With a cup of coffee in hand, you can admire the leaves slowly covering the steps and listen to the gentle chatter of students. The moment you slow your pace, the entire campus feels like a soft autumn love letter, making it hard to leave.

Kyung Hee University

 1-5 Hoegi dong, Dongdaemun gu, Seoul
 Subway Line 1, Hoegi Station, Exit 1 (about a 20 minute walk or take Green Bus 1)

Yonsei University: The Ginkgo Tree Road of Korean Dramas

Yonsei University is perhaps one of the most photogenic campuses in Seoul. This is especially true in autumn. As you enter the campus, the first thing that catches your eye is the famous ginkgo tree road seen in many iconic Korean drama scenes. Golden ginkgo leaves line both sides of the road and form an arch overhead, with sunlight streaming softly through them. When a gentle breeze blows, the golden leaves fall slowly, making a soft rustling sound beneath your feet.

Following the ginkgo road deeper into the campus, you will come across two symbols of Yonsei University: the eagle sculpture and Underwood Hall. The eagle sculpture spreads its wings wide as if ready to take flight at any moment, symbolizing the spirit of Yonsei. Students often tilt their heads up to look at the eagle as they pass by, feeling a subtle sense of encouragement.

Near the eagle sculpture stands the quiet, classical Underwood Hall. The ivy covering the building walls changes from green to red in autumn, giving the entire structure a stately, historic ambiance. Named after Horace G. Underwood, the American missionary who founded Yonsei University, this building is one of the school’s most important historic landmarks. Standing in front of it, you may feel a deep resonance where history, knowledge and youth meet in one place.

Yonsei University

 134 Sinchon dong, Seodaemun gu, Seoul
Subway Line 2, Sinchon Station, Exit 2 (about a 20 minute walk)

Ewha Womans University: Steps of Youth Along a Glass Slope

Located just a short walk from Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University has a distinctly different atmosphere. While Yonsei feels like a bright and open landscape of youth, Ewha evokes a quiet and elegant European style garden. From the front gate, you can see the pointed roof of Ewha Chapel perched on the hill in the distance. It stands out beautifully between the blue sky and the autumn leaves, like the opening scene of a film.

The symbolic Ewha Wall marks the entrance to the campus. Built with vertically stacked pale stone blocks, the lines are clean and precise. According to campus lore, anyone who sees this wall in person receives inspiration for their ideal future.

Walking down the sloped path into the campus, you will find the most futuristic landmark of Ewha Womans University: the ECC (Ewha Campus Complex). Designed by world renowned architect Dominique Perrault, the structure stretches deep into the ground like a massive canyon, built entirely of glass and metal. ECC is not just a building but the heart of the campus, housing study rooms, lecture halls, theaters, cafes, bookstores and restaurants. From above, the glass walls reflect the sky and tree shadows, creating a scene where nature and the future intersect. From below, sunlight pours in through the gaps, giving the feeling that time is flowing a little more slowly.

Ewha Womans University

 11-1 Daehyeon dong, Seodaemun gu, Seoul
Subway Line 2, Ewha Womans University Station, Exit 3 (about 540 m on foot)