When is the best time to visit Gochang for autumn foliage?

The peak season for autumn foliage in Gochang, particularly at Seonunsa Temple, is from late October to early November.

Is there an entrance fee for the UNESCO Dolmen Sites?

Yes, the admission fee is 2,000 KRW (approx. $1.50 USD) for adults and 1,000 KRW for teenagers.

What can I do at Sangha Farm?

Sangha Farm offers various experiences such as cheese making, baking, and animal feeding. It also has a Farmers Market and restaurants serving local food.

When is the Gochang Moyangseongje (Fortress Festival) held?

The festival is held annually around the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. In 2025, it is scheduled from October 29 to November 2.

Is Gochang suitable for a 2-day trip?

Yes, a 1-night 2-day itinerary is perfect for exploring major spots like Seonunsa Temple, Gochang Fortress, and Dongho Beach leisurely.

Gochang Travel Guide: A Perfect 2-Day Autumn Itinerary & Top 10 Spots

Gochang, located in Jeollabuk-do (Southwest Korea), is a destination beloved by many travelers for its beautiful autumn foliage and sunsets. Representative Gochang travel courses include the Seonunsa Temple maple trail, Sangha Farm where families can enjoy rural experiences, and Dongho Beach and Gusipo Beach, famous for their spectacular sunsets. In addition, the Moyangseongje (Fortress Festival), Gochang's representative autumn festival, offers a variety of entertainment. In this article, we introduce 10 places worth visiting and a 1-night 2-day travel course for those planning a trip to Gochang.

Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Gochang

Seonunsa Temple

Seonunsa is a representative temple in Gochang, Jeollabuk-do, and many tourists visit to see the autumn leaves. The path from the entrance of the temple to the Daeungjeon Hall is known as a great walking course with red maples forming a tunnel. On the way to Dosolam Hermitage, you can enjoy the scenery harmonized with the valley, and the area around Cheonwangmun Gate is highly popular as a photo spot.

Admission is free, and it is convenient to use the paid parking lot near the entrance of Seonunsa. The peak season for autumn foliage is from late October to early November, and you can look around relatively quietly if you visit in the morning.

Seonunsa Temple

Ungok Wetland Ecological Park

Ungok Wetland Ecological Park is a natural ecological wetland located at the foot of Seonunsan Mountain, a representative natural attraction in Gochang where you can enjoy different scenery in each season. Especially in autumn, silver grass and reeds grow abundantly, making it good for walking, and exploration trails and observatories are well maintained around the wetland.

The trail is about 2km long, so even beginners can walk without burden. There is a bird observatory at the halfway point, which is great for observing migratory birds. Admission is free, and it takes about 10 minutes by car from the Seonunsa parking lot. The Visitor Center operates exhibitions and commentary programs on wetland ecology.

Ungok Wetland Ecological Park

Sangha Farm

Sangha Farm is an experience-based farm located in Sangha-myeon, Gochang-gun, visited by many family travelers. Various programs such as cheese making, baking experiences, and animal feeding are operated within the farm. Experiences can be reserved in advance, and some can be participated in on-site.

Admission is 8,000 KRW (approx. $6.00 USD) for adults and 6,000 KRW (approx. $4.50 USD) for children, and additional costs apply depending on the experience program. The Farmers Market sells local agricultural products and handmade goods, and the Farmers Restaurant offers meals made with local ingredients. The wide lawn is great for children to run around, and flowers bloom in spring and autumn, making it perfect for a stroll.

Sangha Farm

Sangha Farm Farmers Village

Farmers Village is an accommodation facility located within Sangha Farm, a great place to spend a day in the quiet atmosphere of the countryside. From the rooms, you can overlook the wide lawn and the farm view. The interior is clean and suitable for families or couples. Guests can enjoy discounts on experience programs within Sangha Farm, and the breakfast buffet features menus made with local ingredients. Parking is available right in front of the accommodation. Check-in is at 3 PM and check-out is at 11 AM. Early reservation is required on weekends and during the autumn foliage season.

Farmers Village

Room Type	Accommodation Type	Standard Occ.	Weekday Rate (Approx.)
Terrace Room	Hotel	2 people	290,000 KRW ($215 USD)
Family Room	Hotel	3~4 people	310,000 KRW ($230 USD)
Ondol Room	Hotel (Korean Style)	2~3 people	290,000 KRW ($215 USD)
Glamping	Glamping	3~4 people	190,000 KRW ($140 USD)

Various other room types are available, and rates may vary depending on the season and day of the week. Detailed room configurations and reservations can be found on the Sangha Farm Official Website.

Breakfast is served at the restaurant on the 1st floor of Farmers Village and is a buffet style using Sangha Farm ingredients. The breakfast rate is 22,000 KRW ($16 USD) for adults and 16,000 KRW ($12 USD) for children (37 months to 13 years old). It may be included in some accommodation packages.

Farmers Village restaurant buffet with various foods

Farmers Village Breakfast

Gochang Dolmen Sites (UNESCO World Heritage)

The Gochang Dolmen Sites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the world's largest concentration of dolmens (prehistoric stone tombs). About 1,200 dolmens are spread across the fields, allowing you to enjoy both historical ruins and natural scenery.

The site features an outdoor exhibition hall and commentary courses, with well-maintained parking lots and walking paths. The Dolmen Museum hosts exhibitions that help visitors understand the historical background of Gochang along with prehistoric artifacts. Admission is 2,000 KRW ($1.50 USD) for adults and 1,000 KRW ($0.75 USD) for teenagers. Visiting hours are from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Gochang Dolmen Sites

Dongri Shin Jae-hyo's Old House (Pansori Museum)

The old house of Dongri Shin Jae-hyo is the residence of Shin Jae-hyo (1812–1884), a theorist and patron of Pansori (traditional Korean musical storytelling). He is known for systematically organizing the six Madang (stories) of Pansori. The Sarangchae (men's quarters), built in the first year of King Cheoljong's reign (1850), remains and is designated as a National Folklore Cultural Heritage. It is located near Gochang Fortress, making it a good place to visit together. Behind the old house, the Gochang Pansori Museum and Dongri Traditional Music Hall offer a glimpse into the history of Pansori.

Shin Jae-hyo's Old House

Gochang Fortress (Moyangseong)

Gochang Fortress, also known as 'Moyangseong', is a stone fortress built during the Joseon Dynasty. A trail of about 1.7km follows the fortress wall, and climbing the fortress path offers a panoramic view of Gochang town. During the autumn foliage season, the forest path inside the fortress turns red, making it a popular photo spot.

Admission is 1,000 KRW ($0.75 USD) for adults and 700 KRW ($0.50 USD) for teenagers, and the parking lot is right in front of the entrance. In the evening, the lights around the fortress walls are turned on, making it a great course for a night walk. Inside the fortress, there is a traditional costume experience space and a small museum, making it suitable for family visits.

Gochang Fortress

Gochang Traditional Market

Gochang Traditional Market is a traditional market frequented by both locals and tourists, selling a variety of fresh agricultural products and specialities. You can buy local delicacies and processed goods such as Bokbunja (black raspberries), Pungcheon Eel, watermelon, and Gochang rice. Inside the market, there are restaurants focusing on snacks and Korean food, and Baekban (home-style meal) menus made with seasonal ingredients are popular at lunchtime.

Although the market is not large, the alleys are well organized. It is convenient to use the public parking lot behind the market, and you can walk to Gochang Fortress.

Gochang Traditional Market

Dongho Beach

Dongho Beach, located in Haeri-myeon, Gochang-gun, is characterized by a long sandy beach and shallow water. It is popular as a swimming beach in summer and as a sunset viewing spot in autumn and winter. Especially at sunset, many travelers enjoy taking pictures as the red glow blends with the sea.

Free parking is available at the entrance to the beach, and there are camping sites and simple shower facilities nearby. You can taste seafood, grilled eel, and gizzard shad sashimi at nearby restaurants. Marine leisure experiences are operated in summer, but in autumn, it is a good place to take a quiet walk and relax.

Dongho Beach

Gochang Cheongnongwon

Cheongnongwon is a garden-type tourist destination in Gochang where you can best enjoy autumn pink muhly. About 16,500m² of the 66,000m² site is created as a pink muhly garden, and in autumn, soft pink silver grass fills the farm, attracting many tourists. Hanok (traditional houses), pavilions, and photo zones are placed throughout the garden, making it great for taking pictures and walking.

Visitor Information

Admission: 5,000 KRW ($3.70 USD) / Free for elementary school students and younger
Operating Hours: 9:00 AM ~ 6:00 PM (Last admission 5:30 PM)
Parking: Free
Pets: Allowed if under 12kg, wearing a leash, and carrying waste bags
Cafe & Traditional Space: Shelter Cafe Cheong, Suramje
Pink Muhly Season: Late September ~ Mid-November

Gochang Cheongnongwon

Gochang Moyangseongje (Fortress Festival)

Moyangseongje is Gochang's representative autumn festival held at Gochang Fortress (Moyangseong). It is held every year around the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. It is a great event where you can feel the history and culture of the region through traditional folk games (such as fortress wall walking to wish for longevity), performances, and experience activities. If you visit Gochang during this period, do not miss the festival.

Gochang Moyangseongje

2025 Festival Information

Period: October 29 ~ November 2, 2025 (5 days)
Location: 11, Moyangseong-ro, Gochang-eup, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do (Gochang Fortress area)
Admission: Free

When I visited last year, it was good to enjoy traditional performances and the fortress walking experience with my family during the day. When the sun went down, the lights turned on the fortress walls and the lantern parade made me realize how lively the usually quiet Gochang could be.

In particular, the street parade is the biggest attraction where residents and tourists can mingle together, and it can be called the highlight of the festival.

Detailed festival schedules and programs can be found on the Moyangseongje Official Website.

Gochang 1 Night 2 Days Itinerary

Gochang can be explored leisurely on a 1-night 2-day schedule. We recommend a travel course where you can enjoy autumn leaves, rural experiences, and sea scenery.

Recommended Itinerary

Day 1: Seonunsa Maple Trail → Ungok Wetland Ecological Park → Gochang Fortress → Traditional Market → Stay at Farmers Village
Day 2: Sangha Farm Experience → Cheongnongwon (Pink Muhly Garden) → Dongho Beach (Sunset)

This is a short schedule, but it is a Gochang travel course where you can experience the autumn atmosphere and local culture together, recommended for families or couples. Depending on your travel style, you can add nearby destinations or look around together.

In this article, we looked at Gochang's major tourist destinations, a 1-night 2-day course, and the autumn festival, Moyangseongje. There are many travel destinations to visit in the season when the leaves change color, but Gochang is the place that best suits autumn.

It is a great family travel destination as there are various attractions that all generations can enjoy, such as Seonunsa Maple Trail, Gochang Fortress, and Sangha Farm. If you are planning a relaxing trip feeling the mood of autumn, visit Gochang, Jeollabuk-do this year.