15 Surreal Spots to See Dreamy Pink Muhly in Korea in Autumn 2023

Pink muhly in Korea is a national obsession, and it’s not hard to see why. These fluffy clouds of pink grass cover the country in a romantic hue that’s just begging to be photographed.

Autumn is the season of pink muhly in Korea | ©Lee Bumsu – Korea Tourism Organization

The second autumn hits, absolutely everyone is on the hunt for the most gorgeous pastel fields they can find. Pink muhly in Korea is something you definitely don’t want to miss.

Pink Muhly in Korea

Pink muhly grass isn’t native to Korea, but these days, it feels like the whole country is covered in pink. Botanically known as muhlenbergia capillaris, it actually hails from the American southeast.

Pink muhly in Korea is actually from the American midwest

Pink muhly in Korea started in 2014, when a restaurant, then a church, then a Jeju eco-park planted fields of pink muhly grass to attract customers. It wasn’t long before the hordes were “doing it for the insta,” and well, the rest is history. Now, PINK is as much a colour of autumn in Korea as red, orange, and yellow.

When to see Pink Muhly in Korea

Starting about mid-September, my IG feed turns into a sea of pastel pink grasses – just search #pinkmuhly and you’ll see exactly what I mean. So if you’re planning a trip to Korea for the wonderful months of autumn, you’re in luck. Pink muhly in Korea only grows in cooler temperatures.

Pink muhly in Korea appears in September

The pink muhly grass in Korea starts showing colour on Jeju Island in September and works its way north from there. By the beginning of October, you can count on cotton candy fields of pink muhly in Korea taking over the rest of the country.

It’s pretty much gone by the start of November, so be sure to take advantage of October to get your pink fix.

In Korea, pink muhly grass shows up on Jeju Island first © Dodream, Korea Tourism Organization

*2023 update: It seems like most pink muhly fields in Seoul have been removed this year. They’ve been deemed too invasive. On the outskirts of Seoul, you can still see pink muhly grass at:

• Yangju Nari Park | 458 Mansong-dong, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Misari Speedboat Park | 505, Misa-daero, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Herb Island | 35, Cheongsin-ro 947beon-gil, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Just Released | Limited Edition Autumn Tours

These autumn tours in Korea only take place for a few months each year, and they get booked up fast, because space and timing for them is limited. If you’ve got your heart set on seeing any of these places while visiting Korea in autumn, I recommend reserving a spot as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.

Naejangsan in autumn is a must-see ⓒ Ha Nam-gi, Korea Tourism Organization

Here are the limited autumn day tours available in Korea for 2023 (will be updated as they’re released).

• Hwadam Botanic Garden + Namhansanseong Fortress (UNESCO)  |  September 3rd – October 19th, 2023
• Nari Park, Pink Muhly Grass + Dumulmeori from Seoul  |  September 25th – October 13th, 2023
• Jangtaesan and Jeonju Hanok Village Day Tour from Seoul | September 25th – November 25th, 2023
• Seoraksan Maple Leaves Tour (optional Cable Car) | October 2nd – 20th, 2023
• Alpaca World + Hongcheon Ginkgo Tree Forest  | October 10th – 24th, 2023
• Seoraksan National Park with Cable Car Day Tour from Seoul | October 16th – November 3rd, 2023
• Seoraksan (Osaek Autumn Foliage) + Nami & Garden of Morning Calm OR Alpaca World  |  October 16th – November 3rd, 2023
• Seoul City Autumn Tour (Gamaksan, Eunpyeong Hanok Village, Haneul Park + Jingwansa)  |  October 16th – November 24th, 2023
• Jirisan Scenic Autumn Day Tour from Busan  |  October 23rd – November 2nd, 2023
• Classic Naejangsan National Park Tour (VIP Bus Available)  |   October 26th – November 15th, 2023
• Gyeongju Autumn Foliage Day Tour from Busan  | October 28th – November 15th, 2023
• Memorable Autumn Hunting Day Tour from Busan  |  October 28th – November 15th, 2023
• Naejangsan Autumn Foliage Maples Leaves Tour | October 30th – November 5th, 2023
• Naejangsan National Park + Jeonju Hanok Village from Seoul  |  November 1st – 13th, 2023, Wednesdays and Fridays ONLY

Jangtaesan Recreational Forest is stunning in early to mid-November.

Pink Muhly in Korea | Seoul

At last count, there were at least 32 different places to see pink muhly in Korea. Odds are, you’ll see it in or near Seoul. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular places in the city to tinge your autumn pink.

Haneul Park | 하늘공원

*2023 UPDATE: the pink muhly has been removed from Haneul Park and replaced with pink cosmos. It’s still worth heading there to see silver grass.

You’ll have to ascend 291 stairs to reach Haneul Park, but it’s worth it. At the top, you’ll find gorgeous views of Seoul, vast blue skies, and perfect fields of pink muhly in Korea. There’s also vivid kochia scoparia to make your pictures that much better.

Haneul Park is one of the most popular places to see pink muhly in Seoul

Address: 95 Haneulgongwon-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 마포구 하늘공원로 95

Hours: Daily 9AM – 7:30/10PM (closing time varies month to month based on sunset)

Website

READ NEXT: How to Visit Changeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden in Autumn

Jamwon Hangang Park | 잠원한강공원

At Jamwon Hangang Park’s 6,000 m² grass garden, you’ll find not only pink muhly, but 25 other species of grasses in full bloom. It’s a totally unique spot to get your autumn pics.

Address: 221-124 Jamwon-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 서초구 잠원로 221-124 (잠원동)

Hours: Daily 9AM – 7:30/10PM (closing time varies month to month based on sunset)

Website (only in Korean)

Olympic Park | 올림픽공원

*2023 UPDATE: the pink muhly has been removed from Olympic Park too. 🙁 It’s still worth heading there to see orange cosmos in the wildflowers garden.

Olympic Park is one of a gaggle of attractions in the Jamsil area, that includes Seokchon Lake, Lotte World Adventure, Lotte World Aquarium, and the Seoul Sky Observatory. From September to early November, you can enjoy pink muhly grass in Korea, a rose garden, orange cosmos, and some of the best autumn foliage in the city.

After checking out the pink muhly at Olympic Park, take a break at the nearby Seoulism Cafe. Be sure to head to their rooftop for pictures of one of Seoul’s most famous landmarks.

Olympic Park has a huge field of pink muhly and kochia scoparia.

Address: 424, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 송파구 올림픽로 424 (방이동)

Hours: Daily 5-6AM – 10PM (opening hours vary for pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles)

Website (only in Korean)

Jogyesa Temple | 조계사

As the centre of Korean Buddhism, Jogyesa is gorgeous to visit in any season. There are various festivals and events year round, and visitors are always welcome to visit. In October, there’s a chrysanthemum festival which sees the temple adorned in colourful flowers.

You can even find pinky muhly grass at temples in Korea

You can also see a patch of pink muhly in Korea, that while small, is unique inside a temple setting.

Address: 55, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 종로구 우정국로 55

Hours: open all year

Website

READ NEXT: Complete Guide to Seoul’s Brilliant Lotus Lantern Festival

Pink Muhly in Korea | Gyeonggi-do

Gyeonggi-do is the region surrounding Seoul, so it’s super easy to get out to see these fluffy fields of pink muhly in Korea on a day trip. Here are some of recommendations for where to go.

Anseong Farmland | 안성팜랜드

Anseong Farmland has rotating fields of flowers year-round, but in October, pink muhly and cosmos are the stars of the show. Prepare to be wowed by rolling hills of pinky muhly grass under vivid blue skies. Be sure to look out for one very famous tree amongst all those clouds of pink.

Blue skies, pink grass, and a lone tree. Pretty much perfection.

Address: 28 Daeshindu-gil, Gongdo-eup, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기도 안성시 공도읍 대신두길 28

Hours: Daily from 10AM – 6PM

Website (only in Korean) | English Pamphlet

Yangju Nari Park | 양주나리공원

In some ways it feels like Yangju Nari Park is responsible for the whole pink muhly craze really taking off in Korea. Its fields of pink muhly grass and kochia scopario blew up the feeds of Korean IG users and a trend was born.

Kochia Scoparia is stunning too!

The park has limited opening hours, so it’s best to confirm before heading there. In 2021, the final day was on October 20th.

Address: 814 Gwangsa-dong, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기 양주시 광사동 814

Hours: Daily from 9AM – 6PM

READ NEXT: How to Book the Incredible Gangchon Rail Bike

Peaceland Korea | 평강랜드

Peaceland is a botanical garden in Pocheon, best known for the whimsical giants that hide among its trees. And while the Thomas Dambo designed “Forgotten Giants,” art installation was the big draw for me, there’s also a huge field of pink muhly grass just waiting to be photographed.

The pink muhly was just starting to show at Peaceland at the end of September.

There are 5 Thomas Dambo designed “Forgotten Giants,” at Peaceland.

Address: 171-18 Umulmok-gil Yeongbok-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기도 포천시 영북면 우물목길 171-18

Hours: Weekdays 9AM – 6PM | Weekends 9AM – 7PM

Website (only in Korean)

Baramsae Village | 바람새마을

This pink muhly field can be found next to the Baramsae Picnic Garden near Pyeongtaek. You’ll also find cosmos, sunflowers, globe amaranth and a few cute photo spots near or in the field, like a bus stop, boat, wooden doors, and window frame.

Baramsae Village is a vivid pink muhly field near Pyeongtaek

If you need refreshment, there’s a cafe on site. There’s free parking on site, but it gets filled up early so you might have to walk a little distance to get to the field.

Address: 43-62 Saeak-gil, Godeok-myeon, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기 평택시 고덕면 새악길 43-62

Pink Muhly in Korea | Gyeongsang-do

These days, you can find pink muhly gardens every which way you turn in Korea, but there are definitely some standout places outside of the capital region of Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. Gyeongsangnam-do and Gyeongsambuk-do has some worthy pink muhly to check out!

Cheomseongdae Pink Muhly Field in Gyeongju | 첨성대

Cheomseongdae in Gyeongju is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in all of Asia. The addition of a massive pink muhly garden in recent years, only makes it more special. I dare you not to be impressed by the contrast between this ancient structure and the feathery pink muhly grass in Korea.

The pink muhly field near Cheomseongdae in Gyeongju is absolutely stunning | ©Dodream – Korea Tourism Organization

Address: 140-25, Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do | 경상북도 경주시 첨성로 140-25 (황남동)

Hours: Summer 9:00AM – 10PM | Winter 9:00AM – 9PM

Website (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Bomun Tourist Complex | 보문관광단지

As the international tourist district of Gyeongju, the Bomun Tourist Complex is a massive area, spanning around 8,000 km². Bomunho Lake is a focal point, and it’s where you’ll want to head for cherry blossoms in the spring, and pink muhly in autumn.

Pink muhly makes it appearance in Korea in September | ©Live Studio – Korea Tourism Organization

Address: 484-16 Bomun-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsanbuk-do | 경북 경주시 보문로 484-16

Website (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Pink Muhly Field at Hapcheon Shin Soyang Sports Park | 합천신소양체육공원

Hapcheon in the province of Gyeongsangnam-do has one of the most stunning and unique pink muhly fields in the whole country. It’s planted in an unbelievable upward spiral pattern that’s punctuated with a lone tree at the peak.

If you’ve got a drone, this is definitely the place to get one of the most incredible pink muhly shots possible.

Address: 898 Yeongchang-ri, Hapcheon-eub, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do | 경남 합천군 합천읍 영창리 898

Pink Muhly in Korea | Jeju Island

Jeju Island is the place to go if you want to see where the pink muhly craze in Korea began. These days, you can find pink muhly planted at cafes, parks, and restaurants all over Jeju Island, but here are a few famous places to check out.

Hueree Natural Park | 휴애리 자연생활공원

Hueree Natural Park is a private garden located near majestic Halla Mountain. You can see black pigs, ride horses, feed farm animals, or attend one of the many flower festivals that happen throughout the year. Head there in October for some of the best pink muhly in Korea.

Hueree Natural Park has a pink muhly grass festival every year

Address: 256 Sinryedong-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do | 제주특별자치도 서귀포시 남원읍 신례동로 256 (남원읍)

Hours: Daily 9AM – 4:30PM

Website (only in Korean)

Jeju Herb Dongsan | 제주 허브동산

There are a number of pink muhly zones to be found around Jeju Herb Dongsan, but the pink muhly hill is totally unique. It’s 10 metres high and 300 metres around, so be sure to find it in the huge garden.

Address: 170 Donoreum-ro, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do | 제주특별자치도 서귀포시 표선면 돈오름로 170

Hours: Daily 9:30AM – 10PM

Website (Korean only)

Pink Muhly in Korea | Busan

The pink muhly spots in Busan are concentrated around Nakdonggang River. It can take an hour or longer to reach these areas, so be sure to budget your time effectively.

Daejeo Ecological Park | 대저생태공원

During peak pink muhly times in Korea (pre-corona), Daejeo Ecological Park could see up to 60,000 visitors a day. Located on the banks of the Nakdonggang River, it’s also known for huge fields of sunflowers, the biggest canola festival in Korea, and a migratory bird habitat.

Address: 1246, Gonghang-ro, Gangseo-gu, Busan | 부산광역시 강서구 공항로 1246 (대저1동)

Hours: Daily 6AM – 9PM

Website (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese)

Eulsukdo Island | 을숙도 철새공원

Eulsukdo Island is further south on the Nakdonggang River, and closer to Busan than Daejeo Park. Check out willow forests, reed beds and pink muhly in Korea, while watching migratory birds flying nearby.

Address: 1207 Hadan-dong, Saha-gu, Busan | 부산 사하구 하단동 1207

Hours: Daily 6AM – 9PM

Website (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese)

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Pink muhly grass in Korea is one of the best reasons to visit in autumn. Happy exploring!