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.
Pink muhly in Korea is a national obsession. It’s easy to see why. | ©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.
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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 imported from the American southeast
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 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 appears in Korea in September | ©Live Studio – Korea Tourism Organization
The grass 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 taking over the rest of Korea. 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
Pink Muhly in Korea | Where to see Pink Muhly in 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 | Sky Park (하늘공원)
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. 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 | ©Dodream – Korea Tourism Organization
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)
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)
TIP | Looking for more activities near the Han River? Get discounted tickets for an Eland Han River Cruise right here.
Olympic Park (올림픽공원)
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, a rose garden, orange cosmos, and some of the best autumn foliage in the city.
Head to Olympic Park in Seoul for cosmos, pink muhly and more.
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)
TIP | Wanna visit one of Seoul’s biggest and best amusement parks? Foreign passport holders can get tickets at nearly 50% off. Reserve a 1 Day Pass to Lotte World amusement park in advance here.
Best Places to See Pink Muhly in Korea
These days, you can find pink muhly gardens every which way you turn in Korea, but there are definitely some standout places.
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 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
TIP | If you want to catch the Cheomseongdae pink muhly field, be sure to book your tours from mid-September to mid-October. This one provides transport between all the major cultural and historical sites in Gyeongju, as well as a professional guide to explain it all. Book a small group day tour to Gyeongju from Busan here. If you prefer a private, customized tour (for up to 8 people), you can book that here.
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
TIP | Anseong Farmland is located 70 km south of Seoul, and there is no direct public transport link. It’s much more convenient to join a day tour that includes round-trip transfers, admissions, and more. Book a day tour to Anseong Inchegol Village and Anseong Farmland here.
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 just waiting to be photographed.
Address: 171-18 Umulmok-gil Yeongbok-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기도 포천시 영북면 우물목길 171-18
Hours: Weekdays 9AM – 6PM | Weekends 9AM – 7PM
TIP | Bring your own food inside! Peaceland is a perfect family day out, with huge spaces for picnicking, trampolines, and multiple unique forest playgrounds, but meal options inside the park are very limited and not very appealing.
Pink Muhly in Korea | Where to see Pink Muhly in Jeju
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 | ©Dodream – Korea Tourism Organization
Address: 256 Sinryedong-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do | 제주특별자치도 서귀포시 남원읍 신례동로 256 (남원읍)
Hours: Daily 9AM – 4:30PM
TIP | Snag yourself discounted admission tickets to Hueree Natural Park here on Klook.
Jeju Herb Dongsan / Garden (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
Pink Muhly in Korea | Where to see Pink Muhly in 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
TIP | SEA LIFE aquarium is one of the most popular attractions in Busan. Snag skip-the-line, discounted admission tickets to SEA LIFE here.
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, while watching migratory birds flying nearby.
Address: 1207 Hadan-dong, Saha-gu, Busan | 부산 사하구 하단동 1207
Hours: Daily 6AM – 9PM
Do you have any favourite spots to see pink muhly in Korea? Share them with us in the comments below!
Len Kagami
Love those pink carpets 🙂 I’ve seen this plant during my trip to Jeju. But it was end-of-season, so they didn’t look so great.
shelley
It’s so funny to me that pink muhy has taken over Korea – when it’s an American grass. But yeah, you definitely have to catch it in the short window it’s in full bloom.
Alison and Don
What a fabulous plant! I saw something similar in New Zealand.
Alison
shelley
It is pretty magical! And it’s literally taken over all of Korea haha.
AndysWorldJourneys
beautiful pictures – what an amazing plant/flower!
shelley
Pink muhly is something that everyone looks forward to in Korea now. It’s become like cherry blossoms in spring.