Photos = Theresia Kurniawan

For the tourism purposes, my visit to Korea during the end of this October was a truly enchanting experience. Not only did I see stunning fall foliage but also mesmerizing nighttime spectacles and festivals that graced the vibrant city of Seoul and its neighboring areas.

The main throne of Gyeongbokgung looks magnificent under the full moon.

I was greeted with perfect weather, a delightful balance of coolness in the air and ideal for exploring the outdoors without the summer heat or winter chill. On my first night, I visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, something long on my travel bucket list. This autumn, the palace opened its doors to evening visitors from Sept. 1 to Oct. 29. 

Basking in the gentle glow of the moonlight, the palace is a place of awe and wonder. The marvelous view of the main throne hall from the gate is a favorite for photos by visitors. Another captivating scene was the royal banquet hall, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, which casts a spellbinding reflection on the tranquil pond when illuminated at night.

This esport-themed drone light show on Oct. 27 features drones lighting up the night sky over the Hangang River in Seoul.

On the first Friday of my trip, I went to Ttukseom Hangang River Park to see the Seoul Drone Light Show. To secure the best viewing spot, I arrived before sunset. The park was packed with people, most of whom had picnic gear. Early birds saw a breathtaking sunset and live music performances that set the stage for the grand spectacle.

Located at the park's riverside, 1,000 drones took to the skies, painting captivating imagery against the backdrop of the Hangang River and Seoul's iconic skyscrapers. That week, the show's theme was esports and for approximately 10 minutes, drones transformed the nocturnal canvas into a mesmerizing visual masterpiece. Each drone formation left an indelible mark, astonishing every member of the audience including myself.

The lantern Beomi and Tri-bowl are highlights of the Songdo Starlight Festival in Incheon.

In Incheon, Songdo Central Park hosted the Songdo Starlight Festival every night until Oct. 29 featuring a stunning 360 media art facade at the city's iconic Tri-bowl architecture. Other highlights were an illuminated tree tunnel, padded boat and eight m-tall lantern featuring the city mascot Beomi, a harbor seal character. 

This panoramic view of Songdo Central Park in Incheon is from IFEZ G Tower.

To see this festival, I traveled from Seoul to Incheon via subway that took approximately 90 minutes. My first stop was the IFEZ G-Tower, where I saw a panoramic view on the 33rd floor. My leisurely stroll through the park, from the Tri-bowl side to the Hanok (traditional house) village, took over two hours.

This is Changryongmun Gate at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do Province.

In Suwon, Gyeonggi-do Province, I saw a cultural media art festival at Changryongmun Gate of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located 31 km from Seoul, Suwon was easily accessible via a bus ride of under an hour. The media art presented was exceptional within the historic walls of the fortress, with the 20-minute spectacle seamlessly integrated the cultural heritage and craftsmanship of this historical structure. 

The plaza adjacent to the gate had an array of color-changing LED lights shaped like eggs, which especially impressed younger visitors. My favorite was the enchanting yellow LED flowers lining the fortress pathway, an experience like a fairytale garden.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.