There is a saying in Seoul that autumn comes to Yeouido a little earlier than everywhere else. At the centre of that reputation are the ginkgo tree avenues encircling the National Assembly Building. While other street trees across the city are still holding onto their summer green, the ginkgos along this stretch quietly begin to take on a golden hue. September is precisely the window in which you can catch that change at its very start.
Why September, and Why Now
The peak of the ginkgo colour shifts slightly from year to year, but regular visitors to the area consistently note that the first hints of autumn tint appear along the walking paths around the National Assembly Building from mid-September onward. Strolling through that threshold moment — when deep midsummer green slowly brightens — carries a different, unhurried quality compared with the crowds that descend in October at full peak. Ridership figures from Gukhoe-uisadang Station bear this out: September recorded 474,546 boardings versus 408,825 in October, showing that autumn visits are already concentrated in September. With that in mind, targeting early-to-mid September — before the crowds fully build — is a smart approach.
Walking Routes: Where to Go and How
Walks centred on the National Assembly Building divide naturally into two options: the outer perimeter path and a visit inside the grounds.
The exterior route begins along the boulevard in front of the main gate and follows the ginkgo-lined avenue all the way around the building. The interplay of shade and light created by the rows of ginkgo trees is the defining pleasure of this walk. If you would like to step inside the grounds, visits can be arranged through the National Assembly Sarangchae (the National Assembly Visitor Centre). Inside, the landscaping changes with each season; in September, crabapple trees bear bright red fruit that has ripened through the summer, adding another layer of autumn scenery.
If a daytime walk leaves you wanting more, an evening visit is well worth considering. The National Assembly Building is lit up from sunset until 1:00 a.m., and its blue dome takes on a completely different atmosphere under the lights. Connecting this with a stroll along the Hangang riverside path for a post-sunset night view makes for a natural extension of the outing.
Getting There
Alight at Gukhoe-uisadang Station on Seoul Metro Line 9; the main gate is within a five-minute walk. Parking in the area can be congested even on weekends, so public transport is strongly recommended. The National Assembly Building is also close to Yeouido Hangang Park, meaning that a walk here followed by a riverside stroll makes for an easy half-day itinerary.
Visitor Tips
Weekend afternoons in September tend to be busier than you might expect, as local residents out for exercise overlap with visitors coming to take photographs. Choosing a weekday morning or an evening slot will give you a noticeably more relaxed experience. If you plan to visit the interior grounds, check the operational schedule and reservation process on the National Assembly website before you go. There is no admission fee, which makes this one of the more accessible autumn walking destinations in central Seoul.
If you want to experience Yeouido's quiet, early-autumn mood before the full foliage peak arrives, the National Assembly Building area deserves a place at the top of your September itinerary.
