From fiery maples to golden ginkgos, here’s where Asia puts on its best autumn show
Leaf-peeping, where people travel to see fall foliage in all its glory, has recently become popular in places like the US.
However, admiring autumn leaves has long been a tradition in parts of Asia – take Japan, which has a special term for it called momijigari.
Take it from us: Asia’s autumnal hues are less advertised but no less spectacular. If you’re keen to see what it’s all about, here are seven places to see gorgeous fall foliage across the region.
Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
A short distance from Tokyo, Ibaraki prefecture is a leaf-peeper’s dream. Blood red kochia bushes paint the hillside a fiery red at Hitachi Seaside Park in Hitachinaka City. The Ginkgo Festival in Mito City in November is a great time to experience the Museum of History’s avenue of ginkgo trees carpeted in yellow. Head to the Fukuroda falls and Eigenji Temple (called Momiji-dera, or Autumn Foliage Temple) in Daigo, or up to Mount Tsukuba, which celebrates a Momiji Festival when the hills are lit up at night, which can be viewed by cable car. At Ryujin Lake, you can canoe or paddleboard amidst fall foliage, or bungee jump off the Ryujin Suspension bridge with a view of the colourful gorge below.
Nami Island, South Korea
The 2002 K-drama Winter Sonata brought attention to Nami Island’s gorgeous fall foliage. The half-moon island is a short distance from Seoul, and can be accessed by ferry, speedboat or a zipline (yes, you read that right). On the island, admire the Metasequoia Lane’s towering conifers, which form a canopy of orange in fall, while the Ginkgo Tree Lane’s tunnel of gold looks spectacular both in real life and on the gram. Picnic under the trees, cycle around the island or take in the gigantic Maternal Love sculpture by sculptor Yu Qing Cheng. There is also a handicraft studio on the island that offers workshops in glassblowing, ceramics and woodworking.
Alishan Scenic Area, Taiwan
Home to gigantic red cypresses, maples and red pines, Alishan forest is stunning in autumn. Maple foliage viewing is a popular activity, with the best spots being from the observation decks of Mount Ogasawara, Mount Duigaoyue and Ciyun temple. The century-old Alishan Forest Railway, which reopened in 2024, is a steam railway that winds around the mountains and opens up the forest landscape. Hike the Eryanping trail, known for its sunset sea of clouds, or chase the train along the Manzhu cycling trail. Also sample the famous Alishan mountain oolong tea and millet donuts at Fenqihu Old Street.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
Famed as the mountains that inspired Avatar’s otherworldly landscape, the column-like rocky outcrops in China’s first national park have exploded in popularity. In autumn, the forests below the towering columns are clothed in red and orange hues. Walk along the Golden Whip stream, take a boat tour of Baofeng lake or head to viewpoints at Yuanjiejie or the Tianzi mountain to witness the leaves of the maple and ginkgo trees change colour. For hungry souls, the mountain has a food court on top and an elevator (Bailong Elevator, the world’s tallest outdoor lift) to head up.
A lesser-known city for viewing fall foliage, Hanoi’s Old Quarter brings out the colours as the temperature dips. Taking a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake is the best way to take in the reds and golds of the fall. The mid-autumn festival celebrates the end of harvest season with traditional music, lion dances and lots of mooncakes (round pastries filled with ingredients like lotus seeds, salted egg yolk and mung beans). In the evening, the streets are lit up by lanterns of all shapes and sizes, making for a truly mesmerising sight.
Kyoto, Japan
Autumn was one of the favourite topics for Kyoto’s courtly poets. The changing colour of trees around major temples like Kiyomizu-dera, Tofuku-ji and Kodaiji has attracted fall lovers for centuries. The Arashiyama Momiji festival in November hosts several events like a Heian-era cruise procession, traditional tea ceremonies and hikes. The Gion Odori festival is one of the few times to see public dance performances by geisha, while the Hitaki-sai Fire Festival is a centuries-old fire purification ritual held in Fushimi Inari to thank the deities for the harvest. Autumn is also a time to enjoy seasonal produce, such as chestnuts (steamed and paired with rice), matsutake mushrooms (grilled) and Japanese pumpkin (added to soups).
Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park, China
In the north of China’s Sichuan province is Jiuzhaigou Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has some of the most beautiful autumn scenes in China. Jiuzhaigou is composed of three valleys arranged in a Y shape across the park. The Rize valley’s lakes – Five Flower Lake, Mirror Lake, Panda Lake – offer splendid vistas of red and gold reflected in azure waters. The Shuzeng Valley is home to Nuorilang Waterfall, the area’s tallest, and the Shuzeng Lakes, whose fall foliage can be viewed from the Tibetan Shuzeng Village. The Zechawa valley is the highest part, and has both the largest lake in the region (Long Lake) and the smallest (Five Colour Lake).
Gia Lai is positioning itself for a significant tourism surge as Vietnam prepares to host National Tourism Year 2026, an event expected to draw 15 million visitors and generate VND 35 trillion (approximately USD 1.4 billion) in tourism revenue, up 20.7% from 2025.
Authorities in Gia Lai province have completed key preparations for the opening week of National Tourism Year 2026, with officials emphasising safety, logistics and visitor management ahead of the main event on March 28.
A growing network of eco-friendly farmstays in Vietnam’s Central Highlands province of Gia Lai is attracting visitors seeking tranquility, cultural immersion and nature-based experiences, as the locality prepares for National Tourism Year 2026.
(GLO) – Nestled amid the rolling mountains and forests, the Ia Ly Hydropower Dam curves gracefully like a bow, embracing the deep blue reservoir. From this monumental energy project, a series of new destinations have emerged, offering a wealth of fresh experiences that captivate visitors.
The afternoon of March 5 in Hanoi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van and Vice Chairwoman of the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich co-chaired an international press conference on the National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026.
Two of Đak Rong’s most remote waterfalls, Kon Bông and Kon Lốc, are drawing attention for their unspoiled landscapes and striking geological formations, offering a rare look at the raw beauty of Vietnam’s Eastern Trường Sơn range.
Vietnam recorded around 14 million tourist arrivals during the nine-day Bính Ngọ Lunar New Year 2026 holiday, marking a 12% increase from the same period last year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
Gia Lai welcomed an estimated 848,000 visitors during the 2026 Bính Ngọ Lunar New Year, generating tourism revenue of 900 billion VND (approx. USD 36 million), according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The Guardian, a British newspaper, has released a list of the four 'most outstanding' cities in the Asia-Pacific region that are best suited for purposeful travel trends in 2026.
Drifting beneath honey-gold light on a late-year afternoon, Bien Ho Lake in Gia Lai province reveals itself as a serene meeting point of sky and water, where the highlands seem to pause on the threshold of spring.
(GLO) – On the afternoon of February 13, the People’s Committee of Nhơn Châu Commune held a grand inauguration ceremony for the decorative installation and the cluster of mascots welcoming the Year of the Horse 2026, creating a vibrant highlight for the island commune’s festive New Year atmosphere.
Quy Nhon is expanding community-based initiatives and developing new tourism products as the coastal city works to preserve its “ASEAN Clean Tourist City” title and prepare for major opportunities linked to National Tourism Year 2026.
Quy Nhon received the “ASEAN clean tourist city 2026” title at the ASEAN Tourism Awards on January 30, held during the 45th ASEAN Tourism Forum at the Nustar Convention Center in Cebu City.
Gia Lai is preparing for a sharp rise in visitor numbers during the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday in 2026, as the province readies to host Vietnam’s National Tourism Year 2026. Authorities and businesses say the festive season is expected to kick-start a vibrant year for local tourism.
Gia Lai authorities on Wednesday called for intensified preparations for National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026, urging all units to strictly follow the approved plan and ensure high-quality communication efforts to attract domestic and international visitors.
Tourism products from Gia Lai Province are attracting significant visitor interest at the ongoing 2026 Spring Fair in Hanoi, offering distinctive Central Highlands experiences and contributing to the promotion of the province ahead of the National Tourism Year.
Gia Lai Province will promote its cultural identity and tourism potential in Hanoi on February 1 - 2 during “Gia Lai Day,” held as part of the “Hanoi Tourism welcomes 2026 - Get on Hanoi 2026” program.
A major tourism initiative featuring 244 cultural, sporting and promotional events was announced in Hanoi on February 2, marking the launch of the National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026.
Pleiku Ward on January 30 officially launched “Chợ Nhỏ Night Street,” a new cultural and tourism space designed to stimulate the local night-time economy and expand community-based activities.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has approved the project for National Tourism Year 2026, confirming the title “National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026”, with the English name “Visit Viet Nam Year - Gia Lai 2026”.
The Secretary of the Party Committee of Pleiku Ward, Nguyen Xuan Phuoc, inspected final preparations on January 27 for the opening ceremony of the “Cho Nho night street” event, scheduled for January 30.
Wild apricot and đỗ mai blossoms are transforming the mountains of Vietnam’s Gia Lai province, while vibrant green moss carpets the coastal villages to the east, creating contrasting scenes that signal the arrival of spring across the Central Highlands.
Rubber forests across Gia Lai are reaching the height of their annual leaf-shedding season, transforming vast highland areas into sweeping vistas of yellow, red and brown beneath the rotating blades of nearby wind turbines.
Laos has been selected as one of the world’s leading travel destinations for 2026 by global travel publication TravelPulse, following an evaluation conducted by a council of international travel experts and consultants.
