Photos: A walk through South Korea’s 500-year-old Gwangneung Forest World Biosphere Reserve

From red to yellow to brown, trees in South Korea have shed their leaves and are welcoming snowfall. The country is bracing for a cold wave over the next few weeks.

South Korea usually sees snowfall by the first week of December. However, the six or seven weeks before snow begins falling are arguably the best time to visit South Korea to see the country’s beautiful fall season.

A great place to see autumn in all its glory is the Korea National Arboretum (국립수목원 in Hangeul). The arboretum, which is over 500 years old, is in the Pocheon city of Gyeonggi Province of South Korea.

Widely known as ‘Gwangneung Forest World Biosphere Reserve’, in June 2010, it was designated as Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Network of Biosphere Reserve and the country's 11th natural monument.

It is the fourth location in the country to be listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, following Seorak Mountain, Jeju Island, and Sinan Dadohae.

Gwangneung forest was originally a royal mausoleum of the Joseon Dynasty (1329-1910), declared by King Sejo (the seventh king of the Joseon) in 1468.

It has been protected from human interference for nearly 540 years. Home to over 6,000 species of diverse animals and plants, it is one of the most well-preserved biodiversity spots in Korea.

The 25,000-hectare forest, which stretches over three major cities in Gyeonggi Province, doesn’t allow more than 5,000 people to enter at a time.

Just a few steps from the entrance is a stone monument. It was installed to remember the efforts of South Korean civilians in making the country green again after the Korean War destroyed the flora and fauna in the region.

South Korea’s first attempts at reforestation began after World War II. However, their efforts were completely wiped out after the outbreak of the Korean War a few years later.

Park Chung-Hee, who led South Korea after a coup d’état in 1961 and later as president from 1963 until his assassination in 1979, was determined to quickly reforest the nation. Under his reforestation plan, all Korean villages, offices, homes, students, and both government and non-government organisations were encouraged to plant trees and tend forests as a daily responsibility. Ordinary Koreans took on the role of gardeners to reforest the country.

According to the Korea Forest Service (KFS), the country's forest growth rate jumped from 50 cubic meters per hectare in 1990 to 148 in 2015, an increase of 196 per cent, making Korea the only country in the world to have accomplished reforestation in such a short period after going through a war.

Presidents holding office come to this forest to plant trees twice every five years, on April 5, to observe National Planting Day.

The forest also houses some of the tallest, oldest, and strongest trees in the country, including a cinnamon tree that is over 100 years old. People call it the mother of all cinnamon trees in South Korea.

If you visit the reserve during the autumn months, especially in early November, you will have a chance to see the leaves of maple and other trees in the forest turn scarlet red.

The admission charges for adult visitors is 1,000 won (Dh2.83) and 500 won (Dh1.41) for children. Entry is free for children under 6 years, senior citizens over 65 years, and people of determination (along with one accompanying person).

By the first week of December, the entire forest is usually covered with snow.