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Chasing Fall Colors in Busan: A Day at Geumjeongsan Mountain & Beomeosa Temple

Written by Nextstopkorea

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I’ve seen Busan in every season, but there is something about fall here that feels especially magical. The city, which is usually known for beaches, seafood and bright summer energy, suddenly grows soft during November. The air turns crisp, the mountains shift into layers of gold and red, and Buddhist temples seem to glow quietly under the autumn light.
On my most recent little solo day trip, I decided to spend a fall day around Geumjeongsan Mountain and Beomeosa Temple. And honestly, I think it was the most beautiful foliage I’ve seen in Busan so far.

Here’s how my perfect Fall Foliage day in Busan went.

Up the Mountain by Cable Car: Geumjeongsan in Fall

I started the day by taking the Geumgang Park Cable Car, which already felt like stepping back in time. It has this slightly vintage look, almost like the cable cars you’d expect in an old travel movie. As it rose slowly over the trees, Busan began to open up behind me.And the view? Truly, truuuuuly breathtaking.
I could see the city stretching all the way to the ocean, the curves of Gwangalli Bridge, even toward Busan Station when the air was clear. Below, the forest was completely dressed in fall colors. Shades of amber, rust, gold and deep red layered against each other like a giant patchwork quilt.

At the top, the path is gentle and peaceful. There’s a small temple tucked among the rocks, quiet and humble, just blending into the mountain like it has always been part of it. Hikers rested on wooden benches, chatting softly. If I would’ve come a bit later, I’m sure I could’ve seen a few hikers enjoying typical Korean mountain snacks like savory vegetable pancakes sizzling on a flat pan, and cups of makgeolli - Korean rice wine.
I didn’t spend much time on top of the mountain, but the cable car ride itself was worth it a million times!

Geumgang Park Cable Car

Address : 175-146, Ujangchun-ro, Dongnae-gu, Busan
Transportation : Take Busan Metro Line 1 to Oncheonjang Station, about a 15 minute walk to Geumgang Park entrance to reach the cable car
Hours : Please refer to the website (operating hours may vary depending on season / closed on Mondays)
Website : - Geumgang Park

Beomeosa Temple: A Calm Autumn Sanctuary

From the mountain, I made my way to Beomeosa, one of Busan’s most treasured but also quite hidden temples. I’ve visited a lot of temples in Korea, but something about Beomeosa in fall feels especially serene. The temple sits at the base of the mountains, surrounded by trees that turn all shades of yellow and red in November.

As soon as I stepped through the main gate, I felt the atmosphere shift. The air was quieter here. Visitors spoke softly, the sound of monks chanting carried from inside one of the prayer halls, blending with the rustling of fallen leaves underfoot.
The combination of the golden ginkgo trees, the fiery maple leaves and the soft fall sunlight looked like a painting. Chrysanthemums were blooming around the temple courtyard, adding gentle color to the stone paths. And Lanterns hung lightly overhead, swaying just a little in the breeze. If you walk a little further up through the temple grounds, you’ll find one of Beomeosa’s most beautiful viewpoints, with mountains in the distance, traditional hanok roofs below, and vibrant red maple trees all around.

When visiting, please keep one thing in mind: Beomeosa is an active Buddhist temple, meaning that people come here to pray, meditate and practice their beliefs. Out of respect, I moved slowly, kept my voice low, and did not take photos inside the main hall. It was calm. Beautiful. Peaceful in the kind of way you feel in your chest.

Beomeosa Temple

Address : 250 Beomeosa-ro, Cheongnyong-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan
Transportation : Busan Metro Line 1 to Beomeosa Station, then local bus or taxi to the temple entrance
Hours : 08:00~17:00

Lunch with a Valley View at Geumjeongsanjang

By early afternoon, I was ready for lunch and headed to Geumjeongsanjang, a traditional Korean restaurant tucked against the mountainside right at the foot of Beomeosa Temple. The view from here felt like sitting above a valley painting, with layers of forest stretching down the slope.
I ordered grilled duck and a Korean chives pancake, and both were perfect for a fall day: Hearty, savory, warm and comforting. The kind of meal that makes your whole body relax.

The restaurant felt like one of those places that hikers have been coming to for decades. Wooden tables, friendly owners serving food, speaking the strongest Busan Dialect, the sound of plates and laughter. Just pure local mountain energy.

Geumjeongsanjang

Address : 1F, 259 Beomeosa-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan (Near Beomeosa and the lower hiking trail entrances on Geumjeongsan)
Transportation : Best accessed by taxi or by foot from Beomeosa hiking paths
Hours : Weekdays 10:00–19:00 / Weekends 08:00–21:00

Coffee in the Trees at Café Sup

When I was about to leave the restaurant and head back toward Busan Station, a friendly local ahjussi stopped to say hello and ended up inviting me to a café just above the restaurant. He and his wife run a small place called Café Sup, and it sits right at tree-top level, so the windows look straight out into branches filled with autumn leaves. The view felt almost unreal - just quiet forest, warm coffee, and a bit of charming, slightly cheesy local décor. I stayed much longer than I planned, sipping slowly and watching the leaves sway while I tried to change my train ticket to a later time. Sometimes you just follow the moment. In fall, and especially in Busan, it feels like time moves a little softer - like you should keep extending the day forever just to enjoy it a little bit more..

Café Sup

Address : 259, Beomeosa-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan
Location : Directly above Geumjeongsanjang Restaurant
Hours : Tue–Fri: 09:30–19:00 / Weekends: 08:00–19:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Website : Café Sup

Overview

Address
Geumgang Park Cable Car: 175-146, Ujangchun-ro, Dongnae-gu, Busan
Beomeosa Temple: 250 Beomeosa-ro, Cheongnyong-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan
Geumjeongsanjang: 1F, 259 Beomeosa-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan (Near Beomeosa and the lower hiking trail entrances on Geumjeongsan)
Café Sup: 259, Beomeosa-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan
Traffic Information
Geumgang Park Cable Car: Take Busan Metro Line 1 to Oncheonjang Station, about a 15 minute walk to Geumgang Park entrance to reach the cable car
Beomeosa Temple: Busan Metro Line 1 to Beomeosa Station, then local bus or taxi to the temple entrance
Geumjeongsanjang: Best accessed by taxi or by foot from Beomeosa hiking paths
Café Sup: Directly above Geumjeongsanjang Restaurant