Mureunggyegok Valley (무릉계곡)

.0M 2020-07-13

538, Samhwa-ro, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-539-3700

Mureunggyegok Valley, between Dutasan Mountain and Cheongoksan Mountain, refers to a four-kilometer stretch from Hoamso Pond to Yongchupokpo Falls upstream. The waters of Mureunggyegok Valley flow over wide sheets of rock and into the cracks between them, forming large and particularly nice ponds along the path. Starting at Mureung Rock, a wide sheet of single rock on which hundreds can sit, the valley trail twists and turns as it passes Samhwasa Temple, Haksodae, Ongnyudong, and Seonnyeotang Ravine, all the way to Ssangpokpo and Yongchupokpo Falls, providing breathtaking scenery along the way. Also known as Arcadia, scholars and poets frequented the valley in times past, and the 5,000 square meters of Mureung Rock bears the inscribed names of some of these poets and their work. The valley offers a medley of curious-looking rocks and stones, and other odd scenery that attracts many tourists.

Samhwasa Temple (삼화사)

147.5M 2020-03-27

584, Mureung-ro, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-534-7661

Samhwasa Temple is located near the entrance of the Mureung Valley of Dutasan Mountain in the City of Donghae, Gangwon Province. The one-thousand year old, small but historical temple falls under the supervision of Woljeongsa Temple. It was originally named “Geukryeondae” when built by monk Jijangyulsa during the eleventh year of Queen Seonseok of the Silla Kingdom (AD 642). In 864 it was renamed Samgongam by the chief monk, and during the reign of King Taejo of the Goryeo dynasty, it changed to the current name, Samhwasa Temple.

The temple houses the main shrine (also called Yaksajeon), Jeokkwangjeon, Beomjonggak pavilion, Geukrakjeon shrine, Birojeon shrine, Chilseongdan shrine, and Muhyanggak pavilion. The temple is also home to national treasures No. 1277 (three story stone pagoda) and No. 1292 (steel sitting Buddha statue).

Samhwasa Temple operates a school teaching Buddhism and offers temple stay programs providing a beautiful, serene experience of temple life.

Gangwon Yongchupokpo Falls (무릉계곡 용추폭포(강원))

323.8M 2022-10-20

538, Samhwa-ro, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-534-7306

Located approximately 2.5 kilometers west of Samhwasa Temple, the entrance of Mureunggyegok Valley, Yongchupokpo Falls is a three-tiered waterfall in a shape of a pot that gets its waters from Cheongoksan Mountain (1,403.7 meters). Located 70 meters below Yongchupokpo Falls is Ssangpokpo Falls, where the water from Yongchupokpo Falls and Bakdalgyegok Valley meets to create a deep and beautiful base.

Dutasan Mountain (두타산)

380.8M 2021-04-05

533, Samhwa-ro, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do & Samcheok-si, Jeongseon-gun
+82-33-534-7306

Standing at 1,357 meters above sea level, Dutasan Mountain is surrounded by famous natural landmarks: Mureunggyegok Valley to the north, Gocheongyegok Valley to the east, Taebaeksan Mountain range to the south, and Jungbongsan Mountain to the west. Moreover, situated along the 3.1 kilometer-long valley connecting Dutasan and Samhwasa Temple are such tourist attractions as Dutasanseong Fortress, Geumnamjeong Pavilion, Yongchupokpo Falls, Ssangpokpo Falls, Osipcheon Stream, and Cheoneunsa Temple.

Mureunggyegok Valley Healing Campground (무릉계곡 힐링캠핑장)

959.6M 2024-03-19

467 Samhwa-ro, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do

This campground is situated in Mureunggyegok Valley, nestled between Dutasan Mountain and Cheongoksan Mountain. The valley is renowned for its enigmatic rock formations and derives its name from the mythical paradise in the Chinese fable, “The Peach Blossom Land”. It's a place where one can immerse in the beauty of nature. The campground is accessible by car, just a 25-minute drive from KTX Mukho Station.

Donghae Mureung Health Forest (동해무릉건강숲)

1.4Km 2024-12-10

455 Samhwa-ro, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-530-2391

Situated at the entrance of Mureung Valley, this environmental disease prevention and management center is directly run by Donghae city. Environmental diseases are those that develop due to environmental factors, such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. This center, spanning approx. 24,000 square meters, consists of an eco-friendly healing lodging, a themed experience center, a health consultation room, a thermal therapy room, and a natural health food restaurant. The accommodation facility, built with eco-friendly materials such as red clay and Hinoki cypress, offers healthy accommodations as well.
The themed experience center is a jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) created using natural materials, such as stones, soil, and salt. The White Sericite Room emits far-infrared rays and natural anions; the Red Clay Room is good for detoxification; and the Salt Cave's nano salt particles help cleanse one's respiratory system. These sauna rooms aid in improving environmental disease symptoms. The thermal therapy room features heated capsule-like beds that promote blood circulation. In addition, a resident nurse provides free health consultations based on visitors' basic examination results. You can participate in various programs without staying overnight, such as handcrafting using eco-friendly materials, themed experiences, health consultations, and a natural health food experience. In summer, don't forget to visit Oseonnyeotang, a nature-friendly bath filled with water from Mureung Valley.

Mureung Byeolyucheonji Lavender Festival (무릉별유천지 라벤더축제)

2.0Km 2024-07-24

97 Igi-ro, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do
0+82-33-532-1945

Donghae Byeolyucheonji, beautiful year-round, takes on a purple hue every June, just in time for the lavender festival. Visitors can enjoy the sweet scent of lavender while enjoying a range of festival programs.

Gulttukchon (굴뚝촌)

3.0Km 2024-03-19

253-6 Samhwa-ro, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do
033-534-9199

This restaurant specializes in daenamu tongbap (steamed rice in bamboo tube) and other healthful dishes that exclusively use natural flavorings. The daenamu tongbap, notable for its complex flavor, is prepared with 12 types of grains filled into a bamboo tube before steaming. It is served alongside choices like bulgogi jeongol (bulgogi hot pot), ori jeongol (duck hot pot), and bullak jeongol (bulgogi and octopus hot pot). The menu also features gamja jeon (potato pancake) and ori gui (grilled duck). Additionally, the restaurant boasts a garden that is home to 180 varieties of wildflowers and herbs.

Samcheok Cheoneunsa Temple (천은사(삼척))

3.2Km 2022-02-03

816, Dongan-ro, Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-572-0221

Cheoneunsa Temple is located on Dutasan Mountain in Miro-myeon, Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do. At the tail end of the Goryeo dynasty, Lee Seung-hyu, a renowned scholar, wrote ‘Jewangungi’, an epic for the Korean people at Cheoneunsa temple. After the temple burnt down during the Korean War, the temple was renovated. The temple houses Beophwagyeong (Lotus Sutra Statue) among other cultural significant artifacts. Also, the surrounding area was the capital during Goryeo dynasty, where a number of relics such as pieces of celadon and blue roof tiles were unearthed.

Dutasan Mountain (두타산)

7.8Km 2021-04-02

Duta-ro, Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-570-3424

Standing at 1,357 meters above sea level, Dutasan Mountain is a major mountain amid the Taebaeksanmaek Mountain Range. It is especially known for Swinumjeong Pavilion, plunge basin, azalea trees, nut pines, and colorful fall foliage.

Cheoneunsa Temple, where Lee Seung-Hyu resided during his exile, is located in the Samcheok region of the mountain. Lee was the author of Jewang Ungi, a historical poem written in the late Goryeo period. The name “Duta” is a Buddhist term that means "retiring from the world to go on a Buddhist retreat."

Mureunggyegok Valley (무릉계곡) - Area information - Korea travel information