Sightseeing - Korea travel information

Center of Korea Observatory (국토정중앙천문대)

Center of Korea Observatory (국토정중앙천문대)

2021-08-12

127, Guktojeongjungang-ro, Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-480-2586

The Center of Korea Observatory in Yanggu-gun is named for its location at the center of the Korean Peninsula. It is equipped with an 80-centimeter reflecting telescope. There is also an exhibition hall providing the most recent astronomy news, a planetarium showing the night sky, and a range of hands-on programs.

Geombongsan Recreational Forest (검봉산자연휴양림)

Geombongsan Recreational Forest (검봉산자연휴양림)

2022-09-08

525-145, Imwonan-gil, Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-574-2553

Geombongsan Mountain (alt. 681.6 m) poses an exciting challenge for mountain bike enthusiasts. The mountain ridge is covered with varied flower species including royal azaleas, iris, polygala, and violets. The summit of Geombongsan Mountain offers views of the boundless sea to the east, the sharply rising Eungbongsan Mountain (alt. 998.5 m) to the south, and the slightly taller Sageumsan Mountain (alt. 1,092 m) to the west. The mountain is only a 5 to 10-minute-drive from Imwon Beach, which makes a great summer vacation destination.

Yonghwasan National Recreational Forest (국립 용화산자연휴양림)

Yonghwasan National Recreational Forest (국립 용화산자연휴양림)

2021-05-08

294, Sayeogol-gil, Sabuk-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-243-9261

A recreational forest established at the foot of Yonghwasan Mountain (878 m) in Sabuk-myeon, Chuncheon Yonghwasan Mountain has been selected one of the best 100 mountains in Korea by the Korea Forest Service and is well-known for the TV program in which BTS members climbed it in 2020. Yonghwasan Recreational Forest is home to needle leaf trees and broadleaf trees, such as pine, oak, birch, and larch, and has a clean atmosphere of the natural environment along with the clear valley. It is equipped with various convenient facilities, such as accommodation, campground, hiking road, trail, and forest park amid healing nature. Yonghwasan Recreational Forest is ideal for not only camping and hiking but also forest leisure and sports activities. It runs Forest Experience Center, which is an indoor forest leisure and sports activity facility that can be used regardless of the weather and season. It provides various experience activities, such as Vertical Slide where visitors will experience falling straight down, Zip Zag where visitors wearing safety equipment will experience a zipline-type ride along the railway, Rope Adventure where visitors will complete a course of a rope and a suspension bridge, and Design Rock Climbing consisting of various difficulty levels. In the open air, there are leisure and sports facilities, such as Artificial Rock Climbing Site, Flying Squirrel (Quick Jump), and Flying in the Forest (Zipline). Besides, it provides the wooden crafts experience and the forest guide program.

Hoengseong Natural Recreation Forest (횡성자연휴양림)

Hoengseong Natural Recreation Forest (횡성자연휴양림)

2021-05-28

113, Jeongpo-ro 430beon-gil, Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-344-3391

Hoengseong Natural Recreational Forest is located in Jeogorigol Valley, which used be a popular recreational spot for the Silla Kingdom royal families. There still remain a 3-story pagoda with the Silla era architectural design, an altar that is thought to originate from the Samhan era, and other historical relics including a stone monument, palace site, and southern region style dolmen. The Forest also has several hiking trails with resting areas and mineral water springs, as well as various convenience, recreational and lodging facilities.

Jumunjin Lighthouse (주문진 등대)

Jumunjin Lighthouse (주문진 등대)

2021-01-05

24-7, Yetdeungdae-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-662-2131

Established on March 20, 1918, Jumunjin Lighthouse was the first lighthouse in the Gangwon region. The lighthouse is 3 meters in diameter at the base and 10 meters in x_height with white mortar covering the exterior wall. The building shows the early structure of Korean lighthouse architecture, which is a great value in terms of the nation’s architectural history. The light signal blinks at 15-second intervals and can be seen from 37 kilometers away. The original lighthouse was destroyed during the Korean War but was rebuilt in 1951.

Yonghwa Beach (용화해변)

Yonghwa Beach (용화해변)

2022-08-22

Yonghwa-ri, Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-570-3843

Reaching only 1 kilometer in length and located 24 kilometers away from downtown Samcheok-si, Yonghwa Beach offers a serene atmosphere. In addition to Yonghwacheon Stream that runs out through the beach and a lush pine forest to its back, the beach boasts a scenic view with a half-moon shaped shoreline and unique rock formations on both sides. The beach is mostly visited by those looking forward to a quiet vacation by a fishing village and families with children who prefer shallow water.

Bokjusan National Recreational Forest (국립 복주산자연휴양림)

Bokjusan National Recreational Forest (국립 복주산자연휴양림)

2021-06-07

818, Haojae-ro, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-458-9426

Bokjusan National Recreational Forest was officially designated as a national recreational forest in 1998. It is a home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, as well as numerous recreational facilities including two hiking routes (2.5 ㎞ and 1.5 ㎞) to the Bokjusan Mountain summit, Forest Recreation Center equipped with 10 guest rooms, and a campground.

Just 15 minutes by car from the forest is Maewoldae, where Joseon dynasty scholar and author Kim Si-Seup lived in seclusion. Maewoldae is surrounded by a lush forest with a deep valley, and also offers a magnificent view of Seonampokpo Falls at the foot of the mountain standing across. At the entrance of Maewoldae is the Cheongseokgol Outdoor Studio, where popular Korean TV dramas such as "Im KkokJong (1996)" and "Damo (2003)" were filmed.

Dutasan Mountain (두타산)

Dutasan Mountain (두타산)

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."

Seoraksan National Park (Southern Section) (설악산국립공원 (남설악))

Seoraksan National Park (Southern Section) (설악산국립공원 (남설악))

2024-04-02

801 Seorak-ro, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do

Seoraksan Mountain, the highest amid the Taebaek Mountain Range, boasts beautiful landscape and scenery all year round. To the east of Hangyeryeong and Misiryeong Passes is classified as the outer section ("Oeseorak"), to the west is the inner section ("Naeseorak"); and to the south of Hangyeryeong Pass as the southern section ("Namseorak").

The southern section is famous for its mineral water, hot springs, and waterfalls including Yongsopokpo, Sibipokpo, and Yeosinpokpo Falls. Jeongbongsan Mountain (1,424.2 meters) is also included in the area. There are also several different hiking courses varying in distance and duration.

Yeonggeumjeong (영금정)

2022-12-21

35, Dongmyeonghang-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-639-2689

Yeonggeumjeong refers to the area covering the shore by the Sokcho Lighthouse in Sokcho-si City. The name Yeonggeumjeong comes from a notion that the sound of waves hitting the rocks is comparable to the melody of geomungo (traditional stringed instrument with 6 strings). At the end of the 50m-long bridge built over a rocky peninsula is a pavilion offering a view of the East Sea.