Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Sambong National Recreational Forest (국립 삼봉자연휴양림)

2022-12-27

276, Sambonghyuyang-gil, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do

Located in Odaesan National Park, Sambong National Recreational Forest is filled with large acicular trees like fir and broad-leaved trees like birch. Lenoks, a species of freshwater fish that are considered a Korean natural treasure, found only in the cleanest water, thrive in the waters of the deep valley running through the park. The park is surrounded by three peaks – Gachilbong Peak (1,240 meters), Eungboksan Mountain (1,155 meters), and Sasambong Peak (1,107 meters). Sambong Mineral Spring is found In the middle of the three peaks. The spring’s waters are said to ease stomach complaints. The park is also popular since visitors can see beautiful fall foliage in autumn while enjoying the mountains and sea at the same time in summer.

Taebaeksan National Park (태백산 국립공원)

2021-09-11

4778, Taebaeksan-ro, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do

Taebaeksan Mountain range encompasses several peaks such as Yeongbong Peak (alt. 1,560 m), where in the past, people would conduct rites to venerate Heaven at Cheonjedan Altar; Janggunbong Peak (alt. 1,567 m), Munsubong Peak (alt. 1,517 m), and its summit of Hambaeksan Mountain (alt. 1,572 m). Taebaeksan Mountain serves as a home to diverse wild animals and plants, including several endangered species. The higher plains are covered with alpine vegetation. The mountain becomes hot pink with mountain rhododendron and azalea in the spring; green with thick forest and pristine waters in the summer; rainbow colored with changing leaves in the fall; and white with snow in the winter.

Sundamgyegok Valley (순담계곡)

2025-01-07

143-3, Sundam-gil, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do

Located 5 kilometers northwest of Cheorwon-gun Office, Sundamgyegok Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys among the branches of the Hantangang River. It offers fantastic scenery of fascinating rock formations, steep cliffs, and ponds. The valley is filled with abundant water, trimmed by rare naturally white sand. Also, the stream behind the valley attracts many rafters each year.

Sogeumgang River [National Geopark] (소금강 (강원고생대 국가지질공원))

2021-05-24

San 109-1. Morun-ri, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do

Sogeumgang River is lined with high rock cliffs topped with lush forests. This section of river is so beautiful, it is called "Little Geumgangsan River," with Geumgangsan Mountain being known as the most breathtaking location in all of Korea. Visitors can find a number of famous rocks along the river.

Hwaamdonggul Cave [Gangwon Paleozoic Geopark] (화암동굴 (강원고생대 국가지질공원))

2026-09-09

12 Hwaamdonggul-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do

Hwaamdonggul Cave, located in the Hwaam Tourist Complex in Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do, is Korea's first themed cave that combines a gold mine and a natural limestone cave. It was developed into the current educational and experiential cave tourist site after a large underground limestone cave was discovered during tunnel operations at the Cheonpo Mine. Of the total 1,803 meters of viewing section, the 515-meter upper tunnel features a gold mining simulation recreating the entire process from the discovery of the gold vein to extraction, adding historical and educational elements. Inside the cave, visitors can observe various cave formations such as large flowstones, stalagmites, stalactites, cave flowers, helictites, and cave coral. Additionally, a character performance space featuring the cave mascots has been set up, allowing visitors of all ages, from children to adults, to explore the cave with interest.

Hwaam Mineral Spring [National Geopark] (화암약수 (강원고생대 국가지질공원))

2021-02-24

1330, Yaksu-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-560-2379

Hwaam Mineral Spring is one of the Eight Scenic Sites of Hwaam, and provides carbonated water said to be good for stomach discomfort and skin diseases. Interestingly, the stream water flowing through the valley is just regular freshwater. The reason for this is that the water passes through different types of rock on its way from the underground.

Hwaam Tourist Attractions (Hwaam Eight Scenic Sites) (화암관광지(화암8경))

2019-11-13

1328, Yaksu-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-560-2363

Hwaam Tourist Attractions comprises the eight scenic sights of Hwaam. The winding road leading to the attractions offers a perfect sencery of the mountains and cliffs, as well as magnificent fall foliage in autumn. Sign posts are installed along the way to each of the sceneries to prevent tourists from getting lost.

[Scenic Beauty 1] Hwaam Mineral Spring
At Hwaam Mineral Spring, water rises up through a rock crater located in Dong-myeon, Jeongseon. The water is said to be good for stomachaches, eye infections, and skin diseases; and, as it contains nine essential elements such as calcium and fluorine, it tastes crisp and clean.

[Scenic Beauty 2] Turtle Rock
Part of the path leading to Hwaam Mineral Spring is buttressed by a cliff, on which there is a rock that resembles the shape of a turtle.

[Scenic Beauty 3] Yongmaso
With its clean water and wide sheets of rock, Yongmaso Lake is a popular attraction for vacationers.

[Scenic Beauty 4] Hwaamdonggul Cave
Hwaamdonggul Cave used to be a gold mine that was commercially operated from 1922 to 1945. The nation’s 5th largest goldmine was, however, found to have natural stalactites, and later the cave was developed as the only theme-based cave that combined gold and nature. The stalactite area is an open space of 2,800㎡ and the length of the path open to visitors is 1,803 meters. The entire area consists of 5 chapters, which in turn constitute 41 zones; it takes about an hour and a half to see all of the zones.

[Scenic Beauty 5] Hwapyoju Cliff
Hwapyoju is a cliff facing the entrance of Hwapyo-dong, which can be seen on the way from Hwaam-dong to Molundae. The cliff may appear as if a giant sharpened a large sheet of rock and placed it upright, or less imaginatively, as if two pillars are standing side by side.

[Scenic Beauty 6] Sogeumgang River
The four-kilometer stretch from Hwapyoju to Molundae, surrounded with 100 to 150-meter high rock cliffs and thick forest, is called Sogeumgang River (small Geumgang River), meaning that its beautiful scenery is reminiscent of that of the breathtaking Geumgangsan Mountain.

[Scenic Beauty 7] Molundae Cliff
Molundae literally means ‘the cliff beyond which clouds disappear’. The tip of the steep cliff is adorned with three specimens of 500-year-old pine trees. Legend has it that gods would perch on the cliff’s top and enjoy the beautiful view. At the foot of the cliff lies a large sheet of rock that can accommodate hundreds of people.

[Scenic Beauty 8] Gwangdaegok Valley
Gwangdaegok Valley is said to be the mysterious place where heaven, earth and clouds meet. The surrounding hills are very rough and bumpy, which makes the area a renowned mountain in Korea. There is a belief among wild-ginseng diggers that they can find great ginseng if they pray in Gwangdaegok, so it is a popular attraction for such prospectors.

Soyangho Lake (Inje Section) (소양호-인제)

2022-12-28

133, Wonnam-ro, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do

Soyangho Lake, one of the biggest manmade lakes in Korea, along with Chungjuho Lake, was created in 1973 when the world’s fourth largest dam, Soyang Dam, standing 123 meters high, was constructed. The 60-kilometer watercourse connecting Chuncheon and Inje is a route along which you can enjoy the beautiful hills and streams of Naeseorak. In the Inje section, upstream of the lake, there are various species of fish such as carp, crusian, leather carp, mandarin fish and pond smelt, attracting many tourists and fisherman. Fishing spots are found in areas such as Gunchukgyo Bridge, Bupyeong, Gwandae-ri, and Sangsunaeri Fishing Pier. Also, from December and March when a portion of the lake near Gunchukgyo Bridge freezes, you can bore holes through the ice sheet and enjoy ice-fishing for pond smelt.

Cheorwon Plain (Migratory Bird Habitat) (철원평야(철새도래지))

2021-11-29

Cheorwon-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do

After the fall harvest season, the fields of Cheorwon Plain are littered with fallen grains, providing an abundant source of food for migratory birds. Moreover, the well-preserved ecosystem of the Demilitarized Zone provides clean water and a healthy habitat, making the Cheorwon area a paradise for migratory birds.

Cranes stalking around the fields and birds taking off en masse from the reservoir make bird watchers exclaim in awe. In Cheorwon, which boasts the biggest white-fronted goose population in Korea, visitors can see observe 110 species of birds, some of which are protected as national treasures. Examples include red-crowned cranes, vultures, white-tailed sea eagles, and golden eagles as well as mallards and spot-billed ducks, which migrate to Korea for the winter.

Jeongseon Morundae Cliff (몰운대 (정선))

2026-05-27

1330, Yaksu-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do

Morundae Cliff is one of the Eight Scenic Sites of Hwaam. The tip of the steep cliff is adorned with three specimens of 500-year-old pine trees. Legend has it that gods would perch on the cliff’s top and enjoy the beautiful view. At the foot of the cliff lies a large sheet of rock that can accommodate hundreds of people. ◎ Travel information discovering the charm of Hallyu - Film This location represents the summit of the fictional Homisan Mountain, featuring a 500-year-old dead tree standing at the edge of a cliff. At Molundae, where even clouds are said to stop and rest because of the beautiful scenery, a book-shaped sculpture displays a poem that says, “The end of the world is the beginning of another love.” It brings to mind Hae-jun and Seo-rae finally facing each other on a snowy night.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information