Gangwon-do has it all—mountains, rivers, valleys, and the sea—and is a haven for travelers and those who enjoy leisure sports and activities. ‘Jangamsan Mountain Paragliding Field,’ located in Gangwon-do Pyeongchang, is known as the best paragliding spot in Korea, thanks to the area’s pristine natural environment. The direction of the wind and the altitude of the field enable people to enjoy paragliding all year round. Paragliders of all skill levels can find an appropriate flying program that will allow them to soar up in the sky and enjoy the beautiful scenery of downtown Pyeongchang and the Pyeongchang River. Only a 3-4 hour training session is enough for a simple flight. For more cautious flyers, there is even tandem paragliding (10-minute dual flight with a trainer). At the landing site along Pyeongchang River, people can also enjoy camping and swimming.

Before the Korean War, trains used to run along the Gyeongwon Line, transporting people and goods between Seoul and Wonsan, but now they turn back at Sintan-ri station. There is no longer a railline running past the old Cheorwon station and across the armistice line, from Sintan-ri station to Pyeonggang. North Korea changed the name of the Gyeongwon Line that connects Pyeonggang to Sepo, Gosan, Tongjiwon, Wonsan, and Gowon to the ‘Gangwon Line’ many years ago. Near Sintan-ri station is a signpost that says, ‘We want to be back on track,’ symbolizing that this area is the northernmost point of the Gyeongwon Line in South Korea, resonating with a sense of sadness for South Koreans over the continuing division of the peninsula.

E-An Land Forest was established in 1999 when 1,836 arbor species and 1,418 herb species were planted on a land area of 1,118 hectares. The forest features a tropical garden and various other exhibition gardens, as well as thematic spaces like the Haneul Maru. The forest was finally completed in 2006. Inside the arboretum, there are various things to see such as the herb village, parakeet exhibitions, a pine tree garden, and man-made cave. There is also a mini golf course and an outdoor swimming pool. Visitors can also use the onsite pensions and the auto camping site for accommodation, making the E-An Land Forest a great place for family and group visitors.

The birthplace of Jeongseon Arirang, Jeongseon. After the coal mining rationalizing business, floating population travelling Joengseon to the metropolitan area has been dramatically decreased and so did the population at Jeongseon. All the stations in Jeongseon Line have now operates with no station employee reside in and Jeongseon station is the only one with a station staff, maintaining its existence. After Korea started to have a day off on Saturday, the birthplace of Jeongseon Arirang has been a popular touristic place. Especially in every summer, tourists from all over the country flock to this town for Jeongseon’s Market day It has been a must-see spot for students or customers using Rail-Ro.

Seongwangsa Temple is located in the quiet downtown area of Eupnae-dong, Seosan in Chungcheongnam-do. Its convenient location makes it easily accessible from almost anywhere in town. The temple was built by Great Monk Daegyeong in 928 in the end of Silla period and the scholar Choi Chiwon came here to study while he was serving as the governor of Buseong-gun (currently Seosan) in 893. Originally, the temple was called Samseonam, or Three Hermitages, for there had been three hermitages in the upper, middle, and lower part of Mount Buchunsan. During the late Joseon Dynasty, the hermitages in the upper and middle part were closed and only the one at the bottom survived. In 1987, the name of the temple was changed to Seogwangsa. Mount Buchunsan is not very tall; however, its pine tree colonies and wild flowers offer a great hiking trail for the residents of Seosan. In wintertime, it offers a magnificent snow-covered landscape.

Using a long abandoned railway, the Yangpyeong Rail Bike offers a unique bike ride at speeds of 15km/h from Yongmun to Wondeok. This 3.2km journey passes along a gleaming river and tree covered mountains. The bike ride delivers picturesque scenery all year round: blooming flowers in the spring with the light green buds blossoming on the trees, the flush greens of summer time, vivid autumnal tones coloring the ridge of Yongmunsan Mountain, and the clean white snowflakes resting delicately on the limbs of trees.

Jungmisan Recreational Forest (중미산자연휴양림) unfolds at the end of a lovely drive along the famous Nongdachi-gogaegil road (the highest ridge road in the vicinity of Seoul). The forest boasts a striking landscape of thick groves of trees and a view overlooking Namhangang River. Some mornings, the forest’s log cabins are veiled by a thick fog, further adding to the beautiful natural ambience. Rising 834 meters above sea level, Jungmisan Mountain is a popular sunrise destination frequented by throngs of hikers every year. Thick forests of pine trees create a rooftop of branches from spring to fall. Being surrounded by tall mountains of Baegunsan, Yumyeongsan, and Yongmunsan, Mount Jungmisan feels like it is in the inner mountainous region of Gangwon-do, although it is close to Seoul. The forest has log cabins that can accommodate groups of 4, 7, or 16 people as well as campsites that seem to complement the surrounding natural environment. Visitors can enjoy a comfortable walk through the trees on a trail that winds through the heart of the forest. The recreational forest is located in Yangpyeong County, which is known as an environmentally-friendly town of suburban residences, vacation homes and inns. Nearby tourist attractions include the Mount Jungmisan Astronomical Observatory, Wild Flower Botanical Garden, the birth house of Lee Hang-ro, and Yongmunsa Temple.

The ancient fossil site at Deokmyeong-ri, Goseong-gun, is one of the largest Cretaceous dinosaur fossils sites in the world. It is the home of a vast amount of footprints from a variety of ancient species, as well as the largest Mesozoic bird footprint found to date. The formations from many different prehistoric eras make it a precious site for academic research on the life patterns of dinosaurs, the ancient natural environment and formations, the distribution of sea and land, and the evolution of bird species. It is also a great tourist attraction that offers magnificent scenery, including a coastline dotted with beautiful Hallyeosudo islets, unique rock formations and cliffs, and sea caves.  

Daeseong Water Leports is a private water sports specialty business located in Daeseong-ri that offers a variety of enjoyable programs that include water skiing, motorboating, wakeboarding, banana boating, an excursion ferry, and paddle boats. They also provide several other conveniences such as a restaurant, series of bungalows, a convenience stand, a sporting field, camping grounds, and a large cherry tree forest. The clean and clear waters of the North Hangang River makes the perfect place for an outing or large social gatherings and events.

Chujado Island is a group of four inhabited islands called Sangchujado, Hachujado, Chupodo, and Hoenggando, as well as 38 uninhabited islands. From the mountaintop, one can experience the beauty of the beach below. The path is located to the far northwest of Jeju Island and connects the hills of Sangchujado (upper Chuja) and Hachujado (lower Chuja).