Gangwon-do(Jeongseon-gun)

Auraji is a train station on the Jeongseon line located in Gangwondo. It is about 19.4 km away from Jengsoen-eup, and is the meeting place of two streams, the Songcheon stream from Gujeolli and Imgyemyeon’s Goljicheon stream, which flows down from Samcheok’s Jungbongsan. The name of the station, Auraji, comes from the verb eoureuda, meaning “be in harmony” in Korean. Auraji Station was once named after the region, Yeoryang, but was changed to Auraji, which describes the unique geographical features of the village. The area where the two streams meet and become a river became a bustling business zone in the past, where rafts were floated with lumber all the way to Seoul. It is quite a sight looking at the beautiful scenery enveloped by the crystal clear water and pebbles on the riverside surrounded by Nuchusan, Sangwonsan, Okgapsan, Goyangsan, Ballonsan, and the Wangjaesan Mountains. At the confluence of these two streams, a statue of Virgin Auraji and a newly built pavilion rest on a hill in the middle of the peaceful landscape. There are also rail bikes being operated at this station, which run 7.2 km from Gujeolli Station to Auraji Station. Notably, this is the birthplace of Jeongseon Arirang – Aejeongpyeon. Legend has it that there was a girl and a boy who were deeply in love in this village. The girl lived in Yeoryang and the boy in Gageum, with the Auraji Valley sitting in the middle. One day they were going to pick some camellia flowers in Ssarigol Valley. However, torrential downpours from the night before made the river overflow, making it impossible to use the raft to see each other. Their heart was aching for they couldn’t see each other. The lyrics of the traditional song Arirang were inspired by this story: “Rower in Auraji, listen to me, please let me cross the river.   Beautiful camellia petals in Ssarigol Valley are scattered around.   The beautiful camellia shed its petals and piled up with dead leaves. I miss my dearest one all year around and my heart aches.” The old rafts still remain in Gageum Village (also known as Gagumi) and Yeoryang village. A camp site of about 2,000 square meters is open in the months of July and August each year. Many tourist sites are nearby, such as Ojangpokpo Waterfall, Hanggolgyegok Valley, Hwaamdonggul Cave, Hwaamyaksuteo Mineral Spring and others. Intercity buses operate from Jeongseon, Yeoryang and on to Gujeolli. From April to November, trains run from Cheongnyangni Station to Jeongseon station on days ending with the number 2 and 7 (ie. 2, 7, 12, 17).


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Deungseon Waterfall is located 80km north of Seoul and 10km southwest of Chucheon. It is situated inside of a 100m valley along the Gyeongchun National Highway, perfect for a shor trip or one-day tour course from Seoul, Gyeonggi, or Incheon areas.


Gangwon-do(Yeongwol-gun)

Chosun Minhwa Museum finished construction in 1998, in Waseok-ri, Gimsatga-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do and opened on July 29, 2000. The museum contains about 3,000 folk paintings (minhwa) from the Joseon era and is comprised of a hands-on program hall where visitors can paint a minhwa on a wood plate and the chunhwa (obscene painting) exhibition which is eligible for only adults. In addition to this museum, Gimsatgat Culture Hall and Indian Art Museum are also in Yeongwol.


Gangwon-do(Inje-gun)

Inje Hwangtae Village, with its excellent winter landscape, is known for its dried hwangtae (Pollack), which repeatedly melts and freezes with the fluctuations in the weather, giving it a delicious chewy taste. Covered with snow, the area is worthy visiting in the winter to enjoy all it has to offer. While walking around the site, visitors are able to listen to the story of its background, and how myeongtae becomes hwangtae (dried Pollack) after passing through the hand of thirty one people. Nearby is Maebawi Rock, which has a metal path perfect for beginners, and it is also visited by advanced climbers for ice climbing in the winter months.


Gangwon-do(Hwacheon-gun)

Located just 4km away from Hwacheon-eup, Ddansan Mountain is nestled between Paroho Lake and the entrance to Peace Dam, making it appear more like an island floating on the water rather than a mountain. This small island-like mountain offers an interesting and unique setting and the cooling effect of the mountain's shadow on the water creates a more relaxed resting area.


Gangwon-do(Yanggu-gun)

Yanggu Prehistory Museum displays artifacts from the Paleolithic Age in Sangmuryong-ri, Yanggu-eup and the Neolith Age in Hyeon-ri, Haean-myeon, to teach visitors about Korean prehistoric culture in an up-close and fun manner.


Gangwon-do(Yanggu-gun)

The entire town of Haean-myeon is contained in Haean Basin. Also known as Punch Bowl, Haean Basin is surrounded by high peaks and one of these peaks is Gachilbong. The nature of the terrain in the Gachilbong area made it difficult to conduct military operations during the Korean War. The North Korean military utilized these natural features to build a solid defense position and launch counterattacks, while the South Korean soldiers in the lowland were in a disadvantageous position. South Korean soldiers were under the command of 5th Division Commander Brigadier General Min Gi-sik and 24th Regiment Commander Colonel Yu Ui-jun. On the North Korean side, the 7th, 14th, and 32nd Regiments of the 27th Division and the 23rd Regiment of the 12th Division under the 2nd Corps fought back. By sending a military deployment and conducting search operations, the South Korean military completed a reconnaissance of the area on August 30 and advanced to counterattack. On August 31, after defending their position for two days, the South Korean soldiers were able to break the North Korean resistance. Each unit secured a strongly fortified position to draw the North Korean soldiers out. Thereafter, South Korea launched an all-out attack and captured Hill 1241. However, North Korea attacked again and South Korea retreated. After several attacks and counterattacks, South Korea was able to take back Gachilbong and the surrounding areas. Although it resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, this battle ultimately gave South Korea possession of Haean Basin.


Gangwon-do(Yanggu-gun)

Yanggu Porcelain Museum (Formerly Bangsan Porcelain Museum) presents porcelain from the Bangsan area with various video clips to help take a look at the history of porcelain in the Bangsan area. Visitors can also try their hand at making porcelain from scratch!


Gangwon-do(Hwacheon-gun)

Yanguidae Wetland Protected Area located between Peace’s Dam and Ojak-gyo is home to a variety of critical species deemed to have a significant value that is worthy to protect. Left untouched for 50 years due to the conflicts between North and South Korea, the area has a well preserved ecosystems. Efforts to conserve this ecosystem and guarding otter nests are needed.


Gangwon-do(Donghae-si)

Located in the west entrance of Samhwasa Temple, Yongchu Mureung Valley Falls stretches for 2.5 ㎞ and has the shape of a pot with the water falls flowing down. The waters are divided into 3 different sizes, high, mid, and low, descending from the flowing stream Cheongoksan Mountain (1,403 m). The waters coming down from the falls meets the water from Bakdalgyegok Valley. The water in the valley and sandalwood seems as if it represents the harmony and the destiny found in the nature of Yin. These places form the climax of beauty of the Mureung Yongchu Valley.