Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Gyeongpodae (경포대) is famous for the view of the moon on the 15th day of the first lunar month, and is located 6 km north from the center of Gangneung. It is a large, tall pavilion, and its architectural feature- a “paljak” roof, is the most common form used in Korean buildings. It has been designated as Regional Cultural Asset No. 6. Its structure is divided into 6 sections in the front, and 5 sections at the side, with 28 pillars surrounding the pavillion. Located inside is the Gyeongpodaebu, which was written by Yul-Gok when he was only 10 years old. It writes about the slow and leisurely movement of the heavens, making it even more distant, and the clear, bright moon shimmering in the darkness. There is also a poem written by Suk-Jong (1095~1105), the 15th king of the Goryeo Dynasty, and many other literary records and poetry of famous artists like Ha-Mang Jo’s (1682~1747) Sangryangmun.In the Geyongpodae area there are 12 other Pavilions, including Geumnanjeong, Gyeonghojeong, Banghaejeong, Haeunjeong. You can enjoy Gyeongpodae, and its place in the surrounding nature, just as you would enjoy seeing artwork at a museum. It is best to visit between March and October.


Gangwon-do(Yeongwol-gun)

Yeongwol’s Donggang River is one of the top three rafting places in Korea, the other top three being Hantangang River and Naerincheon Stream. Each river has distinguished characteristics, so it is recommended to search for information like nearby attractions based on travel. Donggang River features breathtaking scenery comparable to Guilin in China.The area called Donggang River includes Seogang River (Pyeongchanggang River), where Joyanggang River meets Dongnamcheon Stream and Yeongwol-gun. The river is a typical meandering stream with a limestone riverbed.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Located at the Uiam lakeside, the Animation Museum, which is Korea’s only animation museum, has two floors. On the first floor there is the dimensional exhibition hall introducing the origin, birth, and development of the animation, the kinds of animation, and the Korean animation history, as well as the reproductions of a large robot Taekwon V, and the old comic store. The second floor consists of the world hall displaying the animation trend for each country, diverse animation experience activities, and a special exhibition hall. Visitors can experience making sound effects for an animated film using various tools and dubbing a famous animated film such as Run Honey, and Cloud Bread. The Toy Robot Studio, located next to the Animation Museum, provides various experience programs related to robots. Its interesting robot programs are Spider Robot, Mission Robot, Robot Avatar, Robot Dance, Drone Experience, and so on. Both the Animation Museum and the Toy Robot Studio are equipped with convenient facilities for visitors with the background of Uiamho Lake, such as a cafe and souvenir shop, which sells animation characters and toys. The outdoor space also displays cute animation characters on the lawn where children can play freely.


Gangwon-do(Inje-gun)

Bangtaesan Recreational Forest is known for its beautiful scenery like the two-step waterfall at Madangbawi Rock. The autumn foliage in the forest is worth seeing because of the outstanding species of broadleaf trees in the Reserved Forest.Wild animals like rabbits, roe deer, and squirrel inhabits the forest. Various programs like the forest explanation and experience of forest are available.


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

Cheonbuldong Valley is the main Valley of Seorak Mountain and is also called Seorak Valley. It was named Cheonbuldong because the many peaks on either side look like a lineup of a thousand Buddhist statues. It is also called Cheonbuldong because the peaks also look like Buddhist saints offering food sacrifices to Buddha. If you follow the waterway of Waseondae for about 300m, you’ll arrive at Biseondae. Travel 12 km further from here and you will arrive at Daecheongbong. There’s also Biseondae Munjudam, Ihodam, and the steep Guimyeonam. On the opposite side, an hour’s walk past Chilseongbong, attached to Hwachaebong, is Chilseonggol’s forked road from which you can reach Oryeon Falls, Yangpok, Cheondang Falls and other valleys with exceptionally beautiful sceneries. The path used to be rough and difficult, but because of new facilities and a mountain villa, you can more easily climb and see the scenery of Cheonbuldong. Many people who go hiking at Seorak Mountain seek this place out because of the convenient transportation provided by Seorak-dong’s Sogongwon, which becomes the starting point for many mountain climbers, and there is an endless line of hikers and tourists who come to visit during mid October when the autumnal leaves start turning color.


Gangwon-do(Taebaek-si)

Taebaeksan Mountain (태백산) encompasses several peaks such as Yeongbong Peak, where in the past, people would conduct rites to venerate Heaven at Cheonjedan, Janggunbong Peak (1,567m) and Munsubong Peak (1,517m). The mountain is rather high but easy to hike since it is relatively smooth and has few cliffs. 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.Taebaeksan Mountain is one of the three sacred mountains of Korea and the sunrise observed at Cheonjedan is simply breathtaking. There is a ritual site for Dangun in Danggol Valley, where people celebrate Gaecheonjeol (개천절) each year; and there are a number of Buddhist temples such as Manggyeong, Baekdan, Yuil and Cheongwon. Right below the mountaintop lies Yongjeong, the well that is said to boast the very best-quality water among the 100 good water sources in Korea. Near the park are located Geomryongso, the origin of the Han River, and Hwangji Pond, source of the Nakdonggang River. The Taebaek Coal Museum and Gumunso Natural Experience Field provide visitors with information on fossils, geology and the development of the coal industry.* Sunrise at Mt. TaebaeksanWeather permitting, you can watch the sun rising out of the East Sea from the top of Mt. Taebaeksan (Cheonjedan). It usually first appears breaking through the clouds or peeking between the mountaintops. In order to watch the first sunrise of the year at the top of Mt. Taebaeksan, you need to equip yourself with a wintertime hiking outfit and tools such as crampons and a headlamp. Since Mt. Taebaeksan is not far from downtown Taebaek, it is convenient for hikers to spend the night Taebaek and get to the mountain by land transportation.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Cheongpyeong Temple became more widely known with the opening of Soyang Dam and Waterway in 1973. A thirty-minutes walk from the dock, the temple stands on the southern ridge of Obongsan Mountain. It was first built in 973, during the reign of King Gwangjong (949-975) of the Goryeo Dynasty. It had been closed and opened from time to time, but still remains open today.During the Korean War, Gugwangjeon and Saseongjeon of the temple were damaged, but the Cheongpyeongsa Revolving Door (Treasure No.164), which symbolizes the transmigration of Souls, and Geukrakbojeon remains today. Near Cheongpyeongsa Temple is Cheongpyeongsa Valley, which is known for its clean water and Guseong Waterfall, known to make nine different sounds.Guseong Waterfall stands right next to the path and the water falls from the upright stone. Beyond the waterfall is an artificial pond 'Yeongji'. In the pond there are three big stones, and between those stones reeds were planted to reflect the pasture of Obongsan Mountain. Walk further down Yeongji pond and Cheongpyeongsa Temple can be seen. The path to Cheongpyongsa Temple is a pretty walkway surrounded by the woods and a clean valley.The three story stone pagoda of Cheongpyeongsa Temple has a myth attached to it. Once a young man who loved a princess was killed. He was born again as a snake and he stuck to the princess and would not get off her. The princess went to seek help at various famous temples to pray for the snake to leave her. One day she came to Cheongpyeongsa Temple and after the going through the Buddhist ceremony, the snake left her. In gratification, the princess built the 3-story pagoda above Guseong Waterfall and went back to her kingdom. The pagoda still remains today and is called Gongju Pagoda tower, 'gongju' meaning princess in Korean. In Cheongpyeong Temple, there is a garden that is the oldest garden of the Goryeo Dynasty made by Lee Ja-Hyeon. This garden has stones piled up into a trapezoidal shape, and a stream flows between the stone isles.


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

Hollowed into the rocks of Mt Seoraksan, about 600 meters above sea level, you will find Geumganggul Cave. This 23 square meters cave was once used as a place of worship, and contains a stone sitting Buddha and some earthenware. The route up the cave is quite steep, and visitors must walk across a few bridges and up concrete stairways. However, you will be rewarded with a captivating view of Cheonbuldong Valley.The hiking trail from Seorakdong to Geumganggul Cave, which also passes by Biseondae, is 3.6 kilometers long and takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

Located on the southern most point of Sokcho are the many raw fish restaurants and dried fish shops of Daepohang Port. This bustling port has become one of the most popular tourist spots for those in search of the freshest raw fish restaurants.At Daepohang Port it is said that the Seorak Mountains and the East Sea are gifts from nature. The port is filled with raw fish restaurants and a live fish market containing eel, flatfish, flounder, yellowtail, and plethora of other high-end seafood. Furthermore, the abundance of local dishes that can be found lining the streets includes ojingeo sundae and Gamja Songpyeon. For raw fish lovers that are in the Sokcho area, Daepohang Port is the place to be.Nearby tourist attractions include Seorak Sunrise Park and Tourism Submarine. These are all great places to stop by while visiting the Seoraksan Mountains.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

The Ojukheon House (오죽헌) gets its name from the many black bamboo trees that surround it. It was here where Sinsaimdang (1504~1551) lived and where his son Yulgok (scholar and politician of the Joseon Period) was born. It was built during the time of the 11th King of Joseon, King Jungjong (1506~1544), and remains one of the oldest wooden residential buildings in Korea. It was designated as Treasure No. 165 in 1963 and has been maintained by the descendants throughout the generations.Inside Ojukheon there's the Yulgok Memorial Hall, Mongryongsil, where Yulgok was born, the household shrine called Munseongsa, and the entrances called Jagyeongmun, Sajumun etc. There is also Eojaegak, which was built to preserve the inkstone and Gyeokmongyogyeol (a book written by Lee-Lee in 1577 for those beginning their studies), mementos of Lee-Lee.Beside Ojukheon, there is the Gangneung Municipal Museum where you can see relics from the prehistoric age and other various historical materials from different time periods.