Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Gyeongpoho Lake, which means “clear as a mirror”, is located 6km northeast of Gangneung, and is also called Gunjaho Lake. Gyeongpoho Lake was formed when the mouth of a bay was closed by sand and pebbles brought in by the sea currents. It is famous as a destination site for migratory birds. It used to be a large lake with a circumference of 12km, but it diminished because of the accumulation of dirt and sand.Gyeongpoho Lake is the setting of the tale of Hwarang and cultural relics from the prehistoric age, and on the Rock Island in the middle of the lake, there is a small pavilion which holds a hanging board called Joam, believed to be written by Song Si-Yeol. There is also a legend that rises from Gyeongpoho Lake: With the moon shining in the sky, it is reflected on the ocean, on the lake, in a glass of wine, and of course, two moons shining brightly in the eyes of someone falling in love.Gyeongpoho Lake was famous as a fishing site as it is clean and clear but due to pollution it was designated as a nature protection site and fishing has been banned.


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

The city of Sokcho has a unique local culture. Sandwiched between Mt. Seoraksan and the East Sea, it experiences both the lifestyle of the mountains and the sea. It is influenced by the Abai Village, which was a settlement created by North Korean refugees during the Korean War. The unique folk cultures can be viewed at the Sokcho City Museum and the Displaced Civilians Folk Village. Visitors can also experience seasonal rituals and events, North Korean cultural programs, and other museum cultural programs.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Ojukheon is an important house which shows the lifestyle of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It is one of the oldest preserved Korean houses. In Mongryongsil room of Ojukheon, one of Korea's great men, Yulgok Yi-I (1536-1584) was born. It is told that his mother Sin Saimdang, also a heroin in Korean history, had dream of a dragon before she gave birth to Yulgok. In rememberance of his birth, the Yulgok Festival is held annually at Ojukheon. There are many traditional materials and regional remains which are displayed in the private museum. You can find the painting of Yulgok in Munseongsa (the ancestral shrine of Yulgok).In the Yulgok Memorial Hall you can see the artwork of the talented Yulgok family. In addition, various Buddhist artwork, ceramics, pictures and common living appliances are on display in the Folk Tradition Hall, History Culture Hall, and the outdoor exhibition area. Near the Ojukheon Municipal Museum is Gyeongpo Beach and Sungyojang, the house of a high-class family of the Joseon Dynasty. At Gyeongpo Beach, you can relax sitting by the sea and the pine tree forest. You can also stop by the Chamsori Museum where about 1,600 phonographs from Edison's inventions to up-to-date audios are kept.


Gangwon-do(Inje-gun)

Baekdam Valley is the representative valley of the Naeseorak area, and the river is a typical S-shaped stream formed by the winding geography from the Naegapyeong Village to the front of Baekdam Villa. The valley is named Baekdam after the claim that there are 100 naturally formed puddles in the valley. The stream that runs into Baekdam Valley comes from Suryeomdong Valley, which in turn starts from the joining of Gayadong Valley and the Baewundong Valley.Baekdam Valley is surrounded by many clean valleys, where natural monuments such as Manchurian Trout and Korean Salmon live, and also by various Buddhist temples such as Yeongsiamsa, Oseamsa, and Bongjeongamsa. It is a 2 hour walk (8 km) from the ticket booth to Baekdamsa Temple on the valley path. You can also take a shuttle bus to the upper course of the valley. After getting off the bus, walk 3 km to Baekdamsa Temple and another 300m more will lead you to Baekdam Mountain Villa. Walking up to the right side of Geumgyo, which is the first bridge on the path, you will see Dutaeso on the left side below. Then after crossing the third bridge, Gang-gyo, you will see Eunseondo, where swirling water streams of mountain ranges create an image of an island. From the forth road called Won-gyo, all the paths are sand paths. Cheongryongdam is located 300 m from Won-gyo, and Sushim-gyo leads to Baekdamsa Temple. Baedamsa Temple, located at the center of Baekdam Valley, is known as a temple where Han Yong-Un (1879-1944), a famous monk and a poet, stayed during his lifetime.


Gangwon-do(Cheorwon-gun)

Goseokjeong Pavilion is the most scenic spots among the eight scenic views of Cheorwon. The crystal clear waters of the Hantangang River wind around a peculiar shaped rock of about 10 meters tall that stands dominantly in the middle of the river. The two-story tower-style pavilion that has an area of about 33 square meters was built halfway up the Hantangang River and named Goseokjeong during the reign of King Jinpyeong (reign 579-632 AD) of Silla Kingdom. Today, Goseokjeong refers to the entire area around the Goseokjeong Pavilion and the valley surrounding Goseok Rock.Designated as Monument No. 8 of Gangwon-do, the pavilion is known to have been one of the most favored places by King Jinpyeong of Silla Kingdom, and King Chungsuk of Goryeo Dynasty. The area became all the more famous as the arena of Im Kkeok-jeong (?-1562), who was the legendary leader of a peasant rebellion in the early Joseon Dynasty. It is said that Im Kkeok-jeong resisted against the corrupt social class by helping the poor with the tribute goods that he had extorted around this area while the goods were being carried to the court from the Hamgyeong-do region.The pavilion was lost during the Korean War and restored in 1971 by community leaders in Cheorwon. Unfortunately, it was damaged once again by flood in 1996 and reconstructed the year after. There is a natural stone chamber inside the huge rock in the midstream of the river that Im Kkeok-jeong had used as a hiding place. On the opposite side, there are remains of a stone castle. Jiktang Waterfall is located about 2 kilometers up from this site, while Sundam Valley is situated about 2 kilometers in the downstream. Goseokjeong is an all-year-round tourist attraction with extensive grass square and recreational facilities. It is also the starting point for DMZ tours as the battlefield conservation office is located here and in winter, visitors can enjoy migratory bird tour.


Gangwon-do(Wonju-si)

Guryongsa Temple (구룡사) is located 6km from Birobong Peak on Chiaksan Mountain, in the direction of Hakkok-ri. Monk Ui Sang (625~702) of the Silla Kingdom (BC 57~AD 935) built and named the temple Guryongsa in 668 (during the reign of King Moon Mu: reign 661 ~ 681). However, it is now known that the temple was built after King Sukjong, the 19th King of Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910), who reigned from 1674 to 1720, because of the architectural style of the Daewoongjeon Shrine. There is a legend that the Guryongsa Temple site was originally a lake where nine dragons lived. The name Guryong comes from the story that the lake was filled up to build the temple on it. There are many shrines such as Daewoongjeon, Bogwangnu, Samseonggak, Simgeomdang and Seolseondang. Daewoongjeon has maintained its original shape though it was repaired many times. Daewoongjeon is a wooden building with the basic Dapojip style in the Joseon Era. The shape of the building is a Chinese character (八), with three rooms in the front and two rooms on the side and built without any nails. It is designated as Tangible Cultural Property No.24. We can see the characteristics of the Buddhist statues in the Joseon Period though the Samjonmokbul inside Daewoongjeon. With the Seokgamuni figure in the center and two Bosal statues on each side harmonize the structure of the building, and there are many other Buddhist artifacts in the temple such as Bogwangru and others.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Sangwonsa Temple is located 8km north of Woljeongsa Temple. Stories are told that Sangwonsa Temple was built by Buddhist monk Ja Jang (590~658) in 643, in the 12th year of Silla Queen Seon-Deok, and others say that it was built by Bocheon and Hyo-myeong, the sons of King Sin-Mun (reign 681~692), the 31st king of the Silla Kingdom. It was rebuilt in 705 during the 4th year of King Seong-Deok's reign (702∼737). However, in 1946 it was burnt down in a fire, but later restored once again in 1947. Only a Bell Pavillon remained during this period until the building was rebuilt after Korea’s Independence Day. The oldest relic left today is Dongjong (National Treasure No.36), Munsu Child Figure, and the Jungchang, the promotion of virtue in rebuilding Sangwonsa Temple, written by the 7th king of the Joseon Dynasty King Sejo (reign 1455∼1468).At the entrance is a site called Gwandaegeori, named after the story about how King Se-Jo would hang his royal garments here when he took baths. Also, there is the Munsu Child Figure where the story of King Sejo and monk Munsu comes from. As National Treasure No. 221, the official name is Sangwonsa Munsu Wooden Seated Child Figure. At Sangwonsa Temple, there are other pieces other than the Munsu Child figure. The 91cm diameter Sangwonsa Dongjong was established in 725, in the 24th year of Silla King Seong-Deok. It is famous for its beautiful bell sound and the delicately carved Juakbicheon figure but nowadays it sits silent in order to preserve the bell.Sangwonsa Temple is located at Jungdaeam on the way to Jeokmyeolbogung in the Mt.Odaesan Birobong Peak direction. At the 2km southwest point is a hermitage where Utongsu Stream, the origin of the Hangang river, flows. Jeokmyeolbogung is a reliquary which possesses the bonesetting relics of Buddha, which was brought by monk Ja Jang from Tang (China).


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

If you begin at Seorak-dong in Oeseorak, cross the Biryong Bridge and pass by the Biryong Falls, you will reach Yukdam Falls (육담폭포), which actually consist of six waterfalls and a pond. Despite the fact that only a small amount of water actually flows in these waterfalls today, what is interesting, is how they came into existence: a slow-flowing stream of water eroded the rocks, creating dips and puddles at various levels, which later became a series of cascading waterfalls. The splendid scenery around the waterfalls is always a pleasing sight to the eyes of visitors.  


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Located on the highlands of Pyeongchang County where the 2018 Winter Olympics will be held, Uiyaji Baram Maeul (Uiyaji Wind Village) is a mountain village situated on top of Daegwallyeong. At Uiyaji Wind Village, one can enjoy various types of activities such as making cheese or ice cream as well as enjoying the beautiful sight of wind-mills standing high above the frozen plain. Also, visitors can try various food including memil-mandu (buckwheat dumpling), ongsimi-kalguksu (handmade knife-cut noodles with sweet rice dough soup), gamja-jeon (potatoes pancakes), memil-kalguksu (buckwheat knife-cue noodles), sanchae-bibimbap (seasoned wild vegetables bibimbap), and more.