Gangwon-do(Jeongseon-gun)

If you go southeast from downtown Jeongseon all the way to Dong-myeon, you will run into Hwaam Tourist Attraction (화암관광지), which is also known as Sogeumgang River (small diamond) because of its magnificent scenery. Although the road that runs through the site winding, it is perfectly paved and drivers can enjoy the beautiful view of thick forest and fascinating, often curious-looking rock formations and cliffs along the roadside. Hwaam Tourist Attraction is an ideal locale for leaf peeking in autumn. Scenic Beauty 1: Hwaam Mineral Spring At Hwaam Mineral Spring (화암약수), 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 (on the right upper side of the path leading to Hwaam Mineral Spring). 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 (on the riverside 500 meters ahead of the entrance to Hwaam Mineral Spring). With its clean water and wide sheets of rock, Yongmaso Lake (용마소) is a popular attraction for vacationers. Scenic Beauty 4: Hwaam Cave Hwaam Cave (화암동굴) 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 (화표주) is a cliff facing the entrance of Hwapyo-dong, which can be seen on your way from Hwaam-dong to Molundae (몰운대). 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 (past Sogeumgang, on the right-hand side of Gubeulgil) ‘Molundae (몰운대)’ 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 (past Molundae, on the left) Gwangdaegok Valley (광대곡) 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.  


Gangwon-do(Inje-gun)

Misiryeong Valley is about 5 km in length and starts from Yongdae-samgeori and extends in a northeasterly direction to Dojeok Pokpo Waterfall. At Misiryeong Valley the water is clean and many Giam cliffs can be seen. You can also find the rarely known Dojeok Pokpo Waterfall and Chotdae Bawi Rock. On the way to Inje from Dojeok Waterfall, you will come across Seon Bawi Rock, where you can relax and rest. From beyond that point, the valley is 2.5 km long ending at Yongdae-samgeori. You must hold on to a rope while climbing down the steep pathway to Dojeok Pokpo Waterfall. There is a myth saying that Dojeok, meaning thief in Korean, hid until he discovered a person passing through Misiryeong. When a person appeared, the thief would rob the person kill the traveler by drowning him/her in the waterfall. Therefore, the waterfall was named Dojeok Pokpo (Waterfall) or Dojeokso (Pond). Misiryeong Valley still preserves its beauty of primeval forest and has relatively low temperature during summer. The surrounding areas consist of many tourist sites such as Baekdamsa Temple, Yongdae Nature Recreation Area, the Valley of the Twelve Angels' Bath, Oknyeotang, Jangsudae, Daeseung Waterfall and Pillye Mineral Spring.  


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

Spanning only 1㎞ in length, Yonghwa Beach, located 24㎞ from downtown Samcheok-si City, offers a serene atmosphere. Its half-moon shaped coastline, together with the strangely shaped rocks on both sides, creates a beautiful scenery, while its shallow water and low waves offer a perfect swimming location for families with children. Moreover, there is a stream that runs parallel to the beach, and a dense pine forest behind it.


Gangwon-do(Yanggu-gun)

Soyangho Lake (소양호) is a man-made lake that was created when Soyang Dam, the biggest rock-filled dam in Asia, was built in 1973. The lake is a hotspot for marine tourism and the lakeside road is an important route that connects Chuncheon and Yanggu. You can travel overland for an hour to get to the dam or take the Kwaeryongho Boat (쾌룡호), a hovercraft that operates regularly on Soyang Lake, and get there in 30 minutes. The hovercraft travels by ejecting air against the surface below, sending up a spray of water on either side of the boat to the delight of passengers. Once you are in the valley, you can see fish farms floating among the islets. When the water level is high, you can travel on the lake all the way to Inje and Sinnam enjoying the beautiful scenery of Naeseorak. Both tourists and locals regularly make use of the ferry service.


Gangwon-do(Taebaek-si)

With an elevation of 1,573 meters above sea level, Hambaeksan Mountain is the tallest mountain in the eastern part of Gangwon-do Province. The main ridge of the mountain stretches between the city of Taebaek to the east and Yeongwol and Jeongseon counties to the west. The mountain offers a fine vantage point from which to get a sweeping look at the entire region (including Taebaeksan and Baegunsan mountains) and commands a striking view of the sunrise over East Sea. The three starting points for hiking Hambaeksan Mountain are Dumundongjae Pass, Manhangjae Pass, and the entrance to the Jeokjoam Hermitage. The hiking path that begins at Dumundongjae Pass and leads to the peak is especially recommended for its scenic views. Hambaeksan Mountain is particularly well known for its breathtaking snowscapes and extensive wildflower beds. Hambeaksan Mountain is also home to Jeongamsa Temple, which was built by Buddhist monk Jajangyulsa in the year 636 during the reign of Queen Seondeok of the Silla Kingdom. The temple is home to the Sumanotap Pagoda (Treasure No. 410) and is bordered by a stream that provides a natural habitat for the Brachmystax lenok (Natural Monument No. 73), a member of the trout family.


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

Yeonggeumjeong refers to the area covering the shore by the Sokcho Lighthouse in Sokcho-si City. The name Yeonggeumjeong comes from a notion that the sound of waves hitting the rocks is comparable to the melody of geomungo (traditional stringed instrument with 6 strings). At the end of the 50m-long bridge built over a rocky peninsula is a pavilion offering a view of the East Sea.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Lohas Garden & WacaPuca is an eco-themed park located 700 meters above sea level in the highlands of Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province. Sitting in the most beautiful national forest of Phyeongchang ( Total area 3,305,785㎡ Structural area 396,694㎡), Lohas Garden offers the most natural scenic views in Korea.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Established in November 1967, the dam at Uiamho Lake is located at the point where the Bukhangang and Soyanggang rivers meet. It was created to balance the flow of water to the Hangang River from Soyangho (the nation’s largest artificial lake) and Paroho Lake. Uiamho Lake is a great fishing area since the water level in the lake fluctuates depending on the amount of water discharged from Soyangho and Paroho lakes. Unlike other dam-created lakes, it has a flat bottom with plenty of water grass growing in and around the water, making it the perfect place for carp fishing. Carp is the main catch from the early spring to the late fall and in winter, the lake is a great spot for ice fishing (mainly minnow and smelt). The two large islands of Bungeoseom and Jungdo are located in middle of the lake. Not only a good fishing spot, the lake offers beautiful natural scenery and is easily accessible from Chuncheon City via public transportation.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Festival Theater Momzit in Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do is a modern performance hall that seats up to 150 people. Believing that human gestures can change the world, the Momzit features a wide repertoire of inspiring performances involving traditional music, dance, drama and mime.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Pyeongchang Donggang Freshwater Ecology Fish Center opened to the public in July 2009 in an effort to provide the general public with a chance to observe the indigenous fish of Donggang River and learn more about the local ecology. Along with Hemibarbus mylodon, Natural Monument No. 259, the center presents 45 unique species of freshwater fish including Rhynchocypris kumganensis, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Zacco temminckii, and Ssoragi. At the center there are a variety of hands-on experience programs. Walk through a gigantic model of a fish’s stomach and explore its internal organs. Or, check out the 3D theater, virtual rafting program, or the huge tank where you can observe and touch an array of freshwater fish. There is also an outdoor training center where you can try your hand at rock climbing.