Gangwon-do(Yanggu-gun)

First opened in June 2004, Yanggu Eco-Botanical Garden was built on a total area of 189,141㎡. 3.1 billion Korean won (approximately 3 million USD) was spent on the construction and it was built to be developed into a South and North Korean ecosystem restoration center. Located in the northernmost region of South Korea, it houses more than 400 rare plants including plants that are Korean native species and protected by Korean Ministry of Environment. The garden is divided into six parts by their features including Botanical garden, Natural forest, and facilities zone. In the Botanical garden, rare plants such as northern native plants and alpine plants that are naturally grown in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) and Yanggu area are displayed in one place. There are also walking trails, a medicinal plants exhibition hall, a plant nursery, and a greenhouse. In order to supplement the shortcomings of the botanical garden, which is a static atmosphere, a mountain stream zone and wetlands zone were prepared to provide people with the chance to enjoy the pleasant sound of running water. * Total area: 189,141㎡ * Plants that are Korean native species and protected by Korean Ministry of Environment in the garden: Geumgang Chorongkkot (금강초롱꽃 (Diamond bluebell, scientific name: Hanabusaya asiatica Nakai) Kkaengkkaengipul 깽깽이풀 (Asian Twin Leaf, scientific name: Jeffersonia dubia) Gaeneusam 개누삼 (scientific name: Echinosophora koreensi) * Other rare plants in the garden: Sankkoripul 산꼬리풀 (scientific name: Veronica rotunda var. subintegra) Jebidongjakkot 제비동자꽃 (scientific name: Lychnis wilfordii) Somdari 솜다리 (scientific name: Leontopodium coreanum) Geummatari 금마타리 (scientific name: Patrinia saniculaefolia) Norangmunuibutkkot 노랑무늬붓꽃 (Korean Iris, scientific name: Iris odaesanensis) Haneulmaebaltop 하늘매발톱 (scientific name: Aquilegia flabellata var. pumila) Solchekkot 솔체꽃 (Mansenese morning bridge, scientific name: Scabiosa Scabiosa mansenensis) Byeongjohoepul 병조회풀 (scientific name: Clematis heracleifolis)


Gangwon-do(Taebaek-si)

Taebaek Station was originally called Hwangji Station when the rail first opened its route between Cheolam and Hwangji on December 10, 1962. An additional route from Gohan to Taebaek opened on October 6, 1974 and then the Taebaek Line eventually ran from Jecheon to Taebaek. Taebaek Station was mainly used by industrial trains and officially changed its name to Taebaek Station on December 1, 1984 in accordance with the name change of Hwangji-eup to Taebaek-si. When the Taebaek Line was initially opened, it was the only transportation method for residents of the Yeongdong area. It carried anthracite nation-wide as an industrial train, but it stopped this practice due to a policy change regarding coal. Located in the heart of Taebaek-si, a former coal town, Taebaek Station became a popular vacation spot. Tourists mainly from Seoul, Chungcheon-do and Jeolla-do areas visit the area by train. It offers clean, comfortable places and kind services to all visitors.


Gangwon-do(Yanggu-gun)

The Yanggu Unification Hall is located in the northernmost part of the Civilian Control Zone in Haean-myeon Yanggu-gun. It was built and opened to be utilized as a unification education center that would help broaden people’s understanding about the real situation in North Korea in preparation for reunification and encourage commitment for reunification. The location is 5 km away from The Fourth Tunnel, in the northern end of the punch bowl basin and it first opened in 1996. It has a first exhibition hall, second exhibition hall, agricultural specialty market, and a parking lot that can accommodate about 100 cars. Directly operated by Yanggu-gun District Office, the Yanggu Unification Hall displays things that show the reality of North Korea including household goods, exports and photographs. The agricultural specialty market sells agricultural goods, North Korean products, and tourism souvenirs. Located nearby is the 4th Tunnel, Eulji Observatory, and War Memorial Museum in Yanggu. The Eulji Observatory is the northernmost located observatory in South Korea. The Fourth Tunnel is the only tunnel among the four tunnels dug by North Korea that operates electric cars, allowing visitors to travel inside. The War Memorial Museum in Yanggu was built to shed new light on the nine battles fought in Yanggu during the Korean War. The Yanggu Unification Hall deals with works related to the Eulji Observatory, the 4th Tunnel and War Memorial Museum in Yanggu.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Skywalk has gained attention as a new tourist attraction in uiamho lake of Chuncheon. Located in the middle point of the bike paths and scenic observation deck, the sky walk is a great place for taking pictures. Skywalk is a round shaped deck soared about 12 meters in x_height from the surface of the water. It also has a transparent floor and hand railings, which makes a thrilling experience as you will feel like you are walking on the sky while having the feeling of falling into water!


Gangwon-do(Hwacheon-gun)

Peace Dam was built over the period of 15 months from February 1988 to May 1988 with funds donated by the general public in response to North Korea’s construction of Geumgangsan Dam and a potential flooding attack. The flood control dam has proved its worth during the floods of 1995, 1996, and 1999 and it has become a major tourist destination over the years. Located In the vicinity of Peace Dam is Bimok Park, which is the origin of the famous national song “Bimok.” In addition to the war monuments inside the park, there are around a dozen wooden crosses with rusty iron helmets placed on top within the barbed wire entanglements around the hill, thereby reminding visitors of the national tragedy of the Korean War. The county of Hwancheon hosts the Bimok Cultural Festival from June 3 to June 6 every year at Bimok Park, Bungeoseom Island by the town’s riverside, and the surrounding areas. The four-day festival offers a variety of events such as song contest, memorial ceremony of poetry reading, bimok tree cutting contest, rice ball eating contest, army life experience, military music parade, and more. Crossing over to Yanggu County from Peace Dam, there is a national security education place comprised of attractions like the 4th Underground Tunnel and Eulji Observatory. Paroho Lake Battlefield Tourist Park is also worth a visit after looking around Peace Dam. Also known as the “ocean within mountains,” Paroho is a manmade lake created as a result of Hwacheon Dam constructed in 1944. The lake is home to over 70 different species of freshwater fish such as mandarin fish and carp. It also holds a sorrowful history of burying at sea a whole three divisions of the Chinese Forces in defending the lake during the Korean War. The name Paroho, meaning “enemy breaking lake,” was given after the late president of Korea Rhee Syngman visited the place and designated a plaque in his own handwriting in memory of obtaining victory in fierce battle. There is an observatory, a security hall, and a stone monument engraved with the poetry of Wolha Rhee Taegeuk (1913-2003).


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.


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(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(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 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.