Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

Samcheok Ocean Railbike is a four-wheeled bike on a 5.4㎞ rail that lies against a splendid backdrop of East Sea. Along the rail are Gungchon and Yonghwa Stations as rest stops, an observatory lounge, an ocean tunnel, and many more attractions. Since each bike has safety installations (double breaks, safety bars, etc.), it can be enjoyed by the whole family.


Gangwon-do(Donghae-si)

Cheongok Cave (천곡천연동굴) is a limestone cave that extends horizontally for 1,400 meters. Estimated to have been created 400 to 500 million years ago, it is the only natural cave located in a downtown area. The cave features ceiling craters, one of which is the longest in Korea, along with stalactite curtains, travertine terraces, stalactite cascades, and many other fantastic rock formations. It provides a grand spectacle for tourists and great speleological samples for researchers. As the inside of the cave is lined with over 20 types of secondary formations, such as stalactites, stalagmites, and limestone pillars, it is an invaluable resource for earth science education. 


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

The Daegwallyeong Special Tourist Zone is made up of five cities and counties in Gangwon-do, including Pyeongchang-gun, which is the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympics. Blessed with picturesque highland scenery, the Daegwallyeong Special Tourist Zone includes the cities of Gangneung-si, Donghae-si, Samcheok-si, and the counties of Hoengseong-gun and Pyeongchang-gun. Gangneung is located the nearest to Daegwallyeong. Famous attractions in Gangneung include Gyeongpoho Lake and Gyeongpodae Pavilion. Two of Gangneung’s historic villas, Ojukheon House and Seongyojang House, have been beautifully maintained for centuries. The city of Donghae’s two ports, Donghae Port and Mukho Port, are always buzzing with the energy of coastal life. Donghae Port is a base for the distribution of materials, industrial development, and trade. Cruise ferries take passengers to Russia and Japan. Meanwhile, ferries going to Ulleung-do depart from Mukho Port, which is located near Mukho Lighthouse and the Bukpyeong 5-day Market. Samcheok is a coastal city in the southernmost part of Gangwon-do. With National Road No. 7 at the center, Samcheok is bordered by Donghae to the north and Uljin-gun to the south. Hwanseongul Cave, the biggest limestone cave in Korea, and Daegeumgul Cave are some of the city’s major attractions. Hoengseong-gun is famous for its hanu (Korean beef) and the diverse agricultural experience programs the county offers. The lush forests and the road with a scenic view of Taegisan Mountain also attract many tourists. At 700 meters above sea level, Pyeongchang-gun is home to many ski resorts, making it a major destination for winter sports. [Daegwallyeong Special Tourist Zone] Areas included: Areas around Hoengseong and Pyeongchang-gun, Gangneung, Donghae and Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do Area size: 428.3k㎡ (Gangneung 90.4k㎡, Donghae 48.4k㎡, Samcheok 11.3k㎡, Hoengseong 63.5k㎡, Pyeongchang 214.7k㎡) Tourist attractions: Yongpyeong Resort, Alpensia Resort, Phoenix Park, Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, Donghae Port, Mukho Port, Seongyojang House, Cheongok Cave, etc.


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

At 1,708 meters high, Daecheongbong is the highest peak in Seoraksan National Park and the third highest peak in Korea following Hallasan Mountain (1,950 meters) and Jirisan Mountain (1,915 meters). It marks the point where Nae-Serok (inner Serok) meets Oe-Serok (outer Serok). Due to irregular climate and low temperatures, it is home to various stunted high mountain plants and about 50 rare plants, as well as a variety of wild birds. From Daecheongbong Peak you can view the fascinating landscape of Seoraksan Mountain in all four directions.The most popular hiking trail to Daecheongbong Peak starts from Sogongwon and passes the Biseondae and Hoeungak Pavilions. From Daecheongbong Peak, the trail continues to Seorak Waterfalls and Osaek Mineral Spring. The one-way span is about 16 kilometers and takes about 11 hours and 20 minutes. About 10 minutes from Oryeon Falls is the Yangpok Shelter where visitors can stay the night on a first-come first-served basis. The website offers more information on shelters and reservation. 


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

This is a place where Russian crabs are sold at affordable prices. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. The most famous menu is snow crab.


Gangwon-do(Inje-gun)

Also referred to as Seolsan and Seolbongsan, the mountain was named Seorak ('Seol' meaning 'snow' and 'Ak' meaning 'big mountain') because the snow would not melt for a long time keeping the rocks in a permanent state of white. In November 1965, the Seorak Mountain district was designated as a Natural Monument preservation area. Afterwards in December 1973, it was designated as a park preservation area, and in August 1982, as a Biosphere Preservation District by UNESCO.The park is spread across 4 cities and counties: Sokcho, Inje, Goseong and Yangyang. The highest peak is Daecheongbong; to the east is OeSeorak and to the west is NaeSeorak, which is divided again into North NaeSeorak and South NaeSeorak. North NaeSeorak is composed of Bukcheon, which flows to Ingyecheon and Baekdamcheon streams. There are numerous valleys in NaeSeorak. Follow the Baekdamcheon Valley where all the streams meet and you will reach Baekdamsa Temple, which is known for its beautiful scenery. Upstream there is Gayadong Valley and Suryeomdong Valley, and past Yeongsiam and Mangyeongdae there is Madeungryeong Ridge (1,327m) that leads to Seorakdong.Follow Suryeomdong Valley and you will reach Waryong and Ssangpok waterfalls . Further up is Bongjeongam (1,224m sea level). Once you arrive at Daecheong Peak you can view the magnificent mountain range. The sunrise viewed from here is spectacular and should not be missed. South NaeSeorak directs the valley from Oknyeotang area to Hangyeryeong. Daeseung Waterfall north of Jangsudae is the most beautiful site of NaeSeorak, which is 88m high. South of Yongdaeri Valley is the Twelve Fairy Bathing Spring, Oktang Falls, and Yongtang Falls, along with several other traditional relics.


Gangwon-do(Jeongseon-gun)

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. You can travel to the entrance of Hwaam Cave on Korea’s first cave monorail listening to the soft pipe-in music of Jeongseon Arirang. Hwaam Cave is not only a tourist attraction but also an educational venue where you can learn a lot about the subterranean ecology of a stalactite-lined cave and the process of gold mining/refining.* Five ChaptersChapter 1. History: The processes used in the development of the Cheonpo Goldmine are demonstrated. Also, actual gold veins, excavating facilities and other mining traces have been preserved for tourists.Chapter 2. 365 Steps to Gold: The 90-meter high natural cave that connects the upper and lower shafts is now connected by 365 steps, and you can enjoy cave flowers and wall craters/holes while walking down the steps.Chapter 3. Golden Fantasy: The process of gold mining and the value of gold are explained by animated characters.Chapter 4. More About Gold: You can see an 18.5kg gold bar, educational videos, dioramas, and learn even more about gold.Chapter 5. Mysterious Mother Nature: The natural stalactite cave offers unembellished yet magnificent scenery with Asia’s largest stalactite cascade, huge stalagmites/stone pillars, a statue of the Virgin Mary, a statue of the Buddha, cave flowers and helictites. 


Gangwon-do(Yeongwol-gun)

Cheongnyeongpo Cape (청령포), located on the upper stream of Namhangang River in Gwangcheon-ri, Nam-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, is known as the place of King Danjong’s exile. The area was designated as Scenic Site No.50 in December 2008. King Danjong (r. 1452-1455, 6th King of the Joseon Dynasty) was banished from the kingdom after being overthrown by his uncle, King Sejo. King Danjong was exiled on Cheongnyeongpo Cape, surrounded on three sides by water and a steep, wall-like rock called Yugyukbong on its west side. The cape is so isolated that it can only be reached by ferry. On Cheongnyeongpo Cape, visitors can see Geumpyobi Headstone, created during Danjong's exile; and Danmyoyujibi, set up during the reign of King Yeongjo. Both landmarks help convey the cape’s interesting past. Other historic sites include Manghyangtap Pagoda, Nosandae Observatory, and Gwaneunsong Pine Grove (Natural Monument No. 349). Cheongnyeongpo Cape is where King Danjong, the 16-year-old dethroned king, lived a tragic life in exile filled with tears and heavy sighs. The site however, is now known for its well-preserved scenery and the beauty of the nearby Seogang River.


Gangwon-do(Goseong-gun)

Hwajinpo (화진포) is named so because there are sweet briers that bloom by the lake, and it is one of nature’s great lagoons. It is designated Gangwon Provincial Monument No. 10 with a circumference of about 16 km, and it has a wide reed field which is an important place for migratory birds and swans in the winter. Hwajinpo Lake is surrounded by evergreens and white sandy beaches; it is a lagoon where the river and the sea meet. Materials drifting down the river deposited at the bottom of the river become a sandy beach that eventually block off the river from the sea, creating a lagoon. Hwajinpo Lake is the largest lagoon near the East Sea, and has many ancient artifacts around it, such as the Ten Goindol rocks (also called Jiseokmyeo) scattered around the lake. Because of its excellent scenery, Kim Il-Seong (1912-1994) of North Korea and the South Korean president Lee Seung-Man (1875-1965) had summer houses here after the independence of Korea in 1945. The two houses that originally faced each other with the lake at the center are gone now, but the sites still remain as tourist destinations. They have been converted to Hwajinpo’s Museum of History, and opened to public as a security exhibit center.


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

About 3 kilometers from Osaek Mineral Spring in South Seorak, the road splits, and you can take a trail to Yongso Falls and Sibi (Twelve) Falls. Jujeongol is the name of the valley that meanders up to Sibi Falls. As you hike along this delightful path you encounter Seonnyeotang Pond, Dokjuam Rock, and Yongso Falls, and the Second Osaek Mineral Spring is a refreshing treat for thirsty hikers. The path is relatively smooth and can be enjoyed by hikers of all abilities.The hiking routes in South Seorak are open from 4 am to 2 pm in winter and from 3 am to 3 pm in summer.