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)

Opened 20 years ago, Ilchulbong Hoetjip (a raw fish restaurant) has special rooms designated for the comfort of international customers on the second floor and banquet rooms on the third floor. Located near the beach, the restaurant commands a great view of East Sea from the third floor.


Gangwon-do(Yeongwol-gun)

Built on the peak of Mt. Bongnaesan (799.8 meters) in Yeongwol, Byeolmaro is Korea’s largest astronomical observatory. The term ‘Byeolmaro’ combines the words ‘byeol’ (star), ‘ma’ (peak) and ‘ro’ (peaceful). Together, they collectively represent the wish to view stars in a clean and peaceful environment.The observatory has a total of 11 telescopes, including the nation’s largest telescope with a diameter of 80 centimeters and 10 supplementary telescopes. Inside the building, there is an astronomy gallery, audio & visual material room, and both main and auxiliary observation rooms. Located in a mountainous region in the inland of Gangwon-do, Yeongwol has a clean natural environment free from pollution. As such, it has an annual average of 192 days of clear skies (50%) for star viewing.* The nation’s largest star observatory* Located 800 meters above sea level for optimum viewing* Combine your visit with rafting, caves, or paragliding* Has the biggest astronomical telescope of 80 centimeters in diameter* Enjoy the forest, self-control training center, and outdoor stage in the woods


Gangwon-do(Yeongwol-gun)

Jangneung is the tomb of Danjong, the 6th king of the Joseon Dynasty (r. 1441-1457). After having the throne taken away by Suyang Daegun, his uncle, Danjong was condemned to exile in Yeongwol County, where he was later murdered and his remains were abandoned in the Dongang River. When no one else was brave enough to find his body, Eom Heung-do, the governor of Yeongwol Lake, found his body and buried him in the tomb that later became Jangneung, one of the royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. Danjong had been stripped of his title at the time he was exiled. His title was later restored in the year 1698, during the reign of King Sukjong, receiving the posthumous name of Danjong, and thereafter was referred to as King Danjong.Jangneung houses such buildings as Jeongjagak, Baesikdansa, Jaesil, Yeongcheon, and Hongsammun, and a history hall with relics of Danjong. The area is surrounded by magnificent pine trees. Since 1967, a religious service called Danjongje is held every year on April 5th, according to the lunar calendar, in commemoration of Danjong.[Buildings in Jangneung]* Jeongjagak Stone – This is where a special offering is presented during the Danjongje service.* Danjongbigak Stone – The building houses the tombstone with the inscription "Joseonguk Danjong Daewang Jangneung."* Baesikdansa Temple – Built in 1791, the building enshrines the tablets of the subjects and eunuchs of Danjong who dedicated their lives to the king. Every year, a religious service is held on their behalf following the service for Danjong.* Yeongcheon Stream – Water was pumped from this well on Danjongje day. Normally, the well only produces a small amount of water, but it is said that water pours out in large amounts during the time of Danjongje.* Danjong History Hall – Miniature models depict the life of Danjong, from the time he became a king to the time of his death. 


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Situated in north of the river in Chuncheon and also known as 'The City of Lakes', Gangwon-do Provincial Flower Garden is a gift of nature with its wonderful harmony of lakes and mountains. Gangwon-do Provincial Flower Garden was formed with intention to create and display Gangwon-do's local flower as well as to preserve nature, distribute and experiment. Gangwon-do's local flower exhibition and arboretum lasted from February 1996 to October 1998. It was opened to the public on May 20, 1999 where it has been used as nature observation for kids as well as a place to relax.Main facilities include Gangwon-do Forest Park, Gangwon-do Flower Museum, forest-product shop, information center and octagonal pavilion warehouse for farming utensils. An area covering 537,020 sq. ft. is filled with gardens, fountains, ponds, a stone bridge and many more.* Flower Garden ¬- 120,476㎡ (1,804 species / about 85,000 pieces)


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

When the Gyeongchun Line, a double-tracked railway line connecting Seoul and Chuncheon, opened on December 20, 2010, it replaced the Mugunghwa train that traveled this route for 70 years. Built on the site where the train on the Gyeongchun Line stops, Gangchon Rail Park is a popular tourist attraction where visitors can pedal along old railroad tracks while taking in the lovely Bukhangang River scenery.Opened on August, 2012, the rail park operates from three stations: Gimyujeong Station, Gangchon Station, and Gyeonggang Station. The distance between Gimyujeong Station and Gangchon Station is approximately 8km and the round-trip distance to Gyeonggang Station is approximately 6km. 


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

South of Naksansa, along the seashore, is Hajodae Beach, with a water depth of 0.5~1.5m and a fine, white sand beach that stretches for 1.5 km.It is 13 km south of Yangyang-gun, and 1 km north of the 38th parallel. There’s a pine forest behind the beach and if you follow the seashore from the entrance of the beach for about 1.5 km, there is a pavilion on top of a cliff. This hexagonal pavilion is Hajodae, where it is believed the retainers of the Joseon Period (1392~1910) named Haryun (1347~1416) and Jojun (1346~1405) spent their last years in hiding. The flat bottom and low depth of the beach make it a suitable place for family vacations. It first opened in 1976, and is now operated as a camping ground and beach. Also in the area are Osaekoncheon (hot springs), Osaekyaksu (natural springs), Naksansa, Seoraksan National Park, Odaesan National Park, Tongiljeonmangdae (reunification observation platform), and Hajodeungdae (lighthouse), etc. Across from Hajodae there is a rock indicating the 38th parallel. Fresh water flows into the right side of the beach. The south side is great for fishing because of its bulwark, rock island, and Giamgoiseok (fantastic rocks and stones), and you can see Jo island to the right. On the left side of the beach there is an unmanned white lighthouse. This lighthouse is open from 9am to 7pm and you can enjoy a view of the whole area from the top. 


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Known as one of Korea’s leading short story novelists, Kim Yu-jeong (1908~1937) was born in Sille Village in Sindong-myeong, Chuncheon. A restoration of his birth house, the Kim Yu-jeong House of Literature is part of an effort to turn the whole village into a literature village, commemorating the novelist. The house has an exhibition hall, a walking path, and a hiking trail.Kim Yu-jeong spent a great deal of his life in Seoul and returned to his hometown in 1931 at the age of 23. He published his first novel 'Sangol Nageune (The Wanderer)' followed by numerous rural-based novels such as 'Dongbaekkkot (The Camellias)' and 'Bom bom (Spring)'.Inside the exhibition hall, his birth home and even a treadmill are reproduced in their original form. A variety of programs reproducing his works are on display.


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

Located 1.4 kilometers away from the downtown area, Samcheok Beach is easily accessible and has a vast white-sand beach that is 1.2 kilometers long and 100 meters wide. Thanks to its pine tree forests, clean white sand, and shallow waters, over 500,000 vacationers visit the beach every year.Its beautiful natural environment has also made it a favorite filming location for Korean movies and dramas. The movie April snow, One fine spring day, and drama South of the sun were filmed here. The beach has a unique beauty and ambience in every season.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Sandglass Park is surrounded by the East Sea, mountains and Jeongdongjin 2-ri Village. Sandglass Park has pine trees, benches facing the sea, and access to Jeongdongjin Beach. A sandglass doesn’t show the present time like a sundial and a water glass and it measures the time elapsed by sand volume descending through gravity. So, the sandglass was used for determining the velocity. Jeongdongjin Sandglass Park was established in 1999 by Gangneung-si and Samsung Electronics Co. to commemorate the upcoming century. Part of this commemoration was the building of the giant sandglass at the park. The Sandglass has a diameter of 8.06m, its x_width is 3.2m, a weight of 40 tons and holds 8 tons of sand, making it one of the biggest sandglasses in the world. It takes a whole year for sand to trickle to the bottom and then the sandglass restarts again on New Year’s Day each year at midnight.