Gangwon-do(Jeongseon-gun)

Auraji is a train station on the Jeongseon line located in Gangwondo. It is about 19.4 km away from Jengsoen-eup, and is the meeting place of two streams, the Songcheon stream from Gujeolli and Imgyemyeon’s Goljicheon stream, which flows down from Samcheok’s Jungbongsan. The name of the station, Auraji, comes from the verb eoureuda, meaning “be in harmony” in Korean. Auraji Station was once named after the region, Yeoryang, but was changed to Auraji, which describes the unique geographical features of the village. The area where the two streams meet and become a river became a bustling business zone in the past, where rafts were floated with lumber all the way to Seoul. It is quite a sight looking at the beautiful scenery enveloped by the crystal clear water and pebbles on the riverside surrounded by Nuchusan, Sangwonsan, Okgapsan, Goyangsan, Ballonsan, and the Wangjaesan Mountains. At the confluence of these two streams, a statue of Virgin Auraji and a newly built pavilion rest on a hill in the middle of the peaceful landscape. There are also rail bikes being operated at this station, which run 7.2 km from Gujeolli Station to Auraji Station. Notably, this is the birthplace of Jeongseon Arirang – Aejeongpyeon. Legend has it that there was a girl and a boy who were deeply in love in this village. The girl lived in Yeoryang and the boy in Gageum, with the Auraji Valley sitting in the middle. One day they were going to pick some camellia flowers in Ssarigol Valley. However, torrential downpours from the night before made the river overflow, making it impossible to use the raft to see each other. Their heart was aching for they couldn’t see each other. The lyrics of the traditional song Arirang were inspired by this story: “Rower in Auraji, listen to me, please let me cross the river.   Beautiful camellia petals in Ssarigol Valley are scattered around.   The beautiful camellia shed its petals and piled up with dead leaves. I miss my dearest one all year around and my heart aches.” The old rafts still remain in Gageum Village (also known as Gagumi) and Yeoryang village. A camp site of about 2,000 square meters is open in the months of July and August each year. Many tourist sites are nearby, such as Ojangpokpo Waterfall, Hanggolgyegok Valley, Hwaamdonggul Cave, Hwaamyaksuteo Mineral Spring and others. Intercity buses operate from Jeongseon, Yeoryang and on to Gujeolli. From April to November, trains run from Cheongnyangni Station to Jeongseon station on days ending with the number 2 and 7 (ie. 2, 7, 12, 17).


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

The Lee Hyo-seok Culture Village is a place where author Lee Hyo-seok (penname “Gasan”) was born and raised. The village is also the setting of the author’s story "When the Buckwheat Blossoms,” one of the most celebrated Korean short stories to date. At the x_height of the blooming season, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the snowy-white fields of buckwheat flowers, and also from late August to early September. Buckwheat’s prominence in Pyeongchang comes about largely from its pristine nature. The culinary hero, buckwheat, memil in Korean, comes in different varieties, including memil-guksu (buckwheat noodles), memil-muk (buckwheat jelly), memil-buchim (seaoned buckwheat jelly), and memil-kkotsul (buckwheat flower makkolli). The natural buckwheat dishes are said to possess healing power. Since ancient times, Korea has been making and enjoying jelly and noodles made from buckwheat. It is no exaggeration to say that buckwheat jelly and noodles are one of Korea's national dishes. There is something special about buckwheat dishes in Bongpyeong. Its beautiful nature, along with its preserved literary and artistic heritage, has played a part in maintaining the good taste of its buckwheat dishes. It's a great place to find a thriving food culture.


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

Hwanseongul Cave is the biggest lime stone cave in Korea. Its length is 6.5 km and it features fantastic stalagmites, stalactites, and about 10 lakes and waterfalls. Some spots of interest include stalactites that look like the Great Wall of China and many other uniquely shaped figures.The mercury inside of the cave keeps it at a cool 12-24℃ in the summer and 8-9℃ in the winter. It takes about 30-40 minutes to the entrance and approximately one hour to look around the cave. Keep in mind that the steep slope at the entrance may be difficult for the elderly and young children.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Jeongdongjin Time Museum is a museum with the theme of “humans and time.” Over 250 rare, artistic clocks from all over the world help visitors understand the history of humans and science and how they deal with time. It is not only a great learning center, but also a venue for friends, couples, or families to appreciate the importance of time in our lives.


Gangwon-do(Cheorwon-gun)

The Iron Triangle Battlefield is the area that connects Gimhwa, Pyeonggang and Cheorwon. This area had the highest number of casualties during the Korean War with the Baekmagoji Battle and Oseongsan Battle. The Iron Triangle Battlefield was prohibited to the public after 1953 when the war ended in a ceasefire. Yet the reality of the war only began surfacing from November 1989.The Iron Triangle Battlefield was the headquarters and frontline of the North Korean Army. This area had the unique natural advantage of being a difficult target for Allied forces to attack, but remained an easy area for North Koreans to defend. At the old battlefields are the labor headquarters, the 2nd tunnel and the remains of a train with a sign that reads 'The iron horse wants to run'. The Labor Headquarters, a Russian-style 3-story building, was built by compulsory fund raising and labor mobilization. Many people who were here during the anticommunist movement were later tortured and killed. Behind the building remains of people, bullets and iron chains can still be found even to this day.This is also the area where the 2nd tunnel, 108km north from Seoul, was made by North Koreans who were planning to invade South Korea. It is also known as the gathering area of seasonal birds and is a popular bird-watching spot. 


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

The Chowon Resortel is a quiet and cozy place located in the inner area of the Seorak-dong grounds, making it particularly suitable for tourists visiting Seoraksan Mountain. The four-story building's brick exterior is enhanced by the beautiful scenery near Seoraksan Mountain. Rooms are well-kept and provided with all the necessary amenities needed for a care-free stay. The resortel is popular amongst hikers in the spring and fall and is often used for company retreats during the summer season.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Gyeongpo Soo Motel, located in Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, was rated number one in cleanliness by the Gangwon-do Provincial Office and Consumer Organization in 2008. All rooms overlook the East Sea, providing an excellent view of the early-morning sunrise. Hotel facilities include karaoke, By the Way (convenience store), and the Lotteria (fast food restaurant). The hotel is located within 10 minutes of Gyeongpo Beach.


Gangwon-do(Goseong-gun)

Built by an army unit in 1983, Goseong Unification Observatory is the nearest place for viewing Geumgangsan Mountain in North Korea, the shortest distance being 16km away and the farthest being around 25km away. From the observatory, you can see Haegeumgang, and the islands nearby, Manmulsang, and Hyeonjongam. On clear days, you can also glimpse various peaks of Geumgangsan Mountain such as Ilchulbong Peak (1,552m), Chaehabong Peak, Jipseonbong Peak, Yukseonbong Peak, Gwaneumbong Peak, and even the greatest peak, Birobong Peak. Goseong Unification Observatory is the closest observatory to the North, and many people who visit are those who had to leave their home and were separated from their families during the Korean War. You can see monuments built in the hope of reunification here.Tongil Security Park, which can be considered the entrance of Unification Observation, was built in 1987 to be used as a national security site. You must pass through a security training here to get to Goseong Unification Observatory.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Bongpyeong Market opens on days with '2' and '7' with the interval of five days.  One can imagine as the protagonist in the famous novel by Lee Hyo-seok 'When the Buckwheat Blossoms' as he or she goes through the market. Recently, memil without fail, has been the top product in the market. From Memil Mak-guksu (buckwheat noodles), Memil-buchim (buckwheat pancake), Memil-jeonbyeong (buckwheat crepe), Memil-Jjinbbang (buckwheat steamed bun), Tojong Memil-Sundae, Memil Guksu-Jeongol (buckwheat noodles hotpot), Memil Namu Bibimbap and more, a variety of buckwheat-related foods can be found in this market.