Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

Jukseoru Pavilion, estimated to have been built around 1266, is one of the eight major attractions of Gwandong District in middle eastern Korea collectively known as Gwandong Palgyeong (eight famous sites). Sitting on the edge of a cliff overlooking Osipcheon Stream, the pavilion incorporates the rocks on the cliff as cornerstones, with a five-girder paljak (ancient-style roof).Then, there are 26 signboards hanging from the rafters of the pavilion. The signboards contain inscriptions of famous ancient scholars such as 'Jeilgyeongjeong' ('The best riverside pavilion'; 1662) by Heo Mok, 'Jukseoru' and 'Gwandong Jeilru' ('The best pavilion in Gwandong'; 1711) by Yi Seong-jo, and 'Haeseon Yuhui Jiso' ('The place that marine gods enjoy'; 1837) by Yi Gyu-heon. Others who have left their mark include King Sukjong (1674-1720), King Jeongjo (1776-1800) and Yulgok YiYi (1536-1584). Evidently, Jukseoru Pavilion has served as an inspiration since its establishment, and continues to inspire visitors today through the stunning view of its surrounding nature.


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(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(Jeongseon-gun)

This festival takes the theme of ‘Jeongseon Arirang’, a variation of the Korean folk song ‘Arirang’, which was developed in the Jeongseon region. The Jeongseon Arirang Festival was started to preserve the ‘Jeongseon Arirang’, an intangible cultural asset, and to pass along its culture to following generations.One of the festival’s main events is a performance of the famous ‘Arirang’ folk song, and there are many other events and programs. In addition, there is a folk market called the ‘Jeongseon 5 Day Market’, which opens every five days, where visitors can experience the lively bustling atmosphere of a Korean folk market and purchase agricultural produce at low prices.Nearby famous tourist destinations include the rail bikes, Gangwon Land, and more.


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

The Maengbang Flower Festival is one of the landmark spring celebrations in Korea and is held every April near Samcheok-si City in Ganwon-do Province. The festival boasts a breathtaking view of canola flowers, cherry blossoms and the blue sea of the East Coast. The festival also offers a diverse set of events and programs including a local produce market, fresh strawberry picking, and exhibition on canola flowers and bees. The Samcheok Tourist Center will also be at the festival to help any tourists to the area visit the variety of tourist attractions nearby such as Haesindang Park, New Millennium Ocean Road, Wife of King Suro Park, and the filming place for “One Fine Spring Day.”


Gangwon-do(Donghae-si)

Mangsang Beach is sought out by many families and tourists, as it is characterized by beautiful white sands, shallow waters, and is located in a neighborhood full of leisure facilities. Mangsang Beach is a beach that represents the east coast, along with Okgye and Gyeongpo Beaches, located in the northeastern region of Gangwon-do’s Donghae City.The beach boasts white sands that stretch out for 1.4 km, a pine tree forest, clear shallow waters, and convenient leisure facilities that attract a constant flow of tourists throughout the four seasons. This area also features a great variety of foods including blue crabs, clams, sea squirts, and flounders.


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(Pyeongchang-gun)

Migayoun is a Korean restaurant specializing in dishes made of buckwheat, which is known for the high vitamin P content. Pyeongchang, where Migayoun is located, is particularly famous for buckwheat, the sprouts of which are clinically proven to be good for diabetes, geriatric diseases, and weight control.


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.