Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

Located in the Eastern part of Taebaeksan mountain range, Micheongol Recreational Forest is known for its rich forest where the natural ecology is well preserved. In secluded areas, thick stands of trees rise, and clean valleys have been undisturbed by human activity, providing breathtaking scenery. The forest is also home to Seollimwonji, a cultural asset of the Silla period (BC57~AD935), the Bulbaragi mineral springs, and a honeybee yard. While offering an experience in both culture and nature, one can tour Micheongol on foot or while riding a mountain bike. As accommodations in the forest offer only bedding, visitors must make sure to bring toilet articles, cooking utensils, and tableware. Prices range between 30,000 and 50,000 won. To get there, take a bus for Yangyang at the Dong Seoul Bus Terminal. In Yangyang, take a local bus for Galcheon and get off at the entrance to Micheongol. Walk up about 2 kilometers and you will see the entrance to Micheongol Recreational Forest.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Lohas Garden & WacaPuca is an eco-themed park located 700 meters above sea level in the highlands of Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province. Sitting in the most beautiful national forest of Phyeongchang ( Total area 3,305,785㎡ Structural area 396,694㎡), Lohas Garden offers the most natural scenic views in Korea.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Dutasan Recreational Forest is located at the foot of Dutasan Mountain that is part of Bakjisan Mt., which rises 1,394m above the sea level and straddles the border between Jinbu-myeon of Pyeongchang-gun and Jeongseon-gun. The recreational forest is a hub of leisure activity and boasts robust and rich forests filled with a wide variety of animals (badgers, raccoons, bores, hares, etc.), abundant medicinal herbs, and trees such as a huge birch, nut trees and lime trees. Amenities and accommodations include the Forest Culture Rest Center, House of Forest, and various trekking courses and campsites. Nearby attractions are Odaesan National Park, Yi Hyo-Seok Literary House, Daegwallyeong Ranch, Bongpyeong Herb World, and Woljeongsa Temple. At some of these sites, you can try leisure activities such as rafting (Odeacheon Stream) and skiing (Yongpyeong Ski Resort).


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

National Center for Forest Activities Chuncheon is 335 ha of area located near Samhangol Valley. The center has a slogan PLAY meaning P for Play, L for Lead, A for Act, and Y for You. Various facilities are available including area for experience programs, accommodations, restaurants and more. Experience programs for individuals and groups are available as well as special programs for people with disabilities and elderlies.


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

If you begin at Seorak-dong in Oeseorak, cross the Biryong Bridge and pass by the Biryong Falls, you will reach Yukdam Falls (육담폭포), which actually consist of six waterfalls and a pond. Despite the fact that only a small amount of water actually flows in these waterfalls today, what is interesting, is how they came into existence: a slow-flowing stream of water eroded the rocks, creating dips and puddles at various levels, which later became a series of cascading waterfalls. The splendid scenery around the waterfalls is always a pleasing sight to the eyes of visitors.  


Gangwon-do(Hoengseong-gun)

Pungsuwon was the first catholic village in which over 40 faithful from Yongin (Gyeonggi-do), led by Sin Tae-bo (or St. Peter), settled to escape the wrath of Sinyubakhae (religious persecution of Catholics) of 1801. Over a period of 80 years, the settlers had led their religious lives without a priest until Father Le Merre (a French priest) came to the village in 1888. Succeeding Le Merre in 1896, Father Jeong Gyu-ha (or Augustino), along with Chinese engineers, began to build Pungsuwon Cathedral. Completed in 1907 by the faithful, the cathedral still remains a beautiful building; it is a popular spot for visitors, having frequently appeared in Korean dramas and films. It is the first cathedral built by a Korean priest as well as in Gangwon-do; it is the fourth cathedral built in Korea. Pungsuwon Cathedral was designated as Gangwon-do Local Cultural Property No.69 in 1982.


Gangwon-do(Hongcheon-gun)

Gongjaksan Mountain (887m), home to Sutasa Temple, gives visitors a bird’s-eye view of Hongcheon, named for its resemblance to a peacock proudly displaying its tail feathers. From the bottom, Gongjaksan Mountain looks like a giant laying on his back, looking up to the sky. The mountain offers elegant azaleas in spring, beautiful fall foliage, majestic cliffs with unusual rocks, colonies of pine trees, and a serene snowscape in winter.Sutasa Valley, stretching over 12km between Sutasa Temple and Nocheon-ri, is full of large ponds and broad bedrocks and is flanked by rocky cliffs and pine groves.Located among the foothills, Sutasa Temple is an ancient temple built by Monk Wonhyo in 708 A.D. The temple boasts numerous cultural properties including the gabled roof of Daejeokgwangjeon, a bronze bell (circa 1364), a three-tiered pagoda, and Wolinseokbo (a biography of Buddha, National Treasure No.745). 


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(Yeongwol-gun)