Gangwon-do(Donghae-si)

Samhwasa Temple is located near the entrance of the Mureung Valley of Mt. Dutasan in the City of Donghae, Gangwon Province. The one-thousand year old, small but historical temple falls under the supervision of Woljeongsa Temple. It was originally named “Geukryeondae” when built by monk Jijangyulsa in the eleventh year of Queen Seonseok of the Silla Kingdom (AD 642). In 864 it was renamed Samgongam by the chief monk, and during the reign of King Taejo of the Goryeo Dynasty, it assumed the current name, Samhwasa Temple. The temple houses the main shrine (also called Yaksajeon), Jeokkwangjeon, Beomjonggak pavilion, Geukrakjeon shrine, Birojeon shrine, Chilseongdan shrine, and Muhyanggak pavilion. The temple is also home to national treasures No. 1277 (three story stone pagoda) and No. 1292 (steel sitting Buddha statue). Samhwasa Temple operates a school teaching Buddhism and offers temple stay programs providing a beautiful, serene experience of temple life.  


Gangwon-do(Yeongwol-gun)

Seonam Village (선암마을) is a small town located on the banks of the Seogang River in Ongjeong-ri, Seo-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do province. The village is famous for its land formation that is shaped like the Korean Peninsula, due to the river snaking around the village forming an outline in the shape of the peninsula. In the summer, many people come to enjoy rafting from the "East Coast" to the "West Coast" of the peninsula-like cliff formation, with Homigot (호미곶) in the south and Baekdusan Mountain in the North.


Gangwon-do(Hongcheon-gun)

Located at the foot of Jongjasan Mountain in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do, Healience Zen Village is considered the Korean first wellness center, surrounded by nature. It is also becoming known as a well-aging healing resort. Owned by Lee Sihyeong who is a noted psychiatrist and a best-seller author, the resort offers various scientific and well-planned programs such as their health experience, menu to strengthen immunity, and professional instructors. There is a digital-detox program which helps to relax one’s brain and body with the removal of the internet, cell-phones and other electronic devices. Ten man-made trekking courses and various eco-friendly facilities are also available on-site.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

The 2012 Chuncheon Dakgalbi (Spicy Chicken Ribs) & Makguksu (Buckwheat Noodles) Festival is scheduled to be held this year from August 23rd to 28th. Visitors can enjoy Chuncheon-style buckwheat noodles and spicy chicken ribs, two representative dishes of the region. Special events include the Chuncheon Local Cuisine Cooking Contest and free sampling every afternoon of the area’s famous dishes.


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

Condotel Hillhouse is a 9-story building that overlooks Daecheongbong, Seoraksan Mountain’s highest peak, and the East Sea. The café on the 9th floor in particular provides a great view of this beautiful scene. All of the rooms overlook the East Sea, allowing guests to enjoy the sunrise. Free breakfast is available and each room is equipped with appliances for cooking. The hotel is located in the center of the tourist zones of Sokcho and Yangyang. It is also close to Seoraksan Mountain, Naksan Beach, Daepohang Harbor, Sokcho Beach and Cheoksan Spa.


Gangwon-do(Donghae-si)


Gangwon-do(Yeongwol-gun)

Donggang Museum of Photography, Korea’s first-ever public photo museum, opened in July 2005. Housed in a building with one basement level and two ground levels, the museum has a permanent exhibition hall and two special exhibition halls. There is also an outdoor gallery and a lecture hall.Some of the museum exhibits include donations by photo artists who participated in the Donggang Photo Festival, an event held since 2002, together with donations by winners of the Donggang Photo Award. Visitors will also find photos highlighting the natural and cultural heritage of Yeongwol and about 800 photos taken by town residents. Another noteworthy addition is the exhibition of 130 classic cameras, a must for camera enthusiasts and aficionados.


Gangwon-do(Cheorwon-gun)

After the fall harvest season, the fields on the Cheorwon Plain are littered with fallen grains, providing an abundant source of food for migratory birds. Meanwhile, the well-preserved ecosystem of the Demilitarized Zone provides clean water and a healthy habitat, making the Cheorwon area a paradise for migratory birds.Cranes stalking around the fields and birds taking off en masse from the reservoir make bird watchers exclaim in awe. In Cheorwon, which boasts the biggest white-fronted goose population in Korea, you can see over 110 species of birds, some of which are protected as national treasures. Examples include red-crowned cranes, vultures, white-tailed sea eagles, and golden eagles as well as mallards and spot-billed ducks, which migrate to Korea for the winter.The most spectacular views are generally at sunrise, between noon and 2pm, and at sunset, and for the rest of daylight hours you can choose from a wide variety of attractions located near the demarcation line. North Korean infiltrating the second tunnel, Woljeong Station Observation Deck, the former Labour Party building, Baekmagoji highland and Dopiansa Temple all reside nearby. Since the Cheorwon Plain is located north of the Civilian Control Line and normally not opened to civilian access, the ecosystem is very well preserved.


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

Namdaecheon Stream begins in the Mt. Odaesan Buyeon-dong Valley, gaining size and strength as it nears Eoseongjeolli in Hyeonbuk-myeon before reaching the East Sea. Salmon that were spawned in Namdaecheon Stream swim to the East Sea to grow for three to five years in the Bering Sea before returning to Namdaecheon Stream between late October and November.The Salmon Festival in Yangyang began as a salmon-fishing contest in mid November 1996, and has been held as Yangyang-gun’s festival since 1997. Every year, it offers a variety of salmon-related events and attracts a large crowd of people eager to fish for salmon.Festival Program: Immediately following official events such as Yongwangje (a ritual praying for a good catch) Bonghaeng and the opening ceremony, fun-packed programs await visitors. These include catching a salmon/trout with the bare hands, and salmon-cooking exhibits. The bare-hand salmon-catching continues to draw more and more participants every year, and is particularly popular with families, as all members can enjoy fun moments together.For this event, the office of Yangyang-gun prepares a total of about 3,000 salmon, some supplied by the Yangyang Naesumyeon Research Center and others netted by professional fishers. The salmon are then released in part of the stream about 30 centimeters deep, which is blocked by a net on either end. The fish caught by participants can either be cooked on-site or cut and cleaned to take home.Festival Highlights: Most salmon are over 40 centimeters long and are great fun to catch. The food court also offers a variety of salmon dishes to tempt visitors' appetites. The Namdaecheon Stream runs near the famous Mt. Seoraksan, which is great for hiking and for viewing the changing colors of the foliage in late fall. 


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

The Traditional Korean Food Experience Center is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and developing Korean food culture by offering a number of experience programs on traditional Korean food. Visitors can also lodge at a hanok (traditional Korean house) for a little bit of lifestyle experience. Day programs change by the month; overnight experience programs available (prices vary and classes are held in the Korean language).* Special Features- All the dishes are made of organic vegetables grown by the staff.- The center does not use any chemical/artificial ingredients whatsoever.- The traditional houses are furnished with classic Korean furniture.- There are over 500 jars containing fermented pastes and sauces.- A wide variety of fermented pastes and sauces such as gochujang (red pepper paste) and doenjang (bean paste) are available for purchase.