Lee Hyo-seok Culture Village (이효석문화마을)

11.2Km 2022-12-29

Wongil-ri, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-335-9669

Lee Hyo-seok Culture Village is the place where the author Lee Hyo-seok (pen name “Gasan”) was born and raised. The village is also the setting of the author’s novel "When the Buckwheat Blossoms,” one of the most celebrated Korean short stories to date.

In 1990, the village place was designated ‘first national cultural village’ by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The village is comprised of the author's birth house, a water mill, Gasan Park, Lee Hyo-seok Memorial Hall, and a buckwheat museum. During the peak of the blossoming season in early fall, the annual Lee Hyo-seok Cultural Festival takes place and visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of snow-white fields of buckwheat flowers.

Lee Hyo-seok Cultural Festival commemorates the modern Korean writer and features buckwheat-themed programs. Events include a Hyo-seok essay contest, traditional performances, a costume parade, a photo contest, and "When the Buckwheat Blossoms" plays and related performances. During the festival, visitors can enjoy makguksu (buckwheat noodles) and memil buchim (buckwheat pancakes) and tour the locations that appear in the famous short story.

Heungjeonggyegok Valley (흥정계곡)

11.3Km 2024-02-13

62 Heungjeonggyegok-gil, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-330-2771

Heungjeonggyegok Valley is about 5 kilometers away from the town of Bongpyeong-myeon in Pyeongchang, Gangwon State. The 5-kilometer long valley that stands between Heungjeongsan Mountain and Hoeryeongbong Peak has a beautiful landscape. A wide variety of freshwater fish like trout inhabit the clear waters of the valley. Heungjonggyegok Valley has become a famous attraction in the Bongpyeong area along with Bongsan Seojae, shrine of the prominent neo-Confucian scholar Yulgok (1536-1584), and Palseokjeong, featuring the writings of Yang Sa-eon.

Hyoseok Cultural Festival (평창효석문화제)

11.4Km 2025-07-10

157 Ihyoseok-gil, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-335-2323

Korean novelist Lee Hyo-seok is from Pyeongchang, Gangwon State, and is known for his novels that combine stories with the beauty of nature. The Pyeongchang Hyoseok Cultural Festival, held every autumn in Bongpyeong, the setting of his famous work “When the Buckwheat Flowers Bloom,” celebrates his legacy and showcases the region’s beauty. The festival runs a variety of literary programs, such as an essay contest, a poetry event, and bookmaking. In the evening, there are small-scale literary and music performances to add to the romantic charm of the festivities. During the festival, the fields near the village are filled with white buckwheat flowers, creating a spectacular view as though they were waves of white snow rippling in the wind. A key highlight of the festival is capturing memorable photos against the backdrop of the buckwheat fields, which are the most cherished mementos of the event.

◎ The short novel “When the Buckwheat Flowers Bloom,” published in 1936, is a beloved work that captures themes of love and humor set against a buckwheat field. In September, Bongpyeong reaches the peak of its beauty with fields of white buckwheat flowers in full bloom.

Hyoseok Culture Village Buckwheat Food Street (효석문화마을 메밀음식거리)

11.6Km 2021-03-11

31, Gipung 3-gil, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-330-2771

The Hyoseok Culture Village is the place where author Lee Hyo-seok (penname “Gasan”) was born and raised. The village is also the setting of the author’s story "When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom,” one of the most celebrated Korean short stories to date. Since 1999, the Hyoseok Cultural Festival has been held here every September to commemorate the writer. Visitors to the festival can enjoy various foods and events as well as a replica of scenes from the book. For those that are searching for a more tranquil visit, avoid the month of September, when the buckwheat flowers are in full bloom. Don't forget to try all the different memil (buckwheat) dishes offered throughout the area all year round.

Jucheongang Recreational Forest (주천강자연휴양림)

11.6Km 2025-01-09

115, Gangbyeon-ro yeongnang 6-gil, Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-345-7575

Jucheongang Recreational Forest encompasses a forested area of 2.3 million square meters near Jucheongang River in Hoengseong, Gangwon-do and is the nation’s first large-scale riverside forest. Located only 4 kilometers away from the Dunnaegyo Intersection of the Yeongdong Expressway, the recreational forest is easily accessible from Seoul. With Chiaksan National Park to the southwest and ski resorts to the northeast, the recreational forest is well-equipped with leisure facilities. It is the perfect place for large and small gatherings among family and friends. Facilities include the Forest School (workshop center), Forest House, Forest Classroom, water park, mini-soccer field, volleyball court, and work-out center.

Hyundai Buckwheat Noodles (현대막국수)

11.7Km 2025-10-23

17 Dongijangteo-gil, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do

Buckwheat, a staple in Gangwon State, is finely milled to make the base for Buckwheat Noodles. In Pyeongchang, where buckwheat fields are a common sight, numerous eateries specialize in these noodles. The signature dish here is the Pure Buckwheat Noodles, made exclusively from Korean-grown buckwheat. Its popularity stems from the noodles’ light broth, garnished with vegetables, offering a clean, non-overpowering flavor. For those who prefer a bit of a kick, the Spicy Buckwheat Noodles come with a tangy seasoning, customizable to taste. The accompanying side dishes are equally delightful, featuring items like Buckwheat Pancakes with buckwheat and cabbage, and Buckwheat Crepes stuffed with kimchi filling—each menu item invites one to savor the authentic essence of this cherished grain.

Herbnara Farm (허브나라농원)

12.2Km 2024-08-06

225 Heungjeonggyegok-gil, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-335-2902

Herbnara Farm opened in 1996 as the first herb-themed farm in Korea. The farm was started in a deep valley in Pyeongchang by a couple whose age added up to 100 years. At that time, the farm was just a small plot of land, but has expanded to the current 33,000 ㎡ and is one of Pyeongchang's representative tourist attractions. The farm offers ten themed gardens with over 150 herbs such as lavender and sage. Delicious dishes and drinks made with herbs cultivated on the farm are available at the restaurant and cafe. Visitors can also make herbal soap and candles in the herb classroom, and enjoy cultural events throughout the farm.

Gajae Wa Gom Pension (가재와곰펜션)

13.9Km 2024-12-19

212-27 , Heungjeonggyegok 4-gil, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-336-3357

Gajae-Wa-Gom is a log-built pension in the upper Heungjeong Valley in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do. The guestrooms are cozy cabins, either red-clayed single-storey, or two-sotrey cabins. Gajae-dong and Wa-dong have an ondol 1st floor with a bedroom upstairs, while Gom-dong has a 1st floor bed room with an attic above. The red-clayed cabin, Hwangto, has a furnace-fired ondol. All rooms have terraces where guests can enjoy barbecue meals.There are karaoke rooms and foot volleyball courts outside, and free coffee and tea are provided in the lounge.

Hoengseong Natural Recreation Forest (횡성자연휴양림)

16.0Km 2021-05-28

113, Jeongpo-ro 430beon-gil, Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-344-3391

Hoengseong Natural Recreational Forest is located in Jeogorigol Valley, which used be a popular recreational spot for the Silla Kingdom royal families. There still remain a 3-story pagoda with the Silla era architectural design, an altar that is thought to originate from the Samhan era, and other historical relics including a stone monument, palace site, and southern region style dolmen. The Forest also has several hiking trails with resting areas and mineral water springs, as well as various convenience, recreational and lodging facilities.

Myeonsamusoap Anheung Jjinppang (면사무소앞안흥찐빵)

18.3Km 2024-02-06

30 Anheung-ro, Anheung-myeon, Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do

Anheung Jjinppang, situated in front of the Anheung Myeon-office, is a delightful bakery nestled in a picturesque rural village. The bakery is famed for its singular, signature product: the Anheung jjinppang (Anheung steamed bun). These buns are celebrated for their chewy texture and are generously stuffed with a red bean filling. The allure of these freshly made, warm buns has garnered the shop considerable attention, including multiple features on Korean TV programs.

Lee Hyo-seok Culture Village (이효석문화마을) - Area information - Korea travel information