Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (소백산천문대)

11.9Km 2024-02-28

639, Sobaeksan-gil, Danyang-eup, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do

Located within the Sobaeksan National Park, the Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (SOAO) was the first astronomy observatory in Korea to install a modern telescope. SOAO is in a great location to observe the stars because it is located on the highest point of southern Korea and far away from the light pollution of cities. To enter the observatory as a private visitor, one must climb the mountain from Jungnyeong Pass or Huibangsa Temple.

Geumsusan Mountain (금수산)

12.1Km 2021-05-28

210, Sanghak 1-gil, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-653-3251

Geumsusan Mountain, originally called Baegamsan Mountain, was renamed by noted Joseon-period scholar Yi Hwang (pen name Toegye) when he was the chief governor of Danyang County, saying its graceful features matched the fineness of silk embroidery. The mountain is beautiful throughout the year with bright foliage in fall and an ice cave that stays frozen until early April. The view from the summit of the mountain resembles a pregnant woman lying on her side, and there is a legend that women who pray for a son here will have their wish come true.

National Center for Forest Therapy, Jecheon (국립제천치유의숲)

12.5Km 2024-12-16

590 Hakhyeonsoya-ro, Cheongpung-myeon, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-653-0246

The National Center for Forest Therapy, Jecheon is under the Korea Forest Welfare Institute of the Korea Forest Service. It was established with the aim of promoting public health and improving quality of life by providing forest well-being services. The center spans an area of 61.3 hectares (the healing center covering 494.82 square meters). The staff consists of a total of eight employees (one center head, four specializing in forest therapy, and three in operational support).
In April 2015, the Korea Forest Service and the National Police Agency signed an MOU to create this national center. It took approximately three years to develop the center, from September 2016 to May 2019.
In October 2019, the organizational structure was established, and a pilot forest therapy program was initiated. The center's opening ceremony took place in November 2020. Currently, the center offers customized individual and group forest well-being services.
<Award History> (June 2020) Geumsusan Mountain Forest Laughter Therapy was certified as an excellent forest education program by the Korea Forest Service. / (August 2020) Chosen as a recommended place (Healing Forest) by the Korea Tourism Organization. / (October 2020) Received the Encouragement Award at the Forest Well-being Program Competition. / (December 2020) Received the Excellence Award at the COVID-19 Recovery Exemplary Case Contest hosted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

Huibangsa Temple (Yeongju) (희방사(영주))

13.3Km 2024-03-08

278 Jungnyeong-ro 1720beon-gil, Punggi-eup, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Huibangsa Temple is a temple located at an altitude of 850 meters in a valley south of Yeonhwabong Peak within Sobaeksan National Park. Founded in 643, it preserves the first Korean Buddhist scripture, the "Worinseokbo," and traditional Korean architectural styles. Surrounding areas are adorned with Sobaeksan Mountain's forests, offering opportunities for forest bathing and hiking. Flowing through the valley is a stream, adjacent to which stands the Huibangpokpo Falls, towering at 28 meters high.

Soseonam Recreational Forest (소선암자연휴양림)

13.5Km 2021-02-16

15, Daejam 2-gil, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-422-7839

Soseonam Recreational Forest is located in Danyang, near one of the Eight Scenic Sites of Danyang. It is replete with flowing streams, verdant landscape and surrounded by many famous landmarks, including Chungjuho Lake, Sainam Rock, Duaksan and Doraksan Mountains, and Jebibong Peak. The forest is easily accessible from the expressway, making it a popular vacation spot throughout the year, with beautiful scenery in every season.

Yeongju Birosa Temple (비로사 (영주))

13.9Km 2021-06-11

661-29, Samga-ro, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-638-5033

Birosa Temple is located at the southern foot of Birobong, the highest peak of Sobaeksan Mountain. It was founded by revered Buddhist monk Uisang Daesa in the 20th year of King Munmu’s reign (AD 680) during the Silla Kingdom. The temple’s Buddha statues and the flagpole supports reveal the long history of this ancient temple.

To the left of the entrance to Birosa Temple stand a pair of flagpole supports. The 4.8-meter-high flagpole supports facing each other have a meticulous structure. Inside the temple precincts is Jingongdaesa Bobeoptapbi, a stele with a stone turtle base erected in honor of the great monk Jingong Daesa.

The temple enshrines the Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha statues, which were created during the Silla Kingdom in the late 9th century. Both of these Buddha statues realistically depict the human form, and show similar characteristics, which reveal that they were crafted by the same artisan. Preserving such valuable cultural heritages, Birosa Temple also has a serene view of Birobong Peak on Sobaeksan Mountain.

* Major cultural properties: Stone Seated Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha Statues (Treasure No. 996), Samgadong Stone Flagpole Supports (Provincial Tangible Cultural Property No. 7)

Eight Scenic Views of Danyang (단양 팔경)

14.5Km 2020-08-19

Danseong-myeon, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-422-1146

The Eight Scenic Views of Danyang are known as the most beautiful places in Danyang, and include Dodamsambong Peaks and Seongmun Natural Arch by the Namhangang River, Gudambong Peak and Oksunbong Peak offering outstanding views of Chungjuho Lake, Sangseonam Rock, Jungseonam Rock, and Haseonam Rock in Seonamgyegok Valley, and Sainam Rock in Unseongugok Valley. Theses areas were visited many times by numerous scholars during the Joseon dynasty and contain many historically and culturally important relics.

Seonamgyegok Valley (Haseonam Rock) (선암계곡(하선암))

14.5Km 2021-05-14

1337, Seonamgyegok-ro, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-422-1146

Seonamgyegok Valley is a clean 10-kilometer valley stretching from Gasan-ri to Daejam-ri in Danyang. Among the Eight Scenic Views of Danyang, Teukseonam Rock and Soseonam Rock are located here. This valley is known for its dense forests, strange rock formations, and clear and clean valleys, and is one of the best destinations in summer to camp and play in the water. Nearby attractions include Soseonam Recreational Forest, Teukseonam Camping Site, Soseonam Amusement Park, and Special Seonam Camping Site.

Sainam Rock (단양 사인암)

14.8Km 2025-01-14

42, Sainam 2-gil, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-422-1146

Sainam Rock, located in Sainam-ri, Daegang-myeon, is one of eight scenic areas in Danyang, and is located in the southeast side of Danyang-gun, along with Sangseonam Rock, Jungseonam Rock, and Haseonam Rock of Seonam Valley.
The Sainam Rock is a rugged outcropping with an inspiring x_height of 70 meters, and the deep blue Namjocheon Stream passes in front of it, located in the southern part of Danyang-gun.

Most visitors to Danyang Eight Scenic Views tend to come to the rock as their first destination due to the good condition of the road. Also, Unseongugok Valley flows in front of Sainam Rock. The rock was picked as the most picturesque place among the Eight Scenic Views. On the cliff, there is a phrase carved by Utak’s own handwriting, as well as old pine trees on a rock floor that is reminiscent of the Haegeumgang River.

Sainam was named after the great scholar Yeokdong Utak during Goryeo Period. He had taken up a public service to assist a king in a position called sain (사인), and then he retired to his hometown of Danyang, starting out teaching young students. For this story, a governor of Danyang named the rock Sainam to commemorate his achievement during King Seongjong of the Joseon Dynasty.

Jecheon Wild Herb Village (제천 산야초마을)

15.2Km 2024-02-26

3 Oksunbong-ro 6-gil, Susan-myeon, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do

Jecheon Wild Herb Village, nestled between Geumsusan Mountain and Cheongpungho Lake, benefits from a pristine mountain environment that has supported the production of medicinal herbs and forest products for oriental medicine since ancient times. This village continues its agricultural practices to this day, offering visitors the opportunity to experience natural medicines, forest products, and agricultural goods. For those interested, there are options to stay in the village for a week or a month, allowing for an extended exploration of its natural bounty and traditions.

Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (소백산천문대) - Area information - Korea travel information