Yeongju Punggi Insam Festival (경북영주 풍기인삼축제)

232.1M 2025-07-11

Seongnae-ri, Punggi-eup, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-639-6612

Ginseng is a well-known traditional Korean medicinal herb. High quality ginseng in Korea is mostly produced in Punggi, a region in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and the place where the Punggi Ginseng Festival takes place. The festival features health-related exhibits and offers opportunities to taste healthy ginseng dishes at the ginseng cooking exhibition. Visitors can also participate in Punggi ginseng-related interesting activities such as making Punggi ginseng wine and peeling ginseng in the traditional Korean way. The festival offers a variety of ginseng products, including fresh ginseng, original ginseng, red ginseng, and ginseng processed foods, which are all grown by local farmers in Yeongju and sold at reasonable prices. Additionally, the festival showcases local specialties and symbols such as ginseng and Yeongju apples through oil lantern displays along Namwoncheon Stream. With so many attractions, visitors are sure to have a great time at the festival.

Sobaeksan Punggi Spa Resort (소백산풍기온천리조트)

4.2Km 2023-10-26

1400 Jungnyeong-ro, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-604-1700

Sobaeksan Punggi Spa Resort, which sits at the foot of Sobaeksan Mountain, has a wide variety of facilities and amenities, as well as a great view. The resort has an outdoor spa, a 25-square-meter outdoor swimming pool, Aqua Pool ride, a wading pool, a bade pool, and Yeonhwajeong, a great restaurant to enjoy delicious Korean food.
There is also a great spot to have an outdoor barbeque party with family and friends while enjoying the great taste of hanu (Korean beef). Sobaeksan Punggi Spa Resort aims to be the best spa resort for locals as well as tourists.

National Center for Forest Therapy (국립산림치유원)

4.3Km 2025-10-23

209 Therapy-ro, Bonghyeon-myeon, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

The National Center for Forest Therapy is a forest-themed well-being complex created to promote public health and quality of life by leveraging the abundant forest resources of the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range. Forests have transformed into a destination for healing one's mind and body, as well as a place for recreation. The National Center for Forest Therapy provides guidelines for proper exercise and daily habit improvements aimed at relieving stress and promoting mental and physical balance by utilizing the healing properties of the forest. Furthermore, visitors can experience the effects of forest therapy here. The center has healing forest trails, recreational facilities, accommodation facilities, and others.

Sobaeksan National Park (Gyeongsangbuk-do Region) (소백산국립공원(경북))

7.9Km 2023-02-17

Punggi-eup, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-638-6196

Sobaeksan National Park was designated as the 18th national park in December 1987. The features of Sobaeksan National Park include wildflowers and royal azaleas in spring and snowy scenery in winter. The mountain borders three provinces and four cities. Attractions include various peaks, temples, and waterfalls. The mountain is especially popular in May when royal azaleas are in full bloom and a natural forest tunnel is formed. Birobong Peak of the mountain is covered with snow six months of the year and is called the Alps of Korea.

Huibangsa Temple (Yeongju) (희방사(영주))

8.0Km 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.

Yeongju Birosa Temple (비로사 (영주))

8.1Km 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)

Seonbichon Village (선비촌)

8.8Km 2022-08-22

2796, Sobaek-ro, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-638-6444

Seonbichon Village in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the cradle of Korean Confucianism, is where the spirit and cultural heritage of Korea’s classical scholars are preserved. The village is the perfect place to learn about traditional Korea, and is famous for its classical scholars’ loyalty and filial piety.

Seonbichon village offers a variety of traditional activities for visitors, from pounding rice cake to hanging wish lanterns to attending a traditional wedding ceremony or playing folk games such as yutnori or jegichagi. Visitors can also enjoy traditional dining at Jeojatgeori Street and learn about history through the museum. Guests can also enjoy the unique experience of staying in a hanok house through the overnight program and participate in scholar programs.

Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (소백산천문대)

9.3Km 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.

Yeongju Modern History & Culture Street (영주근대역사문화거리)

10.3Km 2024-02-23

Yeongju-dong, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Yeongju Modern History and Culture Street serves as a historical and cultural hub, encapsulating the life and times of early twentieth-century Yeongju. The street is dotted with cultural properties officially recognized by the Cultural Heritage Administration. Highlights include the preserved official residences No. 5 and No. 7 of Yeongju Station, once home to railway station employees. Additionally, visitors can explore the Pungguk Rice Mill, showcasing vintage rice milling machinery; Yeongju Jeil Church, a 1909-built structure exemplifying Gothic-style architecture; Yeongju-dong Modern Hanok, a subsidiary structure of an ancient residence; and the still-operating Yeonggwang Barber Shop, a testament to the area's enduring heritage.

Dariangyegok Valley (다리안계곡)

13.8Km 2021-07-27

528-10, Darian-ro, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-422-1146

Dariangyegok Valley is located in the Darian Local Tourist Site near Danyang. The water in the valley curves around smooth rocks in between the lush forest. People visit in the summer to escape the heat.

Dariangyegok Valley has cold water flowing from Sobaeksan Mountain. The area around the valley is equipped with convenience facilities such as huts, campsites, a parking lot, convenience store and more, making it the best family destination. Near the middle of the valley, legend says a dragon ascended to the sky leaving a mark on the big rock. Nearby attractions include caves, Dodamsambong Peak, Gudambong Peak, Oksunbong Peak and many more. These abundant attractions make Dangyang a favorite tourist destination among visitors.

Yeongju Punggi Insam Festival (경북영주 풍기인삼축제) - Area information - Korea travel information