Hwaam Tourist Attractions (Hwaam Eight Scenic Sites) (화암관광지(화암8경))

0m 10442 2019-11-13

1328, Yaksu-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-560-2363

Hwaam Tourist Attractions comprises the eight scenic sights of Hwaam. The winding road leading to the attractions offers a perfect sencery of the mountains and cliffs, as well as magnificent fall foliage in autumn. Sign posts are installed along the way to each of the sceneries to prevent tourists from getting lost.

[Scenic Beauty 1] Hwaam Mineral Spring
At Hwaam Mineral Spring, water rises up through a rock crater located in Dong-myeon, Jeongseon. The water is said to be good for stomachaches, eye infections, and skin diseases; and, as it contains nine essential elements such as calcium and fluorine, it tastes crisp and clean.

[Scenic Beauty 2] Turtle Rock
Part of the path leading to Hwaam Mineral Spring is buttressed by a cliff, on which there is a rock that resembles the shape of a turtle.

[Scenic Beauty 3] Yongmaso
With its clean water and wide sheets of rock, Yongmaso Lake is a popular attraction for vacationers.

[Scenic Beauty 4] Hwaamdonggul Cave
Hwaamdonggul Cave used to be a gold mine that was commercially operated from 1922 to 1945. The nation’s 5th largest goldmine was, however, found to have natural stalactites, and later the cave was developed as the only theme-based cave that combined gold and nature. The stalactite area is an open space of 2,800㎡ and the length of the path open to visitors is 1,803 meters. The entire area consists of 5 chapters, which in turn constitute 41 zones; it takes about an hour and a half to see all of the zones.

[Scenic Beauty 5] Hwapyoju Cliff
Hwapyoju is a cliff facing the entrance of Hwapyo-dong, which can be seen on the way from Hwaam-dong to Molundae. The cliff may appear as if a giant sharpened a large sheet of rock and placed it upright, or less imaginatively, as if two pillars are standing side by side.

[Scenic Beauty 6] Sogeumgang River
The four-kilometer stretch from Hwapyoju to Molundae, surrounded with 100 to 150-meter high rock cliffs and thick forest, is called Sogeumgang River (small Geumgang River), meaning that its beautiful scenery is reminiscent of that of the breathtaking Geumgangsan Mountain.

[Scenic Beauty 7] Molundae Cliff
Molundae literally means ‘the cliff beyond which clouds disappear’. The tip of the steep cliff is adorned with three specimens of 500-year-old pine trees. Legend has it that gods would perch on the cliff’s top and enjoy the beautiful view. At the foot of the cliff lies a large sheet of rock that can accommodate hundreds of people.

[Scenic Beauty 8] Gwangdaegok Valley
Gwangdaegok Valley is said to be the mysterious place where heaven, earth and clouds meet. The surrounding hills are very rough and bumpy, which makes the area a renowned mountain in Korea. There is a belief among wild-ginseng diggers that they can find great ginseng if they pray in Gwangdaegok, so it is a popular attraction for such prospectors.

Hwaam Mineral Spring [National Geopark] (화암약수 (강원고생대 국가지질공원))

0m 10401 2021-02-24

1330, Yaksu-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-560-2379

Hwaam Mineral Spring is one of the Eight Scenic Sites of Hwaam, and provides carbonated water said to be good for stomach discomfort and skin diseases. Interestingly, the stream water flowing through the valley is just regular freshwater. The reason for this is that the water passes through different types of rock on its way from the underground.

Sogeumgang River [National Geopark] (소금강 (강원고생대 국가지질공원))

704.935462666184m 15670 2021-05-24

San 109-1. Morun-ri, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-1544-9053

Sogeumgang River is lined with high rock cliffs topped with lush forests. This section of river is so beautiful, it is called "Little Geumgangsan River," with Geumgangsan Mountain being known as the most breathtaking location in all of Korea. Visitors can find a number of famous rocks along the river.

Hwaamdonggul Cave [Gangwon Paleozoic Geopark] (화암동굴 (강원고생대 국가지질공원))

2.4 Km 33343 2020-12-05

12, Hwaamdonggul-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-560-2379

Hwaamdonggul Cave was originally a gold mine that was commercially operated from 1922 to 1945 as the nation’s fifth largest gold mine. However, the cave was found to have natural stalactites, and was later developed into the only theme-based cave that combined gold and nature. The ticket booth and the cave's entrance is located apart from each other, and visitors can either hike or ride on monorail to the entrance point. Hwaamdonggul Cave is not only a tourist attraction but also an educational venue where visitors can learn about the subterranean ecology of a stalactite cave and the process of gold mining and refining.

Jeongseon Morundae Cliff (몰운대 (정선))

2.6 Km 11167 2021-05-31

1330, Yaksu-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-1544-9053

Morundae Cliff is one of the Eight Scenic Sites of Hwaam. The tip of the steep cliff is adorned with three specimens of 500-year-old pine trees. Legend has it that gods would perch on the cliff’s top and enjoy the beautiful view. At the foot of the cliff lies a large sheet of rock that can accommodate hundreds of people.

Deoksangigyegok Valley (덕산기 계곡)

7.4 Km 36492 2024-02-13

Jeongseon-eup, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do

Deoksangigyegok Valley is adorned with several waterfalls, the most majestic being a 40-meter-tall waterfall located upstream. The beauty of the valley is further enhanced by numerous ponds scattered throughout the area. Notable landmarks include Nangmoam Rock, situated upstream, which strikingly resembles a reclining woman, and Seokburam Rock in the midstream area, said to mirror the image of a sitting Buddha. The valley itself, soaring over 100 meters high, is characterized by layered rock cliffs. These formations are the result of tectonic movements and weathering that have occurred over hundreds of millions of years, adding a profound sense of history and natural wonder to the landscape.

Mindungsan Mountain (민둥산)

8.3 Km 49838 2022-12-26

12, Mindungsan-ro, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-1544-9053

Situated in Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, Mindungsan Mountain (1,118.8 meters) is an unusual site when compared to other national peaks. As hinted by its name's meaning "bare mountain," there are few trees near its summit. Locals also refer to it as Eoksaesan (silver grass) Mountain because of the waves of eulalia covering its sides. The mountain remains this way because villagers burned the fields once a year to encourage the growth of wild herbs.

The mountain’s gradual slope offers an enjoyable trekking experience for hikers of all levels. In mid-October, waist-high silver grass is indeed everywhere, making it challenging for hikers to view the surrounding areas. Fortunately, certain spots near the peak offer breathtaking views of the gentle ridges and flowing hillsides.

Silver grass begins blooming in September and reaches peak colors between October and November. The Silver Grass Festival is held on Mindungsan Mountain every October, attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees for a wonderful outdoor hiking experience and picturesque photo opportunities. The mountain is easily accessible by train allowing visitors from near and far to enjoy the fall colors.

On the outskirts of Mindungsan Mountain near Balgudeok village is Goebyeonggol Valley, which contains magnificent rock formations and limestone caves. Other nearby attractions include Hwaam Yaksu (spring water site), Auraji Naruteo famous for creating Jeongseon Arirang (a local version of the traditional folk song, Arirang), and Gariwangsan Mountain (known for wild ginseng).

Jeongseon Arirang Performance - Ari Arari (정선아리랑극 아리아라리)

11.4 Km 2149 2021-03-26

51, Aesan-ro, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-33-560-3017

Jeongseon Arirang, a musical performance, takes place at the Jeongseon Arirang Center in Jeongseon on days when the Jeongseon Fifth-day Market is taking place. The musical aims to preserve and promote the local cultural intangible heritage of Jeongseon Arirang. Started in 2018, the musical continues to capture the attention of its audience. The performance tells the story of a Joseon dynasty lumberjack, Gimok, who leaves his wife, Jeongseon, and daughter, Ari, behind while he goes to the capital to work on the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace. After fifteen years of no contact, Ari heads to Hanyang in search of her father.After arriving at the palace, they realize the importance of their hometown and families. The story is told through ten musical numbers, each pleasing to the ears and the eyes. After the musical, the audience can also take pictures with the performers. As an added bonus, a 5,000 won Arirang Voucher comes with the purchase of every ticket, and can be used throughout Jeongseon.

Donggwang Sikdang (동광식당)

11.8 Km 23137 2024-03-20

27 Noksong 1-gil, Jeongseon-eup, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do

With over 50 years of history, this jokbal (braised pigs' feet) restaurant is a cherished local establishment. Its standout dish is hwanggi jokbal (braised pigs' feet with milk vetch roots), renowned for its chewy texture and clean flavor. The meat and cartilage are tenderized through extended braising with milk vetch roots, which also impart a subtle flavor to the dish. Another highlight on the menu is the kotdeungchigi guksu (buckwheat noodles), a Jeongseon-style dish featuring chewy buckwheat noodles cooked in a broth flavored with perilla and soybean paste.

Jeongseon Station (정선역)

12.0 Km 2437 2017-07-10

55, Noksong 8-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do

The population of Jeongseon greatly decreased after the decline of the coal mining business in Korea. With the loss of travelers, many stations on the Jeongseon Line switched to non-manned operations; Jeongseon Station is the only station to maintain staff.

Despite losing population, Jeongseon has maintained popularity due to its history as the birthplace of Korea's folk song, Arirang, and for Jeongseon Traditional Market, held every weekend.

Hwaam Tourist Attractions (Hwaam Eight Scenic Sites) (화암관광지(화암8경)) - Area information - Korea travel information