Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Yanggu Punch Bowl Village (양구 펀치볼마을 (펀치볼))

2020-08-31

50-3, Dongmakdong-gil, Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-481-2648

Punch Bowl is a highland basin situated 400-500 meters above sea level in Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do. The name comes from the basin's resemblance to a large punch bowl. The village has around 1,700 residents, and is the only town that is located inside the Civilian Access Control Line. Along with the nearby Daeamsan Mountain, Punch Bowl was once a ferocious battlefield during the Korean War. Several monuments were erected in memory of the deceased souls. Since the war, civilian access has been limited, allowing the natural environment in the area to recover. Rare flora and fauna reside in the area, and on top of Daeamsan Mountain is Yongneup Swamp (Natural Monument No. 246), Korea's one and only high moor and time-honored treasure trove for the ecosystem.

Dutasan Mountain (두타산)

2021-04-05

533, Samhwa-ro, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do & Samcheok-si, Jeongseon-gun
+82-33-534-7306

Standing at 1,357 meters above sea level, Dutasan Mountain is surrounded by famous natural landmarks: Mureunggyegok Valley to the north, Gocheongyegok Valley to the east, Taebaeksan Mountain range to the south, and Jungbongsan Mountain to the west. Moreover, situated along the 3.1 kilometer-long valley connecting Dutasan and Samhwasa Temple are such tourist attractions as Dutasanseong Fortress, Geumnamjeong Pavilion, Yongchupokpo Falls, Ssangpokpo Falls, Osipcheon Stream, and Cheoneunsa Temple.

Garisan Recreational Forest (가리산자연휴양림)

2025-01-10

426, Garisan-gil, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-435-6035

Located on Garisan Mountain, the Garisan Recreational Forest offers marvelous scenery of a rich forest, old pine trees, and uniquely shaped rocks. The forest is equipped with various recreational, accommodation and convenience facilities including campsites, wood cabin, forest walking trails, swimming pool, sports facilities, and outdoor cooking facilities.

Soyangho Lake Ferry (소양호 유람선)

2020-04-28

1133, Sinsaembat-ro, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-242-2455

Soyangho Lake was created by the building of Soyanggang Dam in 1973, and holds approximately 2.7 billion tons of water. It is the largest lake in Korea, earning it the nickname of the "inland sea." Islands dot the landscape, and the lake is home to over 50 types of freshwater fish, making it a popular destination for watersports and fishing.

Bungeoseom Island (붕어섬)

2022-12-26

2-54, Gangbyeon-ro, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-440-2557

Bungeoseom Island was created as a result of the construction of the Chuncheon Dam. The island was turned into a green recreational site with environmentally friendly facilities. Visitors can enjoy soccer, tennis, and walking trails, as well as an outdoor stage and drinking fountains. The island has also been used as a filming location for many dramas and movies. The stream around the island is filled with a variety of fish, making it a popular location for fishermen.

Okcheon Yongamsa Temple (용암사(옥천))

2022-12-27

400, Samcheong 2-gil, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-732-1400

Yongamsa Temple, located in the mid-slope of Jangyongsan Mountain, is a branch of Beopjusa Temple. It was built during the Silla period. Unlike the more common temple arrangements, the stone pagoda in Yongamsa is uniquely situated on a low peak in the north with a view on all sides. The East and West Three-story Stone Pagodas of Yongamsa Temple, a designated Treasure, can be found here, as well as Rock-caved Buddha, and Wooden Seated Amitabha Buddha in Daeseongjeon Hall.

Cheongju Heungdeoksa Temple Site (청주 흥덕사지)

2020-03-27

713, Jikji-daero, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-201-2022

A large number of relics were unearthed at this site due to a land development project in 1985. Work was halted and relics were excavated by the Cheongju University Museum. The time and size of Heungdeoksa Temple is unknown, but according to Jikji (Buljojikjisimcheyojeol, the world’s oldest existing book printed with movable metal type), the excavated books were printed using metal types at the temple in the third year of King Uwang’s reign (1377). The books were published 78 years earlier than Gutenberg’s invention.

In 1972, the Jikji was officially recognized as the world’s oldest book printed with movable metal type during the International Book Year. The Buljojikjisimcheyojeol is currently kept at the National Library of France.

Danyang Jeokseongbi Monument of Silla (단양 신라 적성비)

2021-05-14

Habang 3-gil, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-422-1146

The Danyang Jeokseongbi Monument of Silla was erected by King Jinheung, the 24th King of Silla Kingdom, as a public announcement board. It was found at Jeokseongsanseong Fortress in Danyang in 1978.

The stone stele is broken into three parts: the two lower pieces are inscribed with 280 letters, which spell out the names of people, locations and positions from the Silla Kingdom period, whereas, the top piece has 100 letters which are mostly destroyed. The discovery of the monument helped illuminate political development and statuses of the time.

Beopgwangsa Temple - Pohang (법광사 (포항))

2020-03-25

290, Sangeup-gil, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-243-0178

Beopgwangsa Temple is located at the foot of Bihaksan Mountain in the city of Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. It was originally built during the reign of King Jinpyeong (579-631) of the Silla Kingdom by Great Monk Wonhyo upon the order of the king.

The temple used to be large measuring 525 kan (kan is a traditional measurement of distance between two columns, about 1.8 meters), but most of its buildings burned down in a fire in 1863. The current buildings were rebuilt in 1952. The site of the old temple is designated as Historical Site no. 493. Some of the remaining relics are a three-story pagoda, Bulsangyeonhwadaejwa (Buddha on a lotus stand), and a twin Ssanggwibu (turtle-shaped stone base of a monument).

Cheongnyongsa Temple Site (청룡사지)

2021-07-30

147, Cheongnyongsaji-gil, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-850-5980

In the late Goryeo era, King Taejo ordered to build a large temple at the foot of Cheonggyesan Mountain for Preceptor Bogak to retire to hermitage. Now, the temple site has become a ruin, with only the Stupa of State Preceptor Bogak, called Jeonghyewonyung, lion stone lantern, and stele for Jeonghyewonyung at the site. Cheongnyongsa Temple, recently built, is also situated in the vicinity of the area along with other Buddhist cultural assets.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information