Hantangang River [National Geopark] (한탄강(국가지질공원, 고석정)) - Area information - Korea travel information

Hantangang River [National Geopark] (한탄강(국가지질공원, 고석정))

Hantangang River [National Geopark] (한탄강(국가지질공원, 고석정))

168.5249757925306m    3     2022-06-02

1825 , Taebong-ro, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-450-4810

Goseok Rock, located in the area of Hantangang River, is a granite rock that reach 15 meters in x_height. The area is often called Goseokjeong, named after the nearby Goseokjeong Pavilion. The area is an important geology and topography learning site where it is visible to see the topography before the formation of the basalt lava field and the fact that the basalt lava flowed over the bedrock to form the lava field. Goseok is a bedrock that existed before the area of Cheorwon was covered with lava, and is a granite formed underground about 110 million years ago (mid Cretaceous period). It is covered in basalt lava by volcanic activity that occurred between about 540,000 and 120,000 years ago, and then eroded by the Hantangang River to form a new waterway. 

The 2nd Tunnel (제2땅굴(철원))

The 2nd Tunnel (제2땅굴(철원))

175.85397386068982m    30597     2024-03-20

Yangji-ri, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-450-5559

The 2nd Tunnel, one of several excavated by North Korea for the purpose of infiltrating South Korea, was discovered in 1975. Spanning a total length of 3.5 kilometers, only 500 meters of the tunnel is accessible to civilians. To visit this site, visitors are required to book as part of the DMZ Peace Tours. Additionally, personal identification, such as a passport or Alien Registration Card (ARC), is necessary for access. 

Goseokjeong National Tourist Area (고석정국민관광지)

Goseokjeong National Tourist Area (고석정국민관광지)

217.40229829331147m    18803     2023-03-07

1825, Taebong-ro, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-450-5558

Goseokjeong Pavilion is the most scenic spot among the eight scenic views of Cheorwon. The crystal clear waters of the Hantangang River wind around Goseokbawi Rock, a peculiarly shaped rock about 10 meters tall that stands dominantly in the middle of the river. Goseokjeong Pavilion is a two-story tower-style pavilion that has an area of about 33 square meters, built halfway up the Hantangang River during the reign of King Jinpyeong (r. AD 579-632) of the Silla Kingdom. Today, Goseokjeong refers to the entire area around Goseokjeong Pavilion and the valley surrounding Goseok Rock. Designated as a Monument of Gangwon-do, the pavilion is known to have been one of the most favored places by King Jinpyeong of the Silla Kingdom, and King Chungsuk of the Goryeo dynasty. The area became all the more famous as the arena of Im Kkeok-jeong (?-1562), who was a legendary leader of a peasant rebellion in the early Joseon dynasty.

The pavilion was destroyed during the Korean War and restored in 1971 by community leaders in Cheorwon. Unfortunately, it was damaged once again by flood in 1996 and reconstructed the year after. There is a natural stone chamber inside Goseokbawi Rock that Im Kkeok-jeong used as a hiding place. On the opposite side, there are remains of a stone castle. Jiktang Waterfall is located about 2 kilometers up from this site, while Sundam Valley is situated about 2 kilometers in downstream. Goseokjeong is a year-round tourist attraction with an extensive grass square and recreational facilities. It is also the starting point for DMZ tours as the Iron Triangle Battlefield Conservation Office is located here and in winter, visitors can enjoy migratory bird tours.

Cheorwon Facilities Management Office (Formerly, Iron Triangle Battlefield (철원 시설물관리사업소 (구 철의삼각전적관))

Cheorwon Facilities Management Office (Formerly, Iron Triangle Battlefield (철원 시설물관리사업소 (구 철의삼각전적관))

225.21093096828875m    28634     2020-03-27

1825, Taebong-ro, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-450-5559

Located in Goseokjeong National Tourism Site, Cheorwon Facilities Management Office is the main tourism center hosting the Cheorwon tour. Starting from Security Tourist Site Development Plan by Cheorwon-gun county in 1976 , the Ministry of Transportation designated Goseokjeong as Goseokjeong National Tourist Area in 1977. The military and Cheorwon-gun county carried out security and battlefield excavation and preservation projects, and established a security educational site featuring the national largest scale in 1985.

Presently, the Iron Triangle Battlefield, located in Goseokjeong National Tourist Area, is used as a security educational site. Unification Hall found within houses various exhibitions, giving information to compare with current and past lifestyles and military devices including varied aircrafts displayed in the outdoor exhibition area. In the educational hall, a promotional video for Cheorwon is screened. Likewise, the exhibition hall covers various materials that allow one to think about unification between North Korea and South Korea.

Cheorwon Hantangang Milky Way Bridge (철원 한탄강 은하수교)

Cheorwon Hantangang Milky Way Bridge (철원 한탄강 은하수교)

1.6 Km    0     2023-03-07

725-12, Jangheung-ri, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-450-5365

The area of Hantangang River is a UNESCO Global Geopark. The Milky Way Bridge was built to follow a natural path and allows visitors to journey comfortably. The name of the bridge takes from the famous Hantangang River and region of Cheorwon and adds eunhasu, or Milky Way, the path made of stars. 

Sundamgyegok Valley (순담계곡)

Sundamgyegok Valley (순담계곡)

1.7 Km    19191     2021-02-09

143-3, Sundam-gil, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-450-5365

Located 5 kilometers northwest of Cheorwon-gun Office, Sundamgyegok Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys among the branches of the Hantangang River. It offers fantastic scenery of fascinating rock formations, steep cliffs, and ponds. The valley is filled with abundant water, trimmed by rare naturally white sand. Also, the stream behind the valley attracts many rafters each year.

Hantangang Bungee Jump Korea Leisure (한탄강번지점프(코리아레저))

Hantangang Bungee Jump Korea Leisure (한탄강번지점프(코리아레저))

2.5 Km    19824     2024-03-20

153 Taebongdaegyo-gil, Galmal-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do

Taebongdaegyo Bridge, towering over the Hantangang River, serves as the starting point for Ice Trekking programs in winter. During the summer, it transforms into a bungee jumping site. The platform, elevated 52 meters above sea level, offers a truly exhilarating drop. This site also provides a spectacular view of the Hantangang River’s beautiful valleys.

Seungilgyo Bridge (승일교)

2.9 Km    1624     2019-09-11

Area of Naedae-ri, Galmal-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do

Seungilgyo Bridge is unique in that it was jointly built by South and North Korea. The construction began when the land belonged to North Korea, but after the Armstice Agreement the land was given to the South, who then complete the bridge. The bridge was designated as a Registerd Cultural Property No. 26 on May 31, 2002.

Jiktangpokpo Falls [National Geopark] (직탕폭포 (한탄강 국가지질공원))

Jiktangpokpo Falls [National Geopark] (직탕폭포 (한탄강 국가지질공원))

3.0 Km    32349     2021-09-25

94, Jiktang-gil, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-450-5534

Jiktangpokpo Falls is location in the middle of Hantangang River, which runs through town of Dongsong-eup in Cheorwon. Unlike other falls, Jiktangpokpo Falls is not tall, but wide instead as the 3 meter-high falls stretch almost 60 meters from bank to bank. Widely known for its grandeur and beauty, Jiktangpokpo Falls is one of the 8 scenic wonders of Cheorwon. It is an ideal summer vacation spot and visitors can enjoy the savory maeuntang (spicy seafood stew) made with freshwater fish at one of the many restaurants located in the vicinity.

Simwonsa Temple (심원사(철원))

Simwonsa Temple (심원사(철원))

4.3 Km    28648     2024-03-20

58 Sangno 1-gil, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do

This thousand-year-old temple is revered as a sanctuary dedicated to the living Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. The temple complex comprises various buildings, including Daeungjeon Hall, Myeongbujeon Hall, and Samseonggak Hall. Myeongbujeon Hall is particularly notable as it enshrines the statue of Ksitigarbha, which has been designated a Treasure of Korea. It is believed that if one prays earnestly, a single wish will be granted. This belief continues to draw Buddhists on pilgrimages, eager to experience the spiritual wonder of this revered sculpture.