Muju Gucheong-dong Special Tourist Zone (무주구천동관광특구) - Area information - Korea travel information

Muju Gucheong-dong Special Tourist Zone (무주구천동관광특구)

Muju Gucheong-dong Special Tourist Zone (무주구천동관광특구)

15.9Km    2024-04-07

Seolcheon-myeon, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-320-2114

At the heart of the Muju Gucheondong Special Tourist Zone is Muju Gucheondong Valley. The outer parts of Deogyusan National Park and the mountain’s natural recreation forest are also part of the special tourist zone.

The 30-kilometer-long Muju Gucheondong Valley is located to the north of Deogyusan National Park. The calm and soothing sound of the water flowing through a lush forest make this a great summer destination. The 33 scenic points of Gucheondong include Eunguam Rock, Haksodae Falls, Waryongdam Pond, Gucheon Waterfall and Yeonhwa Waterfall. In the summer, visitors can see the rare sight of fireflies in their natural habitat. The fall foliage in autumn and the winter snowscape are also quite exquisite.

Within the vicinity of Muju Gucheondong is Muju Resort. The resort complex is made up of a family hotel, resort condominium and various recreational facilities where visitors can enjoy skiing, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Visitors can take the gondola from the resort all the way up to Deogyusan Mountain’s Seolcheonbong Peak (1,520 meters). From, there, they can easily reach the summit at Hyangjeokbong Peak (1,614 meters).

Taekwondowon, located near the Muju Gucheondong Special Tourist Zone, offers a hands-on Taekwondo experience program. Those who are interested in learning Taekwondo can take part in a 1-day program which includes a Taekwondo demonstration, a Taekwondo class (basic movements), and board breaking.


[Muju Gucheondong Special Tourist Zone]
Areas Covered: Mupung-myeon (Samgoe-ri) and Seolcheon-myeon (Samgong-ri and Simgok-ri) in Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do
Area size: 7,610,000 ㎡
Tourist Attractions: Deogyusan National Park, 33 Scenic Views of Muju, Gucheondong Valley, Muju Resort, forest park, Taekwondowon, Muju Hyanggyo (Confucian school), Baengnyeonsa Temple, Jeoksansanseong Fortress, etc.

Muju Sunflower Pension&Hostel (무주해바라기펜션호스텔)

Muju Sunflower Pension&Hostel (무주해바라기펜션호스텔)

16.0Km    2024-12-24

129-15 , Gucheondong 1-ro, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-322-9987, +82-10-6533-3631

Muju Sunflower Pension Hostel is a family vacation pension within the tourist complex of Gucheon-dong, Muju, Jeollabuk-do. It is located in the upper reaches of Gucheon-dong Valley - a place of magnificent natural scenery and clean, healing air - and a deck has been installed above the river for summer-season swimming. Residents can sip herbal tea made with freshly-collected wild herbs (and offered free of charge), and enjoy the breakfast of their choice at the cafe.

Sibipokpo Falls (이폭포(12폭포))

16.1Km    2024-08-29

Guseok-ri, Nami-myeon, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do

Sibipokpo Falls is a series of 12 ("sibi" in Korean) waterfalls in a valley of Seongchisan Mountain in Geumsan. Visitors can see the falls of various sizes by walking on the hiking trail as it winds its way through the forest along the stream. The path is accessible from the parking lot by Seongchisan Rest Area. Nearby attractions include Simcheon Wellbeing Recreational Forest and Yongdamho Lake.

Deogyusan Resort Sledding Hills (무주덕유산리조트 썰매장)

Deogyusan Resort Sledding Hills (무주덕유산리조트 썰매장)

16.2Km    2024-04-07

185, Manseon-ro, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-320-7336

Deogyusan Resort is a representative mountain resort in Korea, located within Deogyusan National Park. Blending harmoniously with nature, visitors can take in the nature as well as enjoy art and health. The resort is located on the foothill of Deogyusan Mountain, near the famous Gucheondong Valley.

Deogyusan Ski Resort (무주덕유산리조트 스키장)

16.2Km    2024-04-06

185, Manseon-ro, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-322-9000

Muju Deogyusan Resort is one of Korea’s most famous mountain peak ski resorts. Covering an area of over seven million square meters, the resort is located in the Gucheon-dong Valley, at the base of the famous Deogyusan Mountains. Nature lovers will particularly enjoy visiting the resort, since it is located in one of Korea’s beautiful national parks, and was specially designed to harmonize with its natural surroundings.

Geumsan Boseoksa Temple (보석사 (금산))

Geumsan Boseoksa Temple (보석사 (금산))

17.1Km    2021-11-29

30, Boseoksa 1-gil, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-753-1523

Located on the southeastern slope of Jinaksan Mountain (732 meters), about six kilometers away from Geumsan-eup, Boseoksa Temple was founded by the great Buddhist monk Jogu Daesa in 866 (12th year of King Heongang) during the Silla Kingdom. The temple’s name Boseoksa (boseok meaning jewelry) comes from the statue of Buddha in the temple that was cast from gold found in the mountain facing the temple.

The temple is comprised of Daeungjeon Hall, Euiseongak Shrine and Sansingak Shrine. Close to the temple grounds are 12 stunning waterfalls. Visitors can also see a 1,100 year-old ginkgo tree or take a pleasant stroll along a 300-meter long fir tree road.

Yeongdong Yeongguksa Temple (영국사 (영동))

Yeongdong Yeongguksa Temple (영국사 (영동))

17.3Km    2022-12-27

225-35, Yeonggukdong-gil, Yeongdong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-743-8843

Yeongguksa Temple is nestled at the foot of Cheontaesan Mountain (714.7 meters), at the boundary between Chungcheongbuk-do and Chungcheongnam-do. Visitors must trek through a valley to reach the temple, passing waterfalls and rocks.

The time of Yeongguksa Temple's construction is not clearly known but it is said to have been built around the late Silla period, during the time of King Seonjong. The temple prospered when the State Preceptor Wongak, who completed the Cheontae, one of Buddhist orders from Daegak Guksa Uicheon, came to the temple in the middle of the Goryeo period. It continued to flourish until the early Joseon era and then took a dive due to the rule of anti-Buddhism. Despite the situation at the time, the temple's reputation as one of the noted temples remained. However, the situation worsened in the early twentith century, to the point of near closure. The temple was reconstructed by Jubongjosa Monk in 1934.

As of now, the temple contains various treasures including the Stele for State Preceptor Wongak, Stupa of Yeongguksa Temple, Three-story Stone Pagoda of Yeongguksa Temple, Three-story Stone Pagoda at Mangtapbong Peak of Yeongguksa Temple. In addition, Bell-shaped Stupa and Round-shaped Stupa, regional tangible cultural assets, are situated in the temple site.

Geumsan World Insam Festival (금산세계인삼축제)

Geumsan World Insam Festival (금산세계인삼축제)

17.4Km    2025-01-08

30 Insamgwangjang-ro, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-750-2306

The Geumsan World K-Insam Festival is a well-being event that promotes the excellence of ginseng, an herb that strengthens the immune system against cancer and other diseases. Visitors can take part in health-related programs, including the red ginseng foot bath, Korean medicine therapy, and traditional massage at the Health Experience Hall. Visitors can also try foods made with ginseng and check out the various shapes that the medicinal plant comes in and its uses, including makgeolli (unrefined rice wine) and fries. There are booths for a wide variety of activities, such as ginseng harvesting and ginseng art, as well as performances that introduce Geumsan’s culture and traditions. Geumsan ginseng can also be purchased at a cheaper price at the festival’s market, and its goods can be received directly from within the county.

◎ Geumsan Ginseng
Geumsan Insam Herbal Medicine Market deals with 80% of Korea’s total ginseng production.

Geumsan Ginseng Museum (금산인삼관)

Geumsan Ginseng Museum (금산인삼관)

17.4Km    2024-08-22

30 Insamgwangjang-ro, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-750-2621

Geumsan Ginseng Museum was founded to spread the excellence of Korean (Geumsan) ginseng across the nation and the world. Ginseng cultivation implements and models, efficacy, foods, and other products containing ginseng are on display in this museum. Visitors can also watch ginseng-related videos to gain a better understanding of Korean ginseng.

Deogyusan National Recreational Forest (국립 덕유산자연휴양림)

Deogyusan National Recreational Forest (국립 덕유산자연휴양림)

17.7Km    2024-04-07

530-62, Gucheondong-ro, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-322-1097

Deogyusan National Recreational Forest is located south of Muju near Gucheon-dong Valley and Deogyusan National Park. The lush forest of larch and pine nut trees creates a cool ambience for relaxation. The recreational forest features a biking trail, and is near Deogyusan Ski Resort and other leisure facilities.