Dutayeon Valley [National Geopark] (두타연 (강원평화지역 국가지질공원))

13.5 Km 14149 2021-07-17

Gobangsan-ri, Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-480-2251

Dutayeon Valley is located north of the Civilian Control Line, requiring advance reservation through the Yanggu-gun Office website as well as filling out admission information at the Dutayeon Gallery before entering the area with a guide. The valley has a waterfall located along Sataecheon Stream where it merges with Suipcheon Stream. The water falls into a plunge pool, which has also carved out a deep cave in the bedrock at the base of the waterfall.

Hwacheon Bimok Park (화천 비목공원)

15.7 Km 19686 2021-08-18

3481-70, Pyeonghwa-ro, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-440-2225

Peace Dam was built over a period of 15 months from February 1987 to May 1988 with funds donated by the general public in response to North Korea’s construction of Geumgangsan Dam and a potential flooding attack. The flood control dam has proved its worth during the floods of 1995, 1996, and 1999 and it has become a major tourist destination over the years. Located in the vicinity of Peace Dam is Bimok Park, which is the origin of the famous national song “Bimok.”

In addition to the war monuments inside the park, there are around a dozen wooden crosses with rusty iron helmets placed on top within the barbed wire entanglements around the hill, thereby reminding visitors of the national tragedy of the Korean War. The county of Hwancheon hosts the Bimok Cultural Festival from June 3 to June 6 every year at Bimok Park, Bungeoseom Island by the town’s riverside, and the surrounding areas. The four-day festival offers a variety of events such as a singing contest, memorial ceremony of poetry reading, bimok tree cutting contest, rice ball eating contest, army life experience, military music parade, and more.

Crossing over to Yanggu County from Peace Dam, there is a national security education place comprised of attractions like the 4th Underground Tunnel and Eulji Observatory. Paroho Lake Battlefield Tourist Park is also worth a visit after looking around Peace Dam. Also known as the “ocean within mountains,” Paroho is a manmade lake created as a result of the Hwacheon Dam construction in 1944. The lake is home to over 70 different species of freshwater fish such as mandarin fish and carp. It also holds the sorrowful history of the water burial of three whole divisions of the Chinese Forces in defending the lake during the Korean War. The name Paroho, meaning “enemy breaking lake,” was given after the late president of Korea, Rhee Syngman, visited the place and designated a plaque in his own handwriting in memory of obtaining victory in fierce battle. There is an observatory, a security hall, and a stone monument engraved with the poetry of Wolha Rhee Taegeuk (1913-2003).

Peace Dam - Hwacheon (평화의댐 (화천))

15.8 Km 9848 2022-12-26

3481-18 , Pyeonghwa-ro, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-480-1512

Peace Dam in Hwacheon-gun was built in response to a potential flooding attack from North Korea. The first phase of construction began in 1986, and ended in 1989; the second phase, which entailed raising the x_height of the dam, began in 2002, and ended in 2005.

Over the years, the dam has become a major tourist destination. It has several cultural and recreational facilities including the Water Culture Center, an artificial wall stream, and rest areas. It is also located close to the DMZ, and natural landmarks such as Bimok Park, Bisugumi Valley, and Suhari Fishing Site.

Yongneup Marsh of Daeamsan Mountain (Gangwon Peace Area National Geopark) (대암산 용늪 (강원평화지역 국가지질공원))

16.4 Km 25048 2024-02-22

1106-27 Geumgang-ro, Seohwa-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do

Daeamsan Mountain is a rugged peak composed of rocks, reaching an altitude of 1,304 meters from the foothills to the summit. Formed in the hilly area on the southwest slope, Yongneup Marsh harbors both northern and southern plant species, housing various rare flora and fauna amidst its exceptional natural landscape. Exploring the ecology of Yongneup Marsh is possible through guided tours, including the Seoheung-ri course (three times a day, five hours) and the Gaa-ri course (once a day, three hours). Identification is required, and reservations are mandatory, with the presence of guides accompanying visitors.

Inje Icefish Festival (인제 빙어축제)

17.5 Km 29316 2023-12-29

555-2 beon-ji, Bupyeong-ri, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-460-8954

The Inje Icefish Festival takes place within the pristine nature of Inje. Visitors can enjoy fishing as well as other exciting winter activities. The festival was first held in 1997 and has grown with each year thanks to the interest and support of visitors.

INJE HOTEL [Korea Quality] / 인제호텔 [한국관광 품질인증]

17.5 Km 144 2019-12-06

4, Inje-ro 187beon-gil, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-10-5215-1551

Located in Inje-eup, Inje Hotel has 36 rooms in a building with 7 floors above the ground and 2 floors in the basement. In addition to 22 regular rooms, there are VIP Room, large Ondol Room, and Special Room that can be used by different numbers of people and for various occasions. The VIP Room is a twin room equipped with a sofa and table. There is a communal shower facility outside the room that can be used when the bathroom en suite is occupied. There is a Korean restaurant on the first floor. The flower bed and tea table outside the first floor is a great place to rest. A free fax machine and a vending machine for beverage and ramen are located in the lobby. There is also a water purifier with hot water and a microwave that can be used to prepare snacks. Brewed coffee is available all the time. You can have an unobstructed view of Inje town in the lounge on the 7thfloorofthehotel. Being near the Inje Intercity Bus Terminal, Inje Hotel gives a good access to public transportation and tourist attractions such as Inje Mountain Village Folk Museum, Inje Culture & Welfare Center, and Inje Theme Park which are located within 1km from the hotel.

Paroho Lake (Hwacheon) (파로호(화천))

18.5 Km 11476 2022-12-26

36-8, Baeteo-gil, Gandong-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-440-2575

Paroho Lake is a manmade lake created when Hwacheon Dam was built in the valley of the Bukhangang River. The lake was once referred to as Daebungho Lake for its resembling image of an imaginary phoenix rising with its wings spread wide open when seen from afar. The area was a territory of North Korea after Korea's independence, but became a South Korean territory after the Korean War.

Soyangho Lake (Inje Section) (소양호-인제)

18.7 Km 11422 2022-12-28

133, Wonnam-ro, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-460-2170

Soyangho Lake, one of the biggest manmade lakes in Korea, along with Chungjuho Lake, was created in 1973 when the world’s fourth largest dam, Soyang Dam, standing 123 meters high, was constructed. The 60-kilometer watercourse connecting Chuncheon and Inje is a route along which you can enjoy the beautiful hills and streams of Naeseorak. In the Inje section, upstream of the lake, there are various species of fish such as carp, crusian, leather carp, mandarin fish and pond smelt, attracting many tourists and fisherman. Fishing spots are found in areas such as Gunchukgyo Bridge, Bupyeong, Gwandae-ri, and Sangsunaeri Fishing Pier. Also, from December and March when a portion of the lake near Gunchukgyo Bridge freezes, you can bore holes through the ice sheet and enjoy ice-fishing for pond smelt.

X-game Resort (Naerincheon Bungee Jumping) (엑스게임리조트(내린천 번지점프))

18.8 Km 28705 2020-08-26

2254, Seorak-ro, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-461-5216

Situated in Inje-gun, Gangwon-do, X-game Resort Naerincheon (Stream) Bungee Jumping is a leaning tower style bungee jumping facility, like those common in Australia. To secure safety, the facility is tilted at 60 degrees and flanked by steel frames on both sides. Adopting technologies employed by Bungee Big, a renowned company in Australia, it offers one of the safest bungee jumping experiences for visitors. The 63 meter high jump platform will give visitors a thrill as they jump towards the stream below.

For those who have fear of bungee jumping, try Slingshots, that shoots up to the sky. They are easily accessible and ideal for family visitors and couples. Two people at a time can ride the slingshots, and there are two towers (30 meters high) supporting slingshots on both sides. Shot from the bottom, slingshots can fly one and half times as high as the x_height of the jumping facility. Flying over 45 meters in a matter of seconds, slingshots offer extreme thrills for friends, couples, or family visitors.

Gachilbong Battlefield (가칠봉지구전투전적지)

19.4 Km 28951 2020-04-02

Haean-myeon, Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-480-2675

The entire town of Haean-myeon is contained in Haean Basin. Also known as Punch Bowl, Haean Basin is surrounded by high peaks and one of these peaks is Gachilbong.

The nature of the terrain in the Gachilbong area made it difficult to conduct military operations during the Korean War. The North Korean military utilized these natural features to build a solid defense position and launch counterattacks, while the South Korean soldiers in the lowland were in a disadvantageous position. South Korean soldiers were under the command of 5th Division Commander Brigadier General Min Gi-sik and 24th Regiment Commander Colonel Yu Ui-jun. On the North Korean side, the 7th, 14th, and 32nd Regiments of the 27th Division and the 23rd Regiment of the 12th Division under the 2nd Corps fought back.

By sending a military deployment and conducting search operations, the South Korean military completed a reconnaissance of the area on August 30 and advanced to counterattack. On August 31, after defending their position for two days, the South Korean soldiers were able to break the North Korean resistance. Each unit secured a strongly fortified position to draw the North Korean soldiers out. Thereafter, South Korea launched an all-out attack and captured Hill 1241. However, North Korea attacked again and South Korea retreated. After several attacks and counterattacks, South Korea was able to take back Gachilbong and the surrounding areas. Although it resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, this battle ultimately gave South Korea possession of Haean Basin.

Dutayeon Valley [National Geopark] (두타연 (강원평화지역 국가지질공원)) - Area information - Korea travel information