Micheongol Recreational Forest (국립 미천골자연휴양림)

15.8Km 2025-08-18

115 Micheongol-gil, Seo-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do

This recreational forest is located at the foot of Guryongnyeong Pass, which connects Yangyang-gun with Hongcheon-gun, along Micheongol Valley. This 12 km-long valley creates waterfalls throughout the forest, both small and large, and feeds many varieties of trees including birch, ash, maple sap, and dogwood. In addition to the Forest Cultural Rest Center, campground, and auto campground, the forest also includes a historic site, a Silla-era Seollimwon Temple Site. Seollimwon Temple was a Seon (Zen) Buddhist temple complex built during the Unified Silla period, and the site of Treasures like the “Three-story Stone Pagoda at Seollimwon Temple Site, Yangyang.” Many forest-themed experience programs are available in the recreational forest: “Forest Education, Forest Guided Tour,” which brings one closer to the nature in the forest, and “A Beautiful Trip in Person,” which offers members of marginalized communities a chance to connect with nature, are the examples of such programs. There is a 6.2 km-long (round-trip) mountain trekking road in the forest, and a 12 km-long forest road (round-trip) that takes one from Complex 3 of the Forest House to Bulbaragi Mineral Spring.

Sokch Seorak Sunrise Park (속초 설악해맞이공원)

15.9Km 2025-01-21

3664 Donghae-daero, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

Referred to as "Namulchi," Sokcho Seorak Sunrise Park is located in the area of National Highway 7, the main point toward Daepohang Port, Yangyang, and Seoraksan Mountain. The park is perfect for enjoying a sunrise trip. The park area includes Sunrise Plaza, Lover’s Road, Happy Road, Love Road, other various themed sculptures, symbolic sculptures of Seoraksan Mountain, and light fountains, making it a great place to take a walk.

Uisangdae Pavilion (낙산사 의상대)

15.9Km 2024-12-26

100 Naksansa-ro, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-672-2447

This pavilion is located on a seaside cliff on the way from Yangyang’s Naksansa Temple to Gwaneumgul Cave of Hongnyeonam Hermitage. The word “dae” in Uisangdae refers to a building built at a vantage point for areas with beautiful scenery. Indeed, the view of the East Sea and the coast from Uisangdae Pavilion awarded its recognition as one of the Eight Sights of Yangyang, and a must-visit place for all visitors to Naksansa Temple. Jeong Cheol (pen-name: Songgang), a famed scholar and writer of the poem Song of Diamond Mountains, chose the pavilion as one of the Eight Sights of Gwandong, and the pavilion is today one of the popular sites for sunrise-viewing on the east coast of Korea. Together with Hongnyeonam Hermitage, it is designated as the Scenic Site No. 27 of Korea under the name “Uisangdae Pavilion and Hongnyeonam Hermitage of Naksansa Temple, Yangyang.” Uisangdae is named after Uisang, a respected Silla-era Buddhist monk who is said to have founded this temple in 671 (11th year of King Munmu’s reign of Silla), and many stories of his deeds can still be found in the temple. For instance, Uisangdae is said to be the site where he meditated before founding Naksansa Temple at its present site. Today’s pavilion was restored to its present hexagonal form in 1995.

Naksan Beach (낙산해수욕장)

16.0Km 2024-12-27

59 Haemaji-gil, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-670-2518

Naksan Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Yangyang, located in Joseon-ri, Yangyang-eup, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do. Since its opening in 1963, it has attracted more than 1 million visitors each year, its reputation being rivaled only by the Gyeongpodae Beach on the east coast of Korea. The 4 kilometer-long sand beach contrasts magnificently with the lush pine trees of the area. The water is less than 1.5 meter deep, making it a good place for all ages. Naksanhang Port marks one end of the beach, behind which Naksan Mountain, the location of Naksansa Temple, can be found. The other end has a lake formed at the delta of Namdaecheon Stream, which originates from Seoraksan Mountain. Many cafes, convenience stores, restaurants, and accommodations cater to the needs of the visitors. The beach sees considerable traffic in winter as well, when it serves as a popular venue for sunrise-watching, particularly for the New Year’s Day festival.

Baekdam Soft Bean Curd (백담순두부)

16.0Km 2024-03-15

19 Baekdam-ro, Buk-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do

This restaurant is a showcase for Inje’s celebrated culinary offering: Grilled Dried Pollack. The pollack is prepared through a natural drying process in the brisk winter winds, which gives it a salty flavor and a satisfying chewy texture. This makes it a popular choice as both an accompaniment to drinks and as a side dish on Korean dining tables. Here, it is grilled to perfection with a coating of red pepper paste, offering a flavorful experience with a reduced fishy smell and a delightful sweet and tangy taste. Also featured on the menu are the Soft Bean Curd Set Menu and the Wild Vegetable Bibimbap. The soft and warm bean curd, along with bibimbap—a harmonious mix of freshly-grown wild vegetables from Gangwon State topped with spicy red pepper paste—each provide a nutritious wholesome meal.

Ocean Valley Resort (오션벨리리조트)

16.4Km 2025-03-16

127-30, Ilchul-ro, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-672-4200

Ocean Valley Resort is located on the sandy shore of Naksan Beach staring out at the clean blue waters of the East Sea. The resort is the closest accommodation to the ocean in the nation. Since its opening in 2001, the resort has continued to strive to provide the best service in order for customers to have an unforgettable experience. The resort is open all year long, allowing guests to enjoy a range of activities like Naksan Beach in the summer to skiing in the winter.

There are many attractions close to the resort including Naksansa Temple, Cheoksan Hot Springs, Osaek Mineral Spring, and Unification Observatory. Guests can also enjoy a wide range of leisure sports like sea fishing, boating, water skiing and golf. Ocean Valley Resort is an environmentally conscious resort that uses solar power to cover its energy needs.

Do Hotel [Korea Quality] 두호텔 [한국관광 품질인증]

16.5Km 2023-06-27

139, Expo-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-631-7007, +82-10-4895-3515

The Do Hotel stands just in front of Cheongcho Lake Park in Sokcho, Gangwon-do. Thanks to this location, early-rising guests can watch the sunrise over Cheongcho Lake; and year-round, the lake and park make this a great spot for photos. There’s plenty of parking space, and guests can arrive or leave early in the morning if necessary. Tourist attractions such as Yeonggeumjeong, Daepo Port, Dongmyeong Port, and Seoraksan Mountain are all easy to get to.

Daepohang Port (대포항)

16.6Km 2022-12-21

64, Daepohang-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-633-3171

Located on the southernmost point of Sokcho, Daephohang Port is known as a place to find quality fish with the rise of Seoraksan Mountain as a popular tourist destination. However, the port was a well-known port even before Sokcho existed. On a map of Korea that was published right after the Korean War, Daepohang Port can be found with other notable ports while the city of Sokcho is not indicated. With the opening of Sokcho and Sokcho Port in 1942, Daepohang Port became a secluded port visited by few fishing boats.

Cheongchoho Lake Park (청초호 호수공원)

16.6Km 2024-04-08

140 Expo-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do40

Cheongchoho Lake Park is where the 1999 International Tourism & Culture Expo was held. Benches are scattered around the park for resting in the shade of trees. By the natural lake is a walking deck for enjoying tulips in spring, marinas in summer, chrysanthemums in fall, and snow in winter. From the top of the Expo Tower, one can see a panoramic view of Cheongchoho Lake, Cheongchoho Lake Park, the East Sea, and even Jodo Island. On the other side, Ulsanbawi Peak and Dalmabong Peak of Seoraksan Mountain come into view.

Bangdong Mineral Spring (방동약수)

16.6Km 2021-05-31

89-59, Bangdongyaksu-ro, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-460-2170

Bangdong Mineral Spring is located in Bangdong-ri in Girin-myeon. It is so renowned that it has been designated as one of the Great Mineral Springs of Korea. The water has a high content of carbon that makes it sparkle, and it tastes like Korean 7-up when sugar is added. In addition to carbon, the water also contains iron, manganese, and fluorine, making it effective in curing gastric problems and helping with digestion.

According to legend, there lived a simmani (ginseng digger) 300 years ago who, one day, dug a 60-year old wild ginseng in Bangdong-ri. Called yukgumandal, the ginseng was known to have been a great medicine of mystery. From the spot where the ginseng was dug came a mineral spring, which became today’s Bangdong Mineral Spring. The mineral spring has continued to attract people since the first day the ginseng was found and people who have drunk its water are said to have experienced various beneficial effects.
Bangdong Mineral Spring is also close to the woods, several valleys, and waterfalls.

Micheongol Recreational Forest (국립 미천골자연휴양림) - Area information - Korea travel information