Jeongseon Arirang Festival (정선아리랑제)

7.3Km 2025-01-03

Bongyang-ri, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-560-3000

Arirang is a globally renowned Korean folk song. The song is rooted in many different regions and thus has several versions of “Arirang” in Korea. “Jeongseon Arirang” is the source of all “Arirang,” and in recognition of its value, it was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012. The Jeongseon Arirang Festival is held to preserve and develop the folk song. It starts off with the Chilhyeon Ritual Ceremony, held in honor of the patriotic fidelity of chilhyeon, the seven sages in the last years of the Goryeo Dynasty who appear in the origin story of “Jeongseon Arirang.” The ceremony also prays for a successful festival and the well-being of the county’s people. The festival features 83 events, including the Arirang Parade and the National Arirang Singing Contest.

◎ Jeongseon Arirang
Before attending the Jeongseon Arirang Festival, it is recommended to listen to “Jeongseon Arirang.” Hearing its melodious highs and lows while viewing the winding mountain ridges surrounding Jeongseon will enhance your understanding and appreciation of “Jeongseon Arirang.”

◎ Chilhyeon Ritual Ceremony
The Chilhyeon Ritual Ceremony honors the patriotic loyalty of seven sages—Jeon O-ryun, Sin An, Kim Chung-han, Yi Su-saeng, Byeon Gwi-su, Kim Wi, and Go Cheon-u—who remained loyal to Goryeo Dynasty during its fall.

Hwaam Tourist Attractions (Hwaam Eight Scenic Sites) (화암관광지(화암8경))

7.4Km 2019-11-13

1328, Yaksu-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-560-2363

Hwaam Tourist Attractions comprises the eight scenic sights of Hwaam. The winding road leading to the attractions offers a perfect sencery of the mountains and cliffs, as well as magnificent fall foliage in autumn. Sign posts are installed along the way to each of the sceneries to prevent tourists from getting lost.

[Scenic Beauty 1] Hwaam Mineral Spring
At Hwaam Mineral Spring, water rises up through a rock crater located in Dong-myeon, Jeongseon. The water is said to be good for stomachaches, eye infections, and skin diseases; and, as it contains nine essential elements such as calcium and fluorine, it tastes crisp and clean.

[Scenic Beauty 2] Turtle Rock
Part of the path leading to Hwaam Mineral Spring is buttressed by a cliff, on which there is a rock that resembles the shape of a turtle.

[Scenic Beauty 3] Yongmaso
With its clean water and wide sheets of rock, Yongmaso Lake is a popular attraction for vacationers.

[Scenic Beauty 4] Hwaamdonggul Cave
Hwaamdonggul Cave used to be a gold mine that was commercially operated from 1922 to 1945. The nation’s 5th largest goldmine was, however, found to have natural stalactites, and later the cave was developed as the only theme-based cave that combined gold and nature. The stalactite area is an open space of 2,800㎡ and the length of the path open to visitors is 1,803 meters. The entire area consists of 5 chapters, which in turn constitute 41 zones; it takes about an hour and a half to see all of the zones.

[Scenic Beauty 5] Hwapyoju Cliff
Hwapyoju is a cliff facing the entrance of Hwapyo-dong, which can be seen on the way from Hwaam-dong to Molundae. The cliff may appear as if a giant sharpened a large sheet of rock and placed it upright, or less imaginatively, as if two pillars are standing side by side.

[Scenic Beauty 6] Sogeumgang River
The four-kilometer stretch from Hwapyoju to Molundae, surrounded with 100 to 150-meter high rock cliffs and thick forest, is called Sogeumgang River (small Geumgang River), meaning that its beautiful scenery is reminiscent of that of the breathtaking Geumgangsan Mountain.

[Scenic Beauty 7] Molundae Cliff
Molundae literally means ‘the cliff beyond which clouds disappear’. The tip of the steep cliff is adorned with three specimens of 500-year-old pine trees. Legend has it that gods would perch on the cliff’s top and enjoy the beautiful view. At the foot of the cliff lies a large sheet of rock that can accommodate hundreds of people.

[Scenic Beauty 8] Gwangdaegok Valley
Gwangdaegok Valley is said to be the mysterious place where heaven, earth and clouds meet. The surrounding hills are very rough and bumpy, which makes the area a renowned mountain in Korea. There is a belief among wild-ginseng diggers that they can find great ginseng if they pray in Gwangdaegok, so it is a popular attraction for such prospectors.

Hwaam Mineral Spring [National Geopark] (화암약수 (강원고생대 국가지질공원))

7.4Km 2021-02-24

1330, Yaksu-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-560-2379

Hwaam Mineral Spring is one of the Eight Scenic Sites of Hwaam, and provides carbonated water said to be good for stomach discomfort and skin diseases. Interestingly, the stream water flowing through the valley is just regular freshwater. The reason for this is that the water passes through different types of rock on its way from the underground.

Byeongbangchi Skywalk (병방치 스카이워크)

7.5Km 2023-12-28

225, Byeongbangchi-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-563-4100

Byeongbangchi Skywalk is located between Gyuram-ri and Buksil-ri in Jeongseon-eup and features breathtaking views of the nearby Bamseom, which is shaped like the Korean peninsula by the flowing Donggang River. Byeongbangchi Skywalk offers a thrilling experience as it gives the feeling of walking in the sky thanks to the tempered glass floor of this 11-meter U-shaped structure projecting from the cliff at an altitude of 583 meters.

Sogeumgang River [National Geopark] (소금강 (강원고생대 국가지질공원))

8.1Km 2021-05-24

San 109-1. Morun-ri, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-1544-9053

Sogeumgang River is lined with high rock cliffs topped with lush forests. This section of river is so beautiful, it is called "Little Geumgangsan River," with Geumgangsan Mountain being known as the most breathtaking location in all of Korea. Visitors can find a number of famous rocks along the river.

Jeongseon Morundae Cliff (몰운대 (정선))

10.0Km 2024-10-17

1330, Yaksu-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-1544-9053

Morundae Cliff is one of the Eight Scenic Sites of Hwaam. The tip of the steep cliff is adorned with three specimens of 500-year-old pine trees. Legend has it that gods would perch on the cliff’s top and enjoy the beautiful view. At the foot of the cliff lies a large sheet of rock that can accommodate hundreds of people.

Romyzian Garden (로미지안 가든)

10.7Km 2024-12-11

12, Eodowon-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-562-3382

Romyzian Garden is a 330,000 square-meter garden located at Hwabong Peak in Gariwangsan Mountain, Jeongseon. Chairman Zin-ick Son of L'BESTE Group began creating this garden in 2011 for his ill wife. Zian was the pen name of President Son, and Romy was the nickname of his wife, inspiring the name "Romyzian Garden." In 2017, the garden was opened to the public to offer warm-hearted comfort and inspiration to more people. Moments of healing, introspection, and contemplation unfold in the garden. The first building that welcomes visitors is called Bible II of Lifetime. Here, you can find the first message in Romyzian Garden to its visitors, “The time to look at my true self.” At the first crossroads stands the Tower of Lifetime, made from 500 to 600-year-old Canadian cedar. The structure symbolizes the life cycle of birth (green), youth (red), and death (black). Gasibeosi (an old Korean word for 'married couple') Castle, the garden's iconic landmark, is like an observatory as it offers expansive views of the surrounding mountains. The 4.5-hour Arahan Valley Pilgrimage Trail and the Geumgang Pine Forest Park offer moments of quiet contemplation. The 150-million-year-old limestone clusters, called the "SKy of the Aura" are not to be missed. Additionally, the garden features a cozy café for a relaxing coffee break and accommodation facilities for those wishing to stay overnight.

Gangsol [Korea Quality] / 강과 소나무 [한국관광 품질인증]

11.7Km 2024-06-26

31-57 , Joldeuru-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-10-3757-1147

The River and Pine Pension, located in Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do, is a comfortable resting place for visiting travellers, and offers breakfast, brunch and full-course barbecue dinner. Residents can also use the first floor cafe during their stay, and during the summer can enjoy water play in the clear stream in front of the pension.

Jeongseon Arirang Training Hall (정선아리랑 전수관)

11.8Km 2021-07-21

69, Auraji-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-560-2897

Jeongseon Arirang is an important intangible heritage of Korea, being designated Gangwon-do Intangible Cultural Asset No. 1, as well as recorded as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heriatge. The song was created in the late Goryeo dynasty by seven worshippers of the dynasty who settled in Jeongseon. The song was made to help the local scholars understand Chinese poetry, and to express the stories and emotions to the locals. The Jeongseon Arirang Training Hall was established to preserve and promote this history, as well as develop the local folk culture. The hall is located by the Auraji riverside at the point where Songcheon and Goljicheon Streams meet. The facilities are comprised of three buildings, divided into an exhibition area, and a experience area. In the experience area, visitors can learn how to perform Jeongseon Arirang by official holders of the intangible heritage. Programs are free but require advance reservation.

Auraji Lake (아우라지)

11.8Km 2022-12-26

69, Auraji-gil, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-1544-9053

Auraji is the name of a lake located in Yeoryang-myeon in Jeongseon-gun. It is here that Jeongseon Arirang, the Intangible Cultural Asset of Gangwon-do, originated. The area has long been famous for its beautiful, clean mountains and rivers. Its name is derived from the Korean word eoureojida, meaning "to meet" as the waters of Pyeongchang and Samcheok unite in this area.

Part of the upper stream of Namhangang River, Auraji was a famous starting point of log rafts transporting timber to Hanyang, the original name of Seoul. In the old days, one could always hear the singing of boatmen who came from all over the nation. The lyrics of Jeongseon Arirang reveal the sadness and longing of a woman awaiting her husband who left for business to a far-away place or left to transport timber.

Jeongseon Arirang Festival (정선아리랑제) - Area information - Korea travel information