Cheonbuldong Valley (천불동계곡) - Area information - Korea travel information

Cheonbuldong Valley (천불동계곡)

Cheonbuldong Valley (천불동계곡)

0m    29791     2021-04-09

1091, Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-801-0900

As one of the Ten Sights of Seoraksan Mountain, the Cheonbuldong Valley is also called Seorakgol Valley, being a representative valley of the mountain. Along the valley covering about 7 km from Biseondae Rock to Daecheongbong Peak, visitors can enjoy the splendid scenery of various attractions including Waseondae Rock, Munjudam Pool, Ihodam Pool, Gwimyeonam Rock, Oryeon Falls, and Cheondang Falls. It has all magnificent views of Seoraksan Mountain. The Cheonbuldong Valley is also regarded as one of Korea’s top 3 valleys along with Chilseon Valley of Jirisan Mountain and Tamna Valley of Hallasan Mountain. It offers beautiful seasonal views every year, and among them, the autumnal foliage is considered the best scenery of the valley. Its colorfully-tinged autumnal leaves are in harmony with rocks in fantastic shapes, attracting many hikers in autumn.

Geumganggul Cave (금강굴)

Geumganggul Cave (금강굴)

0m    28146     2019-11-27

1091, Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-801-0900

Hollowed into the rocks of Seoraksan Mountain, about 600 meters above sea level, you will find Geumganggul Cave. This 23 square meters cave was once used as a place of worship, and contains a stone sitting Buddha and some earthenware. The route up the cave is quite steep, and visitors must walk across a few bridges and up concrete stairways. However, you will be rewarded with a captivating view of Cheonbuldong Valley.

The hiking trail from Seorakdong to Geumganggul Cave, which also passes by Biseondae, is 3.6 kilometers long and takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Biseondae Rock (비선대)

0m    19608     2021-04-09

1091, Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-801-0900

Biseondae Rock is a large rock located in the Cheonbuldong Valley of Seoraksan Mountain. The rock blended with a giant surrounding rocky wall creates a mysterious atmosphere. When it rains, water flows down through the rock and forms a small waterfall. The stream of water winding around the rock is considered the magnificent view, which is similar to that of the Manpokdong Valley in Geumgangsan Mountain. When the season changes, its landscape boasts different scenery: full-blown flowers in spring, green and refreshing trees in summer, colorful autumnal leaves in autumn, and white snowy view in winter. Due to such a mysterious landscape, Biseondae Rock bears a legend in which Taoist hermit called Magoseon enjoyed scenery of this place and ascended to heaven. The name of Biseondae, meaning the rock (dae) where a Taoist hermit (seon) flew up (bi) to the sky, originates from this legend.

Seoraksan Cable Car (설악산 케이블카)

Seoraksan Cable Car (설악산 케이블카)

75.96305565780295m    78221     2024-04-08

1085 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do

A ride on the Seoraksan Cable Car is the best way to enjoy the unexplored regions of Seoraksan Mountain. The cable car station is located in Seoraksan National Park, and it takes about 10 minutes to reach Gwongeumseong Fortress, which is 700 meters above sea level. Since one-way tickets are not available, passengers must purchase a round-trip ticket. From the cable car window, passengers can see famous attractions like Ulsanbawi Peak and Manmulsang Rocks. From Gwongeumseong Fortress, passengers can take in a panoramic view of Seoraksan Mountain. Seoraksan Mountain, seen from the top of Gwongeumseong Fortress, is majestic and mysterious with unique rock formations. Upon reaching the top of the mountain, the entire scenery of Outer Seorak unfolds before one's eyes. Visitors will be amazed by the Allak Hermitage from the Silla dynasty and the Muhagsong Pine Tree, which has survived for hundreds of years just below Gwongeumseong Fortress. There are many tourists on weekends, public holidays, and fall foliage season, so visitors are advised to plan ahead.

Sinheungsa Temple (Seoraksan Mountain) (신흥사(설악산))

466.98836698087376m    74983     2024-03-12

1137 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-636-7044

Sinheungsa Temple is a temple located in Seoraksan Mountain near Sokcho. It belongs to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It was originally founded as Hyangseongsa Temple by the monk Jajang in the Shilla dynasty (A.D. 652). Within the temple grounds, cultural heritage sites such as Geungnakbojeon Hall, a wooden structure from the mid-Joseon period, and the Three-story Stone Pagoda at Hyangseongsa Temple Site. The temple offers a templestay program where visitors can experience temple life firsthand. Participants can engage in various activities such as Buddhist ceremonies, Buddhist prayer, 108 prostrations, and lotus lantern and rosary making.

Seoraksan National Park (Outer Seorak) (설악산 국립공원 (외설악))

543.5873575494913m    449693     2024-04-08

1 Daecheongbong-gil, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-801-0900

Seoraksan Mountain is renowed for its natural splendors and breathtaking views. It holds the distinction of being Korea's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is also listed on the IUCN Green List. The mountain is divided into Inner Seorak, South Seorak, and Outer Seorak, which includes Daecheongbong peak (1,708 meters above sea level), ranking as the third highest peak in Korea. The area is celebrated for its popular hiking trails, with the sunrise and sunset views from the top being particularly spectacular.

Seoraksan Gwongeumseong Fortress (설악산 권금성)

Seoraksan Gwongeumseong Fortress (설악산 권금성)

904.0365631705811m    65590     2024-02-28

1091 Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-636-7700

Gwongeumseong Fortress is a stone castle from the Goryeo dynasty and is located 800 meters above sea level in Seoraksan National Park. From a distance, Gwongeumseong Fortress looks like a rising peak, while up close, the expansive stone floor and remnants of castle walls become visible. Visitors can access the fortress via hiking trails or by taking a cable car. From the fortress, visitors can enjoy the majestic view of Seoraksan Mountain and the blue waters of the East Sea.

Kensington Hotel Seorak (켄싱턴호텔 설악)

Kensington Hotel Seorak (켄싱턴호텔 설악)

1.1 Km    33716     2021-03-03

998, Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-635-4001

Kensington Hotel Seorak is located a 5-minute's drive from Seoraksan National Park and 25-minute's drive away from Sokcho's major tourist destinations such as Cheongchoho Lake, Sokcho Beach, and Daepohang Port. Within the hotel, visitors can freely use the business center and receive currency exchange and laundry service through the front desk. The hotel is equipped with 108 rooms; some of the rooms offer a gorgeous view of Seoraksan Mountain.

Yukdampokpo Falls (육담폭포)

Yukdampokpo Falls (육담폭포)

1.4 Km    18608     2021-07-14

Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-801-0900

If you begin at Seorak-dong in Oeseorak, cross the Biryonggyo Bridge and pass by the Biryongpokpo Falls, you will reach Yukdampokpo Falls, which actually consist of six waterfalls and a pond.

Despite the fact that only a small amount of water actually flows in these waterfalls today, what is interesting, is how they came into existence: a slow-flowing stream of water eroded the rocks, creating dips and puddles at various levels, which later became a series of cascading waterfalls. The splendid scenery around the waterfalls is always a pleasing sight to the eyes of visitors.

Biryongpokpo Falls (비룡폭포)

1.5 Km    35759     2021-04-09

Seoraksan National Park, Seorak-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-801-0900

Biryongpokpo Falls is 2.4 km away in the south from the Seoraksan Small Park ticket booth. Biryongpokpo Falls is located between Towangseong Falls in the upper region and Yukdam Falls in the lower region. Biryongpokpo Falls was named after the shape of the water stream of the falls (pokpo) resembling a dragon (ryong) ascending (bi) to heaven. Their powerful water streams pouring into the narrow and rough valley look like a legendary dragon. There is another tale associated with Biryongpokpo Falls. A dragon lived here, and one day villagers offered a maiden to the dragon to break the drought. Then, the dragon flew up to the sky, and there were no more droughts in the village. The waterfalls drop 16 m to the ground and their loud sound resonates in the valley. In winter, the waterfalls freeze and the frozen water columns offer another magnificent view. A clear pond is formed beneath the falls and around which there is a wooden observation deck. Biryongpokpo Falls and Surroundings in Seoraksan Mountain were designated as the Scenic Site No. 95. It takes about 1 hr from the Small Park to the Biryongpokpo Falls, while it takes about 3 hr (round-trip) to visit up to Towangseong Falls and Yukdam Falls. The difficulty level of this tour course is ordinary.