Gangwondo has some of the most beautiful scenery and in the autumn it explodes with vibrant colors as the leaves change.
Today we're introducing you to some of the best sightseeing places in Gangwondo that are even more spectacular in the fall.
If you're planning a trip to Korea for the fall, don't forget these places when making your travel itinerary!
Gubongsan Observatory Cafe Street
구봉산 전망대 카페거리
Address: 강원도 춘천시 동면 순환대로 1154-113
1154-113 Sunhwan-daero, Dong-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
How To Get There: From Chuncheon Station it is a 20 minute taxi ride.
Gubongsan Mountain is 441 meters tall and consists of 9 peaks, offering a bird's-eye view of the charming little city of Chuncheon and the river below.
It is a very beautiful place where you can feel closer to nature.
Though it is called an "observatory", there is no observatory building, but rather the whole street acts a viewing point.
The many cafes established here are what gave the street the nickname of "Cafe Street", and you can enjoy the view from any of them.
Since there are many eateries here with terraces and over-sized windows, you can comfortably enjoy the view. In the autumn the leaves create a very romantic atmosphere.
Heo Gyun Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park
허균허난설헌기념공원
Address: 강원 강릉시 난설헌로193번길 1-29
1-29 Nanseolheon-ro, 193beon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
Hours: 09:00-18:00
Heo Gyun Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park was made to commemorate the progressive-thinking Joseon nobles Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon. The brother and sister were both writers, and Heo Nanseolnan in particular was thought of as a child prodigy when it came to poetry.
If you like Korean style gardens and hank houses, you will enjoy walking around this park.
The park hosts cultural festivals and other events every spring and fall, and although it is not well known to foreign tourists, it is very popular with Korean tourists.
There are also many delicious restaurants and cafes nearby that you can visit as well.
Ganhyeon Tourist Area
간현관광지
Address: 강원 원주시 지정면 소금산길 12
12 Sogeumsan-gil, Jijeong-myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do
For those who plan on visiting the famous suspension bridge on Sogeumsan Mountain, you will pass through the Ganhyeon Touris Area where the Seom River (섬강) and Samsancheon River (삼산천강) meet.
The air here is very fresh and clean, and the atmosphere is peaceful and calming.
The area is surrounded by mountains and nature and you can feel the stress melting away with every passing moment.
If you walk along the bridge you will see the rail bike tracks.
Additionally, the cable cars are expected to be completed next year, which will be another great way to enjoy the natural scenery.
Along the way there are many interesting art installations to enjoy.
When the leaves are changing, it is truly stunning here!
Museum SAN
뮤지엄산
Address: 강원도 원주시 지정면 오크밸리 2길 260
260 Oak Valley 2-gil, Jijeong-myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do
Hours:
Main Museum: 10:00-18:00
James Turrell Hall: 10:30-17:30
Meditation Hall: 10:25-17:05
Museum SAN uses nature as the inspiration for art. The exterior is a minimalistic stone building. The main attractions are the Outdoor Garden, Paper Gallery, Art Gallery, James Turrell Hall, and Meditation Hall.
As soon as you walk in, you'll see the huge, iconic red sculpture. This area is called the "water park" and is a very quiet and beautiful area.
The scenery here is lovely year round, but in the fall, you will be totally enchanted by the colors of the mountain forests.
Sogeumsan Suspension Bridge
소금산출렁다리
Address: 강원 원주시 지정면 소금산길 14
14 Sogeumsan-gil, Jijeong-myeon, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do
Hours: 09:00-17:00
Admission: 3,000 won
The 200-meter-long Sogeumsan Suspension Bridge is the longest one in Korea.
From the bridge, you can take in great views of the Wonju landscape, so for many people this is a favorite destination.
This location was seen in the K-drama It's Okay To Not Be Okay.
The orange and blue suspension bridge contrasts with the natural mountain scenery in a somehow harmonious way, especially int he autumn.
Goseokjeong Pavilion
고석정
Address: 강원 철원군 동송읍 태봉로 1825
1825 Taebong-ro, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
Goseokjeong is one of the eight scenic spots in Cheorwon. It is located in the Hantan River Valley and due to its unique landscape, it is a valuable area for the purpose of geological research in Korea.
This location has been used in many K-dramas, including That Winter, the Wind Blows; Gunman In Joseon; Hur Jun, The Original Story; and many more.
You can take a boat out on the Hantan River and experience the beauty of nature. It is especially beautiful in the autumn.
Goseokjeong Flower Field
고석정꽃밭
Address: 강원 철원군 동송읍 장흥리 10-2
10-2 Jangheung-ri, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
Hours: 10:00-17:00
In the fall every year, this popular scenic spot is filled with colorful flowers. It's really a beautiful and special experience.
To make the flower field even more attractive, there are rustic-looking structures that add a quaint charm. You can also hear K-pop songs being played here.
There are also cute little photo spots like this cartoon character one.
The clear blue skies and white clouds go well with the flower fields, don't they?
Keep in mind though that the fields are only open seasonally, so be sure to confirm that they are open before going.
Hantan River Milky Way Bridge
철원한탄강 은하수교
Address: 강원 철원군 동송읍 장흥리 725-12
12-725 Jangheung-ri, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
Hours: 09:00-17:00
With a total length of 180 meters and a width of 3 meters, the Hantan River Milky Way Bridge can hold up to 2,311 people, and is the strongest suspension bridge.
The bridge over the Hantan River uses a simple design and blends beautifully with the surrounding landscape. The bridge lights up at night like a starry galaxy, giving it its name.
At the opposite side of the bridge, there is a sign introducing the observatory park this is to be built in 2022. It will surely become a popular tourist attraction!
The view from the bridge is also very beautiful, especially in the fall.
Mureung
무릉계곡
Address: 강원도 동해시 삼화로 538
538 Samhwa-ro, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do
Hours:
Regular Hours: 09:00-18:00
Jul-Aug: 06:00-20:00
Nov-Feb: 08:00-17:00
Admission:
Adults: 2,000 won
Teens: 1,500 won
Children: 700 won
Mureung Valley, located in Dutasan Mountain in Samcheok, is a total of 4km long.
There is a legend that the immortals, Sinseon (신선), lived here in what was called Mureungdowon (무릉도원), which is where its name came from.
There are 4 routes you can take. We chose the second one so that we could see Ssang Falls and Yongchu Falls, the highlights of Mureung Valley. It takes about 2 to 2.5 hours in total.
After walking about 40 minutes, we came to Ssang Falls, our first destination. The two waterfalls face each other and create a beautiful picture as they flow together.
About five minutes from there is Yongchu Falls which is famous for its cool rippling waters.
If you want really great photos, we recommend going after it has rained, because when we went, there was not much water, so it was not as pretty as it is at other times.
Across from Yongchu Falls, there is a curious rock formation coined "foot rock" because it is shaped like human toes. It is said to symbolize business success, and a place where you can make wishes.
Anbandegi
안반데기
Address: 강원도 강릉시 왕산면 대기리 2214-187
2214-187 Daegi-ri, Wangsan-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
Entry: There is no specific time, but it is recommended to enter 30-60 minutes before sunrise.
Anbandegi is a highland village with a height of 1,100 meters above sea level full of cabbage fields and wind mills. The scenery is very unique, and is a unique place to watch the sunrise.
The cabbages are harvested at the end of August, so if you want the see the full green fields, you should go before harvest.
You can drive to the entrance of the village, but from there you have to walk up a steep path to get to the sunrise viewing point, which takes about 20-30 minutes.
The village's nickname is Land Above The Clouds, and from the viewing point, you can really sea the landscape surrounded by clouds.
If you come here, don't forget to look up what time sunrise occurs. I can assure you the view will be unforgettable!
Cabbage fields planted on a mountain top and the rising sun make for a super special and gorgeous view.
Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm
대관령 양떼 목장
Address: 강원도 평창군 대관령면 횡계리 14-42
14-42 Hoenggye-ri, Daegwallyeon-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangnam-gu
Hours:
Jan & Feb, Nov& Dec: 09:00-17:00
Mar & Oct: 09:00-17:30
Apr & Sep: 09:00-18:00
May-Aug: 09:00-18:30
*Ticket counter closes 1 hour before closing time.
*In the event of snow, heavy rain, or lightning, the farm will be closed to visitors
Admission:
Adults: 6,000 won
Children: 4,000 won
At Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm you can enjoy vast fields and cute sheep. It's just a 3 minute walk from the parking lot to the ticket counter. After purchasing your ticket, be sure to hold onto it, to exchange for hay later.
It was very unfortunate that when we visited in was overcast and foggy, but it was still beautiful in it's own way.
If you stop by in the fall, you can see a scene like the one above, much brighter than when we went.
After walking for about 10 minutes, you reach the summit at 920 meters above sea level where you will find a flock of sheep grazing peacefully.
From May to October the sheep come out to graze all over the mountain, but if it is raining heavily, the sheep won't be out though.
Are you ready to experience feeding the sheep? Now is the time to exchange your entry ticket for hay to feed the sheep.
The sheep are very docile and will come right up to you, so everyone can enjoy a fun sheep-feeding experience.
The tour takes about 40 minutes to an hour. The path has a bit of a slope, but not so much to make it difficult for most to enjoy.
There are also lots of shops by the entrance and exit, so you can shop for souvenirs and get some snacks. We recommend these cute lamb-shaped breads that come in three different flavors: red bean, cream, and pea.
Hoengseong Lake Road
횡성호수길
Address: 강원 횡성군 갑천면 구방리 산164
Hours: 09:00-18:00
Admission: 2,000 won
How To Get There: 20-minutes by car from Hoengseong Train Station
Trails surrounding this picturesque artificial lake is a must-visit when in Hoengseong.
Out of the many trails, track #5 is the most frequented by locals and tourists alike, given their easy-to-walk-on trails and stunning nature scenery.
Visiting the lake is worth it regardless of which season you choose, but come autumn, the trees take on charming colors, putting it on the list of places in Gangwondo to visit in fall!
Source: The News24
The ticket is only 2,000 won per person, and you get a travel voucher worth the same amount, so you can claim the 2,000 won at participating restaurants and attractions!
What did you think of these 12 places in Gangwondo to best enjoy the changing leaves in the fall?
They are all gorgeous and worth a visit, so be sure to add some of these to your travel plans when you come to Korea!
