Today we want to take you to a place called Yeoncheon-gun in northern Gyeonggi-do, by the North Korean border.
This county is full of history and nature, so even though it may seem a little off the beaten track, it is a lovely place to visit, especially if you want to experience something different from the bustling downtown Seoul area.
Ready to get started?
Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site
전곡리 선사유적
Address: 경기 연천군 전곡읍 양연로 1510
1510 Yangyeon-ro, Jeongok-eup, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Hours:
Summer 09:00-18:00
Winter 09:00-17:00
Closed Mondays, public holidays, January 1st
Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site is a living relic where Paleolithic artifacts such as stone hand axes have been found.
The excavation of the Jeongok-ri ruins has allowed for important geological research to take place, as well as gaining new information and insights into life during the Paleolithic era.
You can enjoy a leisurely stroll in the plaza, and there are also places for prehistoric experiences such as the soil experience center and the archery experience center so children can learn history in a fun and engaging way.
It's a great way to see lifelike mammoths, houses made of bones, and the ways in which people of that time lived.
Next-door is the Prehistoric Museum, so you can easily visit there as well.
Gwangyang Bulgogijib
광양 불고기집
Address: 경기 연천군 전곡읍 전곡로 41
41 Jeongok-ro, Jeongok-eup, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Hours: 11:00-22:00
Not far from the Jeongok-ri Prehistoric Site is Gwangyang Bulgogijib, a restaurant that serves Gwangyang bulgogi and old fashioned, yennal bulgogi.
This restaurant was awarded the 2021 Sports Seoul Restaurant Customer Reliability Grand Prize.
The interior is spacious and can accommodate a large number of people, and private rooms are also available for private dining.
In addition, they are taking all the safety precautions in regards to COVID-19, so you can eat with confidence and feel at ease.
Yennal Bulgogi Set for 2 (옛날불고기정식 2인분)
24,000 won (12,000 won per person)
The old-fashioned bulgogi set includes sotbap (솥밥), rice that is cooked and served in the same bowl, and there are plenty of bean sprouts and green onions in the bulgogi.
It's even better with the red pepper seasoning made in-house!
Herb Village
허브빌리지
Address: 경기 연천군 왕징면 북삼리 222
222 Boksam-ri, Wangjing-myeon, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Hours:
Summer 09:00-19:00
Winter 09:00-18:00
Website: Link
Herb Village is a space where you can feel the beautiful embrace of nature, where culture and nature harmonize without borders.
There are a variety of healing activities such as herbal experience programs, jjimjilbang, coffee factory, and herb shop.
In Herb Village, where sky, river, and mountains form a beautiful trip, you can enjoy and relax amongst the green vegetation and scent of herbs.
You can take a walk and enjoy the ancient sites of towering stone columnar joints, 3-storey stone pagodas, and wish stones, as well as meeting black swans and white swans.
Along the way, you can read about various herbs.
Coffee Factory
커피팩토리
Address: 경기 연천군 왕징면 북삼리 222 허브빌리지
Herb Village, 222 Buksam-ri, Wangjing-myeon, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Hours:
Summer 09:00-19:00
Winter 09:00-18:00
Coffee Factory is a cafe where you can enjoy a variety of coffees made fresh, instant drinks, and ice cream.
It's located in Herb Village, so it would be a good place to stop for a break while looking around.
The harmony of white and wood gives a sense of warmth. The atmosphere they've created feels kind of like being in a house in another country.
It was spacious inside and the tables were spaced widely, so keeping distance from others wasn't a problem at all, plus it wasn't very busy at the time of our visit.
Hibiscus Tea (히비스커스티)
5,000 won
To access the Coffee Factory, you do need to purchase an admission ticket to Herb Village.
We recommend taking a walk outside Herb Village while sipping hot tea, or enjoying a coffee in the indoor space.
Jaein Falls
재인폭포
Address: 경기 연천군 연천읍 고문리 산21
San 21 Gomun-ri, Yeoncheon-eup, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Hours:
Summer 10:00-17:30
Winter 10:00-16:00
Jaein Falls is one of the most beautiful and scenic spots along the Hantan River and has long been a well known location for the scenery.
Also, the Jaein Falls area is known to be a habitat for the endangered Korean doty barbel, a type of freshwater fish also called eorumchi (어름치), and also the pink jangguchae (분홍장구채), an endangered flower species.
The Jaein Falls Suspension Bridge sways with each step you take.
Past the bridge, there is a boardwalk that leads down to the waterfall, though currently you cannot go down to the falls due to safety accidents and COVID-19 precautions.
You can still enjoy walking along the path though, taking in the healing nature scenes.
Since the path is boardwalk, it is a safe and easy walk, so many elderly people like to come here, but it is great for people of all ages.
Manghyang Spicy Noodles
망향 비빔국수 본점
Address: 경기 연천군 청산면 궁평로 5
5 Gungpyeong-ro, Cheongsan-myeon, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Hours: 10:00 - 20:30
Website: Link
Manghyang Spicy Noodles makes their HACCP designated bibimguksu with fresh vegetables and clean water using a traditional method more than 50 years old.
It was named "Manghyang", meaning "longing for your hometown", but now it can be said that customers continue (manyang) to flow in, a little play on words.
There are many soldiers in Yeoncheon, and it is a restaurant with a long history of selling noodles to soldiers at half price during difficult times.
When you come in, order food from the kiosk and take a seat, then when the number on your receipt appears on the electronic display, you can go pick up your food. Don't forget to return your dishes when you're finished.
Banquet Noodles (잔치국수) 6,000 won
Spicy Noodles (비빔국수) 6,000 won
Dumplings (만구) 3,000 won
We ate a feast of noodles and mandu! Curiously, the noodles were of different consistencies, the banquet soft and easy to cut, and the spicy more sticky and chewy.
Instead of dipping your mandu in soy sauce, we recommend you try dipping them in the spicy noodle broth. It's very delicious!
So what did you think of our trip to Yeoncheon, did you enjoy it?
It was so fun to be able to introduce a place as remarkable and beautiful as this to you.
What did you fid most interesting about this northern Gyeonggi-do county? Let us know in the comments!
