Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (소백산천문대) - Area information - Korea travel information

Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (소백산천문대)

12.4Km    2024-02-28

639, Sobaeksan-gil, Danyang-eup, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do

Located within the Sobaeksan National Park, the Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (SOAO) was the first astronomy observatory in Korea to install a modern telescope. SOAO is in a great location to observe the stars because it is located on the highest point of southern Korea and far away from the light pollution of cities. To enter the observatory as a private visitor, one must climb the mountain from Jungnyeong Pass or Huibangsa Temple. 

Guinsa Temple (Danyang) (구인사(단양))

12.7Km    2024-03-15

73 Guinsa-gil, Yeongchun-myeon, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-423-7100

Neunggang Sotdae Art Museum (능강솟대문화공간)

13.0Km    2025-01-10

1100, Oksunbong-ro, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-653-6160

Neunggang Sotdae Art Museum in Jecheon is a museum of sotdae, ancient prayer poles with a duck or bird-shaped figurine on top that were usually placed at the village entrance. Many of these artifacts can be found inside and outside of the museum, which is located near the vast Chungjuho Lake. Other nearby tourist attractions include Neunggang Valley, situated at the foot of Geumsusan Mountain and surrounded by lush pine forests, rocky cliffs, streams and waterfalls. There is also Jeongbangsa Temple, which is said to have been built by the renowned Buddhist Monk Uisang, during the Silla era.

Neungganggyegok Valley, Eoreumgol Valley (능강계곡, 얼음골)

13.2Km    2024-02-26

San 30-4, Neunggang-ri, Susan-myeon, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do

Neungganggyegok Valley (Eoreumgol Valley) is within the mountains near the Cheongpungho Lake. Located in a high area surrounded by mountains, the sun reaches the area far less than others. In fact, the name Eoreumgol Valley references how the lush forests and the area’s geographical features have made the summer here so cool that the ice (eoreum) is said to have been left frozen even in the x_height of summer. The water originating from Eoreumgol Valley flows into the Cheongpungho Lake through Neungganggyegok Valley. 

Huibangsa Temple (Yeongju) (희방사(영주))

13.4Km    2024-03-08

278 Jungnyeong-ro 1720beon-gil, Punggi-eup, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Huibangsa Temple is a temple located at an altitude of 850 meters in a valley south of Yeonhwabong Peak within Sobaeksan National Park. Founded in 643, it preserves the first Korean Buddhist scripture, the "Worinseokbo," and traditional Korean architectural styles. Surrounding areas are adorned with Sobaeksan Mountain's forests, offering opportunities for forest bathing and hiking. Flowing through the valley is a stream, adjacent to which stands the Huibangpokpo Falls, towering at 28 meters high.

Cheongpung Land (청풍랜드)

14.8Km    2025-07-09

San 26, Gyo-ri, Cheongpung-myeon, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-648-4151

Cheongpung Land est un parc de loisir créé en 2002 près du lac de Cheongpunghoban (lac de Chungjuho à Cheongpung-myeon, Jecheon-si dans la province du Chungcheongbuk-do. Le parc accueille trois attractions pleines de sentations fortes : une tour de saut à l’élastique haute de 62 mètres, le tout premier siège éjectable de Corée et « Big Swing », une expérience à gravité nulle. On peut également y admirer des geysers d’eau jaillissant à 162 mètres dans l’air, ainsi qu’une vue panoramique sur le paysage environnant.

Le parc est l’une des plus grandes attractions touristiques de la région, et se trouve non loin d’autres destinations populaires, comme le site de tournage du drama historique de KBS « Daejo Wangeon », le mont Geumsusan et le parc national de la montagne Woraksan.

Ondal Tourist Area (온달관광지)

14.8Km    2024-02-26

23, Ondal-ro, Yeongchun-myeon, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do

Ondal Tourist Area is the site of a battle between Goguryeo and Silla in the 6th Century over the control of the Hangang River. It is home to Ondal Exhibition Hall, the Ondal Open Film Set, Ondalsanseong Fortress, and Ondaldonggul Cave, inspired by the story of Goguryeo general Ondal and Princess Pyeonggang. Many Korean historical shows have been filmed in the Ondal Open Film Set. Ondaldonggul Cave was formed by the dissolution of limestone created during the Paleozoic period.

Cheongpung Land (청풍랜드)

14.8Km    2024-07-02

6, Cheongpungho-ro 50-gil, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do

Cheongpung Land was created in 2002 near Chungjuho Lake in Cheongpung-myeon, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do. It features beautiful scenery and the maximum use of practical space to build Korea’s first multi-tower. Based on planning, constructing, and test runs, it is operated by Over Class Inc. which is cosigned by Jecheon-si. The multi-tower’s three main facilities are a 62-meter Bungee Jump, Korea’s first-ever Ejection Seat, and Big Swing. The bungee jump highlights safety by adding a safety line to the gear to prevent falling accidents caused by breaking of the bungee cord rubber.

Seonam Garden (선암가든)

14.9Km    2024-03-18

38, Sangseonam-gil, Danseong-myeon, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
043-422-1447

Seonam Garden serves folk dishes at the foot of Doraksan Mountain, one of the 100 most famous mountains in Korea. Its signature menus are tojongdak baeksuk (whole chicken soup) and maeuntang (spicy fish stew). Visitors can also enjoy sanchae jeongsik (wild vegetable dish set menu), deodeok gui (grilled deodeok), healthy dotorimuk (acorn jelly salad), and handmade dongdongju (rice wine, similar to makgeolli), along with buchimgae (pancakes) and sondubu (handmade bean curd). These are accompanied by about ten elegant and delicious side dishes.

Yeongju Birosa Temple (비로사 (영주))

15.3Km    2021-06-11

661-29, Samga-ro, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-638-5033

Birosa Temple is located at the southern foot of Birobong, the highest peak of Sobaeksan Mountain. It was founded by revered Buddhist monk Uisang Daesa in the 20th year of King Munmu’s reign (AD 680) during the Silla Kingdom. The temple’s Buddha statues and the flagpole supports reveal the long history of this ancient temple.

To the left of the entrance to Birosa Temple stand a pair of flagpole supports. The 4.8-meter-high flagpole supports facing each other have a meticulous structure. Inside the temple precincts is Jingongdaesa Bobeoptapbi, a stele with a stone turtle base erected in honor of the great monk Jingong Daesa.

The temple enshrines the Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha statues, which were created during the Silla Kingdom in the late 9th century. Both of these Buddha statues realistically depict the human form, and show similar characteristics, which reveal that they were crafted by the same artisan. Preserving such valuable cultural heritages, Birosa Temple also has a serene view of Birobong Peak on Sobaeksan Mountain.

* Major cultural properties: Stone Seated Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha Statues (Treasure No. 996), Samgadong Stone Flagpole Supports (Provincial Tangible Cultural Property No. 7)