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.

Danyang Ondaldonggul Cave (단양 온달동굴)

14.8Km    2025-12-15

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

Ondaldonggul Cave is located underground at the foot of Seongsan Mountain, where Ondalsanseong Fortress is situated. It is a natural limestone cave that is estimated to have begun forming around 450 million years ago. The total 760 meter-long cave covers an area of 349,485 square meters. The cave mouth is two meters high, while the cave itself is 5 to 10 meters high and about 5 meters wide. The cave features stairway structure and contains an abundance of beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. The average temperature of the cave maintains 14 degrees Celsius in summer and 16 degrees Celsius in winter, making it a perfect all-year-round attraction. The cave is rich in underground water resources and there is a 0.8 to 1 meter-deep cave river flowing at the bottom of the cave floor. The cave also has over 40 small ponds that are inhabited by a variety of living organisms like fish and insects.

Situated on top of the mountain peak to the left of the cave is Ondalsanseong Fortress. The fortress has been preserved in its original form throughout some 1,400 years and shows the advanced building skills of Goguryeo Era (37 BC-668 AD). The annual Ondal Culture Festival is held every October around Ondaldonggul Cave and Ondalsanseong Fortress in memory of the legendary love story between General Ondal and Princess Pyeonggang. Other attractions in the area include a theme park and Jangseung (Korean traditional totem poles) Park.

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.