Seokcheongyegok Valley (석천계곡)

14.3Km 2022-09-19

Samgye-ri, Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-679-6334

Waters from the Taebaek Mountains forged Seokcheongyegok Valley, located in Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The valley is wide, shallow, and surrounded by thick pine forests. Broad, flat rocks are scattered throughout, and the valley is a great place for children to play. Next to the valley, visitors will also find Seokcheonjeong Pavilion, which was built in 1535. This pavilion, made of Bonghwa red pine trees called Chunyangmok, and mounted on stone, offers a great view of the nearby scenic mountain.

Hakgasan Recreational Forest (학가산자연휴양림)

14.9Km 2021-06-15

210, Hyuyangnim-gil, Yecheon-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-652-0114

Hakgasan Recreational Forest is located in a valley on the northern side of Hakgasan Mountain, known for its clean air. The recreational forest has log cabins that harmonize with the nearby trees, creeks, and rocks, making visitors feel as if they are resting at a luxury villa. It is an ideal vacation destination for those who want to get closer to nature. There is a hiking path leading to the summit of Hakgasan Mountain from the forest, taking around 2 hours. Additional amenities within the forest include campfire pits, an outdoor stage, children's playground, exercise equipment, water play area, a lecture hall, and more.

Sobaeksan National Park (Gyeongsangbuk-do Region) (소백산국립공원(경북))

14.9Km 2023-02-17

Punggi-eup, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-638-6196

Sobaeksan National Park was designated as the 18th national park in December 1987. The features of Sobaeksan National Park include wildflowers and royal azaleas in spring and snowy scenery in winter. The mountain borders three provinces and four cities. Attractions include various peaks, temples, and waterfalls. The mountain is especially popular in May when royal azaleas are in full bloom and a natural forest tunnel is formed. Birobong Peak of the mountain is covered with snow six months of the year and is called the Alps of Korea.

Sobaeksan Punggi Spa Resort (소백산풍기온천리조트)

15.3Km 2023-10-26

1400 Jungnyeong-ro, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-604-1700

Sobaeksan Punggi Spa Resort, which sits at the foot of Sobaeksan Mountain, has a wide variety of facilities and amenities, as well as a great view. The resort has an outdoor spa, a 25-square-meter outdoor swimming pool, Aqua Pool ride, a wading pool, a bade pool, and Yeonhwajeong, a great restaurant to enjoy delicious Korean food.
There is also a great spot to have an outdoor barbeque party with family and friends while enjoying the great taste of hanu (Korean beef). Sobaeksan Punggi Spa Resort aims to be the best spa resort for locals as well as tourists.

Yecheon Astro-Space Center (예천천문우주센터)

15.8Km 2021-12-23

1078, Chunghyo-ro, Yecheon-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-654-1710

Yecheon Astro-Space Center is a theme park that opened in November 2004. The Yecheon Astronomical Science and Culture Center has built and operated the Yecheon Star Observatory. Visitors can stay in the accommodations in the park, observe the distant universe through a large telescope, and experience the space environment such as weightlessness.

In the observation room, visitors can observe the appearance of the universe with a 508 mm (20 inch) reflecting telescope that is automatically controlled by a computer. In the auxiliary observation room, visitors can observe sunspots and huge pillars of fire on the surface of the sun with a quadruple solar telescope. The astronomical projection room is a 'space theater' where a digital astronomical projector and video projector are installed, and images related to the astronomical universe, including seasonal constellations, are screened on a hemispherical dome screen on the ceiling.

At the Yecheon Star Observatory, visitors can observe the pillars of fire that soar through the sun during the day and sunspots that are larger than Earth. At night, visitors can observe the galaxy, the nebula, where stars born and die, as well as star clusters, and the moon, which is the closest celestial body to Earth, has large and small meteorite craterson the surface. There are many more fun experiences at the Yecheon Star Observatory.

Bongjeongsa Temple [UNESCO World Heritage] (봉정사 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

17.4Km 2023-05-18

222, Bongjeongsa-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-853-4181

Bongjeongsa Temple is believed to have been built in 672 by the Great Buddist Monk Uisang. However, other documents seem to state that Neungin Daedeuk, a disciple of Monk Uisang, established the temple. During the Korean War, many documents related to the temple were destroyed, so much of the history has been lost. In 1972, while reconstruction work was being done on Geungnakjeon Hall, records were discovered stating the hall was repaired in 1363. This discovery gave concrete evidence that Geungnakjeon Hall is the oldest wooden building in the nation.

Yeongju Birosa Temple (비로사 (영주))

18.0Km 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)

Sobaeksan National Park Nature Center (소백산생태탐방원)

18.1Km 2025-10-23

253 Yeongdan-ro, Dansan-myeon, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Located inside Sobaeksan National Park, the Sobaeksan National Park Nature Center specializes in ecological experiences and environmental education. The center operates various programs by leveraging the superb ecological system of the Sobaeksan Mountain area. Programs include Sobaeksan Mountain climbing and ginseng experiences for physical health; forest meditation for mental health; and wellness programs with a focus on visiting world heritage sites related to Buddhist culture, for social well-being. Other programs include seasonal ecotourism programs (short-term programs); environmental education for future generations; and cooking classes using local specialties to lead the way for ecological well-being. Additionally, the center has an auditorium & classrooms(for education, training or conferences), and a cafeteria. Individuals and group visitors can use the facilities. Nearby tourist destinations include the Red Fox Eco Park, where visitors can observe first-class endangered wild animals; and historical and cultural sites, such as Buseoksa Temple and Sosuseowon Confucian Academy, which were designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Jukheon Traditional House [Korea Quality] / 죽헌고택 [한국관광 품질인증]

18.4Km 2023-09-05

24 , Taejangjukheon-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-5217-2174

Jukheon Old House is an old house near Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Originally built in 1886 by independence activist Kim Ga-jin, it was later acquired by Jukheon Lee Hyeon-chan and until recently was used as a family gathering place for jaesa ancestral rites. There are three 2-person guestrooms (Jukheon Gallery Room, Seojae Room and Elizabeth Room) and one four-person room (Jukheon-dong Farm Room). Visitors can explore the old thatched millhouse with its ancient treadmill, or enjoy a walk along Queen Elizabeth Road to Bongjeongsa Temple. A simple complimentary breakfast is provided.

Huibangsa Temple (Yeongju) (희방사(영주))

19.0Km 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.

Seokcheongyegok Valley (석천계곡) - Area information - Korea travel information