[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Four most grammable destinations for nature lovers in Gangwon's Yeongwol County

The red buckwheat field in Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol County [CHOI SEUNG-PYO]

Gangwon is known for its nature and landscape. Due to the province’s mountainous terrain, the cold approaches this northeastern part of the country, and it’s not surprising that the province takes advantage of its attractive natural surroundings to attract tourists.
 
Among the province’s many cities and counties, Yeongwol County is one of the most popular notable tourist destinations as it is home to multiple historical sites and tourist attractions. Fall, almost everyone’s favorite season in Korea, is the best time for a getaway in the county before we get trapped in padded winter coats with fast-approaching winter. If you are keen on paying a visit to Yeongwol County, check out these four recommendations by the Korea JoongAng Daily.
 
 
 
Yeongwol Red Buckwheat Field
영월 홍메밀밭  
 

A visitor strolls through the red buckwheat field in Yeongwol. [CHOI SEUNG-PYO]

Yeongwol County, surrounded by nature, offers its visitors perfect spots for sightseeing, especially for those who appreciate natural landscapes. Its famous red buckwheat flower field at Meokgol Village is one of those many spots. The field is special in that its flowers are not white in color, typical of buckwheat flowers, but red or even dark pink.
 
Every October, the field in Meokgol Village turns into a red flower bed and lures astonished locals and tourists from across the country to the village. The village also hosts an annual festival to celebrate the blossoming of the flower every year. While this year’s festival ended last week, the pink flowers will stick around until the end of October.
 
80-1 Samok-ri, Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol County, Gangwon
(강원도 영월군 영월읍 삼옥리 80-1)
 
 
Brushwood Bridge Festival
주천 섶다리축제

Seopdari, or brushwood bridge, overlooks the Pyeongchang River at Panun-ri, Jucheon-myeon, Yeongwol County . [CHOI SEUNG-PYO]

  
 
The Brushwood Bridge Festival at the Jucheon-myeon, Panun-ri, Seopdari Village is another exciting offering the county has for its visitors. Located at the center of the county, the village has a unique tradition of building seopdari, or a bridge built with tree branches and mud, along the Pyeongchang River every fall through spring.
 
These bridges are built because low water levels during the fall and spring seasons render boats useless and make it difficult to cross the river. Building these bridges, however, solved those issues. The tradition continues today, even after a proper bridge was built a few years ago in celebration of the village’s cultural heritage. If you are looking to explore the cultural heritage of the county, Seopdari Village may be the place for you to visit.
 
488-4 Panun-ri, Jucheon-myeon, Yeongwol County, Gangwon
(강원도 영월군 주천면 판운리 488-4)
 
 
Cheongnyeongpo
청령포

Cheonyeongpo in Nam-myeon, Yeongwol County in Gangwon, is a tranquil and picturesque destination for visitors. [JOONGANG PHOTO]

Cheongnyeongpo is another beauty not to be missed at any season when visiting Yeongwol. Especially beautiful around fall, it is a river peninsula surrounded by the Dong River. While it is a tranquil spot where its landscape awes visitors, it had once played the role of an aloof, segregated land for King Danjong (1441-1457), the sixth King of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). He was sent into exile when he was just 16 after being dethroned by his uncle, King Sejo, in 1456. Danjong was executed just after a year.
 
More than seven centuries have passed, but the natural landscape maintains its tranquil ambiance with pine trees and a meandering stream. Among many tall trees there, Gwaneumsong Pine Tree is the tallest. It is 30 meters (98 feet) tall and has a diameter of 5.19 meters (17 feet). There is a myth that its bark used to turn black before major disasters hit Korea.
 
67-1, Gwangcheon-ri, Nam-myeon, Yeongwol County, Gangwon
(강원 영월군 남면 광천리 산67-1)
Operation time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  
Admission fee: 3,000 won ($2.23) for adults, 2,500 won for teenagers, 2,000 won for children up to 12, and 1,000 won for those aged over 65
Phone number: 033-372-1240
 
Seonam Village  
선암마을   
 

Seonam Village in Hanbando-myeon, Yeongwol County, is known for its Korean peninsula-shaped cliff. [JOONGANG PHOTO]

Hanbando means the Korean peninsula in Korean. Handbando-myeon was named to embrace the peninsula-shaped cliff in its Seonam Village, whose topography is already famous among Koreans. Seonam Village is well-known for the Pyeongchang River flowing next to a cliff that portrays a big U shape, its inner rock resembling the border of the peninsula.
 
On the other side of the river, an observatory lets the people take in the full view of the scenery. In the early mornings, the morning dew and the mist create a mysterious vibe. At night, the sunset makes the place even more picturesque.
 
555 , Hanbando-ro, Yeongwol County, Gangwon  
강원도 영월군 한반도면 한반도로 555
 
 
 
 
 
 

BY CHOI SEUNG-PYO, KIM DONG-EUN [kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr]