Lake Views That Heal the Heart | Travel Course | Staypick

Soyanggang Dam is the largest multi-purpose dam in South Korea and a representative tourist attraction of Chuncheon. Completed in 1973, Soyanggang Dam stands 123 meters high, with a dam length of 530 meters and a storage capacity reaching 2.9 billion tons, so the sluice gates rarely open during ordinary rain. When the dam opens its sluice gates, crowds gather to witness the spectacular scene. There are plenty of activities even during normal times. The dam summit trail is open to the public, allowing visitors to walk across the dam to the opposite side’s Octagonal Pavilion Observatory and back, a walking distance of 2.5 km round trip. However, access may be restricted depending on weather conditions. The artificial lake created by the dam, Soyangho, extends over Chuncheon, Yanggu, and Inje, boasting majestic size and beautiful surrounding scenery. Visitors can take a cruise boat from the nearby dock to go around Soyangho or visit Cheongpyeongsa Temple on the opposite side. Between the dam and the dock, there are attractions such as the Soyanggang Dam Water Culture Center, the Soyanggang Dam Completion Memorial Tower, and the small Soyanggang Maiden statue. The road leading to the dam is lined with chicken galbi restaurants, cafes, and abundant cherry trees, providing additional enjoyment.

Soyang Lake is the largest artificial lake in South Korea, with a total storage capacity of about 2.9 billion tons, spanning Chuncheon-si, Yanggu-gun, and Inje-gun in Gangwon-do. It was created in 1973 with the completion of Soyang Dam and is nicknamed the inland sea due to its area and storage capacity. It is also widely used as a tourist resource, featuring many beautiful valleys like the Cheongpyeong Valley, designated as a national tourist spot. Soyang Tourism Development operates a cruise ship to Cheongpyeong Temple, and it is known as a top inland lakeside destination in Korea, attracting 1 million visitors yearly. The lake is also famous as a freshwater fishing site with cage aquaculture, hosting more than 50 species such as carp, trout, eel, and whitefish.

Cheongpyeongsa is a historic temple that once housed the Gukbo-designated Geungnakjeon building and Munsuwon-gi, written by the Goryeo dynasty's top calligrapher Tanyeon. However, these cultural relics were lost during the Korean War. Later, Geungnakjeon was restored in 1975 and Munsuwon-gi in 2008. Additionally, the temple preserves several other cultural heritages such as the rotating gate, three-story stone pagoda, Jinrakgong Ijahyeon's memorial tower, and Hwanteokdang's memorial tower. The Goryeo-era garden style, which actively utilizes the natural terrain around the temple, is also noteworthy. Centered on the rectangular pond Yeongji, it features a harmonious arrangement of strange rocks and waterfalls, boasting a splendid landscape that attracted many literary figures including Ije-hyeon and Kim Si-seup, who stayed here or left poems.

Around Soyanggang Dam, one of the popular travel spots frequently visited by tourists coming to Chuncheon, there are many dakgalbi restaurants. Among them is Log Cabin Dakgalbi, with a 40-year tradition operating three branches and even a franchise cafe. The main and branch stores specialize in iron plate dakgalbi, while the other branch focuses on charcoal grilled dakgalbi. The spacious first and second floors have high ceilings and large windows, along with outdoor tables, making it suitable for families and groups. Besides red chili paste seasoning made with homemade sauce, soy sauce seasoning, and salt-grilled dakgalbi, they offer refreshing dongchimi makguksu, makjang stew, and iron plate fried rice. Thanks to its large scale, turnover is fast, so waiting time is short, and if it is difficult to visit in person, delivery or take-out is available.

춘천시는 의암호, 춘천호, 소양호 등으로 둘러싸여 있어 흔히 호반의 도시라고 한다. 춘천까지 가는 길은 46번 국도가 북한강을 끼고 있어 드라이브하기에 좋고 경춘선 열차를 타면 기차여행의 낭만도 즐길 수 있다. 공지천 호수에는 남녀노소가 여가를 즐길 수 있는 보트시설을 갖추고 있어 겨울을 제외한 3계절 동안 중도와 의암호변의 경관을 감상하며 물놀이를 즐길 수 있다.

Gubongsan (441m), a ridge with nine peaks stretching out, is a scenic viewpoint on the eastern outskirts of Chuncheon, a beautiful city surrounded by mountains, lakes, and rivers. It offers great views of the city. Since the 1990s, after a road was built halfway up the mountain, cafes and restaurants began to appear, and it has now become Chuncheon's representative cafe street. The cafes feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows or outdoor terraces to provide the best views. Unique photo zones include buildings reminiscent of Santorini, Greece, and a skywalk observatory surrounded by transparent glass. Among the upscale cafes, there is also an affordable rest area where visitors can enjoy canned coffee and janchi-guksu (banquet noodles), offering diverse choices. The bright daylight views and the sunset scenery dyed in twilight are both unmissable.