Whispering Forests and Murmuring Seas: A Mood-Soaked Scenic Course | Travel Course | Staypick

Georye-ri Arboretum is a park created to maximize the value of Hwacheon's beautiful scenery, freshness, and lush oxygen as a top-quality resource nationwide, establishing itself as Green Tourism's number one destination. At the end of the walking trail, there is the quiet Banji Bridge crossing the Bukhan River, making it a good place for healing. It is directly connected to the Bukhan River bicycle road, making it popular among cycling clubs. Additionally, the ring-shaped Banji Bridge at the end of the arboretum trail is ideal for proposals and couple photos.

Paroho Hanbando Island is an artificial island shaped like the Korean Peninsula, created in the middle of Paroho Lake's upstream area, with a 1.63 million square meter wetland, the largest in South Korea. The island is connected by a wooden deck path, providing a pleasant walking trail where you can feel the riverside breeze. You can visit the Hanbando Island Observatory located on the opposite side of the lake in Dongsu-ri to view the entire island. By climbing a few steps after reaching the observatory, you can take in a full view of Paroho Lake and Hanbando Island. It offers a rare chance to see the sky, lake, and lush forest, refreshing both the eyes and the mind.

국토정중앙천문대는 우리나라의 중심에서 하늘을 바라보기 위해 국토정중앙 부근에 위치한다. 주망원경의 80cm 반사망원경이 설치되어 있으며 최신의 천문정보와 더불어 여러 학습 체험이 가능한 전시실과 디지털 가상 밤하늘을 감상할 수 있는 천체투영실이 설치되어 있다.

Wondaeri Birch Forest, also called the Whispering Birch Forest, is a natural ecological tourism site. From 1974 to 1995, 690,000 birch trees were planted over 138 hectares, forming this forest. It has seven trails, a forest classroom, an observatory, an ecological pond, an Indian house, wooden bridges, and stairs, offering forest bathing and healing experiences. The forest path starts at the birch forest information center at the entrance. There are two routes: Wonjeong Forest Road, an 80-minute walk, and Wondae Forest Road, about an hour. Hiking the trails leads to a dense forest of birch trees over 20 years old. The white trunks and shining leaves make the forest look like it is covered in snow, and the birch trees stretching skyward create an exotic atmosphere. Visitors can choose from trails of different lengths and difficulties within the forest. The most popular is Course 1 (Birch Course), about 0.9 km long and taking about 50 minutes, which passes through a concentrated area of pure white birch growth. In winter, the snow-covered forest and white birch trees are popular photo spots. Families with children can also enjoy various nature-themed activities such as the forest classroom and Indian house at the Children's Forest Experience Center.

Baekdamsa Temple is a representative temple in Naeseorak, located above Baekdam Valley where the clear waters of Gayadong Valley and Gugokdam merge. It was founded by Monk Jajang in the first year of Queen Jindeok of Silla (647) and was originally called Hangyesa, but later renamed Baekdamsa because there were said to be 100 pools from Daecheongbong Peak to the temple. After being destroyed around ten times, it was rebuilt in 1957 and remains to this day. Compared to the bustling Oeseorak, Baekdamsa is located at the entrance of Naeseorak, preserving a secluded and almost virgin forest scenery, and it is a major temple overseeing remote hermitages like Bongjeongam and Oseam, representing Mount Naeseorak. Currently, Baekdamsa has 24 buildings including traditional ones such as Geukrakbojeon, Nahanjeon, Sanryeonggak, Beophwasil, and Hwaeomsil, as well as the Manhae Memorial Hall and Manhae Education Hall dedicated to embodying the literary thought and Buddhist spirit of the monk Han Yongun (Manhae). There are also Iljumun, Geumgangmun, Buli-mun, Manbokjeon, temple living quarters, Manhaedang, Nongamsil, and Jeokseondang. In front of Baekdamsa, the valley features stone pagodas built over many years by visitors making wishes, offering an additional attraction.

Ayajin Beach is a place with beautiful surrounding scenery, where large and small rocks, clear sea, and clean white sand come together, making it suitable as a family vacation spot. The beach is covered with fine sand, and the water depth is about 1.5m to 2m up to 30 meters from the shore, allowing safe swimming. It is temporarily operated every year in cooperation with the military unit. Also, visitors can enjoy both fishing and swimming, leading to an increasing number of vacationers each year.

Songjiho Beach has a 2 km long and 100 m wide sandy shore with clear water and shallow depth. Nearby are Jukdo and Seoraksan. In front of the sea lies Jukdo, known for its beautiful scenery with bamboo and strange rocks harmoniously combined. Songjiho, located 500 m north of the beach, is famous as a representative natural lagoon on the East Coast and a winter migratory bird habitat for swans. It is also known as a sea fishing spot where seawater and freshwater meet, allowing both sea and freshwater fish to coexist.