5 Places You Must-Visit in Pyeongchang

Writer: Priya Pailkar (Dombivli, Maharashtra, India)

Editor: Divya Sonawane (Pune, Maharashtra, India)

Pyeongchang, located in the Taebaek Mountains of South Korea’s Gangwon-do Province, is known as the birthplace of Korean skiing and is often called the “Alps of Korea.” It’s a go-to destination for winter sports and famously hosted the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games. It takes approximately 1.5 hours to travel from Seoul to Pyeongchang, and the KTX bullet train is the most efficient way to reach the destination.

As we know, Pyeongchang is known for being the perfect spot for winter sports, there are many other places to explore. Like the Odaesan National Park, the Taebaek Mountains are also home to several Buddhist temples and 7 themed gardens of Herbnara Farm. Additionally, the area features the Trout Festival at Jingbu-myeon, Jeonggangwon (Korean Traditional Food Culture Center), and Bongpyeong Traditional Market. Let’s dive in to explore the 5 places you must-visit in Pyeongchang.

Odaesan National Park

Odaesan Mountain is located in the central and eastern part of Gangwon. It became South Korea’s 11th national park in February 1975. The name Odaesan means “Five Plains Mountain,” because it has five main peaks: Birobong, Horyeongbong, Sangwangbong, Dongdaesan, and Durobong. The highest peak, Birobong, is 1,563 meters tall. Odaesan Mountain has the largest natural forest in Korea, and is home to many wild animals and plants, with lush forests and gentle slopes.

The mountain is divided into smaller sections like the Odaesan Section, Bangadari Bridge Section, Byeongnae-ri Section, Hwangbyeongsan Mountain Section, Hongcheon-myeon Section, and Sogeumhang River Section. Two famous temples—Sangwonsa Temple and Woljeongsa Temple—are also located here. One can visit this place in any season: it’s white with snow in winter, pink in spring, green in summer, and golden in autumn.

Woljeongsa Temple & Fir Tree Forest

Woljeongsa Temple is located in a forested valley on the eastern side of Odaesan Mountain. It was founded between 590–658 during the Silla Kingdom by Monk Ja Jang. The temple grounds include the Woljeongsa Museum, which displays artifacts and Buddhist treasures from the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392). It features a nine-story octagonal stone pagoda and a stone seated Bodhisattva. The path to the temple passes through a forest of 500-year-old fir trees. Woljeongsa temple manages over 60 temples and 8 monasteries in the region. The scenery is stunning in both winter and fall.

The Octagonal Nine-Story Stone Pagoda at Woljeongsa represents Goryeo-era architecture, similar to the ten-story pagoda from Gyeongcheonsa Temple in Gaeseong. It stands on a two-story octagonal base, with a Buddhist statue on the 1st story. It features elegant proportions and carving techniques. The simply-trimmed roof stones lack stepped cornices. In front, a stone Bodhisattva offers a Buddhist ritual. The base includes lotus patterns and pillar carvings on the 2nd–story base. A bronze bell hangs from the roof’s edge. The bronze bell hangs at the end of the eaves.

Balwangsan Skywalk

Balwangsan Mountain in Gangwon-do is the 12th-highest mountain in Korea, standing at 1,485 meters above sea level. You can easily reach the top by taking Korea’s longest cable car (7.4 km), which leads to the Gi Skywalk at Yongpyong Resort. The mountain view stretches like a sea beneath the blue sky, with a cool breeze adding to the experience. The cable car offers a 20-minute scenic ride each way, allowing you to enjoy breathtaking views.

Enjoy a 360° view of Yongpyong Resort in every season—colorful flowers in spring, lush greenery in summer, red and yellow leaves in autumn, and white snow blossoms in winter. Don’t miss the Gi Skywalk along the forest trail, and be sure to enjoy a refreshing sip of natural spring water at the Balwangsan rest area.

Sangwonsa Temple

This temple is located 8 kilometers north of Woljeongsa Temple. It was built by the Buddhist monk Ja Jang in the 12th year of Queen Seondeok’s reign during the Silla Dynasty, and it was rebuilt in 705, during the 4th year of King Seongdeok’s reign. The temple was burned down in 1946 and restored in 1947.

The temple houses a national treasure—the Bronze Bell of Sangwonsa—which is the oldest bronze bell in the nation. It was cast in the 24th year of King Seongdeok’s reign. The bell stands 1.67 meters tall, with a diameter of 91 centimeters, and produces a beautifully clear ring. The temple also preserves a Statue of the Child Manjusri, as well as a tablet written by King Sejo, commemorating the rebuilding of Sangwonsa Temple.

Yongpyong Ski Resort

Situated in the center of Korea’s Baekdudaegan Mountain Range, Yongpyong Resort receives an average of 250 centimeters of snowfall per season, making it an excellent destination for skiing. The resort spans a massive 17-million-square-meter complex and includes a 45-hole golf course, gondolas, a swimming pool, and other facilities.

This all-season recreational complex allows visitors to relax and escape their hectic daily lives. It features various ski slopes, including the popular Rainbow Slopes. The resort’s Dragon Plaza offers a variety of services for skiers and snowboarders. Yongpyong Resort has hosted numerous international competitions, including World Cup Ski events and the Asian Winter Games.

Pyeongchang, in northeastern South Korea, is known for its scenic beauty and outdoor adventures—ski resorts, Odaesan National Park, and Taebaek Mountain trails. Enjoy traditional Korean food, stay in a Hanok, and visit top spots like Balwangsan Skywalk and Eco Green Campus.

What’s on your Pyeongchang bucket list? Tell us in the comments!