Gangwon-do’s scenic beauty
South Korea’s snowy landscape in winter isn’t only good for skiing, it also makes for some pretty amazing fairytale-like scenery. From immersing yourself in the beauty of the snow-covered Birch Forest in Gangwon-do to taking in the mesmerizing view of the whole Chuncheon city, this recommended 1-day itinerary will help you take a break from the monotonous hustle and bustle inside big cities and bring you in touch with nature. After this getaway, you will definitely find yourself fully recharged!
1. Gangwon-do Wondae-Ri Birch Forest
Located around 2 hours away from Seoul, Gangwon-do Wondae-Ri Birch Forest is a nature sanctuary with over 690,000 birch trees across its 138 hectares confine.
The heart of the forest is accessible by a 3.5 km paved hiking trail (Total length (in & out): around 6 km). As you walk into the forest, you will be surrounded by birches that reach out into the sky. The white-shaded birches blend perfectly with the snowy background, unfolding a sea of unbroken whiteness right before your eyes. Also, as the ambient sounds of the forest are absorbed by the crunchy snow on the ground, such kind of sensory experience will make you quickly immerse into the surrounding nature, which makes for a very healing experience!
Source: Korea Tourism Organization
In winter, the trail will often be covered in snow which makes hiking a bit harder than usual, but you can always buy or rent walking sticks and crampons, i.e. ice spikes, at the entrance of the forest sanctuary. Also, since the sun usually sets earlier in winter, you should also pay attention to the last entry time of the sanctuary.
The hiking trail is only open from 16 December to 31 January each year, so remember to time your travel well and grasp the opportunity to visit this rare gem!
2. Famous local chicken pot lunch
After a whole morning of being out in the snow, a nice warm lunch can bring you bliss beyond words!
The locals in the Gangwon region have a winter speciality dish called the “Chicken Hot Pot”. Essentially, it is a dish that boils a whole free-range chicken in a clay pot with a soup broth seasoned with local ingredients and assorted condiments. The recipe was passed down from generation to generation, and you can be sure that the locals have perfected it over the years!
The broth is rich and the chicken, after being heated in the pot for hours, will literally melt in your mouth. This mixture of silky soup and succulent meat will warm both your heart and your whole body from inside out. This dish is also surprisingly high in protein but low in calories and cholesterol, making it a very healthy treat.
Just go to any local traditional Korean restaurant in the Gangwon region, and you will surely find this staple winter dish waiting for you!
3. Gubongsan Mountain Observatory Cafe Street
With your belly full of good food, it’s time to take a pleasant and relaxing stroll and let your eyes “feast” on some scenic views!
At the Gubongsan Mountain Observatory Cafe Street, you can grab a drink from any of the cafes, stroll along this scenic drive that snakes around the side of the Gubongsan mountain range and enjoy the impressive panoramic view of Chuncheon.
The Twosome Place café’s branch at this café street deserves a special mention because inside the café , there is a glass-enclosed walkway that takes you beyond the side of the mountain and leaves you hanging in the middle of the air. If you are not afraid of height, this is the perfect place to watch the sunset over Chuncheon with a cup of warm coffee in your hand.
Source: Korea Tourism Organization
4. Santorini Restaurant
What better way to end a day than sipping on some good wine while enjoying the sunset over the horizon?
Santorini is a 2-story traditional Italian restaurant located on the Gubongsan Mountain Observatory Cafe Street. The 1st floor is like any other café on the street, while the 2nd floor is the restaurant itself with an outdoor terrace garden that gives an all-encompassing view of Chuncheon. In the garden, there is also a pavilion styled after the small blue and white houses in Santorini, which is a great backdrop to the city view.
Source: Korea Tourism Organization
The restaurant offers a wide range of choices of fine wine and gourmet Italian food. If you choose to be seated in the garden, you can gorge on both the delicacies and the beautiful sunset over Chuncheon. Besides the amazing sunset, you will also see how Chuncheon slowly comes to life at night as the lights in the city flicker on.
Source: Santorini Official Website
