Hongcheon

Hongcheon (홍천군, 洪川郡) is a county in Gangwon, South Korea. It is the largest county-level municipality in the country by area, stretching about 93 km from east to west. Mountains cover almost 87% of the county, and the Hongcheon River runs through its main town. Visitors come for its temples, rocky peaks, riverside camping, a large ski and water park resort, and a ginkgo forest that opens to the public only in October.

Hongcheon covers about 1,820 km², roughly three times the size of Seoul, but has only around 66,000 residents, about half of whom live in the county seat, Hongcheon-eup. The county borders Chuncheon and Inje to the north, Yangyang to the east, Hoengseong, Pyeongchang and Gangneung to the south, and Gapyeong and Yangpyeong (Gyeonggi Province) to the west.

The Hongcheon River (홍천강) flows west from the Taebaek Mountains through Hongcheon-eup and joins the Bukhan River in Gapyeong. The county is known for its farm produce, including Hanwoo beef, six-year-old ginseng, pine nuts (잣) and sweet corn.

During the Goguryeo period the area was called Beollyeokcheon-hyeon (伐力川縣). Silla renamed it Nokhyo-hyeon (綠曉縣) and placed it under Usu-ju (present-day Chuncheon). In 1018, during the Goryeo dynasty, it was renamed Hongcheon. It became a county in 1895. Parts of Inje County south of the 38th parallel were added after 1945, and the county has had its present shape of one town (eup) and nine townships (myeon) since the 1970s.

Hongcheon is inland and mountainous, so it has a continental climate with cold, dry winters and hot, humid summers. Most of the rain falls in July and August. On 1 August 2018, Hongcheon recorded 41.0°C, the highest temperature ever measured in South Korea. Winter nights often fall below −10°C.

There is no railway station in Hongcheon, so most visitors arrive by bus, or by train to Chuncheon and then a short bus ride.

Most international travellers arrive at Incheon International Airport and continue by bus via Seoul.

• 37.438056127.9602781 Wonju Airport (원주공항), Gokgyo-ri, Hoengseong-eup, Hoengseong County (south of Hongcheon). The nearest airport (WJU ^IATA), with flights only to and from Jeju. The terminal is separate from the runway, which belongs to an air force base, so after check-in passengers take a shuttle bus to the plane. Hongcheon is a taxi or car ride away.  

The ITX-Cheongchun and Gyeongchun Line trains from Seoul (Yongsan and Cheongnyangni stations) stop at both stations below. From Chuncheon Intercity Bus Terminal in Onui-dong, intercity buses run to Hongcheon Bus Terminal, and rural bus 800 runs via Mt. Palbong to Vivaldi Park (7 a day).

• 37.86408127.7237842 Namchuncheon Station (남춘천역), Toegye-dong, Chuncheon. The closer of Chuncheon's two stations to the intercity bus terminal.  
• 37.884797127.7169083 Chuncheon Station (춘천역), Geunhwa-dong, Chuncheon. The terminus of the Gyeongchun Line.  

• 37.689052127.8788734 Hongcheon Bus Terminal (홍천종합버스터미널), 301 Hongcheon-ro, Hongcheon-eup, ☏ +82 1688-9212. The county's main terminal, opened in 1987 and run by Geumgang Express. Intercity buses to Dong Seoul Terminal (동서울터미널) leave many times a day and take about 1 to 1½ hours. There are also buses to Chuncheon, Wonju, Hoengseong, Inje, Sokcho and other cities in Gangwon and Gyeongsang. Express buses to Seoul stopped in 2018, so all Seoul services are intercity buses.  

The Jungang Expressway (No. 55) has an exit at Hongcheon IC. The Seoul–Yangyang Expressway (No. 60) crosses the county with exits at Dong-Hongcheon and Naechon, so it is easy to reach Hongcheon from Seoul or on the way to the east coast. National Routes 5 and 44 meet in Hongcheon-eup.

Hongcheon is very large, and its sights are far apart. A car is the easiest way to explore the county, but buses reach most sights if you plan around the timetable.

Almost all of the county's rural buses (농어촌버스) start from Hongcheon Bus Terminal; some routes in the east start from Seoseok and Nae-myeon terminals. The adult fare is ₩1,700 in cash or ₩1,530 with a transit card, and transfers are only possible with a card. Useful routes include 150 to Vivaldi Park (11 a day) and 800 between Chuncheon Intercity Bus Terminal, Mt. Palbong and Vivaldi Park (7 a day). Many routes run only once or twice a day; route 600 to Sutasa Temple, for example, has a single return trip in the morning. Check the timetable on the Hongcheon bus website before setting out.

Taxis wait at Hongcheon Bus Terminal and around Hongcheon-eup. They are the practical option for sights with few or no buses, such as Sutasa Temple outside the morning bus and the Ginkgo Forest in Nae-myeon.

Car rental is easier to arrange in Chuncheon or Seoul. Vivaldi Park runs shuttle buses from the Seoul area for guests who book in advance.

Cycling works for short trips around Hongcheon-eup and along the Hongcheon River, but distances between sights are long and many roads are hilly.

Hongcheon-eup is compact enough to walk. The main hiking areas are Mt. Palbong, the Gongjaksan Oxygen Trail near Sutasa Temple and Garisan Natural Recreation Forest (see Do).

• 37.698481127.9592371 Sutasa Temple (수타사), 473 Sutasa-ro, Yeonggwimi-myeon, ☏ +82 33-436-6611. A Buddhist temple at the foot of Mt. Gongjak, traditionally said to have been founded in 708 during the Silla period. Its main hall, Daejeokgwangjeon, is a designated Treasure of South Korea. The temple is beside Gongjaksan Eco-Forest and Suta Valley, so visitors can combine the temple with a walk. Free admission and parking.  
• 37.69645127.696232 Mt. Palbong (팔봉산), 1124 Hanchigol-gil, Seo-myeon (tourist site and trailhead), ☏ +82 33-434-0813. Hiking trail 07:00–18:00 during its opening season; last entry 15:00 or 15:30 depending on the month. Eight rocky peaks rise above a bend in the Hongcheon River. The ridge routes take about 2–3½ hours and include steep sections with ropes and ladders. Wear hiking shoes and gloves. The trail may close because of rain, snow or strong wind; check its opening status before travelling. Free.  
• 37.808566128.466883 Hongcheon Ginkgo Forest (홍천 은행나무숲), Gwangwon-ri, Nae-myeon. October only, 10:00–17:00. A private forest of about 2,000 ginkgo trees planted in neat rows. The owner began planting them in 1985, hoping the clean mountain air would help his sick wife. It has opened to the public every October since 2010, when the leaves turn bright yellow. It is closed for the rest of the year. Free.  
• Heumang-ri Three-story Stone Pagoda (희망리 삼층석탑), Heumang-ri, Hongcheon-eup. A 2.45-m granite pagoda from the Goryeo period, designated Treasure No. 79. It stands in the garden of the Hongcheon-eup office. A Goryeo-era flagpole support (Treasure No. 80) is also in Heumang-ri. Free. 
• Stone Seated Vairocana Buddha of Mulgeol-ri (물걸리 석조비로자나불좌상), Mulgeol-ri, Naechon-myeon. A seated stone Buddha from the late Unified Silla period (Treasure No. 542). Its octagonal lotus pedestal is carved with musicians and offering figures. It is kept in a protective hall. 

• 37.646642127.680991 Vivaldi Park (비발디파크), 262 Hanchigol-gil, Seo-myeon. A large resort run by Sono Hotels & Resorts, opened in 1995. It has a ski resort (Ski World) in winter, the Ocean World water park, golf courses, and indoor games such as bowling and go-karts.  
• 37.69754127.7023162 Hongcheon River Rafting (홍천강래프팅), 972 Hanchigol-gil, Seo-myeon, ☏ +82 10-6288-8876. 09:00–18:00. Guided rafting trips on a 5.5–6 km stretch of the Hongcheon River, from the Hongcheon River resort area past Mt. Palbong to Bamboel resort area. A trip takes 1½ to 2 hours. The river here is calm, not whitewater, which makes it good for families and beginners. Guides let you flip the boat and jump in for a swim along the way. Life jackets, helmets and water shoes are provided, and there are changing rooms and hot showers. The operator also runs ATV rides. Most visitors come in summer, so call ahead to check trip times. Adults ₩30,000, preschool children ₩25,000 (prices may change).  
• 37.823338127.8837343 Alpaca World (알파카월드), 146-155 Deokbatjae-gil, Hwachon-myeon, ☏ +82 1899-2250. 10:00–18:00; last admission 16:30; closed on Seollal and Chuseok. A hillside animal park where visitors can see alpacas and other animals. Allow time for the sloping paths and check the official site for activity times. Public transport access is limited. ₩18,000 for visitors aged 36 months and over; younger children free with proof of age. Alpaca walks cost extra..  
• 37.864632127.9832554 Garisan Natural Recreation Forest (가리산 자연휴양림), 426 Garisan-gil, Duchon-myeon, ☏ +82 33-435-6034. A forest recreation area below Mt. Garisan, with walking trails, valleys and cabins for overnight stays. Check the official reservation site for current cabin availability, rates and temporary closures.  

• 37.6685127.93455 Forest Amusementpark (숲놀이공원), Gaeun-ri, Yeongguimi-myeon. 09:00-18:00 (January~ October), 09:00-17:00 (November~Febuary), Closed on every Monday. Hongcheon Forest Adventure Park is a public children's facility located in Gaeun-ri, Yeongguimi-myeon, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do. The park features outdoor play equipment such as net adventure zones and slides set within a natural pine forest environment.  (updated Oct 2026)

• 37.688259127.8870621 Hongcheon River Kkongkkong Festival (홍천강 꽁꽁축제): Annually in January, Sinjangdae-ri 85, Hongcheon-eup (on the Hongcheon riverside), ☏ +82 33-434-9634. 09:00–17:30. Winter festival on the Hongcheon River. Visitors fish for trout raised on feed mixed with six-year-old ginseng, through holes in the ice, from floating pontoons or at an indoor fishing area, and can also try catching fish by hand or ride ice and snow sleds. The 2026 festival ran 9–25 January. Check the official site for the next dates and fees.
• 37.689408127.8934752 Hongcheon Ginseng & Hanwoo Festival (홍천 인삼·한우 명품축제): 8–11 October 2026, Tori Forest city park, Galmagok-ri 501, Hongcheon-eup, ☏ +82 33-439-5800. 09:00–22:00, varies by programme. Autumn festival built around two local products, six-year-old ginseng and Hanwoo beef, held for the 24th time in 2026. Stalls sell ginseng, beef and other farm produce, and there are stage performances and traditional games. Free admission. (date needs updating)

Local specialties include six-year-old ginseng, Hanwoo beef, pine nuts, sweet corn from Duchon, omija (five-flavor berry) and apples. You can buy them at markets in Hongcheon-eup and at the festivals.

Hongcheon is known for hwaro-gui (화로구이): pork marinated in a spicy sauce and grilled over charcoal. Several restaurants serving it are in and around Hongcheon-eup. Hanwoo beef from local farms is another specialty.

• 37.702127.8531 Hongcheon Hanwoo Sarangmal Restaurant (홍천한우사랑말식당), 13-5 Hongcheon-ro, Bukbang-myeon. A popular farm-to-table cooperative direct market and barbecue restaurant offering high-quality Hongcheon Korean beef at great value. Visitors can pick pre-packaged cuts from the 1st-floor market to grill upstairs, or purchase gift and ice-packed sets to go.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 37.6889127.880142 Gaboja Tosong Sundaegukbap Ppyeodawi Haejangguk (가보자토종순대국밥뼈다귀해장국), 6, Hongcheon-ro 3-gil, Hongcheon-eup, ☏ +82 507-1386-1577. 00:00-24:00 (break time: 15:00-17:00). Gaboja Tosong Sundaegukbap Ppyeodawi Haejangguk is a local Korean restaurant located in Hongcheon-eup, Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do. The menu features traditional Korean soup dishes, specifically specializing in blood sausage soup (sundaegukbap) and pork bone hangover soup.It serves as a casual dining spot providing standard local meals in the area.  (updated Oct 2026)
• 37.6904127.88673 Son-kalguksu Restaurant (손칼국수), 9, Hongcheon-ro 8-gil, Hongcheon-eup, ☏ +82 33-434-0906. 10:30-15:00 (closed on Saturdays). Son-kalguksu is a traditional local restaurant located near the central market in Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do. The menu features handmade noodles and dumplings prepared in a traditional style. It operates as a casual, community-oriented dining spot primarily frequented by local residents.  (updated Oct 2026)

• Sono Vivaldi Park resorts (소노 비발디파크), 262 Hanchigol-gil, Seo-myeon. Several hotel and condominium buildings at the Vivaldi Park resort, next to the ski slopes and Ocean World. 
• Garisan Natural Recreation Forest cabins (가리산 자연휴양림), 426 Garisan-gil, Duchon-myeon. Forest cabins in the recreation forest. Book in advance. 

Summer rain can be very heavy, and mountain streams rise quickly. Stay out of valleys during and after storms. In winter, mountain roads can be icy. Check that river ice is officially declared safe before walking on it.

• Chuncheon – The capital of Gangwon, known for dakgalbi and its lakes, just to the northwest.
• Inje – Rafting on the Naerincheon River and the gateway to Seoraksan's inner valleys, to the northeast.
• Yangyang – The east coast and its surfing beaches are at the end of the Seoul–Yangyang Expressway.
• Hoengseong – Another county famous for Hanwoo beef, to the south.