Why not visit Cheorwon?

The area of Cheorwon is a newly rising tourist attraction area in Korea. It was the old capital in the 10 century and it is known as the arena of Lim GGeok-Jeong, a legendary thief in the 16 century.

Cheorwon is the only divided area in the world after the Korean War in 1950-1953, where peace and war coexist with a well-preserved DMZ, a scar of the Korean War, and war-related sites. This area was 

The clear water of Hantangang River and basalt gorges create a beautiful watercolor painting. The river's basin region was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2020. The area was formed by hot lava 50,000 to 100,000 years ago.

In addition, every winter tens of thousands of migratory birds fly here, making it famous as a world-renowned habitat for them.

Anyone who is interested in a tour of Cheorwon area can contact JS Kim (joongsukkim@naver.com).

* Every Tuesday, Lunar New Year Day, Chuseok Day off

1. Goseokjeong

Goseokjeong is the whole area of the 10m high Giambong located in the center of the Hantangang River and the surroundings of the basalt valley. It is a well-known place for rafting in summer and ice trekking in winter. 

In the winter season, tourists can watch spectacular rocky cliffs and columnar joints of the Hantangang River gorge while walking on the ice and water along the river. 

2. Jiktang Falls

Jiktang Falls is made of natural straight-lined rocks between oddly-shaped cliffs of the Hantanggang River gorge. With the size of 80m wide and 3m high, it is spectacular to see a waterfall falling both in summer and winter.

In the summer season, Hantangan River is the best rafting spot in Korea, making the best thrill with the view of columnar joints and rocky cliffs.

3. North Korean Workers' Party Headquarters

It is the headquarters building of the North Korean Workers’ Party. This area had been managed by North Korea for 5 years before the Korean War. It was bombed during the Korean War and now only the frames remain with a lot of bullet holes.

4. Hantangang River Milky Way Bridge & Columnar Joints

   Road (Plank Road)

Hantangang River Milky Way Bridge was planned for tourists to explore along the river basin, which is registered as UNESCO World Geopark.

The bridge is named the Milky Way (Eunhasu) meaning a path made up of stars, which is famous for its beautiful landscape.

Located in the Hantangang River UNESCO World Geopark, it is 3.6km long and 15m wide. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery with columnar joints gorge and various types of rods.

5. Cheorwon Peace Observatory & The 2nd Tunnel

Tourists can see North Korea at a glance at the northernmost tip of the central front in this observatory.

This tunnel is known as the North Korean second tunnel for their sudden raid to South Korea. It was discovered in the DMZ in 1975.

6. Woljeong-ri Station

Located near the South Limit Line of DMZ, Woljeong-ri Station was a simple station. It is one of the symbols of the division of Korea. There is some wreckage of a train there with a signboard written as ‘Train Wants to Run’. 

‘Train Wants to Run'

7. Others

(A) Sambuyeon Fall

It is a waterfall 1m wide and 20m high, flowing between the oddly-shaped cliffs of Mt. Myeongseongsan and the dense forests surrounding the fall.

(B) Seungni Observatory

The name 'Seungni' literally means victory in war. It is located located in the center of the 155 miles of the Military Demarcation Line. Tourists can see the fierce battlefield during the Korean War and some North Korean lands. It can't be viewed personally thus tourists can enter only with a guide at a certain given time after submitting the form.

(C) Geumgangsan Mountain Electric Railroad Bridge

Constructed in 1926, this bridge was for the electric railroad in Mt. Geumgangsan. It has not been run anymore as it symbolically shows the reality of the division of Korea into the north and the south.

(D) Baengmagoji Exhibition Hall

Baengmagoji was one of the most fierce battlefields during the Korean War. In the battle against the Chinese army for 10 days from Oct. 6, 1952, 300 thousand cannons exploded altogether, and the owner of this battlefield had changed 24 times. With the bombing of either side, a 395-meter forested mountain lost its original form so the new form is reminded of bengma, meaning a white horse, lying down. A monument and exhibition hall were built to commemorate the spirits.

* Some of the information and photos are from Cheowon-gun site.