Must-Visit Places in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
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Pohang Chorongu B Village
Choronggu Village is a charming retreat nestled in a picturesque valley, where mountain plants and wildflowers bloom with the changing seasons, and crayfish can be found in the clear waters. Legends of fairies and woodcutters are passed down in this village, adding to its mystical allure. The area is abundant in locally grown crops such as black rice, glutinous rice, wild strawberries, and sweet pumpkins, all nurtured by spring water from the granite bedrock. With its proximity to the sea, you can enjoy a variety of fresh seafood all year round, offering a unique “sea in the mountains” experience.
• Address (location): 146 Chorongubi-gil, Janggi-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Vison Farm
Vison Farm boasts a sprawling 16,000 square meters of space, making it a beautiful camping site that even caught the attention of the TV show ‘House on Wheels’ from tvN. This refreshing camping ground, with its clean air and a view of Wolpo Beach, welcomes visitors and their furry friends.
During the summer, a large water park opens up for fun. Walking along the trails, you’ll discover charming treehouses, sand playgrounds for kids, and a variety of themed areas including a lovely rabbit farm, geese, and goats. Rural experiences are a highlight here. In spring, you can harvest wild vegetables like mugwort and wild strawberries, while summer offers corn, melons, and watermelons. Autumn brings chestnuts and pumpkins to pick, and winter continues the seasonal experiences with activities like rice baking and chestnut madeleine baking. Art experiences in the forest, such as building birdhouses, making mosquito repellents, and treasure hunting, are loved by all ages.
After a healing time with rural experiences, you’ll find attractions like Igari Anchorage Observatory, Gyeongsangbuk-do Arboretum, and Okgye Valley nearby. Famous drama filming sites, as well as popular Pohang spots like Space Walk and Yeongildae Beach, are also conveniently located near Vison Farm.
• Address (location): 1889-157 Bihak-ro, Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Yeongildae Rose Garden
Established in May 2017, the Yeongildae Rose Garden is a stunning display of approximately 40 different varieties of roses, totaling 5,600 blooms, set against the backdrop of the sea each May. While not expansive, the park is filled with a vibrant array of rose blossoms, creating picturesque photo zones like the Rose Tunnel, Flower Tower, and Heart Carriage. Visitors, whether families, couples, or friends, can create wonderful memories and capture lifetime photos here. What makes Yeongildae Rose Garden unique in South Korea is its ability to capture the sea, pavilion, and roses all in one frame. In May, many tourists flock here to enjoy the scenery, coinciding with the Pohang Sea Rose Festival, which features explanations by rose experts, various events, and interactive exhibits. You can also take a leisurely stroll from the Yeongildae Observatory towards Yeongil Bridge overlooking the sea, or explore the nearby Hwanho Park, which features a skywalk.
• Address (location): 1003-4 Duho-dong, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
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Pohang Janggi Exile Cultural Experience Village
According to the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, over 200 people were exiled to Janggi a total of 149 times, including notable figures like Uam Song Si-yeol and Dasan Jeong Yak-yong. To honor their thoughts and literary works, a village offering an exile culture experience was planned. Janggi-myeon, where these exiles resided, is a prominent place where scholarly pursuits and literary culture thrived. Janggi-myeon is known for historical sites such as Janggi Fortress, Janggi Confucian School, and Seowon, as well as breathtaking natural landscapes like Sinchang Ilchulam and Sobongdae. It’s a place where history and culture intertwine with various literary works. Additionally, Janggi-myeon has long been famous for its spectacular sunrise views. The sunrise at Ilchulam was so revered that it was considered one of the top ten scenic spots in Joseon, and the sunrise at Janggi Fortress inspired poet Hweje Yi Eon-jeok to compose a poem called “Janggidongheon,” showcasing its exceptional beauty.
• Address (location): 452 Janggi-ro, Janggi-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Guryongpo Japanese House Street
Located in Guryongpo, the Japanese House Street holds a poignant history, as it’s where many Japanese people lived after the Korea-Japan Treaty of 1883. It represents a painful period when Japanese fishermen settled here, taking away the fishing rights of Koreans after Japan established Guryongpo Port and controlled the East Sea region. Currently, 47 Japanese-style wooden buildings remain in this village, leading Pohang City to create the ‘Guryongpo Japanese House Street’ in 2010 to preserve its history. One of the buildings, Furusatoya, which used to be a restaurant, has been preserved in its original form and now operates as a tea house where you can enjoy various Japanese teas and experience wearing a yukata. Additionally, you can find the Sim Sang School where Japanese residents studied and a model mailbox from the early 1900s. At the Guryongpo Modern History Museum, converted from the house of Hashimoto Genkichi who immigrated to Guryongpo during the Japanese colonial era, you can see the lifestyle and architecture of that time. Nearby, there are attractions such as the Gwamegi Culture Center and Guryongpo Jusangjeolli. This street also served as the backdrop for the quaint and charming village of Ongsan in the drama ‘When the Camellia Blooms’. Walking along the street with the remaining Japanese-style wooden buildings feels like stepping back a hundred years in time. The coastal scenery viewed from the park steps is so beautiful that it won the Grand Prize in the Korea Landscape Awards.
• Address (location): 153-1 Guryongpo-gil, Guryongpo-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Guryongpo Pier Media Art Stairs
Guryongpo Media Art is a new nighttime attraction located at the central stairs (Piera Stairs) of the Guryongpo Japanese House Street. The media art on the Piera Stairs utilizes the anamorphic technique, allowing distortion-free viewing in this unique space. Images are also projected onto the floor, enhancing the immersive experience with sound effects for the audience. It is divided into four themes: the beautiful sea and sunrise of Pohang, the dynamic Pohang steel industry, the mysterious and beautiful valley flowing down the stairs, and the Piera’s inner child that stimulates imagination. The screening lasts for about 10 minutes, providing a captivating experience for visitors.
• Address (location): 277 Homy-ro, Guryongpo-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
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Cherry Hill Cherry Farm
At Cheongha Cherry Hill Farm in Pohang, visitors can enjoy a fun-filled day with cherry and strawberry picking experiences starting from June. From making unique souvenirs to tasting freshly made desserts right from the farm, there are various activities to fill your day. The cherry picking experience begins with a curator’s friendly explanation, adding to the excitement of listening and learning. With over 15 varieties of cherries planted in the farm, each with its own distinct flavor and shape, there is a joy in picking and tasting different ones. After the harvest, visitors can engage in other activities such as painting on bags, creating badges, and decorating frames through various crafting experiences.
• Address (location): 32-45 Hwadu-gil, Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Janggi Mokjang Fortress
Janggi Mokjang Fortress refers to a majestic stretch of about 6.3km from Seokmundong in Guryongpo-eup to Heunghwan-ri in Donghae-myeon, with a historical record of managing horses by setting up a horse gate in Samjeong-dong. Horse farming and breeding across the country were overseen by officials in charge of cavalry and horse breeding, with local horse management being supervised by practical officers called Gam Mok Gwan under the supervision of provincial governors.
At Hae Bong Temple in Gangsa-ri, rituals were performed for the horse ranch, as evidenced by a stone monument measuring 32cm in width, 75cm in height, and 22cm in thickness, inscribed with the phrase ‘Moolmok Kim Buchal Noyeon Yeongse Bulmang.’ The exact age of the monument is unknown, but it is believed to have been erected around 1882 to honor the contributions of Gam Mok Gwan Min Chi-eok, who oversaw the ranch along with Heungin Gun Yi Choeung.
This monument is significant as it confirms the area’s historical connection to horse breeding, particularly during the era when the Janggi Ranch was under the jurisdiction of the Ulsan ranch. Within the stone monument, there are engravings of the virtues of Heungin Gun and Gam Mok Gwan, symbolizing their contributions to the ranch management.
• Address (location): 43-5 Heunghwan-gil, Donghae-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Igari Anchorage Observatory
Located in Igari, Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang, the Igari Anchor Observation Deck is a unique landmark in Pohang shaped like an anchor, fitting the city’s maritime charm. Standing 10m tall and stretching 102m long, this observation deck features an anchor design, symbolizing ships anchored near the beautiful Igari makeshift beach surrounded by lush pine trees. It offers a breathtaking view of the refreshing Pohang sea, combining the beauty of the pine trees and the beach. This spot is a must-visit for many tourists as it was a major filming location for the popular JTBC drama ‘Run On’.
• Address (location): Igari, Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Chilpo Haewooreum Observatory
Haeoreum is the name of an alliance among the three cities of Pohang, Ulsan, and Gyeongju. These cities share the common characteristic of being the regions where the sun rises first on the Korean peninsula and have played a significant role in Korea’s industrialization, thus forming the Haeoreum alliance. Along the North Parang-gil Trail by Yeongil Bay, visitors can encounter a bow-shaped observatory that allows them to step closer to the transparent sea, providing a vivid experience of Pohang’s deep blue ocean.
• Address (location): 922 Chulpori, Heunghea-eup, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do