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Juwangsan National Park
Located in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula, Juwangsan (720.6m) sits at the junction of the Baekdudaegan mountain range, the backbone of the peninsula, extending from the Taebaek Mountains. It is renowned as one of the top three rocky mountains in Korea, adorned with numerous rock peaks and picturesque valleys. Designated as a tourist destination on May 30, 1972, Juwangsan became the 12th national park on March 30, 1976. Covering a total area of 105.582㎢, it spans across five districts of two counties, Cheongsong and Yeongdeok. It is bordered by Seoraksan and Odaesan to the north, Gyeongju to the south, and Sobaeksan and Deogyusan to the west. In addition to peaks like Taehaengsan, Dusuram, and Gamabong, the park features attractions such as Jubanggyegok Valley, Jeolgolgyegok Valley, and Wolaegyegok Valley. With towering rocky outcrops resembling screens, Juwangsan was initially known as Seokbyeongsan during the Silla Dynasty, later renamed Juwangsan during the late Unified Silla period. Offering not only four waterfalls but also caves, ancient fortresses, and subsidiary hermitages, Juwangsan is a treasure trove of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
• Address (location): 169-7 Gongwon-gil, Juwangsan-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Mokgye Pine Forest
Located on National Highway 31, stretching from Cheongsong-gun to Jinbo-myeon, is a 9,917m² pine forest with pine trees reaching heights of 15~20m, forming a dense cluster. Along the road, around 200 pine trees create a cool, shaded forest in Mokgye Pine Forest, perfect for tourists on a drive. Recently, many visitors have been enjoying picnics in the pine forest, making it a popular spot for nature lovers.
• Address (location): 6070 Cheongsong-ro, Pacheon-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Jungpyeong Pine Grove
Jungpyeong Pine Grove is a 3,000-square-meter pine forest located at the entrance of Jungpyeong-ri in Pacheon-myeon, Cheongsong. The forest, with over 80 pine trees that are over 200 years old, forms a lush woodland. It serves as a classic example of a ‘bivorim’ to keep the positive energy within the village and also acts as a visually pleasing boundary to prevent outsiders from peeking into the village. Inside the forest, residents and tourists can find a peaceful retreat. Jungpyeong Pine Grove is well-maintained with facilities such as decks for camping, showers, and the nearby Yongjeon Stream, making it a perfect spot for families to enjoy fishing and a relaxing summer vacation. In the village, visitors can experience the traditional charm of Korean hanok houses and glimpse into the spirit of scholars of the past at Jungpyeong Seonbi Village, also known as Cheongsong’s International Slow City. Here, you can explore the Pyeongsan Shin Clan’s ancestral homes like Pyeongsan Shin Judge’s Office, Seobjeok House, and Sanang House, designated as National Folk Cultural Heritage sites in 2014.
• Address (location): 34 Jangpyeong-ri, Pacheon-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
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Geupsudae Columnar Jointing
The representative rock in Juwangsan National Park is the tuff rock called andesite. Andesite is a rock formed when volcanic ash spewed out during a volcanic explosion solidifies. The columnar jointing in Juwangsan refers to rocks that have split into pillar-like shapes, created as lava or volcanic ash rapidly cools and contracts. Geupsudae Columnar Joints are columnar joints formed as volcanic ash cools, and it is the most distinct area for columnar joints among the many andesite cliffs in Juwangsan. The name Geupsudae originates from the legend of Kim Juwon, a nobleman of the Silla Dynasty, who sought refuge in Juwangsan and built a palace on the cliffs, where he poured the water of Jubangcheon through wooden pipes.
• Address (location): 346 Gongwon-gil, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Nasil Magma Mixed Plateau
Located in Daerim-ri, Bunam-myeon, Cheongsong, Nasil Village is a charming little village nestled in a small basin surrounded by ridges, with the highest peak reaching 540 meters. This unique village was formed as a result of the mingling of granite magma from the Cenozoic Era with rhyolite magma, which was eroded in a distinctive way. Particularly on the middle ridge, you can observe granitic rhyolite magma formed by the mixing of two types of magma. The diverse distribution of various types of volcanic rocks in a narrow area in concentric circles serves as a great outdoor learning site showcasing the process of magma mixing.
Daerim-ri, Bunam-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Beopsu Doseok
In Cheongsong, instead of using the typical kaolin clay for making porcelain, they use a white rock ground into powder to create Cheongsong porcelain. This rock is known as Beopsu Doseok, which is white unlike the grayish hue of the typical weathered andesite, due to being altered by hot hydrothermal fluids. Additionally, Beopsu Doseok contains a rare clay mineral called hamlithium tosudite, found in fewer than 10 locations worldwide, giving it high value.
• Address (location): 190 Beopsu-gil, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Songgang-ri Valley Ecological Structure
Oxygen Cafe Cheongsong Garden is home to the nation’s largest zinnia garden, spread across approximately 1,355,000 square meters in Singi-ri, Pacheon-myeon. It’s a highly recommended destination for an autumn getaway, where you can stroll through a vast expanse filled with vibrant and beautiful zinnias of all colors. The densely planted zinnias stretch over the large grounds, giving you the feeling of walking along a true flower path.
Cheongsong is also well known for its apples, so you’ll find many apple-shaped photo zones scattered throughout the area. There are also various photo spots such as benches nestled between the flower paths, making it a popular attraction among tourists.At the ticket booth of Oxygen Cafe Cheongsong Garden, you can borrow a pretty parasol. On sunny days, borrowing one will make your visit even more pleasant.
The zinnia, known for blooming in vivid red for about 100 days, gets its name from this long flowering period. They bloom beautifully from June to October each year, so we highly recommend visiting during that time!
• Address (location): 5865 Cheongsong-ro, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Yongchu Gorge
Yongchu means a pond where a dragon ascended to the sky, and hyeopgok refers to a narrow and deep valley with steep slopes where rocks rise on both sides. The Yongchu Gorge of Juwangsan was formed over a long period of time through weathering and erosion of the volcanic tuff that was thickly piled up and solidified due to volcanic explosions in the late Cretaceous period (100 million to 65 million years ago). The waterfall in Yongchu Gorge consists of a total of 3 tiers. Below the first-tier waterfall is Seonnyeotang, below the second-tier waterfall is a rock hole called Guryongsoro, and below the third-tier waterfall is a pothole formed by erosion from the force of water falling, known as Pokho.
• Address (location): Sangui-ri, Juwangsan-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Jeolgu Valley
Jeolgu Valley, stretching approximately 5km from Jeolgu Temple Site to Daemun Bridge within Juwangsan National Park, is a narrow and deep gorge that earned its name from the temple called Unsuam that used to be there in the past. Composed of solidified volcanic ash known as tuff, the valley was formed by volcanic eruptions. As the volcanic ash cooled and solidified, it underwent contraction, creating fractures in the rock known as joints. Similar to Yongchu Valley, Jeolgu Valley also features vertical joints, along which erosion processes carved out the valley. Water flows through this valley, gradually carving the rocky floor and giving rise to the present narrow and deep gorge. Thanks to its stunning scenery, the valley is also known as the ‘Trail to Walk Alongside Clouds and Water.’
• Address (location): 124 Jusanji-ri, Juwangsan-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Jukbangcheon Pepper Lights
Pepperite is a type of rock formed when lava or magma rapidly cools upon meeting sediment in the sea or a lake, or sediment that has not yet fully hardened. It is created when broken pieces mix with the sediment, resembling pepper sprinkled in soup, hence the name Pepperite combining ‘pepper’ and ‘-rite’. You can observe Pepperite, which includes red rock fragments in the basalt, from Juwangsan National Park entrance to Yongchupo Waterfall.
• Address (location): Sangui-ri, Juwangsan-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Cheongsong Ice Valley
In Korea, there is a unique phenomenon where warm winds blow in winter and cold winds blow in summer, causing the seasons to reverse in a place known as the Ice Valley. There are about 20 Ice Valleys scattered across the country, including Miryang in Gyeongsangnam-do and Uiseong in Gyeongsangbuk-do. The Cheongsong Ice Valley appears beneath towering cliffs where rocks stack up below, a terrain called ‘Aechu.’ The air that enters through the crevices of the thickly stacked rocks is influenced by the cool and humid underground, flowing downward along the rock crevices. As the cool, moist air below meets the warm, dry air escaping outward, moisture in the air evaporates, lowering the temperature and creating Ice Valleys. The north-facing slope of the Ice Valley plays a crucial role in its formation by minimizing exposure to sunlight. In Cheongsong, there is a famous mineral spring with good-tasting and healthful water, and the artificial waterfall at Tanggeonbong is a popular summer resort destination.
• Address (location): Naeryong-ri, Juwangsan-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do