Gariwangsan Mountain

Gariwangsan Mountain, one of Korea's famous mountains, is a 1,561m high mountain spanning Jeongseon-gun and Pyeongchang-gun in Gangwon-do. It is said to have been called Galwangsan Mountain because it was a place where King Galwang hid to escape a rebellion, and its name changed to Gariwangsan Mountain during the Japanese colonial period. Gariwangsan Mountain is densely forested with various trees and is rich in medicinal herbs including wild ginseng and edible mountain greens. On clear days, the East Sea can be viewed from the summit. Hoedong Valley is the source of Yongtancheon Stream, where the天然 monument species, the Manchurian trout, inhabits the clear waters. In spring, azaleas bloom profusely; in autumn, the area is adorned with fall foliage; and in winter, it becomes a silver world of white snow, creating spectacular scenery across all four seasons. With its beautiful landscape and being the center of the Baekdudaegan mountain range, it has a colony of yew trees and has been designated as a Forest Genetic Resource Reserve and Natural Recreation Forest, recognized for its scenic and ecological value, and selected as one of the Korea Forest Service's 100 Notable Mountains. Every summer, the Gariwangsan Music Festival is held at Gariwangsan Mountain, and in winter, a ski resort and resort operate. It is a popular destination for hikers and one of Gangwon-do's representative tourist attractions. Nearby attractions worth visiting together include Hwaam Cave, designated as a natural monument; Samtan Art Mine, a former coal mine site transformed into an art space; High1 Resort with Gangwon's largest ski resort and casino; and Skywalk and zip wire facilities.