Important Notice: Please note that I have stopped updating all South Korea-related content published before 2020 on this blog. You may find all updated South Korea travel content at my dedicated, new travel site here: www.thecalmchronicle.com 

In an online poll of  “Countries that Singaporeans want to have an Air Travel Bubble with” conducted by The Straits Times, South Korea scored 40.7 per cent of votes, claiming its place as Singaporean’s favourite destinations after the COVID.

So here are my insider tips of 10 hidden Winter Wonderland destinations you should consider post-pandemic. Who knows, maybe we’ll have a travel-bubble with South Korea someday!

1. Jeonju Hanok Village

If you are an avid foodie at heart and interested in Korean traditional culture, Jeonju (전주) in Jeolla-do province is where you should head to. It is arguably the culinary city of South Korea where a long list of mouth-watering food experiences awaits. And if you are lucky enough, the snow painted Jeonju Hanok Village ( 전주 한옥마을) will be a sight to behold during your trip. Check out our Jeonju Hanok Village Street Food Guide and our 3D2N Jeonju itinerary here.

2. Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm 

Pyeongchang county (평창군)  in Gangwon Province is a snowboard capital of South Korea. And Daegwallyeong (대관령)  is nested within this beautiful county famed of its sheep farms and snow-covered landscape in winter. These enormous sheep farms offer a rare opportunity for city kids to enjoy the beauty of mother nature. Read my dedicated post regarding Daegwallyeong Yangtte Sheep Farm, a delicious Tangsuyuk and Jjajjang Myun restaurant in the region, as well as my recommended accommodation in Degwallyeong at Queen’s Garden Guesthouse.

3. Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌 한옥 마을) in Seoul is a traditional Korean housing cluster inhabited by the elite Yangban Noble class during the Joseon Dynasty. It has developed into a tourist site packed with independent cafes, tea-houses, and interesting shops or museums in recent years. Experience the enchanted atmosphere of Bukchon Hanok village after the snow here.

South Korea, Seoul, Jongno-gu, Gahoe-dong | 서울특별시 종로구 계동길 37 

4. The Palaces

I love going to the palaces in Seoul after heavy snowfall. Gyeongbok Palace is one of my favourites. The frozen lake, blue sky and the red, green, yellow motifs of the traditional architecture make a striking contrast against the white snow. Complete your palace tour experience wearing a traditional hanbok here!

5. Jeongdongjin

Located in Gangneung, Gangwon-do, Jeongdongjin (정동진)  is a picturesque town with a train station closest to the ocean in the world. The beach right behind the Jeongdongjin station is also a well-known sunrise spot. Sunrise spectators would take an overnight train to Jeongdongjin station on the new year’s eve for the first sunrise of the year. The nearby Jeongdongjin Sun Cruise Resort is a beach resort modelled after a cruise ship perched on top of a cliff!

Jeongdongjin Station:
Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, South Korea

Jeongdongjin Sun Cruise Resort:
950-39 Heonhwa-ro, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea 

6.Hahoe Folk Village

Tucked away in a secluded valley in Gyeongsang Province, the Andong Hahoe Folk Village (안동 하회마을)  is an idyllic place to unwind and experience traditional Korean rural life. Visitors can immerse in a rich array of cultural traditions such as Korean Mask Dancing and enjoy a wide variety of ancient culinary delights such as Andong Gangodeungeo (Salted Mackerel), Heotjesabap (A type of Bibimbap for the nobles) and Andong Guksu (A local noodle delicacy). Sleepover at one of the traditional hanok within the village and enjoy the fuzzy, magical and ethereal view the next morning!

40 Hahoe, Pungcheon-myeon, Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea | 안동시 풍천면 하회남촌길 63

7. Gamaksan Mountain

This beautiful photo of winter at Gamaksan Suspension Bridge (감악산 출렁다리) located in Paju definitely warrant a mention on the list! It just feels straight out of the Disney “Frozen” to me. The bridge spans 150 meters across Silmari Valley, and is easily accessible from the car park area! (No hiking required!). Be early to enjoy this majestic winter view all to yourself!

365, Gisan-ro Gwangtan-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do | 경기 파주시 광탄면 기산로 365

8. Paju Heyri Art Village

Located just 1 hour away from Seoul, Paju is a heaven for any art and book lover. The Hyeri Art Village (파주 헤이리 마을) is home to filmmakers, publishers, book writers, and artists. Expect quirky museums & architectures, beautiful cafes, enormous book store and book cafes, interesting studios and art spaces in this village. Paju is the nearest South Korean city to North Korea. And the north’s winter is known to be harsher than the south, so you can imagine Paju to be a winter wonderland after a heavy snowfall.

There is a “Paju English Village” (파주 영어 마을) filled with European styled buildings to create an immersive environment for the students to learn the language. The space is open to the public so you may spot couples taking pre-wedding photos there too!

Paju Hyeri Art Village:
1652-239 Beopheung-ri, Tanhyeon-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do |경기 파주시 탄현면 법흥리 1652-239

Paju English Village:
Paju-si Tanhyeon-myeon Uleumsil-ro 40  |경기 파주시 탄현면 얼음실로 40 

9. Seonunsa Temple

Seonunsa Temple (선운사) is one of the largest temples in the Southern part in Korea with over 1,500 years of its history. And winter is considered one of the best seasons to visit the temple as the camellia flowers bloom and the persimmons ripen. The fiery orange persimmons covered in snow, together with the blooming camellias from shrubs to shrubs make for an alluring sight in winter.

567, Samin-Ri, Asan-Myeon, Gochang-Gun, Jeollabuk-Do, Korea |전라북도 고창군 아산면 선운사로 250 선운사

10. Boseong Green Tea Field 

Located at Jeollanam-do Province, the Boseong Green Tea Field (보성 녹차밭) is another beautiful place to visit after a snowfall in Winter. Enjoy a tranquil walk and soak in the picturesque landscape at Daehan Dawon (대한 다원), the largest green tea plantation in the country as the snow turned the plantation white. Do note that the plantation closes at 5 pm daily during winter.

Daehan Dawon Greentea Plantation:
763-67, Nokcha-ro, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do | 전라남도 보성군 보성읍 녹차로 763-67 

All photos are provided by KTO unless otherwise stated.
Please note that information of the article is accurate at the time of publishing. 

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Li

Important Notice: Please note that I have stopped updating all South Korea-related content published before 2020 on this blog. You may find all updated South Korea travel content at my dedicated, new travel site here: www.thecalmchronicle.com 

For those who enjoy the beautiful scenery of South Korea, and would love a free & easy trip to their coastal provinces, I highly recommend the Gangwon province. It has gorgeous sheep farms, endless mountains and breathtaking ocean view, suitable for nature lovers, couples and family with kids.

I embarked on a quest for a place to stay in Daegwallyeong after deciding to bring dad and mom for our first family trip in Gangwon-do. After some search on Naver, I found Queen’s Garden, a beautiful guesthouse located in Hoenggye (횡계), a town in Pyeong Chang that is a 19 minutes drive away to Daegwallyeong Yangtte Sheep Farm. It is a family-run guesthouse famed for its beautifully decorated garden.

As our family trip took place a few weeks before the arrival of autumn, the changing of the season brought a sudden thunderstorm. We were all drenched by the time we reached the guesthouse. The owner set up a cosy fireplace at the lobby cafe and served towels and herbal tea as a welcome drink. Though with limited English capacity, we were delighted by the friendly, thoughtful and authentic service.

We booked a “Pension” room, which is a type of lodging widely found in quiet towns or countryside in South Korea. A pension usually comes with family-friendly facilities, such as separating bedroom, bathrooms, kitchen and ondol-style flooring, which is a excellent amenities for old-folks. Each pension comes in different configuration, and our room has a mezzanine level which has 3 beds and a sofa that can easily be converted into a single bed – great for a 4 pax family!

The room has a veranda that has direct access to the garden, a perfect place for a BBQ party, especially from spring to summer. We did opted-in for their in-house BBQ dinner package which was supposed to take place at the veranda. However, due to the bad weather, we had to move the dinner venue to the lobby cafe.

We had Hanwoo beef and BBQ pork prepared by the owner of Queen’s Garden. The meat was fatty, tender and juicy. We also loved the side-dishes made by the owner’s wife. Though we did not get to experience in-room dining, the atmosphere at the cafe was warm and invigorating, as if we were dining at a friend’s place.

We woke up in the morning feeling refreshed at our pension. The sky has cleared up, and the crisp autumn morning air makes us feel vibrant and excited. We went out at the veranda and inhaled the natural forest fresh air — a much-needed forest bathing indeed.

The complimentary breakfast was a simple and hearty spread consists of salad, juices, soup, bagels with butter and assorted homemade jam. We finished up our breakfast and decided to take a tour at Queen’s Garden’s famed garden. Unfortunately, the damaging storm left the plants flattened – my photos certainly do not do them justice as it was taken right after the storm. I believe the garden will look stunning after tidying up, especially when the weather is good!

Writer’s Note: 

Queen’s Garden is a lovely guesthouse at Hoenggye, perfect for those who are visiting Gangwon-do (or Gangwon Province), especially the Daegwallyeong area. Traditionally known as the best winter destination, this province is exceptionally beautiful in winter. However, I would also recommend you to visit this place even in the summer because it is reportedly 6 degrees cooler than Seoul. This would also mean that the winter in Gangwon-do will get even colder in winter, so do dress appropriately. During the warmer season, you may have a picnic or a swim by the valley which is a stone’s throw away or have an ATV ride session against the scenic wind generator area.

I love how near Queen’s Garden is from Hoenggye Bus Terminal, and you can easily hail a cab to the guesthouse. As for touring around the area, I figured it is best to hire a taxi driver that drives you around the whole day. However, making a reservation wasn’t exactly a breeze. You’ll need a Korean bank account for a deposit, which I find most overseas tourist would find this a hassle. However, if you’d like an experience similar to local Korean, you may still write in to enquire. The owner might be able to help with your booking without a deposit but please do your part by not backing out!

Contact Details:

Queens Garden
Tel.:  +82 10-9012-2583
Email: queens700@naver.com
https://queensgarden.co.kr/ (Korean)

퀸스가든
강원도 평창군 대관령면 경강로 5425-21

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If you are currently located in South Korea, please download Kakao Map App and navigate by clicking the map below:

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It is indeed an excellent place for winter vacation. But I’d like to cast light on the summer in Pyeongchang. The summer temperature in Pyeongchang is claimed to be 6 degrees Celsius lower than in Seoul, makes it a perfect getaway to escape the sweltering summer heat in Korea. If you are planning a summer vacation to South Korea, Pyeongchang is worth checking out, especially for those who would like to explore beyond Seoul.

The sheep ranches in Daegwallyeong are one of the best places to check out while in Pyeongchang. The 3 sheep ranches that are open for public visits in Daegwallyeong are Yangtte Sheep Farm (양떼 목장), Samyang Sheep Farm (삼양 목장) and Sky Sheep Farm (하늘 목장). They are all one-of-its-kind, so it’s hard to select just one farm to visit. For this post, we’ll be talking about Yangtte Sheep Farm, and I’ll come back to the rest in future.

Yangtte Sheep Farm is South Korea’s first and the only ranch that raises sheep. The owner started building the farm in 1988, and it gained popularity after a few TV dramas and commercial took place here. The barn and fences were painstakingly built by the owner and his team.

One thing you should probably note when travelling to Pyeongchang in summer is that the season is usually shorter compared to other provinces. We visited Pyeongchang in the 2nd week of August. While Seoul was still in the dead heat of summer, the maple trees in this region were starting to turn red. Rain is frequent during the transitional season so a poncho will be handy.

It rained on and off all day during our visit, and a thick fog enveloped the ranch. Though inconvenient, the sight of the foggy farm was a true sight to behold.

Down the slope across the ranch is a feeding barn, where visitors would be able to get up close with these fluffy creatures. Just show your entrance ticket in exchange for a small basket of hay – I bet kids would enjoy this activity!

We were lucky as it was a brief shower and by the time we finished feeding the sheep, the rain stopped, and the sheep were out again. Isn’t it soothing to see the fluffy creatures roaming freely on the green fields? Please do not forget to visit the wooden shack in the middle of the ranch on your way up or down the feeding barn. It is an iconic sight in Daegwalleong that is certainly not to be missed.

Writer’s Note: Daegwallyeong Yangtte Sheep Farm is great place to check out in Pyeongchang. I love the rustic and natural landscape, and the long circular walkway that surrounds the entire ranch. I went there for that beautiful wooden shack though, but I’d say it is a destination suitable for all seasons: You’ll see about 300 sheep graze on the vast field from March to late October and a magical winter wonderland in the winter. However, the sheep will go indoor during winter.

Contact Details:

Daegwallyeong Yangtte Farm 대관령 양떼목장
483-32, Daegwallyeongmaru-gil, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwondo
강원도 평창군 대관령면 대관령마루길 483-32

Transportation:

It is not exactly convenient to go to the farm using public transport, but it is not entirely impossible.

1. Take the subway Line No.2 to Gangbyeon Station (강변 역), and take exit 4.
2. This will bring you to the Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (동서울 터미널), where you can take an intercity bus to Hoenggye (횡계) Intercity Bus Terminal. The bus journey will take about 2hr and 30 minutes, and the ticket cost KRW 14,500 per pax.
3. Once arrived at Hoenggye Intercity Bus Terminal, you may take a red colour shuttle bus to the farm, OR take a taxi to Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm. The taxi will cost you about KRW 12,000, and it takes about 10 minutes.)

Maps:

2019.6.29 | 지도 크게 보기 ©  NAVER Corp.

If you are currently located in South Korea, you may download the Naver Map app to navigate. 

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So we were checking out Daegwallyeong sheep farms, and our guesthouse host recommended this place for lunch. Though it was summer, it was a rainy day and the temperature dropped to 18 degrees Celcius, perfect weather for Jjajjangmyun and Tangsuyuk!

Upon entering Jintaewon Restaurant, we were greeted by the friendly Korean ajumma. Some Chinese paintings adorned the dated wallpapers, and we were led to the very traditional Korean seating where everyone has to sit on the floor. The restaurant has only 6 tables, and the premise is rather old and unassuming, but no one seemed to care. Now when I think about it, it was the food that draws attention.

A quick background for those who’re interested: Jjajjangmyun, according to Wikipedia is a Chinese Korean noodle dish topped with a savoury and sweet, black gravy made of a Korean condiment Chunjang, diced pork and veggies. It is often consumed with Tangsuyuk, a Korean Chinese version of Sweet & Sour Pork.

We were taken aback by the boss’s generosity when they served us fried dumplings before serving the rest of the dishes. It was fried pork dumplings (퇴김만두). It is common that most Korean restaurants offer free items (often called as “Service”서비스), BUT I have never encountered any Korean Chinese restaurants that offer fried dumplings, not one but 12 dumplings all together.

These dumplings are in the most luscious golden brown colour, and is juicy and crispy that keep us wanting for more.

Next up was the Tangsuyuk. Jintaewon’s tangsuyuk was lightly coated with a layer of extra crispy skin, then coated with sweet and sour sauce, with fresh veggies to add that extra crunch. The light, fluffy yet robustly crispy Tangsuyuk was one of the best I had in my entire life. The pork was fresh and very tender, no funky smell at all. You’ll hear the crackling sound of the skin echoes as you chew, and the sweet and sour flavour kicks in… definitely one of the best tangsuyuks in South Korea.

The homemade noodles were springy. Give it a good stir and slurp it up — the chewy texture, together with the salty gravy, with bits of potato cubes and green beans in it, it was so good. Especially so when you eat it with the sliced radish. The slight sweetness emits from the radish balanced the palate and the crunchy texture compliment the chewy noodles so well. I figured this is the reason why I enjoy eating jjajjangmyun and tangsuyuk. They are so simple yet highly addictive, nothing fancy but true luxury.

Contact Details:

Jintaewon 
325-18 Hoenggye-ri, Daegwalnyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-730pm| Sun: 12:30pm-7:30pm
진태원
강원도 평창군 대관령면 횡계길 19

Note: It is an extremely popular restaurant at Pyeongchang, you’ll be prompt to leave your mobile number with them. If you do not have a local number, it is best to stay around and wait. 

Maps:

If you are currently located in South Korea, you may use the below map to navigate:

2019.5.25 | 지도 크게 보기 ©  NAVER Corp.