PyeongChang Winter Olympic : Tourist Attractions in PyeongChang

To be honest, other than Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island, I knew nothing about other places in South Korea. Well I've never been to Busan and Jeju Island but at least I know what are their attractions.

Then came the 2018 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics...

And so, I was introduced to Gangwon province thanks to Korea Tourism Organization. :)

PyeongChang is a county in Gangwon province of South Korea, approximately 180km east of Seoul. The area is about 1464 km2 but the population is only 43,666. It's located in the Taebaek Mountains regions so the weather is rather cold and cool, with annual average of 10 degree Celcius. Perfect for Winter Games, right?

But other than the Winter Olympics, Pyeongchang also has its own attractions.

Yongpyong Resort

Yongpyong Resort is situated at the center of Korea’s Baekdudaegan Mountain Range, and sees an average of 250 centimeters of snowfall per season, which makes for excellent skiing conditions. Not only that, the resort’s enormous 17 million sq meter complex includes a 45-hole golf course, gondolas, swimming pool, and other facilities. This all-season recreational complex allows visitors to escape from daily life and relax.

Yongpyong Resort has an impressive ski slopes, including the popular Rainbow Slopes, and offers excellent facilities for skiers. The resort's Dragon Plaza offers a variety of services for skiers and snowboarders.

No more snow during my visit last month but you will see something like below picture during the winter season.

Sooo beautiful !!

Yongpyong Resort has hosted a number of international competitions, including the World Cup Ski Competition and the Asian Winter Games.

If you are a fan of Korean drama, this resort was also the filming site for 'Goblin' and 'Winter Sonata'.

Check out their website for more information.

Jeonggangwon

The Traditional Korean Food Culture Experience Center was established in order to preserve, research, distribute and promote the values and merits of traditional Korean food culture in the world. There are various hands-on facilities for traditional food culture such as an exhibition hall, cooking room, and a fermentation room.

A great place for anyone who wants to learn more and take part in various aspects of traditional Korean food culture I must say. I had fun main masak-masak there :D

Malaysia represents! 

We made tteokbbokki, or royal court rice pasta which the ancient royal court enjoyed as the delicacy.

yummehhh!!

Check out their website if you are interested to visit.

Woljeongsa Temple

Woljeongsa Temple is located in the national park of Mt. Odaesan, and it is composed of 60 temples and 8 monasteries made into one large temple. Woljeongsa Temple has a long history, it was established in 643 during the Goryeo period by Monk Ja Jang.

During the Korean War in the early 1950s, the temple was totally destroyed as opposing forces took refuge there. It has since been rebuilt entirely.

Woljeongsa has many items of cultural heritage. There are 9 items of state-designated heritage that include the 9-storey Octagonal Pagoda and a Seated Stone Buddha figure.

Octagonal 9 story stone pagoda believed to have been constructed in the 10th century


tunnel of lanterns

Woljeongsa offers Templestay programs for visitors where they can experience Buddhist culture. 

We had the chance to make 108 prayer beads. Why 108 you wonder? Each one represents an affliction you need to dispose of in order to walk the path of enlightenment.

If you are interested to visit, refer here .

Other attractions in Pyeongchang  include Sky Ranch, Samyang Ranch, Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm and Uiyaji Wind Village.  I didn't get the chance to visit them but they look interesting!

Sky Ranch

Established in 1974, the Sky Ranch has a 40-year-old history with a huge ranch of 9 million sq meters. Currently, about 400 Holstein cows are bred up along with a hundred of hanu (Korean cow) in an eco-friendly way.

For more info, refer here .

Samyang Ranch

Asia's largest green pasture, this vast meadow is where milking cows feed on the fresh, clean grass. The view from the plateau, reaching a height of 1,470 meters, is remarkable as well. If you go up to Daegwallyeong Observatory, you can see as far as Gangneung, Jumunjin, and even the East Sea.

For more info, refer here .

Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm

Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm raises sheep on an area of 195km2, and is privately owned. There are many ranches in Pyeongchang, but Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm is the only ranch that raises sheep. The sheep grazing field is surrounded by a 1.2 meter-long circular walkway, so visitors can view the sheep at all times during their visit.

To get a closer experience with the sheep, sign up for the feeding experience, where you can give dried hay to the sheep and even reach out to touch their fuzzy heads.

For more info, refer here .

Uiyaji Wind Village

Located on the highlands of Pyeongchang County, Uiyaji Wind Village is a mountain village situated on top of Daegwatllyeong. At Uiyaji Wind Village, one can enjoy various types of activities such as making cheese or ice cream as well as enjoying the beautiful sight of wind-mills standing high above the frozen plain.

For more info, refer here .