Mureung Byeolyucheonji
South Korea might be well-known for their technologically advanced cities, but there are just as many natural areas that you can explore and appreciate that are equally marvellous to witness.
One such place is Mureung Byeolyucheonji near the East Sea coast, a sprawling natural area where you can enjoy some thrilling high-element activities while basking in the scenic nature.
Stunning natural scenery
Image credit: 샤런 via Naver
Take your first steps into Muruengbyeol Yucheonji, and you’ll be greeted with an expansive natural sight. Hills in a blanket of lush greenery (or red, depending on the season) surround a crystal-clear azure lake, with towering mountains that touch the clouds in the background.
Image adapted from: 옹짱 via Naver, @parkaeji via Instagram
While the lake itself is plenty beautiful, there are photo-worthy structures all around its borders that’ll give your photos just a little more pizzazz.
Image adapted from: 엘리온 via Naver
One of the most impressive lakeside sculptures is a huge giant stone statue and its lower body they call the Giant’s Rest. The lower body has a wire frame where the torso supposedly would have gone, and inside the frame sits a swing.
Image credit: @gangwon_herewhat via Instagram
If you time your trip right, you can also marvel at their lavender fields when they bloom in spring, roughly around May to June.
Image adapted from: 엘리온 via Naver
Tucked away on one of the hills is the Dumir Observatory, where you can enjoy the breathtaking views from way up high. You can even take a photo here and pretend it’s a drone shot – that’s how high up the observatory is.
Image adapted from: 엘리온 via Naver
There are also seating areas here for you to rest your weary feet from the hike up – be warned, you’ll need to walk a substantial way up an inclined path to get this high-up, breathtaking view.
Image adapted from: 엘리온 via Naver
There’s a free shuttle service that you can take to get there and around the entire area. The buses stop at each of their high-element attractions in the park. It might not take you to the exact spots you want, but you’ll walk a lot less for sure.
Leisure sports
Image credit: 엘리온 via Naver
Besides exploring the beautiful outdoors, Mureung Byeolyucheonji offers thrilling high-element sports for all you adrenaline junkies.
The first and arguably their most iconic ride is the Sky Glider (KRW30,000, USD21 per person). At a height of 125m high and 777m in length, the glider will make you feel like you’re an eagle soaring in the great outdoors as you “fly” across the park. You’ll even be granted a bird’s eye view of the lake – pun intended.
Image adapted from: 쪼롱 via Naver, @seonmin_yo via Instagram
The next ride you can experience is the Luge ride (KRW15,000, USD10.50 per person), where you can zoom down their 1.5km-long track. Take it slow and enjoy the views along the way, or live out your Fast and Furious fantasies and book it down the lane.
Image credit: 엘리온 via Naver
The Rollercoaster Zip Line (KRW20,000, ~USD14 per person) combines the thrills of being suspended high on a zip line with the twists and turns of a rollercoaster to bring you an experience you won’t easily find elsewhere.
Image credit: @haru_kare_cream via Instgram
Lastly, their Alpine Coaster (KRW20,000, ~USD14 per person) is also not to be missed. Tucked away safely in your own personal bobsled-like coaster, the course takes you into the surrounding nature and woods, while zipping and twisting around at thrilling speeds that’s sure to get your heart racing.
Get a package deal for all 4 rides for KRW70,000 (~USD50).
Note: there is a minimum height requirement of 130cm (140cm for Alpine Coaster), to participate in these activities.
Observatory cafe
Image credit: @hojunlee24 via Instagram
Exploring the area and going on the thrilling rides can tire you out, so to cap off your day, pay a visit to the main observatory building.
Image adapted from: 엘리온 via Naver
There are art exhibitions featuring paintings and sculptures for you to marvel at here. The space also takes on a whole new vibe as a result fo these artworks, conveying a sense of sleek, modern beauty that contrasts the messy, natural outdoors just beyond the window.
Image credit: 엘리온 via Naver
Head up to the 2 top floors of the building where the cafe is located to rest your legs. You can still continue to appreciate the gorgeous scenery through the floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. Or, grab a seat on the outdoor patio if you prefer to be outdoors.
Image credit: @hojunlee24 via Instagram
While you’re here, you should definitely try their Cement Soft Serve (KRW6,500, ~USD4.60). Inspired by the limestone excavation and various construction-related work that used to occur in the area before it became an attraction, it even has a tiny shovel as a spoon and comes with a roasted marshmallow to boot.
Getting to Mureung Byeolyucheonji
If enjoying Mother Nature in all her majesty sounds like something you need on your vacation, then Mureung Byeolyucheonji is a great place to include in your itinerary.
How to get there:
- From Donghae station, take bus 111 for 27 stops.
- Alight and Ssangyong Rear Gate stop and walk down the road.
- Turn right at the first turn and keep on that path, Mureung Byeolyucheonji is on your right.
Address: 380 Samhwa-ro, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 0507-1448-0101
For other unique places to visit, check out REDFIFE, a 3-in-1 eatery; Cinema Factory, where you can watch movies in private rooms; Hieutu, a Vietnamese restaurant in Korea; where to get vegan food in Seoul; and 14 bagel spots in Seoul.
Cover image adapted from: @hojunlee24 via Instagram, 엘리온 via Naver, 옹짱 via Naver
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