Being located right next to the border, Cheorwon combines beautiful scenery with the tragedy of the division between North and South Korea. Here are some stunning photos that prove Cheorwon is worth a visit.
For a complete list of attractions, festivals, and accommodations in Cheorwon, download the pdf version of the map here
Photo Gallery by QuickGallery.com
Sambuyeon Falls (삼부연 폭포) |
This is one of Cheorwon’s most spectacular sights. The waterfall derives its name from the three hollows that have been eroded in the rock face which resemble three cooking pots. The nearby town called Yonghwa-dong holds a legend of a dragon that ascended to heaven from this place. For more info, click here.
Seungilgyo Bridge (승일교) |
Half of this bridge was built by the North Korean Communist regime. The other half was built by the South Korean government after the area was recovered by South Korea.
There are two stories about the origin of the name. One is that the name takes one word each from then South Korean President Rhee Seung-man and then North Korean leader Kim Il Sung, to signify the involvement of the two governments in its construction. The other version is that the bridge was named in memory of Colonel Park Seungil who died during combat near the river.
Cars are no longer allowed to cross the bridge since it is a registered cultural asset. In 1999, the government commissioned the construction of Hantandaegyo Bridge which was built alongside Seungilgyo.
Goseokjeong (고석정) |
Goseokjeong refers to the entire area around the Goseokjeong Pavilion and the valley surrounding Goseok Rock. Im Kkeok-jeong, who was the legendary leader of a peasant rebellion in the early Joseon Dynasty, is believed to have hidden in the 10m high rock which has natural cave inside. Im Kkeok-jeong resisted against the corrupt social class by helping the poor with the tribute goods that he had extorted around this area while the goods were being carried to the court from the Hamgyeong-do region. For more info, click here.
Cheorwon Peace Observatory (철원평화전망대) |
A three-storey building built in August 2007. The first floor holds a permanent exhibit about the DMZ while the 2nd floor is the lookout in the DMZ, from which the North Korean propaganda village can be seen. For more info, click here.
Woljeongni Station (월정리역) |
Trains running between Seoul and Wonsan used to stop at this station. Behind the sign 'The cheolma (iron horse) wants to run,' the remains of a train which was destroyed by the bombardment during the Korean War has been sitting here for over 60 years. For more info, click here.
Nodongdangsa – The House of Labor Party Ruins (노동당사) |
This North Korean Labor Party Office was used to promote communist politics and control people before the Korean War. The building was so notorious that people used to say “Anyone that goes in never comes out intact.” For more info, click here.
Unfortunately, the building was under maintenance work when we went; hence the lack of photos. According to the notice, it finishes on Dec. 5, 2013, so it should be available for viewing now.
Baekma Highground Monument (백마고지 위령비) |
This monument is dedicated to the Korean army and foreign soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the war. From here, you can see Baekma Hill. The hill would change hands 24 times after repeated attacks and counterattacks for its possession. It was one of the most intense position-grasping battles for a small hill during the course of the Korean War. Afterwards, Baekma Hill looked like a threadbare white horse, hence its name of Baekma, meaning a white horse. The 2011 movie "The Front Line" (Gojijeon) will give you an idea of what this battle was like.
Dopiansa Temple (도피안사) |
The temple was named Dopiansa to indicate that the iron-made Buddha statue had reached “pian”, meaning an eternal place to rest. In addition to the legendary iron Variocana Buddha statue (National Treasure No. 63), the temple houses a 4.1 meter-tall three-story granite pagoda (Treasure No. 223). For more info, click here.
Jiktang Falls (직탕폭포) |
Famous for its unique structure, this waterfall cascades in the middle of the entire section of the stream. The 80m width makes it the widest in the nation.
Bird Watching in Cheorwon (철원 철새탐조관광) |
Every winter, cranes, eagles, geese, and other migratory birds come to Cheorwon. Cranes stalking around the fields and birds taking off en masse from the reservoir make bird watchers exclaim in awe. The four best bird-watching spots are Togyo Reservoir, Dongsong Reservoir, Woljeong Station Observation Deck, and the Saemtong area. For more info, click here.
For videos from the trip, watch these clips from Steve Miller:
Cheorwon Part 1:
Cheorwon Part 2:
Cheorwon Part 1:
Cheorwon Part 2:
For a complete list of attractions, festivals, and accommodations in Cheorwon, download the pdf version of the map here
Photo Gallery by QuickGallery.com
OUR GUEST PHOTOGRAPHERS FOR THIS TRIP: | |
 | Jason Teale |
 | Douglas Macdonald |
 | Simon Bond |
 | Scott Rotzoll |
 | Steve Miller |
 | |
 | Keith Homan |