Top Things to do in Chungcheongbuk-do
Top 5 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongbuk-do
Discover the best top things to do in Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea including Sangdangsanseong Fortress, Beopjusa Temple, Guinsa Temple, Songnisan National Park, Mancheonha Skywalk.
Restaurants in Chungcheongbuk-do
1. Sangdangsanseong Fortress
2. Beopjusa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By elysiansoul - Seoul, South Korea
Beopjusa Temple, nestled in Songnisan National Park, was first established 553 A.D. Historically a royal temple that is home to several treasures. Hearing the monks chant sutras before snacking on Hotteok was a bonus. There is so much history here. The trailhead entrances are next to the temple entry, but the wall to the temple is an easy path. Definitely recommend.
3. Guinsa Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By andrewkI4165PK - Hoi An, Vietnam
Probably one of the best temples I have ever visited in Asia. Going to the top of the temple is definitely a steep and long hike up, but with every step towards the top becomes more serene and beautiful. If you're looking for a cheap and worth while trip in Korea, Guinsa temple is definitely worth the trip. Each building is an art on its own, and not to mention the garden that has developed around the temple is amazingly beautiful. Once at the top just take a moment to take in your surrounding. I would highly suggest going during spring or fall when it's not hot or cold as I could see it being a serious challenge in the cold or especially in the hot humid weather Korea can be during the summer as the hike is extremely steep.
4. Songnisan National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By dawns04966 - Farmington, United States
The National Park has something for everyone with small shops and restaurants lining the entry road, sculptures in the wooded park, beautiful hiking trails with frequent rest/tea shops, and temples to explore. They have somewhat useful maps at the information center, I recommend bringing one. Just past the entry gate is Beopjusa Temple with Palsangjeon, possibly the oldest and tallest pagoda in Korea and an impressive 33 meter high Buddha covered in gold leaf. The hiking trails begin just beyond the temple and start out very easy and run along a nice lake - definitely recommend the path over the road which runs essentially parallel and meet at the first big intersection. About 3k up the gradual path the trail splits to go either to Munjangdae Rock at 1054m elevation or the peak, Cheonwangbong at 1058m elevation. Both are about 3.8k up and there is a trail between (about 3.1k) so you can get to both spots and have a round trip only retracing the initial 3-ish kilometers between the split and the Beopjusa Temple. The rock is impressive and build in stairs allow a smooth hike to the top with excellent views of the surrounding mountains. The hike over to the peak was fun, almost a ridge-line with views on both sides of the mountain. Personally I think the view from the rock was better than the peak, of you are short on time this may be the more impressive site. Be careful to watch the signs and the map to ensure you don’t walk down the other side of the mountain, ending up far from your car or bus. There are more temples to see along the routes and plenty of opportunities to purchase drinks or snacks along the way. We had a beautiful day and not too crowded on the trails. I would recommend this hike to friends/family as an easy to moderately difficult hike with rewarding views.
5. Mancheonha Skywalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By SQKrisflyer - Singapore, null
My family and I spent about 1 exhilarating hour on a Friday afternoon up at this skywalk gem that was opened in 2017 and that was selected as one of the “2019-2020 100 must visit tourist spots of Korea”. Getting there and entrance fee: My family and I joined a one-day “Danyang 8 Scenic Wonders, Dodamsambong Peak and Chungju Lake Cruise” tour organised by One Day Korea of which one of the additional stops was the Mancheonha Skywalk (만천하 스카이워크). If you would want to come on your own, the rarely available information recommend to either take a taxi or intra-city bus to Jeokseong-myeon (Aegok)) from the Danyang Intercity Bus Terminal (very near to the Danuri Aquarium). After parking our car, we bought admission tickets (₩3,000 for adults aged 19 to 65, ₩2,500 for children aged 6 to 18 and for seniors aged 65 and above), following which we boarded a bus that took us up to the base of the observatory. I saw people walking up but I would not advise it because the road to the observatory is at least 2 kilometres. The Skywalk Observatory: Upon alighting from the bus, we lifted our heads and gasped at the uniquely horse hoof or slanted egg-shaped Mancheonha Skywalk. It is a 30-metre high observatory that stands over the cliffs that line the Namhan River (Namhangang) and some 80 to 90 metres above the Namhan River. After walking long winding wooden walkway, we then transferred to the gentle sloped spiral walkway of the Mancheonha Skywalk to reach the top of the observatory. At the top of the observatory, you have the breath-taking panoramic view of Sangjin-ri (part of Danyang-eup), the u-shaped meandering Namhan River, three bridges (including a beautiful wave-patterned one) that carry Dangyang-ro, mountains of Woraksan National Park and Soebaeksan National Park (including the 1383-metre Yeonhwabong Peak and 1439-metre Birobong Peak (highest peak)). As the peak autumn foliage was just starting in early November in Danyang, we saw certain parts of the mountains covered with golden yellow forest. But the views are not the only thing that took our breath away! There are 3 platforms measuring 2 metres wide and where the floor is high strength glass with the centre platform being the longest at 15 metres (shape of 3 fingers from a birds-eye-view). While Lotte World Sky Tower holds the world record of the highest glass-floor observation deck, the open air glass floor deck at Mancheonha Skywalk is certainly much longer and much more thrilling because you are walking over the cliff and with the wind blowing at you on a windy day. After you descend directly through the stairs (no need for the winding walkway) to the base of the Mancheonha Skywalk, you could either board a bus back down (which we did), or take the Zipwire (Straw-wire) down (only 2 lines). At more than 50 km/h, the first part takes you from base of Mancheonha Skywalk to the transfer centre (680 metres) and then from transfer centre to the parking lot (300m). There is no distinction between adults and children – ticket price is ₩30,000. You could also take the Alpine Coaster costing ₩15,000 and you have to find out where it is located. I believe the Zipwire and Alpine Coaster will be closed during winter. What I enjoyed: (1) The breath-taking views from atop of the observation deck at about 120 metres, which made me appreciate the beauty of South Korea even more. (2) The exhilarating experience of walking the see-through glass floor platform. Coupled with the open air and the gentle wind, it just like we were walking or even floating in the sky! (3) There is no time limit as to how long we could stay here (4) There was no tourist crowd on a weekday, not even in the afternoon. Do check the weather before you go as you don’t want the rain or fog or mist ruin your trip to this Mancheonha Skywalk that will surely take your breath away at the top...just like it did with my family and me!
