Traversed by the Donggang River, Yeongwol is a small town in South Korea’s Gangwon Province. It was here that King Danjong was exiled after being forced to abdicate by his uncle and where he was buried after his murder in 1457. Today, Yeongwol is renowned for its International Photography Festival.
Things to do in Yeongwol
If you’re interested in what goes on behind the scenes at a radio station, visit the Radio Star Museum. It occupies the former broadcasting room of the Yeongwol KBS radio station and features vintage equipment and a wide selection of records on display. After your visit, you can grab a coffee at the cafe outside while enjoying the views of the Donggang River.
Located atop the peak of nearby Bongnaesan Mountain is the Byeolmaro Observatory, which is home to a variety of telescopes for observing the night sky. Its name “Byeolmaro” combines the Korean words meaning “star”, “peak” and “peaceful” and reflects the intention of the site. The mountain is also a popular destination for paragliders to launch themselves into the air and offers magnificent nighttime views of Yeongwol.
North-west of Yeongwol is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jangneung Royal Tomb, which houses the remains of Danjong, the sixth king of the Joseon Dynasty. Browse the royal relics on display in the exhibition hall before stretching your legs on one of the hiking trails that wind through the pine-forested surroundings. Also nearby is Bodeogsa, a peaceful Buddhist temple with a lily pond.
Getting around Yeongwol
Yeongwol is around two hours by train from Wonju and three hours from Seoul. Incheon International Airport is four hours away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Yeongwol railway station and buses travel throughout the town.