Pyeongchang

Information

• Korea Travel Hotline & Complaint Center

  phone: +82-2-1330
  Support Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese to announcing tour information, complaints and emergency calls.

• Gangwon Tourist Information Office (Gangneung)

  phone: +82 33-640-4531
  address: 330, Gyeongpo-ro. Gangneung-si

• Gangwon Tourist Information Office (Chuncheon)

  phone: +82 33-244-0088
  address: 19, Chuncheon-ro, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do

Township

By train

The Gyeonggang Line (경강선) passes through Pyeongchang from west to east, providing main-line rail service. 'Korea Train Express'(KTX) stop at 'Pyeongchang Station' and 'Jinbu Station'.
Gyeonggang Line is operated from Seoul to Gangneung. Some KTX Depart from Incheon International Airport.

• serves Jinbu-myeon and Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang County.
• serves Yongpyeong-myeon and Bongpyeong, Pyeongchang County. It also serves other areas of Pyeongchang via bus.

By bus

Pyeongchang terminal is near the Pyeongchang sports complex. It is the only intercity bus terminal in Pyeongchang.
Major domestic route destination:

• Dong-Seoul terminal (Korean: 동서울종합터미널, it is in Seoul) - Pyeongchang intercity bus terminal (Korean: 평창시외버스터미널)
• Wonju intercity bus terminal (Korean: 원주시외버스터미널, it is in Wonju) - Pyeongchang intercity bus terminal
• Chuncheon intercity bus terminal (Korean: 춘천시외버스터미널, it is in Chuncheon) - Pyeongchang intercity bus terminal

By plane

There is no airplane directly headed to Pyeongchang. There are a few flights in Yangyang International Airport, but this is not recommended.
If you use a charter flight, Yangyang International Airport is a possible option. Otherwise, use other methods.

• Yangyang International AirportAlthough almost as far away as Seoul, Yangyang airport has domestic flights from Busan's Gimhae International Airport, Jeju island and Kitakyushu in Japan.

• Wonju AirportWith a scheduled flight from Jeju on Korean Air but no flights from Seoul, this is a much closer option to the city of Pyeongchang if you are determined to fly in rather than take a bus.

By car

The 234-km Yeongdong Expressway connects Incheon to Gangneung. Numbered 50, it connects the Seoul area with Gangwon Province. Pyeongchang is between Incheon and Gangneung. You can enter the Pyeongchang by move out to Pyeongchang InterChange in Yeongdong Expressway.

By taxi

Pyeongchang has few city bus lines, but there are many taxis. In Pyeongchang, the base rate of a taxi is ₩2,800 and it will increase by ₩200 per 152 m. Remembering a taxi-calling agency’s or driver’s phone number is useful.

Mountains

• Odaesan National ParkOdaesan National Park is one of the many famous mountains in Korea, known for its temples and waterfalls. Centered on Birobong, which rises 1,563 m above sea level, five peaks line up like a folding screen, while Sogeumgang Valley, which means little Mt Geumgangsan, is situated below. Mt Odaesan was a by-name for China's Shanxisheng Mt Qingliangshan but Jajangyulsa, who studied in these mountains during the Silla dynasty, decided to call the mountain in Korea Mt Odaesan since the features of the two mountains were very similar. As the physical aspects of Mt Odaesan are smoother than Mt Seoraksan, anyone can easily take up the challenge of hiking here. Also, people of all ages love Mt Odaesan as the perfect place for a forest bath.

• Odaesan Woljeongsa fir forest trails

  address: 350-7, Odaesan-ro, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do

• Daegwallyeong

  address: Hoenggye-ri, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea / Seongsan-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Korea
  Daegwallyeong is a mountain pass in the Taebaek Mountains of eastern South Korea. At a height of 832 m, it is between Hoenggye-ri, Pyeongchang-gun and seongsan-myeon, Gangneung-si.

Caves

• Baegnyong Cave

  phone: +82 33-334-7200
  address: 82 Maha-ri, Mitan-myeon
  Baengnyong Cave is at the floor of Baegunsan Mountain. It is the first cave in Korea where visitors can engage in caving with the help of a professional guide. Designated as Natural Monument #260, the cave has diverse cave formations such as icicle-shaped stalactites, stalagmites formed on the ground, rock formations looking like fried eggs, and stone pillars formed by stalactites from the ceiling and stalagmites from the ground joining together.

Temples and shrines

• Woljeongsa Temple

  address: 63 Dongsan-ri, Jinbu-myeon
  Famous for its Citadel Museum, which has on display numerous cultural relics and treasures, and an octagonal nine-stage stone pagoda. The huge fir tree forest road is so beautiful that it has been the setting of many dramas and movies. There is Woljeongsa museum and there are many Korean national treasure and many Buddhist arts.

• Sangwonsa

  phone: +82-33-332-6666
  address: 1215-89, Odaesan-ro
  Established during the Silla dynasty. King Yejong designated it as a memorial for his father, King Sejo during the Joseon dynasty. It was partially preserved during the Korean war, while Woljeongsa was burnt down. The bell of Sangwonsa is the oldest bronze bell in South Korea, which is famous with its clear and beautiful ring.

• Pyeongchang Hyanggyo

  phone: +82 33 330-2771

Museums

• Potatoflower studio

  phone: +82 33-332-5337
  address: 105 gogilcheollo, Pyeongchang-eup
  In the village of Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, a small village in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, a flower village called it was built to repair a small school called Nosan school, which was enclosed in the middle of a beautiful mountain village. The school has turned into an exhibition hall, a library, a museum, and a dining room.

• Pyeongchang Freshwater Fish Museum

  address: 42-5, Maha-gil, Mitan-myeon
  After a plan for building a dam in Dong River was canceled, it was established in 2009 to promote the region. You can learn about fishes living in the river.

• Lee Seung-bok Memorial Hall

  phone: +82 33-332-4323
  address: 500-1 Unduryeong-ro, Yongpyeong-myeon
  The Lee Seung-bok Memorial Hall is in Nodong-ri, Yongpyeong-myeon to memorialize Lee Seung-bok who was a South Korean boy murdered by North Korean commandos in 1968. It was established in 1982, with building a memorial statue for Lee. Lee's house was restored in 2000.

• Jeonggangwon

  address: 21 Baekokpo-ri, Yongpyeong-myeon
  Jeonggangwon was established with the aim of doing research on the value and excellence of Korea's traditional food culture, distributing and publicizing the Korean traditional food culture into the world. It is operated to make it possible for visitors to learn and experience the Korean traditional food culture, and Jeonggangwon is the place where visitors can feel the beauty native to Korea other than a simple touring site.

Others

• Eoreumchi Village

  phone: +82 33-332-1260
  address: 42-5, Maha-gil, Mitan-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
  The township in the clean nature is beautiful with mountain scenery and valley made up of the meandering river and rock stratum. You can enjoy various water sports such as rafting, kayaking, skyline, etc., and you can enjoy stunning stalagmites in Baekryong Cave, Natural Monument 260, a limestone cave.

• Hyoseok Cultural Town

  phone: +82-33-335-9669
  address: 157, Ihyoseok-gil, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
  The town is a tourist attraction as the background of the novel, When Bucketwheet Flowers Blossom (1967). Each year the festival will be held here in late summer, late August early September. (cf. 2016 Hyoseok Cultural Festival)

Festivals

• Pyeongchang Hyoseok Culture FestivalLee Hyoseok, one of the greatest authors of modern Korean literature, holds the festival at Pyeongchang, the actual stage of the story, When the Buckwheat Flowers Bloom. During the festival visitors can also enjoy the special ambiance created by the prolific buckwheat flowers.

• Fun Ski FestivalA ski festival for foreign visitors in Yongpyeong Resort, the Mecca of Korean skiing. For three nights and four days, participants enjoy ski lessons, dinners and various events. On the last day, all participants take part in a ski competition. Many foreigners participate in this romantic winter festival every year to enjoy the snow, skiing and parties.

• Pyeongchang Trout Festival

  phone: +82 33-336-4000
  address: Gangwon-Do, Pyeongchang-Gun, Jinbu-Myeon, Gyeonggang-Ro, 3562(Street address)
  Every year, Pyeongchang hosts the trout festival from the end of December to the end of January. Trout are considered to be specialties of PyeongChang because they are the first fish to be farmed. At the festival, visitors can experience Fishing tent, Ice fishing, Catching trout with bare hands. Fishing equipment and convenience tools can be purchased at the site. It also offers a variety of sporting events such as sled, ice bike, snow rafting, Korean traditional sled, skate, four-wheel motorcycle, ice cart and so on.

• Odaesan Buddhist Culture Festival

• Daegwalryeong Snow FestivalThis celebrates the region's snow with fireworks, an ice art contest, ice-fishing, and an international marathon.

Ranches

• Daegwallyeong Sky ranch

  address: 458-23, Kkotbatyangji-gil, Daegwallyeong-myeon
  Sky Ranch is a representative ranch of the Daegwallyeong composed in 1974.

• Daegwallyeong samyang ranch

  phone: +82 33-335-5044
  address: 1-107, Hoenggye-ri, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea

• Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm

  phone: +82-33-335-1966
  address: 483-32, Daegwallyeongmaru-gil
  This ranch is the only place where sheep are raised, although there are many ranches in the region. Visitors can see the sheep along a circular walkway, or give a hay to them.

Farms and gardens

• Herbnara Tourist Farm

  address: 291-42, Heungjeonggyegok-gil, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang, 강원 평창군 봉평면 흥정계곡길 291-42
  This is a famous dating course. More than 100 types of herbs thrive in the garden and herb restaurants here serve tasty and healthy food.

• Korea Botanic Garden

  address: 405-2, Byeongnae-ri, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang 강원도 평창군 대관령면 비안길 159-4 (대관령면)
  Widely varying flowers and plants can be seen in the Korea Botanic Garden. Flowers bloom from spring to autumn in the wild flower community, a perfect place to take a photograph.

Sports

Skiing

• Alpensia Resort

  phone: +82 33 339-0000
  address: 325, Solbong-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon
  Alpensia has six slopes for skiing and snowboarding, with runs up to long, for beginners and advanced skiers, and an area reserved for snowboarders. While the resort is open year-round, the off-season turns the bottom of the slopes into a wild flower garden covering about 100,000 m². All slopes are closed between 16:30-18:30 each day for piste-maintenance. Night skiing is available 18:30-20:00

• Yongpyong (Dragon Valley) Ski Resort

  phone: +82 33 335-5757
  address: 715, Olympic-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon
  Yongpyong ski resort offers skiing in winter, and golf in the summer months. It is the largest ski and snowboard resort in Korea. The ski season runs from November to early April. It has 31 slopes, 15 different lift facilities, including one gondola at a length of , and Korea's largest ski house (Dragon Plaza).

• Phenix Pyeongchang

  address: 174, Taegi-ro, Bongpyeong-myeon

Rafting

• Donggang Rafting

  phone: +82 33 330-2741

There is no big supermarket in Pyeongchang. You should shop in traditional markets or convenience stores or middle-sized markets such as Hanaro Mart.

Traditional markets

• Pyeongchang Olympic Market

  phone: +82 33-332-2517
  address: Pyeongchang, Pyeongchang-eup, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province, market 1-gil 8-1 (Pyeongchang-eup).
  Pyeongchang Olympic Market has been in business since 1955. It is in southern Pyeongchang. It is famous for buckwheat fry dish which over the past 40 years has been made the traditional way by directly grinding buckwheat.

• Bongpyung Traditional Market

  phone: +82 33-336-2301
  Bongpyeongjang is the 5 days market is opened the 2th and 7th day. Buckwheat noodles, buckwheat pancakes, buckwheat muk, potato rice cakes, Tadpole noodles are sold in Bongpyung Traditional Market

• Jinbu Market

  phone: +82 33-335-3133
  address: Jungang 61, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea
  Jinbu Market will be held in the 3rd and 8th days of the old bus terminal. Junbu Market is the biggest figure in the Pyeongchang. they sell alpine vegetables, various kinds of Seasoned vegetables in mountain, medicinal herbs.

Supermarkets

• Hanaro Mart Bongpyeong

  phone: +82 33-335-2122
  address: Changdong-ri, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, 276-2 (평창군 봉평면 창동리 276-2)

Grocery stores

• Bongpyeongwon

  phone: +82 33-336-7781
  address: Yongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province, Topgeorigil 8-8, bongpyeongwon.
  Buckwheat store in Pyeongchang, Bongpyeongwon sell buckwheat flour, buckwheat rice, buckwheat noodles, buckwheat tea, buckwheat cookies and buckwheat fried flour.

• Pyeongchang Farm

  phone: +82 033-332-9779
  address: 898-43, Bangnim-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea
  Pc Farm sells excellent agricultural products. You can buy seasoned vegetables, deodeok, kimchis, potatoes, etc.

Souvenir shops

• Dragon Valley hotel gift shop

  phone: +82 33 335-5757
  address: 130, Yongsan-ri, Daegwalnyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang
  Souvenir shop in Dragon Valley hotel.

• Buckwheat is Pyeongchang's and Gangwon`s special regional product. There are many local foodstuffs made of buckwheat. One famous dish is makguksu (buckwheat noodles). There is two kind of makguksu. One is mulmakguksu (with cool soup) and another is bibimmakguksu (with spicy sauce). Buckwheat jelly is also a famous food in Pyeongchang.
• Korean beef is Pyeongchang's special regional product. There is some place near to Pyeongchang called Daegwanryeong. Daegwanryeong is highland so there is a good place to breed cow for beef. Actually, Gangwondo's Korean beef is famous in Korea because there are many good places to breed cow for beef. There is a famous Korean beef festival in Hoengseong (near to Pyeongchang).
• Rainbow trout is one of the most popular foods in Pyeongchang. The fish's country of origin is North America and Russia. In South Korea, it was imported and raised in Pyeongchang in 1965. Pyeongchang has held 'Pyeongchang Trout Festival' and rainbow trout is treated as a native fish even though it was imported. In Korea, there are almost no native trouts, Koreans treat rainbow trout as native trout. There is a reason why Pyeongchang's rainbow trout tastes good. The reason is in the water. Rainbow trout is raised in fish farms. Pyeongchang's fish farms use the water from a valley. It is cold and pure. Because the fish swim freely around the large area, their meat is tasty.

• Youngchun garden

  phone: +82 33-334-9933
  address: 3591-10 chang ri, seo-dong ro, mee-tan myeon, Pyeongchang, gangwon
  A famous restaurant for own growing Korean traditional chicken and Korean ogol chicken cuisine (Hangul:오골계, Korean traditional black chicken). also famous for a stewed chicken with oriental medicinal herbs. ₩20,000 per person and more.

• Paldo Myeon Ga

  phone: +82 33-332-5975
  address: jungri 53, pyeongchangeup, pyeongchanggun, gangwon
  A Korean traditional restaurant, that opened in 1980. Located nearby the Olympic market. A Buckwheat (Hangul: 막국수, Makgooksu), Spicy Stir-fried Chicken, a broiled eels are famous. Avoiding the artificial seasoning, only using a Korean traditional seasoning, natural herbs, local speciality. ₩10,000 per person and more.

• Makgeolli(rice wine) is Korean traditional alcohol is makgeolli. Corn is one of Pyeongchang`s speciality so there is Pyeongchang corn makgeolli. Soju is also Korean traditional alcohol and there is also Pyeongchang soju which is made by Solraewon.

• Buckwheat tea is a tea that has been made from some processes. First, make a boiled rice by using the buckwheat and dry it. Then pour the water and boil it. Buckwheat tea is a native foods of Gangwon-do. Buckwheat tea has many positive potencies. The main effects are diuretic effect, adult diseases prevention, cure of hypertension, improvements of liver function, diet, and it makes one's mind clear. Also, the buckwheat is good because it contains many nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins, lysine rather than any other grains. But people who have indigestion, hypotension, stomach and intestines diseases might as well avoid the buckwheat. In Korea, there is a very famous novel, At Buckwheat Flower-blossom Time. The setting of this novel is Pyeongchang. Especially Pyeongchang-gun Bongpyeong-myeon is famous for the novel and buckwheat.

Inns and hotels There are many local inns and hotels around at reasonable prices ranging from ₩15,000 and up. Because there are no English introduction except for hotel or resort, so there are some extra explanation about motel and guesthouse such as price, check in, check out and so on.

Budget

• 43beonga Guesthouse

  phone: +82 10-4335-4343
  address: Gangwon-Do, Pyeongchang-Gun, Daegwallyeong-Myon, Omok-Ro 43-54
  Guesthouse is cheaper than hotel or resort. There are three rooms in this guesthouse (Sun, Moon, Star). Sun room and Moon room are 6-dormitory and Star room is 8-dormitory. Utility charges are the same ₩20,000 per person. on April, May, June, July, August, September, October. On weekend (Friday~Saturday) of November, December, January, February, March, Visitors must pay extra fee, ₩25,000 per person.

• Pyeongchang Guesthouse

  phone: +82 10-9121-5353
  address: Gangwon-Do, Pyeongchang-Gun, Bongpyeong-Myon, Wongil-Ri 1056-1 Second floor
  This guesthouse is operated with Cafe 'Mano'. Visitors cannot share room with men and women and the basic etiquette is to protect the other tourists because it is a guesthouse.

Mid-range

• We-Motel

  phone: +82 33-333-2004
  address: Gangwon-Do, Pyeongchang-Gun, Bongpyeong-Myon, Taegi-Ro 569
  This motel is unmanned facility. All procedures are carried out through machines. If travellers use Family room, the rate will be ₩100,000 on weekdays and ₩120,000 on weekends.

• CF-Motel

  phone: +82 33-333-3787
  address: Gangwon-Do, Pyeongchang-Gun, Yongpyeong-Myon, Undoryeong-Ro 20
  Normal rooms - weekdays: ₩40,000, weekends: ₩50,000. Sub-special rooms - weekdays: ₩50,000, weekends: ₩60,000. Special rooms - weekdays: ₩60,000, weekends: ₩70,000. Also, there is an extra-fare in peak season.

Splurge

• Yong Pyong Resort Hotel

  phone: +82 33 335-5757
  662 rooms

• Phoenix Park

  phone: +82 33 333-6000
  address: 174 Taegi-ro, Bongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun
  756 rooms.

• Kensington Flora

  phone: +82 33 330-5000
  address: 231, Jingogae-ro, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
  306 rooms. Its former name was Odeasan Hotel. It opened a 67,000-m² French-style garden in 2013.

• Alpensia

  phone: +82 33-339-0000
  address: Gangwon-Do, Pyeongchang-Gun, Daegwallyeong-Myon, Solbong-Ro 325
  Ski resort and hotel

• Millbridge

  phone: +82 033-335-7282
  address: bang-adalolo 1011-26 Jinbumyeon Pyeongchang-gun, Gang-wondo
  Millbridge is a lodging facility with eighteen rooms, and it's a natural learning experience center. It has a Forest Experience Training Center, Mineral water Experience Center. There are 18 rooms can accommodate 67 people, and 5 living rooms.

South Korea generally has a good deal of security. Drugs, gambling, and guns are prohibited in Korea. Pyeongchang has a population of 43,500 so this city is categorized as a small city in Korea. Also, owing to the small floating population, security is kept well. The crime rate in Pyeongchang is 91.0 per 10,000 people which is an average rate of Korea, so it is not a city to pay extra attention. Moreover, Gangwon-do Province Police has a high arresting rate of crime.
However, visitors need a basic sense of safety. Beware of pickpockets, beggars or violence. For visitors' safe travel, there are some emergency contacts. In Korea, civil servants can speak English basically, so visitors can solve many civil complaints without any problems if they report it in English.

• Fire, Medical Emergency, Rescue

  phone: 119

• Emergency Sickness Consultations and Hospital Information

  phone: 1339

• Reporting a crime

  phone: 112

• Child Abuse

  phone: 1577-1391 (in country only)

• Missing Persons/Run-aways

  phone: 182

• Women Hotline

  phone: 1366, 1577-1366 (in country only)

• Violation of Human Rights, Discrimination

  phone: 1331

• Korea Legal Advice

  phone: 132

• General Information Center for foreigners

  phone: 1345
  Korean government has operated the General Information Center for foreigners. It provides venues for complaints or some information needed for foreigners who come to Korea. Visitors can use it by online (Hi-Korea website) and phone (1345). The online service is provided in 4 languages (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese). The Call-center's consultation is provided in Korean and other 17 languages. It is available 09:00-18:00.

Nearby port cities include:

• Gangneung
• Sokcho
• Donghae, which has a ferry connection to Ulleungdo island.
• Hoengseong is close to Pyeongchang and hosts a famous Korean beef festival.
• Odaesan National Park is also nearby and includes Odaesan (오대산), which is considered one of the most beautiful mountains in South Korea.