Refreshing day in the paradise of Mureung Valley | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Samhwasa Temple, surrounded by Dutasan and Cheongoksan mountains, is a branch temple of Jogye Order Woljeongsa Temple. It was founded in 642 by Jijang Yulsa under the name 'Heukryeondae' and renamed 'Sanggongam' by Beomil Guksa in 864. King Taejo Wang Geon of Goryeo earnestly prayed for the unification of the Later Three Kingdoms at this temple, achieving the great accomplishment 20 years later. Afterwards, to transform conflicts and hatred related to the three kingdoms into a place of communication and harmony, the name was changed from Sanggongam to 'Samhwasa.' At Samhwasa, you can enjoy the Samhwasa Temple Stay mountain temple experience. The temple stay boasts a pristine landscape where you can experience valleys, mountains, and the sea all at once. Except for communal meal times and bedtime, which are required, most activities can be freely and comfortably participated in according to individual will. Guests can enjoy conversations with monks over tea, listen to the water sounds of Dutasan valley, feel the wind and insect sounds of the mountain temple, and commune with nature to look into their inner selves, finding unrestrained relaxation and rest.

Mureung Valley stretches 4 km from Hoamso, located below Dutasan and Cheongoksan, to Yongchu Waterfall. The name 'Mureung Valley' comes from the idea that it is as beautiful as a fairyland where immortals live. It has been designated a national tourist site, supporting the valley's stunning scenery. Attractions in the valley include Mureung Banseok, Seonnyeo Tang, Yongchu Waterfall, and Ssangpokpo. Mureung Banseok is an enormous rock formation large enough to seat over 1,000 people. Numerous inscriptions engraved on the rock were left by ancient poets and scholars who visited the valley. Yang Sa-eon, considered one of the four great calligraphers of the Joseon Dynasty, described the valley's scenic beauty as 'a unique world where immortals roamed.' At the far end of the valley are Yongchu Waterfall, which falls in three tiers, and Ssangpokpo, where two waterfalls face each other.

This bamboo tube rice specialty restaurant offers healthy meals using only natural seasonings instead of chemical additives known to cause various adult diseases. Gulttokchon's juk-tong-bap is a natural dish prepared by putting 12 kinds of grains in bamboo tubes. The restaurant features a garden where over 180 species of Korean native wildflowers and herbs grow alongside Korea's native dog breed, Sapsalgae, providing diverse sights. It has been selected by the Korea Tourism Organization as a clean and delicious place, recognized for excellent service by the Welcome to Gangwon Promotion Council, and featured on the SBS program Escape from Everyday Life. It is famous for the outstanding taste of mushroom jeongol and mushroom bulgogi served with bamboo tube rice. The flavor of the complimentary fresh duck charcoal grilled with bamboo alcohol is also exquisite.

Yongchu Waterfall is one of the tourist attractions in the scenic Mureung Valley. Located about 2.5 km west of Samhwasa, the entrance to Mureung Valley, Yongchu Waterfall consists of three deep jar-shaped rock pools (upper, middle, lower) formed by the stream flowing down from Cheongoksan. Below Yongchu Waterfall (70m away) is Ssangpokpo Waterfall, whose source is so high and beautiful that it seems to reach the sky. The meeting of the water from Yongchu Waterfall and Bakdal Valley here appears to symbolize the natural principles of yin and yang and order, creating the peak experience of Mureung Valley along with Yongchu Waterfall. When visiting Yongchu Waterfall, it is common to choose from among seven courses, with the 3rd and 4th courses being popular due to their reasonable duration and many sights.