Gamchu Beach is conveniently located near Cheongok-dong at the center of Donghae-si. It features a narrow and long white sand beach of about 300 meters, allowing visitors to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere. Surrounded by rocky shores and dense pine forests, the beach is also popular for sea fishing, where you can savor fresh and clean raw fish. Nearby, there is a temple called Gamchusa, which can be visited together for sightseeing.
Gamchusa Temple is a small temple in Yongjeong-dong in Donghae. There are only four buildings in the premises, but each building is neatly tucked away among the rocks, creating a picturesque scene. Most temples located near the sea are usually popular prayer spots, believed to be overseen by the Buddha and the Dragon King, who resides in the ocean. As such, many flock to the temple to pray asking for family well-being and prosperity. By the entrance of the temple is a five-story pagoda, which is said to have been built by a man who wanted to grant his mother's will before passing away. Due to its location by the sea, the temple offers spectacular views of the surrounding valley cliffs and the ocean.
Gamchusa Temple is a small temple located in Yongjeong-dong, Donghae-si. After crossing the Yeongdong Line railway and passing by a pavilion called Okseokjeong, you descend the stairs to find a stone grotto and Gamchusa next to the prayer area. Although there are only four buildings, each is cleverly nestled among the rock crevices, showing a unique and beautiful appearance. Temples near the sea are mostly famous Guanyin prayer sites (Gwaneum doryang), believed to have Bodhisattva Guanyin residing there. It is said that offering Guanyin and Dragon King prayers here brings family well-being and business prosperity, attracting many visitors nationwide. There is also a superstition that wishes made facing the sun rising over the East Sea come true, making it a popular sunrise travel destination annually. At the temple entrance stands a five-story stone pagoda, said to have been built following the dying wishes of a female devotee to her son. Being close to the sea, the surrounding dramatic rocky cliffs create a fantastic scenic view. The spring at the temple entrance overflows with medicinal water, attracting many visitors. Known as Sujungjisura, the water is also called Gamrosu (nectar of longevity). The village holds rain prayers here during severe droughts, honoring the tradition.
Cheongok Golden Bat Cave in Donghae is the only natural cave in Korea located in a downtown area. Estimated to have been created 400 to 500 million years ago, the cave is known to serve as a habitat for the endangered golden bats. The cave's total length stretches for 1,510 meters, with only 810 meters of the cave open to the public while the rest of cave remains protected for preservation purposes. The cave features ceiling craters, one of which is the longest in Korea, along with stalactite curtains, travertine terraces, stalactite cascades, and many other fantastic rock formations. The cave's unique features provide a grand spectacle for tourists and great speleological samples for researchers. A 785-meter walkway was made using the sinkhole created by dissolved limestone to help visitors get a better understanding of cave formations.
This is the only limestone cave located in the middle of an urban area in Korea. Situated in the center of Donghae-si, Gangwon-do, the cave was accidentally discovered during apartment construction in 1991 and has been open to the public since 1996. It is known to be home to the golden bat, a globally endangered species. The golden bat, which has a deep orange color, is a rare species designated as both first-class endangered wildlife and a natural monument. The cave is 1,510 meters long, but only 810 meters are open to visitors, with the rest preserved for conservation. Visitors can see extraordinary cave formations such as large stalactites hanging from the ceiling, stalagmites rising from the floor, and pillars formed by stalactites and stalagmites connecting. The ceiling also features Korea's largest ceiling corrosion gully. The adjacent nature experience park adds to the educational value. A 785-meter doline trail (a funnel-shaped limestone depression formed by water erosion) allows easy understanding of cave formation, and visitors can rest at a wildflower experience park blooming with over 100 species.
Cheongok Golden Bat Cave Nature Learning Experience Park was created to provide a comprehensive view of the doline terrain that holds the secrets of cave formation. The park features a lawn plaza, azalea field, walking trails, daylily garden, silver grass field, spring scent, rock garden, summer and autumn scents, outdoor learning center, dolines, cave entrance, and doline exploration trail. The doline exploration trail includes a 534m wooden deck installed along the doline, allowing observation of the dolines around Cheongok Golden Bat Cave and the natural vegetation of the Uvala area. The doline resting area offers close-up views of the doline terrain, with wildflower experience park and views of the East Sea and the distant Mukho lighthouse. The wildflower experience park, planted with about 100 species and 50,000 wildflowers and trees, provides visitors with sights and relaxation and harmonizes with the doline trail, making it a popular complex tourism theme site. The outdoor learning center hosts experiential events for visitors and citizens and is designed to aid understanding of wildflowers. Cheongok Golden Bat Cave Nature Learning Experience Park includes exercise equipment and spacious benches, making it a great picnic spot for families, couples, and friends. Cheongok Golden Bat Cave is unique in Korea for being located in an urban area, maintaining an annual temperature of 14-15°C, offering coolness in summer and warmth in winter.
