Odaesan in Winter: A Snow Scene Called “Heavenly Perfection” | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Woljeongsa Temple was founded in 643 (the 12th year of Queen Seondeok of Silla) by Monk Jajang on Odaesan, a mountain considered a Buddhist sacred site. It is the head temple of the Jogye Order's 4th district, overseeing more than 60 temples and about 8 hermitages, and holds numerous cultural assets such as the national treasure Eight-angled Nine-story Stone Pagoda, the treasure seated Stone Bodhisattva statue of Woljeongsa, and the wooden seated Manjusri statue. From the temple’s Iljumun gate to Geumgang Bridge, about 1 km, lies a fir forest with approximately 1,700 fir trees. The fir forest is a popular year-round tourist attraction representing the thousand-year-old Woljeongsa Temple, a must-visit spot. Woljeongsa offers temple stays divided into rest and experience types, allowing visitors to recharge body and mind away from the worldly life deep in the mountains. In addition, there is the Woljeongsa Ordained School for laypeople to experience monastic life. Also, Odaesan Meditation Village, shortened to OMV, covers about 99,170㎡ (roughly 14 soccer fields) with lodging, cultural experience facilities, restaurants, gardens, and forest trails, providing a natural retreat for those weary from work and competition to restore their mind and body through meditation. Furthermore, Woljeongsa operates the 9 km Seonjae-gil walking experience from Woljeongsa to Sangwonsa Temple and the Seon Meditation Yoga School with head monk Jeongnyeom and Indian yoga master Sohan.

Sangwonsa Temple is a thousand-year-old temple located near Woljeongsa, the head temple of the 4th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It is said to have been established by the monk Jajang during Queen Seondeok of Silla's reign, but in fact, it was rebuilt by King Seongdeok in 705 and was called Jinyeowon. It is the only temple in Korea enshrining a statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva and is famous for the story that King Sejo visited to cure a skin disease and was healed. The current temple was rebuilt after a fire in 1946, and except for the Yeongsanjeon Hall, no old buildings remain. It houses valuable cultural properties such as the national treasure bronze bell, the young Manjusri statue, the Manjusri Bodhisattva statue, and King Sejo's handwritten restoration petition. It is suitable for visiting along the 9 km Seonjae-gil trail starting from Woljeongsa.

현대 문학의 대가 이효석의 고향이며 그의 대표작 '메밀꽃 필 무렵' 의 실제 배경지 평창군 봉평의 무이초등학교에 유명 예술인들의 작품활동의 장이 마련되었다. 700여 명의 졸업생을 배출하고 폐교된 무이초등학교에 정연서(서양화가), 서예가 이천섭, 조각가 오상욱, 도예가 권순범 등의 예술인들이 모여 2년여의 준비 끝에 많은 작품들을 전시하고 있으며, 2001년 4월 18일 개관하였다.

Opened in 1996, it is Korea's first herb-themed farm. The couple who established the farm came down to a deep valley in Pyeongchang in the year their ages combined reached 100, clearing a rocky field and planting herbs. Starting with 990㎡, the farm has grown to 33,000㎡ and has become a tourist attraction in Pyeongchang and the birthplace of Korea's herb industry. Herb Country Farm includes farmland cultivating herbs and flowers and a tourist farm where visitors can relax among herbs. Over 150 herb species, including lavender, sage, and buckwheat, are organized into about 10 themed gardens, each based on a unique story about herbs. The Palette Garden features colorful herbs and flowers, the Shakespeare Garden is themed with herbs mentioned in Shakespeare's works, and the Butterfly Garden is planted with melliferous plants favored by bees and butterflies, each with distinct characteristics. The restaurant and café offer herb-infused dishes, and the herb experience classroom allows making natural soap and scented candles. Cultural spaces include the Starlight Stage where famous Korean singers hold concerts, and the Turkish Gallery displaying Turkish folk crafts.