Yanggu: Rustic Punchbowl-Style Dried Greens and Country Flavor | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Punch Bowl is a basin formed at an altitude of 400~500m in Haean-myeon, Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do, located about 22km northeast of Yanggu. Its shape resembles a punch bowl, hence the name 'Punch Bowl.' The elongated north-south terrain that narrows to the south has theories of meteorite impact and differential erosion; however, as there are no meteorite traces and due to erosion caused by differences in surrounding rocks, the differential erosion theory is more plausible. This basin is the only is a myeon-level area within the civilian access control line in Korea, centered on Daeam Mountain. It was a fierce battlefield during the Korean War with battles such as the Punch Bowl Battle, Dosolsan Battle, and Gachilbong Battle, and even now, memorials and mine warning signs remain throughout. After the war, civilians were restricted from entering, preserving nature well, allowing various rare flora and fauna such as the Korean trout, Gaeneusam, Geumgang Chorong, and Haerabinancho to inhabit the area. The 'Yongneup' at the summit of Daeam Mountain, at 1,300m altitude, is the only high moor in South Korea and is designated as Natural Monument No. 246. Within the basin, highland vegetables, potatoes, and lilies are cultivated. To the northwest, Eulji Observatory offers views of the 4th infiltration tunnel and Geumgangsan Birobong, serving also as a security education site. Visitors must apply for entry at the Yanggu Tongil Center.

This battlefield monument is a stele erected by the Army's 3rd Corps on March 15, 1958, with a pedestal height of 1.75m and a stele height of 2.1m. Fierce battles were fought from August 29 to October 30, 1951, around Seohwari, Gachilbong, the Bloody Ridge, Hill 1211, and an unnamed hill to secure the coastal basin called the 'Punch Bowl.' The monument was established to honor the souls of soldiers who died in this battle. At that time, the Korean 3rd and 5th Divisions, Marine 1st Regiment, and U.S. forces captured the Punch Bowl and key hills after intense fighting with the People's Army.

Located at the foot of Daeam Mountain in Yanggu-gun, Yanggu Arboretum, designated as Yanggu's Scenic Spot No. 1, is registered as the 6th public arboretum in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, where over 1,000 species of trees and plants can be admired in one place. Starting with the creation of the ecological botanical garden in 2004, it includes the DMZ Wildlife Ecology Center, DMZ Wildflower Bonsai Garden, Wood Culture Experience Center, as well as the DMZ Barrier-Free Sharing Trail, ecological exploration paths, and a four-season sledding slope, all harmonized in a nature-focused arboretum. Situated at an altitude of 450m, where the natural ecosystem is well preserved, it is a place to experience nature's ecology with all five senses.

National Center Astronomy Observatory is located in Yanggu-gun, Gangwon and was established near the geographic center of the Korean Peninsula to allow viewing the sky from the country’s center, opening in 2007. Visitors can directly observe stars through the exhibition and commentary programs inside the observatory, and also enjoy detailed explanations about constellations and planets while touring the facility. It includes an exhibition hall for various educational experiences with the latest astronomical information and a planetarium where visitors can enjoy a digital virtual night sky.