Danyang Eight Scenic Views Dodamsambong Peak & Chungju Lake Cruise Tour

Highlights

• One day private tour from Seoul to Danyang
• Enjoy the great views of the Chungju Lake, Woraksan Mountain, and Gyemyeongsan Mountain
• Have a delicious lunch at the best restaurants in Danyang
• Visit one of the must-see Eight Great Sceneries of Danyang
• Optional tour: Visit the Gosu Cave, which was created about 540 million years ago, or go up to the Mancheonha skywalk, the observatory next to the Namhangang River, or visit Guinsa temple, which is beautifully located on Sobaeksan mountain.

Minimum travelers 2      Duration 1 Day

Overview

Perched by the lake, and surrounded by 3 national parks, with caves and temples scattered all over, Danyang is considered North Chungcheong’s top attraction. The modern town of Danyang dates only from 1986, as most of the old city was submerged beneath the waters of the Chungju Lake. Just a 2.5-hour drive from Seoul, Danyang offers the Eight Great Sceneries, Mt. Sobaeksan National Park, Guinsa Temple, Gosu Cave, and many other must-see spots.

Missing the Eight Scenic Views of Danyang is like missing the pyramids of Egypt. The eight scenes can be grouped into three geographical locations, about 20 minutes’ drive apart. So make sure to prepare yourself for the unique sight!

Description

Danyang has taken pride in its beautiful natural sceneries since a long time ago in Korea. This place was visited by famous poets and artists such as Kim Hongdo and Jeong Seon, and became the material of Oriental landscape paintings. Lee Hwang, great Confucianist scholar, whose figure appears on 1,000 KRW bill, was once the governor of Danyang County. He admired the fantastic spots and named them Danyang Eight Scenic Views. When you ascend Chungjoo-ho lake cruise ship on this calming (so-called ‘lake’) Namhan-gang(South Han River), you can see rocks and hills formed with shapes of several animals such as Jebi-bong(swallow peak), Gudam-bong(turtle pond peak) and Juksun-bong(bamboo shoot peak) and ones also involved with legendary stories such as Dodamsam-bong. You will also have the opportunity to compare a painting of the famous painter(Jeon Seon)’s with the real Gudam-bong Peak. These exotic rocks and peaks look entangled with pine trees, thuja trees and vine, seasonally with spring flowers and autumn foliage. You will pass under an orange bridge contrastive to the blue river, stopover at Cheongpung-naru Quay, and then come back down among the aesthetic mountain views of Weorak-san National Park.

After the scenic view, we will have lunch:  We will go and eat delicious food called Garlic Hanjeongsik(Table d’hote or Korean Set Menu). Garlic is an organic energizer, best quality, featured produce of this area. Otherwise, you can drop by Googyeong Traditional Market where garlic dumpling, garlic dakgangeong(chicken seasoned with sweet and sour sauce) and other vernacular snacks and dishes are sold.

Still, not being satisfied, you will run to Jan-gyo, a long and narrow skywalk going around hillsides along the river. You will also visit Dodamsambong Three Peaks, the best one among Danyang 8 scenic views. The Three Peaks are stunning rocks on the Han River with the background of surrounding mountains and hills. You can listen to the legend involved in the Peaks and the story of a scholar called Jeong Dojeon, establisher of the Joseon Dynasty’s state system and its Palace of Gyeongbok-gung.

4 optional tours:

Recommended: You will have a chance to walk on the famous skywalk. The Mancheonha skywalk became a must-see attraction in Danyang since it was opened in July 2017. Visitors can ride the Mancheonha zip line (own expense) in there.

Mancheonha Zip-line: KRW30,000 per person

*** Mancheonha Skywalk and Zip-line close on Mondays.

Around 5 minutes to the summit of Bibongsan Mountain, visitors can enjoy the Chungju Lake while riding the Cheongpung Cable car.

As traveling this sun-lit Danyang County on a hot day, you would love to explore the Gosu Cave, this is the greatest limestone cave in Asia. Walking up and down the stairs, you will give out cheers with awe at the mysterious sights of stone pillars, stalagmites and stalactites dangling down from the cave ceiling. You will marvel at the details and grandeur of this underground Paradise that Nature has created.

Guin-sa Buddhist Temple is located in a deep valley, this varied, grandiose and brilliant headquarter temple of Cheontajong(Buddhist division compound out of Zen and non-Zen sect) is worth visiting. Even though the climb is a little hard your efforts will be rewarded with the beauty and solemnity of the silent temple and the amazing view.