Danyang, Korea: A Guide To The Best Things To See & Do
When it comes to getting away and taking a weekend to travel, I know it’s not just me, I search out a coastal city and head straight to the nearest one with an available hotel and a seaside view. The center of Korea has been quite overlooked by me… and I imagine many others, but I’m gonna put this little post up here with a little reminder that there is indeed plenty to see and DO in the middle of Korea.
To be fair, I had visited Danyang (단양군) many… many years… okay, maybe a decade ago. It was actually one of the FIRST places I ever enjoyed a weekend away to with a group of girls when I came to Korea. I can’t remember why we landed on it but I do remember visiting some stunning spots like Guinsa Temple and the Gosu Caves.
This past weekend I went back to Danyang and have to say there is just something so special about this place. With that, I’ll get right into what you can see and do in the area that is just a two and a half hour bus ride away! It’s great in any season, but quite soon the leaves will be changing colors and this area is sure to be amazingly beautiful with yellow, red, and purple fall foliage.
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Danyang Itinerary
How To Get There
By Train: You can take a train from Cheongnyangri Station to Danyang Station. The trip is just under an hour and a half.
By Bus: You can take a bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Danyang Bus Terminal. The trips takes 2.5 hours. Or from Express Bus Terminal, you can take a bus that takes about 2 hours.
Join a tour: If your short on time, you can go to Danyang and back to Seoul in just one day. Join this Danyang kkday tour. You can depart from either Hongik University Station or Myeongdong and then see the Three Dodam Peaks, take a cruise, and see the top of Mancheonha Sky Walk.
NOTE: There is another city in Korea with a super similar name, Damyang, which has the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest so it’s also popular to visit. Whether you travel by bus or train, just make sure you get a ticket to the right spot.
Where To Stay In Danyang
Sono Moon Danyang
This is the best resort and hotel in the area. Some rooms have cooking facilities which is great if you go with a family and want to prep food in your room. There is also a sauna, hot spring baths, outdoor and indoor swimming pool, spa, and just the beautiful scenery. If you’re headed to Danyang, this is definitely where you’ll want to stay.
Book a room at Sono Moon Danyang on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.
What To See & Do
Chungju Lake & Ferry Ride (충주호)
The ferry ride on Chungjuho Lake (충주호) was one of my favorite activities of our trip because the stone formations really just towered above us and actually reminded me of the karsts of Thailand that dramatically rose from the sea. The lake is actually the largest in the country and was formed after the construction of the Chungju Dam. At the time, 50,000 people lost their homes when the 66.48 km area became submerged.
Today, it is a popular tourist destination in the region. If you want to head to the lake, take a cruise and not worry about transportation and getting around, check out the tour with Trazy that will get you to the lake for the cruise as well as visit Dodamsambong Peak and Guinsa Temple in the area. It’s a great day trip option.
There are multiple ferry/cruise ship options. We took the hour long trip that allowed us to see the peaks of Oksunbong and Gudambong, a cliff shaped like a tortoise. Those are also two of the “8 Wonders of Danyang” if you were trying to check those off of your list when you’re in the area. An on-board speaker relays information on what to look out for and information was provided in both Korean and English for those interested. When you get on board, head straight up to the top deck to really enjoy those rocky views, with a side of windy breezes.
- Address: 11 Hancheon-ri Hansu-myeon Jecheon-si (충북 제천시 한수면 한천리 11)
- Cruise Ship Admission: Chungju Lake Tourist Center Janghwa Ferry Terminal: Adults: W12,000, Children (3-13): W8,000, Babies 2 and under: Free.
- Hours: Summer: 9:00am ~ 4:30pm; Winter: 10:00am ~ 3:00pm
Mancheonha Skywalk & Zipline (만천하 스카이워크)
The Mancheonha Skywalk (만천하 스카이워크) was just opened in July 2017 and really offers some absolutely stunning views of the river flowing nearby. After parking and buying a ticket (W2,000 for adults), visitors board a bus that takes them up to where the Skywalk is on a 90 meter high hill. Walk up and around the gently sloping walk up and come to the observatory adding a further 40 meters at the top. Walk out onto one of three, or all three, glass bottomed walkways to take in the sheer beauty on all sides. In the autumn, this spot is sure to provide just amazingly colorful views.
After you’ve walked up and around and around and back down again, you’ll either board a bus back down, or find a seat to wait for the zipline down. The zipline is a two parter. From the top, there’s a long one across the river and then there’s a shorter one back to where you began at the ticket office. A great way to get back to the bottom in style.
- Address: 94 Aegok-ri Jeokseong-myeon Danyang-gun (충북 단양군 적성면 애곡리 94)
- Observatory Hours: Summer: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm; Winter: 10:00am ~ 5:00pm
- Admission: W2,000
- Zipline Hours: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm, Closed Mondays
- Admission: W30,000
Gosu Cave (고수동굴)
The Gosu Cave System (고수동굴) is one of Korea’s most famous caves and I visited this site the very first time I visited Danyang. It is listed as “Natural Monument Number 256” and was formed over 450 million years ago. Walk through the 1.7 kilometer long twisting limestone caverns and be careful not to bump your head. The metal walkway can be slippery and the lighting is dim so do prepared to step lightly and carefully.
This isn’t the most exciting spot on this list, but it is really interesting to see how the rock has been carved out by the water dripping and dropping over time. Do NOT visit if you’re claustrophobic.
- Address: 8 Gosu caves-gil Danyang-eub Danyang-gun (충북 단양군 단양읍 고수동굴길 8)
- Hours: Every day: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm
- Admission: Adults: W11,000; Children: W5,000 – W7,000
Cafe Sann & Paragliding (카페산)
This cafe will have your heart skipping a beat if you’re afraid of heights. Not really set up just for the dawdler with a camera, this cafe is for those people looking to enjoy some brew before they leap off the mountain to paraglide to the bottom. The cafe sits 600 meters up on Dusan Mountain and offers the most spectacular views… even if you’re not so interested in jumping off the side of the mountain. While I was taking the zipline down from the skywalk, Emma, or Kunyangg, was paragliding. Enjoy her amazing pics!
If you want to head out to the area and go paragliding, look into some tour options to make it easier. Here are a couple great options that include this paragliding experience:
- Join a day trip with Klook that will take you to the Ondal Tourist Park in the area and then head up paraglide in the afternoon. Transportation only available from Seoul. (The paragliding fee should be paid separately upon arrival.)
- Join a day trip with Trazy that will take you to the Ondal Tourist Park in the morning and then head to paraglide in the afternoon. Transportation available from Seoul & Busan. (Fee includes paragliding so you can pay for everything easily in advance.)
- Address: 196-86 Dusan-gil Gagok-myeon Danyang-gun (충북 단양군 가곡면 두산길 196-86)
- Hours: Monday ~ Friday: 9:30am ~ 7:30pm; Saturday & Sunday: 8:30am ~ 7:30pm
- Paragliding Fee: W100,000
Korea Tea Culture Museum (한국차문화박물관)
The Korea Tea Culture Museum (한국차문화박물관) is an interesting spot that isn’t all that old but run by a very exuberant older tea loving gentleman. The building seems to have been an old school that has been converted into a museum that displays over 3,000 teas and tea products. The displays are beautiful and do present far more than I could have ever imagined about tea.
The owner and guide has traveled extensively to curate a great collection. Visit the showcases and then enjoy some tea with the guides where they’ll teach you how to enjoy that oh so delicious drink. (This is not IN Danyang FYI. This was a stop on the way down to the area that was great for stretching our legs a bit.)
- Address: 741 Guksabong-ro Bongyang-eub Jecheon-si (충북 제천시 봉양읍 국사봉로 741)
- Hours: Daily 10:00am ~ 6:00pm (CLOSED Mondays)
- Admission: Adults: W8,000; Children: W5,000
Suyanggae Light Tunnel (수양개빛터널)
Originally built in the early 20th century as a railroad, the tunnel saw a period of vacancy before being recently converted into a lit up multimedia tunnel that was opened in July 2017. Outside, there is a lit up garden of flowers and trees. In the tunnel are several different spaces with lights everywhere, hanging down from the ceiling, lighting up the ceiling and more.
Get to the end and you can have a little dance party before coming back out the 650 foot long tunnel. This was quite the surprise for us as we really just didn’t expect this lit up madhouse, said in a good way, after dinner. The Suyanggae Light Tunnel (수양개빛터널) is just outside of the Suyanggae Prehistory Museum so you can make it a little educational if you want to and visit the museum before diving into the lights.
While you can definitely get to Danyang via public transportation fairly easily, you could also look into renting a car and heading own from Seoul. With a group of friends it’s quite affordable… and who doesn’t like a road trip? We always use Avis when we’re getting around the peninsula and have always found their customer service great.
- Address: 390 Suyanggae Tunnel-ro Jeokseong-myeon Danyang-gun (충북 단양군 적성면 수양개유적로 390)
- Admission: Adults: W9,000; Children: W6,000
- Hours: 1:00pm ~ 10:00pm
Guinsa Temple (구인사)
Guinsa Temple (구인사) is the headquarters of the Cheontae school of Buddhism and has to be one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples on the peninsula. The Cheontae school of Buddhism had a major impact on Goryeo Buddhism but lost popularity and almost complete disappeared before it was firmly re-established in 1945 by Sangwol Wongak and today has about two million followers. The buildings you can see today were built in 1966 and the temple complex sits on the side of a mountain so be prepared for quite a little trek up to see each part of the complex. Since the buildings are a few floors taller than most Buddhist temple buildings AND because it’s on the side of a mountain, the buildings just seem to tower and soar above. It’s really a gorgeous temple that will provide a some beauty along with a little exercise if you head out to see it.
There’s a great tour that Trazy offers that heads to Guinsa Temple after stopping for a cruise on the Chungjuho Lake and a look out over the Dodamsambong Peak. Check it out if you want to have a great and easy day trip to the area.
- Admission: 73 Guinsa-gil Yeongchun-myeon Danyang-gun (충청북도 단양군 영춘면 구인사길 73 구인사)
Sobaeksan National Park (소백산국립공원)
Sobaeksan National Park (소백산국립공원) was designated as the 18th national park in Korea and it is the third largest mountainous national park. The peaks to look out for on this mountain are Birobong (비로봉) which is almost 1440 meters high followed by Gungmangbong (국망봉), Yeonhwabong (연화봉), and Dosolbong (도솔봉). You can actually go from Guinsa Temple straight up into the mountain or head around to the other side and hike up and over.
The mountain is known for having wild flowers and in the spring it’s covered in royal azaleas. Though we’ve missed that, it’s still beautiful and the ridge is known for having a nice relatively flat path connecting with just breathtaking views. there’s actually a staircase that takes hikers across the ridge and there is just mountains and sky on either side. So, go on a clear day if you can manage.
Danyang Danuri Aquarium (단양다누리 아쿠아리움)
This makes for a great spot if you have kids or a rainy day pops up while you’re in the area. There are some fantastic aquariums in Korea and this is one of them. This aquarium has 127 exhibition tanks with around 22,000 creatures from 187 species and it features the largest freshwater aquarium in Korea.
- Address: Danuri Center, 111 Subyeon-ro Danyang-eub Danyang-gun (충북 단양군 단양읍 수변로 111 다누리센터)
What To Eat
Maeuntang 매운탕
Since Danyang has Namhan River (남한강) whirling through the city, it’s no wonder that one of the most popular dishes to eat when visiting is maeuntang made with local fresh water fish. Maeuntang is a spicy fish stew and can be made with pretty much any fish, so I’ve been told, but the fish needs to be fresh. So it’s a safe bet in Danyang. They also add in locally grown produce for a very local and delicious meal. If you want a specific restaurant recommendation, there is a list of the top restaurants in the area on the danyang.go.kr tourism website.
Garlic Garlic Garlic
No, I’m not saying to just go to Danyang and have a meal of garlic, but Danyang is known for the garlic they produce and as such, they have quite a substantial list of garlic based cuisine. Garlic grows well in the region and in particular the 6-part garlic (6쪽마늘) is cultivated and has a unique taste and scent when grown in the Danyang valleys.
Some dishes or meals to try with garlic include:
- Garlic Kettle Pot Rice which is basically a hot pot with garlic and a ton of healthy vegetable side dishes. The rice and the side dishes will have been prepared with the garlic for that taste and nutrition value too. I had this and loved it… I love garlic though so hopefully our listeners do too.
- There is also garlic steamed chicken, pork ribs marinated in garlic, garlic tteokgalbi… there’s a lot of garlic dishes suffice to say.
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One Comment
Wendyflor
Danyang looks interesting now… But I’m not too adventurous and I can’t do paragliding, not even zipline! The cave looks gorgeous though! I wish I can visit all these spots with my family before winter! The Fall foliage might even make it more romantic comes end of October to mid of November.