Gangwon Province Selects Taebaek and Yanggu as August's Recommended Destinations... Suggests Cool Highland and Lakeside Getaways

Gangwon Tourism Organization: "Enjoy a Summer Getaway in Taebaek and Yanggu This August"

Taebaek for Festivals, Yanggu for Healing

Experience Festivals, Art, and Nature to the Fullest

On July 24, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and Gangwon Tourism Organization announced that they have selected Taebaek and Yanggu as the "Recommended Travel Destinations of the Month" for August as part of the "2026 Visit Gangwon Year" campaign. They plan to showcase natural, cultural, and festival content that will help visitors cool down during the hot summer months.

August Recommended Travel Destinations (Yanggu, Taebaek) Poster Compilation. Provided by Gangwon Tourism Foundation

This recommendation aims to highlight the allure of Gangwon tourism in the summer, focusing on Taebaek—where visitors can enjoy the cool highland climate and summer festivals—and Yanggu, a healing destination featuring lakes and art.

Taebaek, a prominent highland city in Korea with lower-than-average temperatures, has remained a popular summer vacation spot. From July 25, the "11th Hangang·Nakdonggang River Sources Festival" will take place around Hwangji Pond, featuring water play, performances, and hands-on programs to delight family travelers. During the same period, the "Cool Cinema Festival" will be held at the Dangol Square in Taebaeksan National Park, where attendees can watch movies in the midst of nature.

Gumryongso, Taebaek’s signature tourist spot and the source of the Hangang river, is famous for its mystical scenery, with 2,000 to 3,000 tons of underground water gushing out daily. Visitors can also explore Bit-eui Gwangsan, a former coal mine transformed into a cultural space, as well as Biwaya Waterfall and Biwaya Garden, which are even more atmospheric on rainy days. Namulbap—a dish of seasoned wild greens with soybean paste—is hailed as a representative local dish of Taebaek.

Yanggu, known for its pristine natural environment and convenient access from the Seoul metropolitan area, is a lakeside travel destination centered around Paroho Lake.

The peninsula-shaped Hanbando Island, renowned for its resemblance to the Korean Peninsula, has become a photo hotspot thanks to its lakeside park and sunset views. Gwangchi Valley, nestled at the foot of Gwangchiryeong, is a classic summer spot with its crystal-clear, cold valley water.

Travelers interested in culture and the arts can visit both the Pak Sugun Art Museum and the Pak Sugun Forest Park, operated by Yanggu County. The Yanggu White Porcelain Museum will offer free admission throughout August, making it easily accessible to families. Local culinary specialties such as grilled Ogolgyesam (black-boned chicken) and Makguksu (buckwheat noodles) also add to the delight of a trip to Yanggu.

Choi Sunghyun, CEO of the Gangwon Tourism Organization, commented, "If you want to enjoy a cool highland festival, I recommend Taebaek, and for leisurely relaxation among lakes and art, Yanggu is the place for you. I hope you will have a refreshing summer vacation this year in Taebaek and Yanggu."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.