Pyeongchang

Pyeongchang Travel Guide

Host of the 2018 Winter Olympics and a year-round highland retreat at 700m — sheep farms, the Balwangsan cable car, winter skiing and cool summers, one KTX hour from Seoul.

Essential Pyeongchang Travel Info

Must-Visit Places in Pyeongchang

★ 4.4

Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm

Korea's only dedicated sheep farm grazes its flock across 66 hectares on an 850m Daegwallyeong ridge. The 1.2km loop (about 40 minutes) rolls through alpine scenery of meadow, sheep and wind turbines, and a basket of hay — included with admission — lets you feed the flock at the fence. Snowfields in winter, fresh greens in early summer, silvergrass in autumn: a different picture every season. Pair it with Sky Ranch and Samyang Round Hill for the full ranch circuit.

Hours9:00-18:00 (until 17:00 Nov-Feb; open daily)

LocationDaegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang

TipsThe snowscape is the famous shot — bring crampons for the icy trail. Mornings light the meadow best.

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★ 4.3

Balwangsan Cable Car & Skywalk

From Yongpyong Resort, the 7.4km round-trip cable car reaches the 1,458m summit of Balwangsan in about 20 minutes. Up top, the Millennial Yew Forest boardwalk (about 40 minutes) winds among centuries-old yews, and the cliff-edge skywalk opens a panorama of the Baekdudaegan ridgeline, with Korea's highest café for the view break. Winter brings snow flowers and hoarfrost, summer a sea of clouds — on the mountain that hosted the 2018 Olympic alpine events.

HoursRoughly 9:00-17:00 (varies by season and weather)

LocationDaegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang

TipsThe summit runs nearly 10°C colder — bring a layer even in summer. Hoarfrost peaks on clear winter mornings.

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★ 4.5

Woljeongsa Temple & Fir Forest

Founded in 643 by Master Jajang, this Odaesan temple centers on a National Treasure nine-story octagonal pagoda. Its glory is the approach: a kilometer beneath 1,700 firs over 80 years old — a famous barefoot-walking path whose snowy version fills Korean films and ads. The 9km Seonjae-gil trail continues to Sangwonsa, and templestay programs welcome visitors. Fifteen minutes from Jinbu Station, it's the natural first stop of any Pyeongchang trip.

HoursSunrise to sunset (museum hours separate)

LocationJinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang

TipsThe fir path is most magical on misty early mornings; bring crampons for the snow season.

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★ 4.3

Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch

Three times the size of Yeouido, Daegwallyeong's biggest ranch stayed closed for 40 years until 2014, preserving its highland pastures intact. The signature tractor wagon climbs 25 minutes to the 1,057m Haneulmaru lookout — wind turbines, grasslands, and on clear days Gangneung and the East Sea. Add the silvergrass hill from the film 'Welcome to Dongmakgol', animal feeding and winter sledding, and it's a family favorite ten minutes' walk from the Sheep Farm.

Hours9:00-18:00 (to 17:30 in winter)

LocationDaegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang

TipsBuy wagon tickets on arrival — weekend lines grow. Walk the ridge trail down from Haneulmaru.

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★ 4.3

Yongpyong Resort

Korea's first modern ski resort (1975) spreads 28 slopes on Balwangsan, from bunny hills to the Rainbow course that hosted the 2018 Olympic giant slalom. Fame from 'Winter Sonata' and 'Goblin' keeps visitors coming year-round — water park and golf in summer, foliage gondola rides in autumn. In season (late Nov-early Mar), rental-lesson packages and Seoul shuttles make it beginner-friendly.

HoursSki season 8:30-22:00, night skiing included

LocationDaegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang

TipsBuy weekend lift passes online for less; off-season it makes a fine base for the cable car and sheep farm.

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★ 4.1

Lee Hyo-seok Culture Village

Bongpyeong, hometown of writer Lee Hyo-seok and setting of his classic novella, preserves his birthplace, the watermill and other story sites around a literary museum. The peak is early September's Hyoseok Festival, when buckwheat blossoms whiten the hillsides 'like scattered salt' — exactly as the famous line has it — and stalls serve buckwheat noodles and crepes. With Bongpyeong's venerable makguksu houses nearby, literature and lunch make a perfect half day.

HoursMuseum 9:00-18:00 (closed Mondays); fields always open

LocationBongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang

TipsBlossoms peak the first two weeks of September (busy weekends); eat makguksu at the old town shops, not the festival stalls.

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Things to Do in Pyeongchang

Adventure

Skiing & Snowboarding

From first lessons to Olympic courses at Yongpyong and Phoenix — late November through early March.

Price Lift and gear ₩80,000-150,000 a dayDuration Full day

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Nature

Daegwallyeong Ranch Circuit

Sheep Farm, Sky Ranch and Samyang Round Hill in one highland day — the default Pyeongchang itinerary.

Price ₩6,000-12,000 per ranchDuration Full day

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Nature

Seonjae-gil Trail Walk

Nine streamside kilometers from Woljeongsa to Sangwonsa — at its best under autumn color.

Price Free (temple admission separate)Duration About 3 hours one way

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Must-Try Food in Pyeongchang

Bongpyeong Buckwheat Noodles

🍱 Traditional

The buckwheat capital's signature — pure buckwheat noodles in radish-kimchi broth or perilla oil, with buckwheat crepes on the side.

Daegwallyeong Hanwoo Beef

🍱 Traditional

Highland-raised hanwoo at source prices in Hoenggye's beef district — the butcher-restaurants are the value play.

Osam Bulgogi (Squid & Pork)

🍱 Traditional

Squid and pork belly in a fiery stir-fry — Pyeongchang comfort food that empties rice bowls across Jinbu and Hoenggye.

Wild Greens Table

🍱 Traditional

A table crowded with Odaesan mountain greens — the restaurants by Woljeongsa set the standard.

Pyeongchang Travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Pyeongchang?

Winter (Dec-Feb) for skiing and snowscapes; summer stays around 20°C for highland escapes. Late spring greens and October foliage are superb too.

How much does it cost to travel in Pyeongchang?

Daily budget around ₩100,000-180,000; resort rates jump in ski season and year-end.

How do I get around in Pyeongchang?

KTX-Eum from Seoul or Cheongnyangni reaches Jinbu or Pyeongchang station in 1-1.7 hours. Sights are scattered, so rent a car or taxi from the station; ski-resort shuttles run in winter.

Do I need a visa to visit Pyeongchang?

A domestic destination in Korea.

Is Pyeongchang safe for tourists?

Watch for icy mountain roads in winter and pack a layer even in summer — it's high country.

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