PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province -- This summer seems to be going on forever. It seems like the country has become subtropical. From one corner of the peninsular, however, autumn is slowly sneaking up on us.Over 60 percent of PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, is higher than 700 meters above sea level, which is part of the reason that the city was a strong candidate to host the two upcoming Winter Olympic Games. Well, there will be no Winter Olympic Games in the city, at least until 2018, but it doesn't affect the amount of fun people can have at this idyllic location, often dubbed "Korean Alps."
Last Sunday, the morning air around the Villa Condo at the YongPyong Resort (033-335-5757) was cool, crisp and clean. Although most of the country was sweltering in a heat wave last week, the place opened in 1975 for winter sports enthusiasts seemed to be a perfect haven for those escaping the summer heat.
The sun was powerful during the middle of the day, but under the trees it was a totally different world, with sweet mountain breezes seemingly blowing from nowhere. Along the hilly road connecting the condo to other facilities of the resort were cosmos flowers blooming in three different colors, white, pink and violet, heralding that autumn is on its way.
Encompassing the resort is Mount Balwang, a 1,458-meter-tall mountain that is the 13th highest in the country. Located on top of the mountain, the Dragon Peak Restaurant commands a panoramic view of the surrounding area, including the East Sea and the nearby Gangneung area.
You can hike for three to four hours on a moderately tough trail to reach the top. Otherwise, you should ride a gondola, which costs 12,000 won for a round trip (8,000 won for children).
Less than a 30 minute drive from the resort is a unique place to appreciate the green wonders of nature: a vast sheep ranch named "Yangtte Mokjang" (033-333-1966). During weekends, thousands of people visit the place to feed sheep and take photos in the postcard-perfect exotic backgrounds with their friends and family. One has to buy a bag of dried hay to get into the ranch, which is 3,000 won.
Located not very far from the sheep ranch is Samyang Ranch (033-335-5044), which is 7.5 times larger than Yeouido Island in Seoul. It takes about two hours to traverse the ranch by shuttle bus, making stops at major attractions including the observatory overlooking the East Sea.
With the unique scenic beauty of its green hills and pastures, the ranch has become the hottest location spot for movies and soap operas in the last few years. Best known among them is Korea Broadcasting System's popular 2000 TV series "Gaeuldonghwa" (Autumn Tales), which made actress Song Hye-kyo and actor Song Seung-hun stars not only here but also in other Asian countries.
The two trees near the entrance of the ranch, respectively named "Jun-seo (Song Seung-hun)'s tree" and "Eun-seo (Song Hye-kyo)'s tree" are still the most popular tourist attractions here. A tree located on top of a hill on the ranch also became popular among local movie fans, as the three main characters played by Cha Tae-hyun, Son Ye-jin and Lee Eun-joo in the film "Lover's Concerto" (2002) sat under the tree to get out of the rain.
Fierce battle scenes from "Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War" (2004) and some action scenes of "Fighter in the Wind" (2004) were also shot here.
Another attraction of the area are the some 500 species of wildflowers blooming here and there on the ranch from spring through autumn. Admission is 7,000 won. PyeongChang is also well known as the birthplace of the late novelist Lee Hyo-seok (1907-1942), who is praised for his unique aestheticism based on realism.
Every September, the town of Bongpyeong in PyeongChang attracts a large number of tourists who come to see his birth house and the clusters of white buckwheat flowers blooming in stark contrast with the cobalt-blue sky, which looks exactly like "sprinkled salt" as Lee said in his novel "When Buckwheat Flowers Are in Bloom."
From Sept. 7 to 16, there will be the annual Bongpyeong Buckwheat Festival, which combines cultural events and a food festival, in which one can taste various kinds of dishes such as pancakes, bibimbap and noodles, all made with buckwheat. For more information about the festival, call (033) 330-2762.
High-grade beef is another food specialty of the city. Daekwallryong Sutbul Hoekwan (033-335-0020), located in the downtown area, is popular for its saeng dungshim (grilled sirloin, 39,000 won per 150g).
When driving your own car, you should take the Yongdong Expressway to Hoenggye Interchange. From there make a right turn and drive for six to eight more minutes to get to YongPyong Resort, where you can get plenty of travel information for the nearby attractions.
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