Yecheon's Best Kept Secret: A 2-Day Healing Travel Itinerary (Top Things to Do)
Yecheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is a travel destination with many places to visit where you can rest in beautiful nature. There is Hweryongpo, which boasts a picturesque landscape, Yongmunsa Temple, a thousand-year-old temple that calms the mind, and the Yecheon Insect Eco-Center, which is great for children. In particular, during the Chuseok holiday period (Korean Mid-Autumn Festival), you can also enjoy the Samgang Jumak Ferry Festival. In this article, we will summarize Yecheon's attractive travel destinations and a well-planned itinerary.
BEST 7 Must-Visit Places in Yecheon
Yecheon Hweryongpo - Nature's Art, an Island Village within the Land
Hweryongpo is a place you cannot miss on a trip to Yecheon. It is nicknamed the 'Island Village within the Land' because the Naeseongcheon River, an upstream tributary of the Nakdong River, wraps around the village 350 degrees. To take in this magnificent view, you must climb the 'Hweryongpo Observatory.' After climbing the stairs for about 10 minutes from the parking lot, you can see the picturesque panoramic view of the village.
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| Hweryongpo Village Observatory |
After enjoying the view from the observatory, go down to the village and cross the famous 'Ppyeongppyeong Bridge' yourself. The bridge is made of perforated iron plates, and is named 'Pong-pong' (or Ppyeongppyeong in Korean) because the water seems to bubble up when it rises. It is a great place to feel the nature of Yecheon up close while crossing the thrilling bridge.
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| Ppyeongppyeong Bridge |
Samgang Cultural Complex & Samgang Jumak - Feel the Atmosphere of an Old Inn
Samgang Jumak is Korea's last operating *Jumak* (traditional inn or rest stop for travelers) that operated until the early 1900s, making it an iconic spot in Yecheon. You can taste simple dishes like *Makgeolli* (rice wine) and *Pajeon* (savory pancake) in the thatched-roof house, which retains the atmosphere of an old inn, making you feel as if you are time-traveling.
Currently, Samgang Jumak is neatly developed as the 'Samgang Cultural Complex.' The complex includes a water play area and playground for children, an ecological trail perfect for walking along the river, and a River Culture Exhibition Hall, making it a great place for everyone to enjoy.
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| Samgang Jumak |
2025 Yecheon Samgang Jumak Ferry Festival
The 'Yecheon Samgang Jumak Ferry Festival' will be held at the Samgang Cultural Complex from October 4 (Sat) to 6 (Mon), 2025, which falls during the Chuseok holiday period (Korean Mid-Autumn Festival). The festival enriches the travel experience with traditional folk performances, sales of local specialties, various food markets, and hands-on programs for children. If you plan to visit Yecheon during the festival period, please check the official website of the Yecheon-gun Office once again.
2025 Samgang Jumak | Yecheon Cultural Tourism Foundation
The Samgang Jumak Ferry Festival, representing the Chuseok holiday, is a place for visitors returning home, set against the backdrop of Samgang Jumak, the last traditional inn in South Korea.
yctf.krYongmunsa Temple - Healing at a Thousand-Year-Old Temple
If you want a healing time at a quiet temple, we recommend Yongmunsa Temple in Yecheon. Founded during the Silla Dynasty, this thousand-year-old temple is nestled in a dense forest, offering a serene and tranquil atmosphere. Notably, the National Treasure 'Yunjangdae' is located here, one of only two remaining in South Korea. It is said that spinning the Yunjangdae once accumulates merit equal to reading all the Buddhist scriptures. Yongmunsa also offers Temple Stay programs, which are a great way to spend a night in complete rest and meditation. It is the perfect place to find peace and a moment of calm away from a busy daily life.
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| Yongmunsa Temple |
Yecheon Insect Eco-Center - An Insect Expedition with the Kids
If you are planning a trip to Yecheon with children, visit the Yecheon Insect Eco-Center, an experience-based park dedicated to insects. It is South Korea's largest Insect Eco-Center, where you can see and learn everything about insects in the Insect Ecology Hall and observe live butterflies in the Butterfly Observation Garden.
- Operating Hours: 09:00 ~ 18:00 (Ticket sales close at 17:00, closed every Monday)
- Admission Fee: Adult 5,000 KRW (approx. $3.80 USD) / Child and Youth 4,000 KRW (approx. $3.00 USD)
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| Yecheon Insect Eco-Center |
Yecheon Astronomical Space Center - Romance of the Night Sky and Stars
The Yecheon Astronomical Space Center is a place where you can observe celestial bodies and have space-related experiences. Key facilities include an observatory with astronomical telescopes, a 5D dome cinema, and astronaut training equipment. Children can nurture their curiosity about space through astronaut experiences, and at night, they can enjoy stargazing. Most experience programs operate on a reservation basis, so it is best to check the timetable and make a reservation on the official website before visiting.
Yecheon Astronomical Space Center
Yecheon Astronomical Space Center
portsky.netYecheon Permanent Market - Vibrant People and Food
If you want to feel the local atmosphere during your trip to Yecheon, a visit to the Yecheon Permanent Market is highly recommended. It is a traditional market located in the center of Yecheon-eup, selling fresh agricultural products, various foods, and daily necessities. Although it is open on weekdays, the Yecheon 5-day market is held on dates ending in 2 and 7 (e.g., 2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th), offering even more to see and a more lively market experience. Enjoying Yecheon's famous Yonggung Sundae or a bowl of warm *Gukbap* (rice soup) while exploring the market can be a great pleasure of the trip.
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| Yecheon Permanent Market |
Must-Try Food and Cafes in Yecheon
Yonggung Sundae (100-Year Store)
If you have to choose one representative food in Yecheon, it is definitely Yonggung Sundae. Unlike regular *sundae* (Korean blood sausage), it is made with pork large intestine (*makchang*), which makes it much chewier and nuttier. You can enjoy it as a warm *Sundae Gukbap* (rice soup with blood sausage) or as a spicy stir-fried dish (*Sundae Bokkeum*). Several specialty restaurants, including 'Danol Sikdang,' are gathered in Yonggung-myeon, Yecheon, making it a great place to compare the taste of the originals.
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| Yonggung Sundae |
Cafe Yonggung Station
If you are looking for a cafe to take a break during your Yecheon trip, we recommend 'Cafe Yonggung Station.' Located right next to the operating Yonggung Train Station, you can enjoy the view of trains passing by outside the window. It is a great place to relieve travel fatigue by tasting its signature menu, *Rabbit Liver Bread* (*Tokkiganppang*), and ice cream made with Yecheon apples. It is also conveniently located near the Yonggung Sundae restaurants.
Recommended Yecheon Travel Itineraries
A Serene Healing Course (Following Nature and Tradition)
This course is recommended for those who want quiet relaxation in nature.
- Recommended Route: Yongmunsa Temple → Hweryongpo Observatory & Ppyeongppyeong Bridge → Lunch (Yonggung Sundae) → Samgang Jumak & Samgang Cultural Complex (→ Cafe Yonggung Station)
An Experience Course for Children
This course is perfect for giving children both fun experiences and learning opportunities.
- Recommended Route: Yecheon Insect Eco-Center → Lunch (Yecheon Permanent Market or Yonggung Sundae) → Yecheon Astronomical Space Center
We have now explored the top places to visit in Yecheon, filled with tranquil scenery and enriching experiences. From the picturesque Hweryongpo created by nature to Samgang Jumak, where you can feel the old traditions, and the Insect Eco-Center that children love, Yecheon offers many attractions for the whole family, from adults to children. We hope you will plan a wonderful trip to Yecheon by referring to the recommended travel itineraries we have provided.
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