Pyeongchang

Host of the 2018 Winter Olympics, with the Yongpyong and Alpensia ski resorts and the fir forest path at Odaesan's Woljeongsa Temple; in summer, cool off at the Daegwallyeong ranches or see Bongpyeong's buckwheat blossoms.

Pyeongchang County sits deep in the Taebaek Mountains in central Gangwon Province, South Korea. With an average elevation of about 500–700 m, it brands itself the ‘HAPPY 700’ highlands and is best known for hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics. Sightseeing falls into three main areas. First, Daegwallyeong-myeon (Hoenggye), home to the Yongpyong and Alpensia ski resorts, the Ski Jumping Centre, the Olympic memorial hall and three highland ranches: Samyang Ranch, Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm and Haneul Ranch. Second, Jinbu-myeon, the starting point for the fir forest path at Woljeongsa, the Seonjae-gil trail, Sangwonsa Temple and the climb up Birobong in Odaesan National Park, plus the trout festival in winter. Third, Bongpyeong-myeon in the west, with the buckwheat fields of Hyoseok Culture Village, Phoenix Pyeongchang ski resort and the Herbnara herb garden in Heungjeong Valley. In the south, Pyeongchang-eup offers paragliding on Jangamsan and Baengnyong Cave. Seasons: December–February is ski season, with temperatures often below −10°C; in July–August the average is around 20°C, making it one of Korea's top summer retreats; buckwheat blooms in early September and autumn leaves peak in mid-October. Getting there: the KTX Gangneung Line from Seoul Station reaches Pyeongchang or Jinbu Station in about 1.5 hours, and intercity buses serve Hoenggye, Jangpyeong and Jinbu. Sights are spread out, so driving or hiring a car is recommended; each area is 20–40 minutes apart by car. Allow 2–3 days: one for skiing or the ranches, one for Odaesan's temples and trails, and one for Bongpyeong. The Gangneung coast is only about 30 minutes' drive from Hoenggye, so it's easy to combine the two.

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