#Wellnessgangwon

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The Yellow House

(Above: Photo grabbed from Aark House IG account.)

My recent trip was one of the most memorable vacations I've had in Gangneung, mainly because of two people: the guesthouse owner and a cab driver.  I arrived late at night, exhausted so I took a cab going to the guesthouse. I just wanted to avoid small talk. But it didn’t go as planned  

After I told him where to go, he started talking about the pandemic and how it affected his livelihood. So, I pinched myself to stay awake. I was all ears. We talked more about COVID, Gangneung and tourism until we arrived at our destination.

The navigation system showed that we arrived but we didn't see the guesthouse. He asked me the phone number but I was lazy to Google it. I told him not to worry because I'll use Naver map to get there. I got off in a dark alley with my huge backpack. After a couple of minutes of going back and forth, I finally managed to reach the guesthouse. I met the owner upon check-in. She was explaining some rules when her phone rang. I swear I wasn't eavesdropping, it's just that their convo was so loud I can hear it. :)

It was my taxi driver! 

He wanted to make sure that I got there safely. The landlady and I were surprised and touched for what he did. Not all cab drivers will do that! 😮😢

The next day~

Morning mirror selfie!

Aark House has a high rating at Booking.com. 

Below: Reception counter and kitchen

Below: Looking at her shelf, the owner seems to be a book-lover. 

Above: Her bird named Cider (사이다). 

The next day, she prepared a healthy breakfast. We sat at the dining table for hours talking about everything under the sun: Gangneung, politics, COVID, Olympics, families, her children, my travels, her favorite series on Netflix (Money Heist), our health, etc. It was really fun talking with her but I had to leave early.

Before I left, she gave me a motherly bear hug and a book, Make Each Day Your Masterpiece by Michael Lynberg, and wrote:

To Mawi:

한국에서 열심히 살고 있는 마위, 앞으로도 좋은 일만 있기를 바랄께요! 건강 잘 챙기고, 여행하면서 좋은 사람들 많이 만나고, 나중에 기회 되면 우리 또 만나요! 만나서 반가웠어요.~

From: 옥주 Aark House in Gangneung Translated to...

To Mawi who's living diligently in Korea,

I hope only good things happen to you in the future. Take good care of your health. I hope you'll meet a lot of good people while you travel. Let's meet again when there's another chance. Nice meeting you!

From Ok-ju of Aark House in Gangneung

💕💕💕

Truly, the people you meet make the journey unforgettable and more meaningful. 😄

For guesthouse info or reservation, check their website: 

Aark House

Instagram: @aarkhouse

Address: 강원도, 강릉, 용지로 96번길 4-5 / Yongji-ro 96 Beon-gil 4-5, Gangneung, Gangwondo

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Ginseng Wine Making in Korea Palace

One of Korea's best luxury hotels, the Korea Palace is a traditional Hanok-style hotel located in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwondo. It played a significant role as a home to some of the VIP/VVIP guests during the 2018 Winter Olympics.

(Below) Our lunch, buffet style

This is the view from our table, overlooking Mt. Balwangsan.

What’s so special about this meal? All of the dishes (and drinks) were prepared and cooked using mineral water! Oh, and by the way, their Makgeolli (milky, off-white drink), Korean fermented rice wine,  tastes a-m-a-z-i-n-g! 

After our delicious meal, we headed to a Hanok site for our next activity: Korean ginseng wine making.

Our teacher (the guy wearing a hat) introduced Korean ginseng wine and he told us that we’d be using an 8-year old ginseng that costs KRW 50,000! Ooh la la!

(Below) Making a ginseng wine is easy! All you need are the following:

Tall thin bottle and cork

Plastic water bowl with water

Funnel 

Ginseng

Soju

8-year old wild ginseng that costs KRW 50,000

I just had to clean it using the water in the bowl. After cleaning, put the ginseng inside the bottle and fill the bottle with soju using a funnel.

Tada! It’s the final product, made with love!^^ 

 Our teacher told us that this would be a perfect Christmas gift. 

Wild Ginseng Wine, 500 ml, 20% Alcohol Content

If you’d like to check-out more information about Korea Palace: 

Korea Palace website

Address: 133 Yongsan-ri, Daegwanryeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwondo (강원도 평창군 대관령면 용산리 산 133)

033-336-1111

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Balwangsan Skywalk

The newest attraction in YongPyong Resort is here! 

(Drum roll please...)

The Balwangsan Skywalk formally opened and welcomed visitors last August 19, 2020. I was very lucky to witness and attend the grand opening ceremony on top of the mountain. 

The skywalk was built on top of Balwangsan Mountain, the 12th highest mountain in South Korea. Rising 1,458 m above sea level, the skywalk was built to be accessible for everyone. Even those with mobility issues can easily go to the top: it only takes a cable car ride!

Roundtrip cable car ride costs: KRW 25,000 (Adults)

Check the price list here!

The Balwangsan cable car is said to be the longest cable car ride in South Korea (7.4 km roundtrip), which takes approximately 18 minutes from the boarding area to the Dragon Peak drop-off point on top of the mountain. 

I’ve visited the place multiple times, and I can attest that the view from the cable car is stunning whether it’s spring, summer, winter, or fall. :)

(Below) Wheelchair storage box

From the Dragon Peak drop off point, you can go to the Skywalk by elevator or stairs. 

Look at this view!

(Below) The walkway is wheelchair-user friendly too!

📌 Balwangsan Skywalk (Yongpyong Resort) 232-950, 715, Olympic-ro, Daegwanryeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea 🖥YongPyong Resort 

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A day of wellness in Gangwon

If you’re looking for a place to just rest and relax, why not go to Gangwon? I’m sharing how my wellness day experience in Gangwon went.

Wellness Program: 

(START) Osaek Greenyard Hotel -> Carbonated Hot Spring -> Jujeongol Valley -> Yoga Class  -> Korea Palace Hotel and Goryeo Museum -> Mt. Balwangsan Mountain Cable Car Ride (FINISH)

OSAEK GREENYARD HOTEL 

We stayed in this hotel which is famous for its carbonated hot springs! 

Our group enjoying a hearty feast

On my way to experience the carbonated hot spring. ~

After checking out their hot spring, I went to sauna rooms with different temperature.

Group Yoga class in the hotel

Osaek Greenyard Hotel Information

Address: 34 Daecheongbong-gil, Seo-myeong, Yangyang-gun (강원도 양양군 서면 대청봉길 34)

Website : Osaek Greenyard Hotel

Reservations: 033-670-1005

OSAEK JUJEONGOL VALLEY 

Beside the hotel is the OsaekJujeongol Valley. There’s no entrance fee so  eveyrone can enjoy a leisurely walk any time of the day.

Osaek Jujeongol Valley

Address: 460 Osaek-ri, Seo-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwondo (강원도 양양군 서면 오색리 460)

Contact info: 033-672-2883

KOREA PALACE HOTEL AND GORYEO MUSEUM

We went straight ahead to Pyeongchang for lunch. We feasted like Kings and Queens at the Korea Palace. 

Since it’s a wellness day, all our dishes were cooked with mineral water. 

After lunch, we checked out the area and the traditional Hanok rooms. 

If you’re into Korean alcoholic beverages, then this activity is right for you. We made a Korean Ginseng Healthy Liquor which can last up to 10 years. Hmmm...

Look at the finished product packaging~

Korea Palace Hotel and Goryeo Museum

Address: 1169, Olympic-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Contact info: 033-336-1111

E-mail: kpkoreapalace@gmail.com

MT. BALWANGSAN CABLE CAR

We capped off our wellness day with a cable car ride which stretches to 7.4km. We saw lucious view of Balwangsan Mountain. A roundtrip cable car ride costs KRW 20,000. 

On top,the fresh breezy summer air pleasantly greeted us.

If you want to just chill and enjoy the view, then I suggest you go to the cafe.

Yongpyong Resort - Mt. Balwangsan Cable Car 

Address: 1169, Olympic-ro, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Contact info: 033-336-1111

E-mail: kpkoreapalace@gmail.com

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Tourist-friendly Yangyang!

Whenever I travel to Gangwon-do, I usually go to Gangneung, Sokcho, Chuncheon, Wonju, and Pyeongchang. The first time I have heard of Yangyang was in 2018 when Yangyang International Airport was re-opened to cater to visitors during the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. I was surprised to learn from my Korean friend that Yangyang is dubbed as Korea’s Hawaii. So, with that in mind, I was really excited to see what Yangyang has to offer to its foreign travelers!

Unlike Seoul, Yangyang doesn't have a subway system, only buses and taxis are available. That's why to make travel easier for tourists, the local government has recently introduced the Yangyang foreign tourist taxi services! I was lucky to be one of the first tourists who got to experience their newly-introduced service.

This taxi service is only KRW 20,000/person for 3 hours. Three to four passengers can fit in a taxi. 

Striking a pose with our friendly driver, Mr. Jeong (a.k.a Cheon Chi-ro) Contact details: +8210-4311-7704 / Tel #: 033-671-2300

His taxi is clean and tidy!

Here’s our three-hour taxi course: 

Surfyy Beach (서피비치)

Address: 119 Hajodaehaean-gil, Hyeonbuk-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwondo (강원도 양양군 현북면 하조대해안길 119)

Entrance Fee: None. We just looked around quickly and took some photos.

Susan Marine Yacht / Susan Sea Experience Village (수산오촌체험마을)

Address: 678 Seonsayujeok-ro, Sonyang-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwondo (강원도 양양군 손양면 수산��)

Entrance Fee: None. But fees will apply if you’d like to do their marine activities such as yacht cruise, paddle boat, takoyaki-making, kayaking, etc. 

Sol Beach (솔 비치)

Address: 678 Seonsayujeok-ro, Sonyang-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwondo (강원도 양양군 손양면 선사유적로 678)

Entrance Fee: None. We just looked around quickly and took some photos. 

Naksan Temple (낙산사)

Address: 100, Naksansa-ro, Ganghyeon-myeon, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do (강원 양양군 강현면낙산사��� 100)

Entrance Fee: KRW 3,000

Overall, my experience with Yangyang’s foreign tourist taxi service was nice and hassle-free. I recommend it to everyone interested in touring Yangyang. Here are the reasons why:

1.) Convenience

You’ll have to book and choose which places you want to see. Your friendly driver will do all the work for you. No need to navigate roads and figure out everything on your own. Just need to sit back and relax, and you’ll get to where you wanted!

2.) Time-saver

You don’t have to search for addresses or wait for the buses. It saves you from stress and saves you a tremendous amount of time.

3.) Affordable

It’s only KRW 20,000 per person for 3 hours. The maximum passenger is 4. Although this does not include the parking fee, toll, entrance fee, etc.), it’s quite a good deal!

Yangyang’s foreign taxi service website is currently under construction. In the meantime, you can check these websites for more information:

Gangwondo Taxi 

Yangyang Tourism Information