Yeongwol Byeolmaro Observatory, reached by shuttle atop 799.8 m Bongnaesan Mountain

October 13, 2001: “The Quiet Summit for Viewing the Stars” at the 799.8-meter Peak of Bongnaesan Mountain

Byeolmaro Observatory is a public observatory located at 397 Cheonmundae-gil, Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon State, at an elevation of 799.8 meters on the summit of Bongnaesan Mountain. It opened on October 13, 2001, with a site area of 4,058㎡, a building area of 931㎡, and a structure consisting of two basement levels and four above-ground floors. Its name combines “byeol,” meaning “star,” “maru,” meaning a summit, and “ro,” meaning quiet, to convey the meaning “the quiet summit for viewing the stars.”

Its location on the mountain summit overlooking Yeongwol-eup is connected to the observing environment. The observatory is equipped with an 800-mm-diameter main telescope and several auxiliary telescopes, offering observation programs for the moon, planets, and stars. Visitors can also enjoy the wide view toward the paragliding site at the summit of Bongnaesan Mountain and the night view of Yeongwol-eup. Since daytime solar observation and nighttime celestial observation are different programs, it is best to read the descriptions for each reservation session carefully.

2:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.; closed Mondays: Check the shuttle departure time before the seasonal sessions

Byeolmaro Observatory is open from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and its regular closing day is Monday. However, admission is not on a walk-in basis; visitors must make an advance reservation for a specific session and board the shuttle bus. Cancellations made at least one day before the visit receive a full refund. On the day of the visit, cancellations made up to 20 minutes before the shuttle departure receive a 90% refund; no refunds are available after that time.

During the winter season, from October to March, sessions are generally scheduled for 14:30–15:30, 19:00–20:00, and 20:00–21:00. During the summer season, from April to September, the listed sessions are 15:30–16:30, 20:00–21:00, and 21:00–22:00. Session times may vary depending on the season, events, and weather, so reservations should be based on the time shown for the day of the visit. Entry to the planetarium is not permitted after the program has begun.

• Hours: 14:00–22:00
• Closed: Every Monday
• Inquiries: 033-372-8445
• Official information: https://www.ywfmc.or.kr/contents.do?cid=56457a4206fb46d2b1c588537ec52925

₩7,000 for regular admission including the shuttle; even groups must book individually because capacity is 41

As of 2026, individual admission fees are ₩7,000 for regular visitors, ₩6,000 for middle and high school students and enlisted soldiers, ₩5,000 for children aged 7 through elementary school, and ₩3,500 for visitors aged 65 and older. For groups of 20 or more, the rates are ₩6,000 for regular visitors, ₩5,000 for youths and military personnel, ₩4,000 for children, and ₩3,000 for seniors, but group reservations themselves are not accepted. Since the shuttle bus has a capacity of 41 passengers, even members of the same party must make individual reservations.

The shuttle fare is included in the observatory admission fee and does not need to be paid separately. Infants and toddlers aged 6 or under from the same family are admitted free, but they must be included in the reservation headcount. If visitors do not bring a family register extract, health insurance card, or other document proving age, the children’s rate may be charged on site. Children in elementary school or younger must be accompanied by a guardian. Pets and outside food are not permitted, and the use of mobile phones and cameras is restricted during programs.

Private vehicles cannot reach the summit: Take the shuttle from Sports Park during Bongnaesan Mountain construction

Until construction for the Bongnaesan Mountain attraction project is completed, private cars and chartered buses cannot drive up to the observatory. Individual access by motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot is also restricted, and participation in the program is possible only by taking the shuttle bus for the reserved session. If you miss the shuttle, you cannot use the observatory program and will not receive a refund. It is therefore safest to arrive at least 10–20 minutes before the platform and departure time shown on the reservation confirmation screen.

During winter, the official information advises visitors approaching from the Donggang Cistar, Jeongseon, Taebaek, or High1 directions to avoid closed road sections and take a detour via Yeongwol Station → Yeongwol Middle School → Byeolmaro Observatory. Travelers using their own cars should check with Byeolmaro Observatory at 033-372-8445 before booking to confirm whether parking is available at the shuttle platform in central Yeongwol. Since access to the summit itself is restricted, do not plan the trip around driving directly to the observatory parking lot.

When clouds gather, observations switch to an astronomy lecture rather than being canceled

Night sessions at Byeolmaro Observatory combine a virtual constellation tour with celestial observations. However, if actual telescope observations are difficult because of clouds, rain, strong winds, or other weather conditions, they are replaced with a basic astronomy lecture. Rather than assuming that an automatic refund is provided when stars are not visible, visitors should regard the experience as including the indoor planetarium and interpretation programs as well.

If viewing the stars is the primary purpose of the visit, check cloud cover and the precipitation forecast before departure, and bring an extra layer for the temperature difference at the mountain summit during nighttime sessions. Conversely, if you are interested only in telescope observations and have little interest in indoor interpretation, booking on a cloudy day may not be suitable. Since visitors must concentrate on the screens and observations during the program, illuminated shoes are also subject to viewing restrictions.

Allow 2 hours 10 minutes including the night view of Yeongwol-eup, and plan return transportation separately after a nighttime session

Including the shuttle ride up and down, the planetarium, and the observation program, it is realistic to allow about 2 hours 10 minutes per session. For example, the final summer session may end at 22:00, while the shuttle descending from the mountain may be scheduled for around 22:40. Visitors should therefore resolve issues involving taxis, designated-driver services, and the last train or bus to Yeongwol Station or their accommodation before the visit.

For a daytime itinerary, it is best to have a meal near Yeongwol Station or in Yeongwol-eup before taking an afternoon session. If choosing a nighttime session, prioritize fixing the return route first. According to the official guidance, the travel time from Seoul to Yeongwol by car is about 2 hours 10 minutes, from Daejeon about 2 hours 30 minutes, and from Busan and Gwangju about 4 hours 30 minutes each. However, these figures do not include road conditions or shuttle waiting time, so especially when choosing the third nighttime session for a same-day round trip, allow plenty of extra time.

Visiting the summit of Bongnaesan Mountain with a wheelchair or stroller requires a call in advance

Byeolmaro Observatory’s fee-reduction policy includes a 50% discount for registered visitors with disabilities and one accompanying guardian of a person with a severe disability. Relevant documents must be brought. However, since the visit involves boarding a 41-seat shuttle bus and moving through the mountain-top building, visitors should call 033-372-8445 before booking to confirm whether wheelchair boarding is possible, whether strollers can be stored, and whether assistance staff are required.

Foreign visitors should inquire separately about the level of language support on the official reservation page and the languages available for on-site interpretation. No official material confirming that foreign-language interpretation is provided regularly has been found. The address is 397 Cheonmundae-gil, Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon State, but because direct access to the summit is currently restricted, do not try to use this address to drive directly to the mountaintop. Follow the shuttle platform instructions instead.