Pocheon Art Valley: Reading a 70m Granite Cliff and a 20m Cheonju Lake in a Day

Culture Shift of Pocheon Stone After Quarrying Ended in 2002 and the Site Opened in October 2009

Pocheon Art Valley is a former quarry cultural space located at 234 Artvalley-ro, Sinbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do. At the Cheonjusan quarry here, granite known as Pocheon stone was produced, and that stone was used in major buildings such as the Blue House, the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, Incheon International Airport, and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

Quarrying ended in 2002, and Pocheon City promoted the "Pocheon Stone Art Valley Specialization Project" from 2003. After being developed as a pilot project for an arts-creation belt utilizing local modern industrial heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, it opened to the public on October 24, 2009. Its key feature is that it transformed the traces of the quarry into viewing routes and performance and exhibition spaces without erasing the cliffs.

Why You Should Not Go Down to the Water at Cheonjuho, Which Has a Maximum Depth of 20 m

Cheonjuho is a lake formed when springs and rainwater flowed into a basin that deepened as granite was quarried. According to the official guidance, its maximum depth is 20 m, and it is managed as a first-grade water lake where crayfish, salamanders, and minnows live.

Access to the edge of the lake is prohibited for water quality protection and safety. Therefore, rather than planning to go down close to the lake, you should plan to view the granite cliffs, the water, and the lakeside performance venue from observation points and trails. The remaining vertical cliff from the quarry is about 50 m high, and the lakeside performance venue has a 220 ㎡ stage and seating for about 300 people.

Cheonjuho Access: 420 m Monorail or 15-Minute Walk, Depending on Your Fitness

The monorail from the ticket office to the upper viewing area is about 420 m long. According to on-site guidance from Yonhap News, walking up takes about 15 minutes. Even though it may seem short, it is uphill, so if walking is difficult or if you are accompanied by children or older adults, it is better to prioritize the monorail.

For visitors outside Pocheon, adult monorail fares are 5,800 won round trip and 4,800 won one way for individuals; youth fares are 4,800 won round trip and 3,800 won one way; children pay 3,800 won round trip and 3,100 won one way. Strollers must be folded when boarding, pet strollers are not allowed, and only pets placed in carriers may board. Monorail inspections are scheduled on Monday mornings every week, so it is safest to check boarding times on-site or by calling the monorail at 031-531-2622.

Outside-Pocheon Adult Admission at 6,000 Won and Same-Day Reentry: What to Know Before Buying Tickets

For individual visitors from outside Pocheon, admission to Pocheon Art Valley is 6,000 won for adults, 4,000 won for youth aged 13 to 18 and military personnel, 2,000 won for children aged 7 to 12, and 3,000 won for seniors aged 65 and over. For groups of 20 or more from outside Pocheon, the rates are 4,000 won for adults, 3,000 won for youth and military personnel, 1,500 won for children, and 3,000 won for seniors.

Pocheon residents, people with disabilities, national merit recipients, and preschool children under 6 are exempt from admission fees, but Pocheon residents, people with disabilities, and national merit recipients must present ID or related proof at the ticket office. Admission to the astronomy science museum and parking are free, and if you have a same-day ticket, you may re-enter on that day only. The Pocheon resident free benefit applies only to admission fees and does not apply to the monorail.

Upper Viewing Route Linking More Than 30 Sculptures and the Free Astronomy Science Museum

From the upper area, it is easiest to first view Cheonjuho and then follow the route connecting the lakeside performance venue, sculpture park, and astronomy science museum. The sculpture park contains more than 30 sculptures installed around the trails and in the park, including works made from Pocheon granite, linking the stone from the quarry with the industrial history of the site.

The astronomy science museum can be used without an additional admission fee if you have a ticket. It is presented as an interactive experience where visitors can touch and engage with exhibits, and programs such as astronomical viewing sessions and the 4D theater may vary depending on electrical inspections or events, so it is better to check the notice for the day of your visit. Official guidance says only basic lighting operates at night, so visitors who expect detailed routes in the dark should finish the main sightseeing before sunset.

How to Use the Two Parking Lots and the 2021 Tourist Information Center at 234 Artvalley-ro

You can set your navigation destination to "234 Artvalley-ro, Sinbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do." The official guidance also lists the same lot number address as 282 Giji-ri, Sinbuk-myeon. Parking is free, and compared with public transportation, traveling by car or taxi is more convenient for schedule management.

The Pocheon Tourism Information Center is located at 218 Artvalley-ro, in front of the second parking lot. This center opened in July 2021 and provides brochures and tourist maps for Pocheon attractions. It operates from 09:00 to 18:00 on both weekdays and weekends, and its phone number is 031-535-5068. An official website offering English and Traditional Chinese menus is available, so foreign visitors can check notices, fees, and event status before visiting.

Call 1668-1035 to Check Same-Day Notices for Hours, Performances, and Inspections

Pocheon Art Valley's main phone number is 1668-1035, and the monorail inquiry number is 031-531-2622. The official website is https://artvalley.pcfac.or.kr/ , and notices about performances, exhibitions, festivals, closures, and inspections are posted frequently. In particular, seasonal closing times, outdoor performances in rainy weather, and monorail inspections may change, so you should check right before departure.

The recommended stay time, including a round trip on the monorail plus Cheonjuho, the sculpture park, and the astronomy science museum, is 2 to 3 hours. People who can walk on steep paths may combine a one-way monorail ride with a downhill walk, but if you are accompanied by a wheelchair or stroller, it is safer to first inquire by phone about the folding stroller boarding rules and whether the upper trails have slopes or stairs.

• Address: 234 Artvalley-ro, Sinbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
• Main phone: 1668-1035
• Monorail: 031-531-2622
• Pocheon Tourism Information Center: 031-535-5068, 09:00~18:00