North Chungcheong Province

How to See Nine Scenic Views and the Sites of Song Si-yeol at Hwayang Gugok’s 3.1 km Valley

Hwayang Gugok is Scenic Site No. 110, a valley stretching approximately 3.1 km along Hwayangcheon Stream within Songnisan National Park. Check the operating hours, parking fees, admission fees, walking distance, and the features of each of the nine bends before planning your visit.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Sep 2, 2026 14 min 199

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Why Goesan Hwayang Gugok Became a 3.1㎞ Scenic Site

Hwayang Gugok is located in Hwayang-ri, Cheongcheon-myeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, 32㎞ east of Cheongju. It was included in Songnisan National Park in 1975 and designated Scenic Site No. 110, a State-Designated Cultural Heritage, in August 2014. Its official name is ‘Goesan Hwayang Gugok.’

It is said that Uam Song Si-yeol withdrew here in the mid-Joseon period because of his love of nature, and the place is introduced as having been named ‘Hwayang Gugok’ after China’s Wuyi Mountain Nine-Bend Stream. The route extends about 3.1㎞ along Hwayangcheon Stream from the First Bend, Gyeongcheonbyeok, to the Ninth Bend, Pacheon. Clear water flows over broad slabs of rock, surrounded by dense forest.

화양구곡의 숲과 계곡이 어우러진 풍경입니다. — A landscape where the forest and valley of Hwayang Gugok come together. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

Walking from Gyeongcheonbyeok to Pacheon Along the Nine Names

The nine scenic spots, in order, are the First Bend, Gyeongcheonbyeok; the Second Bend, Unyeongdam; the Third Bend, Eungguam; the Fourth Bend, Geumsadam; the Fifth Bend, Cheomseongdae; the Sixth Bend, Neungundae; the Seventh Bend, Waryongam; the Eighth Bend, Haksodae; and the Ninth Bend, Pacheon. The Korea Tourism Organization estimates the full trek at about three hours, so allow additional time for the round trip and breaks.

Unyeongdam is a place where clear water gathers to form a pool, while Eungguam is a rock where Song Si-yeol is said to have climbed every dawn and mourned loudly after King Hyojong’s death. At Geumsadam, sand beneath the water appears like grains of gold. Cheomseongdae is a landscape of large, flat rocks layered together, and Neungundae is described as a rocky landscape seemingly tall enough to pierce the clouds.

화양천 주변의 바위와 물길을 보여 주는 장면입니다. — A scene showing the rocks and waterway around Hwayangcheon Stream. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

Reading Song Si-yeol’s Legacy at Amsŏjae by Geumsadam

The Fourth Bend, Geumsadam, contains Amsŏjae, a historic site associated with Uam Song Si-yeol. Hwayang Gugok is not simply a valley for viewing water and rocks; it is also a place to explore sites connected with Song Si-yeol, including Hwayang Seowon and Amsŏjae, alongside the valley scenery.

The stories of Song Si-yeol’s retreat and Eungguam, where he commemorated King Hyojong, show why this valley is remembered as a space of a Joseon Confucian scholar. However, no confirmed information was available regarding the opening areas or photography restrictions inside each historic site, so it is safer to plan around the exterior scenery actually accessible during a valley walk.

화양구곡의 바위 경관과 계곡길을 담은 사진입니다. — A photograph capturing the rocky scenery and valley trail of Hwayang Gugok. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

Entering the Parking Area and Trail from 202 Hwayangdong-gil

Enter 202 Hwayangdong-gil, Cheongcheon-myeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, as the navigation destination; a Hwayang Valley parking lot is available on site. Goesan-gun materials state that the parking lot has ample parking space and a rest area, making it a convenient starting point for visitors arriving by car.

At the time of the referenced materials, parking fees were listed as KRW 5,000 for passenger cars, KRW 2,000 for compact cars, and KRW 6,000 for irregular buses, but the latest fees must be reconfirmed on site. Korea Tourism Organization materials also list KRW 5,000 and KRW 2,000 for passenger and compact cars, respectively. Since the latest fee table has not been confirmed, it is practical to prepare this amount for on-site payment.

화양구곡 탐방객이 이용하는 계곡 주변 공간입니다. — An area around the valley used by visitors to Hwayang Gugok. — Photo source: daumcdn.net

32㎞ from Cheongju: What to Check Before Public Transportation

Hwayang Gugok is located 32㎞ east of Cheongju. Public official information does not provide the latest bus route numbers, stop names, service frequency, station exit numbers, or walking time from a stop to the parking lot that visitors from outside the area can use directly. Therefore, travelers departing from Cheongju or elsewhere should account for this lack of information.

Some materials list the contact numbers 043-832-4347 (Hwayangdong Branch Office) and 043-542-5267 (office), but the latest numbers need to be reconfirmed. The official information URL is the Songnisan National Park visitor course page. When calling to ask about public transportation connections and same-day trail restrictions, also provide the address ‘202 Hwayangdong-gil, Cheongcheon-myeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do’ to clearly identify the destination.

Understanding Nighttime Access Restrictions and Free Admission Together

Chungbuk Nadeuri lists Hwayang Gugok’s operating status as ‘nighttime access restricted’ and explains that trail-specific entry and control hours operate under the National Park Entry Time Designation System. Since the exact timetable for the Hwayang Gugok section is not provided on the public page, it is advisable to begin the three-hour trek during the daytime rather than in the late afternoon.

Some materials state that admission is free, but the latest official fee table should be checked. No confirmed information was found regarding separate closing days or regular holidays. Since credit cards are listed as ‘not available’ in Korea Tourism Organization materials, prepare cash for the parking fee.

Summer Water Activities, Autumn Foliage, and Accessibility Limitations

Hwayang Gugok is introduced as a place for summer water activities and autumn foliage. The walking route has wooden decks and rest areas, and reviews say visitors can cross bridges over the valley and view the flowing water up close. However, no confirmed information is available on permitted water-play areas or weather-related control standards.

According to Korea Tourism Organization materials, pets are not allowed. Goesan-gun planning materials describe a 6,680-meter Hwayang Gugok cultural and ecological trail planned for 2021–2025, designed as a barrier-free trail. The development area for a separate tourist recreation facility plan was approximately 20,000㎡. However, current information on wheelchair and stroller access, surfaces, and slopes by section has not been confirmed. If traveling with mobility aids, it is safer to inquire first and choose an appropriate section rather than planning to walk the entire 3.1㎞ at once.

Before You Go

Address: 202 Hwayangdong-gil, Cheongcheon-myeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Hours: Nighttime access restricted. Trail-specific entry and control hours operate under the National Park Entry Time Designation System, but the exact timetable for the Hwayang Gugok section was not found on the public page.
Admission: Some materials state that admission is free, but the latest official fee table should be checked.
Phone: Some materials list 043-832-4347 (Hwayangdong Branch Office) / 043-542-5267 (office), but the latest numbers need to be reconfirmed.
Official site: http://www.knps.or.kr/front/portal/visit/visitCourseMain.do?parkId=120500&menuNo=7020095
Transport: Located 32㎞ east of Cheongju. Detailed bus routes, stops, exits, and walking time could not be confirmed in the latest official materials.
Parking: Hwayang Valley parking lot available. At the time of the referenced materials, fees were listed as KRW 5,000 for passenger cars / KRW 2,000 for compact cars / KRW 6,000 for irregular buses, but the latest fees must be reconfirmed on site.
Time needed: Approximately three hours for the trek, according to the Korea Tourism Organization
Accessibility: Planning materials mention a barrier-free trail, but current wheelchair and stroller access by section could not be confirmed.

The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.

Goesan Hwayang Gugok nine scenic views sites of Song Si-yeol Amseojae Pavilion valley trekking Songnisan National Park

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화양구곡

충청북도 괴산군 청천면 화양동길 202

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See the shrine quarters associated with Song Si-yeol and the scenic view of the Geumsadam Valley.

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Walk along the rocks and waterways of the nine-bend valley.

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