Miryang Ice Valley: A 10,000 m² Scree Field on the Northern Slope of Cheonhwangsan Where Ice Forms in Summer and Air Breathes in Winter

An altitude of 600–750 m, where a 10,000㎡ talus field creates ‘summer ice’

Miryang Nammyeong-ri Eoreumgol is a talus field covering approximately 10,000㎡ on the northern mid-slope of Cheonhwangsan at an altitude of 600–750 m. Cold air emerges from gaps between the rocks on the stone-covered slope, and ice begins to form around March or April, with the freezing phenomenon becoming most pronounced during the hottest part of summer.

Conversely, in winter, warm air emerges from the gaps where ice formed, and the surrounding valley water is known not to freeze easily. Although the terrain’s unique characteristics and the insulating effect of the talus have been suggested as possible causes, the National Heritage information states that the phenomenon has not yet been clearly identified.

Natural Monument No. 224 and the local name ‘Miryang’s Three Mysteries’

Miryang Nammyeong-ri Eoreumgol is a natural heritage site designated as Natural Monument No. 224. In Miryang, it is called one of ‘Miryang’s Three Mysteries,’ along with Maneosan Gyeongseok, which is said to produce a sound when struck, and Pyochungbi, which is said to develop moisture on its surface.

The main attraction here is not a waterfall or a water-play area, but the microclimate inside the pile of rocks. Therefore, rather than planning a visit solely around the period when ice is visible, it is more appropriate to plan a natural heritage visit focused on observing the cold air at the freezing site and the valley terrain.

241 Eoreumgol-ro is the address of the cable car’s lower station, not the freezing site

241 Eoreumgol-ro, Sannae-myeon, Miryang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, is the address of the lower station of the Yeongnam Alps Eoreumgol Cable Car. The cable car has a 1.8 km-long line, accommodates 50 passengers, and takes approximately 10 minutes to reach the upper station at an altitude of 1,020 m.

Based on the address alone, it is easy to assume that the valley freezing site and the cable car boarding station are the same location. If you want to see the freezing phenomenon in the rock crevices of Eoreumgol, check the route to the freezing site at ‘Miryang Nammyeong-ri Eoreumgol’ separately, and treat the cable car as a facility that quickly gains elevation around Cheonhwangsan and Jaeyaksan.

First weekday departure at 09:20 from March to September; first weekend departure at 07:30 in October

From March to September, the first uphill cable car departs at 09:20 on weekdays and at 08:30 on weekends and public holidays, while the last uphill departure is at 17:00. The last downhill departure is at 17:50. From December to February, the uphill operating hours are shortened to 08:30–16:00, with the last downhill departure at 16:50.

On weekends in October, the first uphill departure is moved forward to 07:30, and the last downhill departure is at 18:50. However, operations may end early without notice or be suspended depending on weather and maintenance. Official information states that advance reservations are not accepted and that operating information can be checked through the ARS or website after the first departure.

• Weekdays, March–September: uphill 09:20–17:00, last downhill departure 17:50
• Weekends and public holidays, March–September: uphill 08:30–17:00, last downhill departure 17:50
• December–February: uphill 08:30–16:00, last downhill departure 16:50
• Weekends in October: first uphill departure 07:30, last downhill departure 18:50

KRW 17,000 round trip and no pets allowed: 5 things to know before boarding

The cable car is sold only as a round-trip ticket, with no one-way option. As of the August 2026 check, the adult round-trip fare is KRW 17,000, the fare for middle and high school students is KRW 15,000, and the fare for children aged 37 months through elementary school is KRW 14,000. The fare for persons with disabilities and national merit recipients is KRW 15,000 for the eligible individual. Miryang residents can use the cable car for KRW 12,000, including children, if they bring identification.

A KRW 2,000 discount for adults is available with a Digital Tourism Resident Card. Entry with animals such as dogs and cats is prohibited under the Natural Parks Act, and departures vary at 10–30-minute intervals depending on the number of visitors and the weather on the day. It is advisable to reconfirm by calling 055-359-3000~1 before departure regarding whether the cable car is closed on Lunar New Year or Chuseok and whether it is operating that day.

A 24-minute walk from Eoreumgol Terminus to Hobakso; match the bus schedule first

By public transportation, visitors can take Eoreumgol Bus Nos. 1 or 2 from a stop near the Miryang Intercity Bus Terminal and get off at Eoreumgol Terminus. The walk from Eoreumgol Terminus to Sirye Hobakso is listed as approximately 24 minutes, so if you plan to see both the valley and Hobakso, it is better to bring water and slip-resistant shoes.

Buses from Miryang Station or the intercity bus terminal into Sannae-myeon do not operate frequently, and schedules may change. If you are driving, you can use the cable car’s own parking lot. Since boarding queues and parking times may be longer during peak seasons and on weekends, it is advantageous for managing your route to arrive for the first morning departure.

How to choose between Cheonhwangsan and Jaeyaksan from the cable car’s upper station at 1,020 m

The upper station is located at an altitude of 1,020 m and serves as a starting point for hikes toward Cheonhwangsan, Cheonhwangjae, Jaeyaksan, and the Sajapyeong silver-grass plain. Even a round trip on the cable car alone requires approximately 20 minutes of riding time, and considering a walk around the upper station and the wait for the descent, it is realistic to allow at least 1.5–2 hours.

The mountain trails toward Cheonhwangsan and Jaeyaksan are subject to significant changes in elevation and weather, so ordinary valley-walk clothing may not be suitable. In particular, do not treat the last departure time as the end time for your hike; instead, work backward from the time you need to arrive at the upper station. If rain or strong winds are forecast, consider the possibility of suspended operations and prepare an alternative route centered on the valley freezing site and Hobakso.

Combine Hobakso and Soejeomgol on the same day, but choose a separate time if swimming in the valley is your goal

Around Eoreumgol, Sirye Hobakso and Soejeomgol (Ocheonpyeongbanseok) can be visited together. Hobakso refers to a deep pool formed by the erosion of rocks, and it is a connected destination that offers a good way to understand the mountainous and valley terrain of Sannae-myeon, where the Eoreumgol Cable Car is located.

However, observing the freezing site at Eoreumgol in midsummer and playing in the valley have different purposes. At the freezing site, follow the trails and posted guidance without damaging the rock crevices in the protected area. Around the valley, first check the water level after rainfall and the presence of slippery bedrock. Since detailed information about accessibility across the entire freezing-site area for stroller and wheelchair users has not been confirmed, inquiries at the site before departure are necessary.

What to distinguish in photo reviews: the Eoreumgol freezing site and the cable car scenery

Public travel-review photos often feature the cable car, Hobakso, and mountain scenery together in a single post. When making travel plans based on photos, do not judge the ice conditions at the freezing site solely by the name ‘Eoreumgol.’ First determine whether each photo shows the valley freezing site, the cable car’s upper station, or a nearby valley.

In summer, prioritize the freezing phenomenon; in October and November, consider the possibility of extended cable car operations and congestion during the autumn foliage season; and in winter, consider the 16:00 end of uphill operations and weather conditions. Since detailed information about foreign-language assistance and the accessible areas for wheelchair and stroller users is difficult to confirm from officially published information, the most reliable option is to contact the cable car in advance at 055-359-3000~1.