Megan BristowAs the 2018 Winter Olympics draw near, Ecophiles takes a look at the setting of the sporting event. Located in the Alps of Korea, Pyeongchang is a mountainous region famed for its natural beauty especially in autumn and winter.
Pyeongchang is an ideal travel destination for any ecophile with its luxury ski resorts, clean mountain air, and the hospitality of the Pyeongchang people who pride themselves on their co-existence with nature.
Many tourists and Winter Olympics attendees will have the chance to visit the stunning Odaesan National Park located north and northwest of Pyeongchang County. With 70% of South Korean topography being mountainous Pyeongchang’s winter beauty is truly breath-taking to outrank the country’s other mountainous regions. It is no surprise then that Pyeongchang was selected to host the Winter Olympics.
Woljeongsa temple & pagoda in Odaesan National Park. Photo: Republic of Korea via Flickr
The forested landscape of the Odaesan National Park is lush with Needle Fir trees, an evergreen tree and the official tree of Pyeongchang. There are many mountains sheltering paths and many rivers which are home to the Manchurian trout and the Mandarin Duck, the official bird of Pyeongchang.
The Must-See Travel Destination in Pyeongchang
While many Winter Olympics attendees might never find the time to leave the Gangneung Olympic Park, there is one destination ecophiles must make time for Woljeongsa Buddhist temple and pagoda. Located in Dongsan Village in Jibu Township, Woljeongsa temple is tucked away in a dense forest in the eastern valley of Odaesan Mountain.
Surrounded by forests and with the Geumgang-yeon River flowing past in front of the temple, Woljeongsa is quietly beautiful and graceful in its Silla Period architecture. Spanning nearly one kilometre from the main gate of Woljeongsa temple is a stunning forest path lined with Needle Fir trees, a decent length for any ecophile to forest-bathe.
Travel lovers who find their way to Woljeongsa can book an overnight stay in the temple to experience spiritual healing and learn more about Buddhism. And for the secular guests, the temple stays are still an option if only to experience the sheer natural beauty of Odaesan National Park and Woljeongsa temple.
Photo: Republic of Korea via Flickr
Fruit tea and traditional Korean foodie delights
Amongst the unforgettable landscape and scenic views, travel to Woljeongsa to find national treasures and the octagonal nine-story stone pagoda of the temple. On the temple grounds is the Hanok café Nandana. Hanok refers to traditional Korean cuisine, and Nandana is the Buddhist term for a hanging garden. When you travel here, enjoy fruit tea made at the café with a selection of Korean pastries made with brown rice and dried fruits. The traditional Korean delights can be enjoyed on the café’s terrace looking out onto the forest.
Nandana Cafe at Woljeongsa temple. Nandana is the Buddhist word for a hanging garden. Photo: Republic of Korea via Flickr
While there will be many events and activities for the 2018 Winter Olympics, try to find some quiet time and travel to the beautiful Odaesan National Park and gaze upon Mount Odaesan. The forest-bathing walk down the Needle Fir path to Woljeongsa temple will make the fruit tea at the temple’s café taste all the sweeter. Pyeongchang’s winter landscape will truly be a memorable travel destination for anyone attending the winter sporting event this coming February.
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