Okcheon County: The Ultimate Summer Escape With Cool Forest Caves And Stunning Hydrangea Gardens In South Korea

Published on August 28, 2025

Many visitors look for alleviation successful places that supply some cool alleviation and beauty because Korea experiences aggravated power and dense rains during nan summertime months. North Chungcheong Province’s Okcheon County has go a celebrated getaway destination. Regardless of nan weather, Okcheon promises an unforgettable acquisition pinch its captivating wood caverns and colourful hillside gardens.

A Cool Haven: The Forest Cave astatine Jangryeongsan Nature Recreation Forest

Tucked astatine nan ft of Mount Jangryeong, Jangryeongsan Nature Recreation Forest has agelong been cherished arsenic a serene retreat by locals. With a scope of outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, and lodge stays, nan wood offers ample opportunities to link pinch nature. However, a caller summation to this quality haven has importantly boosted its popularity: nan “forest cave”, which was created from a repurposed robust mine.

The Dongguk Mine, which erstwhile supplied robust ore to regions crossed Korea, ceased operations successful nan precocious 1960s, leaving down abandoned tunnels. For complete 50 years, these tunnels laic forgotten. However, acknowledgment to a authorities redevelopment programme, nan tract has now been transformed into a captivating tourer attraction. The converted cave stretches for astir 100 metres and takes nary longer than 10 minutes to explore. Despite its short length, nan cave offers visitors a glimpse into nan lives of miners done imaginative displays that showcase nan history of robust mining.

The ambiance wrong nan cave is enhanced by vibrant lighting, which gives it a mystical, otherworldly feel. Its colourful illumination has earned nan tract important attraction connected societal media platforms, drafting galore much visitors. In fact, nan number of visitors has surged by 20,000 from past year, pinch complete 73,000 group coming to nan recreation wood successful nan span of a fewer months.

Inside nan cave, nan way branches disconnected into two, pinch 1 way starring to a unsocial photograph spot wherever cascading artificial wisteria vines are lit pinch glowing lights, creating a cleanable backdrop for photographs. As visitors proceed on nan cave’s winding path, they scope nan item of nan tour—a room bathed successful bluish light, pinch a sculpted satellite and stars creating a ocular practice of a nighttime sky. The acquisition is further enhanced by wave-like lighting on nan walls, resembling nebulae aliases nan Northern Lights. This breathtaking spectacle has earned nan cave nan nickname “Aurora Cave”. A notable characteristic of nan cave is nan “wishing rock”, which allows visitors to time off down their hopes and dreams, paying homage to a humanities boulder linked to nan independency activistic Cho Heon.

Cheonsang Garden: A Heavenly Escape Amidst Hydrangeas

A specified 25 kilometres distant from Jangryeongsan Nature Recreation Forest lies Cheonsang Garden, a backstage aquatic works plot group against nan backdrop of Daecheong Lake. Recognised arsenic 1 of nan “30 astir beautiful backstage gardens” by nan Korea Forest Service, Cheonsang Garden is often referred to arsenic nan “heavenly garden”. The 60,000-square-metre plot was opened successful 2009 and offers visitors an immersive acquisition that blends earthy beauty pinch creator design.

The plot features complete 500 works species, on pinch striking chromatic gardens and structures that evoke nan grandeur of European castles. Visitors tin rotation done themed pavilions, each designed to bespeak a peculiar taxable aliases atmosphere. Signs passim nan plot promote guests to return their time, pinch phrases for illustration “Do not locomotion faster than nan wind” and “Hear nan whispers of flowers and trees,” reminding everyone to slow down and link pinch nan environment.

The plot was founded by biology activistic Ju Seo-taek, who began planting connected nan tract successful 2003. Today, it attracts much than 200,000 visitors annually. Among nan garden’s astir captivating features are its hydrangeas, which bloom successful afloat splendour during nan summertime months. Okcheon County is good known arsenic 1 of nan champion places successful Korea to bask hydrangeas, and nan region besides boasts nan nation’s largest hydrangea seedling accumulation area, responsible for supplying 70% of nan hydrangea seedlings crossed nan country.

From July done August, nan plot is transformed by nan show of thousands of hydrangeas, their achromatic blossoms filling nan aerial pinch a delicate, saccharine fragrance. The Limelight panicle hydrangeas, which person been planted since 2021, are now successful afloat bloom, adding a stunning touch to nan garden’s already vibrant landscape. Visitors tin return a leisurely stroll on nan garden’s information trails aliases task to nan cardinal observatory for an moreover much panoramic position of nan floral spectacle.

The park’s postulation of complete 30,000 hydrangeas creates a breathtaking ocular display. The information way astir nan plot is lined pinch hydrangea bushes, while nan cardinal area offers an moreover grander show of these cotton-candy-like blossoms. The show of these beautiful flowers—so intricately arranged and successful afloat bloom—has made Cheonsang Garden 1 of nan astir sought-after destinations successful Okcheon during nan summertime months.

Okcheon’s Appeal Beyond nan Flowers

Okcheon County offers visitors much than conscionable cool caves and stunning gardens. It’s a spot wherever quality and history intertwine, allowing travellers to acquisition Korea’s rich | taste and earthy heritage. Whether it’s nan cool, serene situation of nan wood cave aliases nan peaceful, flower-filled paths of Cheonsang Garden, Okcheon provides a much-needed flight from nan hustle and bustle of mundane life.

Visitors to nan region tin besides research its different earthy attractions, including nan adjacent Daecheong Lake, which provides ample opportunities for boating, fishing, and leisurely walks on nan shoreline. The area is besides known for its accepted markets and section eateries, offering a sensation of nan region’s authentic cuisine.

In addition, Okcheon’s efforts to sphere its earthy beauty and beforehand eco-tourism make it an perfect destination for those looking to bask a sustainable and mindful recreation experience. The county’s initiatives to protect its situation while welcoming visitors person group a modular for different regions successful South Korea.

A Summer Getaway for Every Traveler

From its cool, mysterious caves to its lush, flower-filled gardens, Okcheon County is nan cleanable summertime getaway for travellers looking to flight nan power and immerse themselves successful Korea’s earthy beauty. With its unsocial blend of history, nature, and modern attractions, Okcheon promises an unforgettable experience, whether you’re an adventurer, a quality lover, aliases simply looking for a serene retreat.

[Image Source: Visit Korea Official Website]