Outdoors
The Fortress/ Sang-dang-san-seong
In the summer, 상당산성 ("sahng-dahng-sahn-suhng") is a great place for a picnic or a hike. On the slopes of Mount Uam, the fortress consists of three gates and a wall that stretches over 4.2 km in circumference. The walk around the wall takes a couple of hours and commands a great view of the city on a sunny day. There is also a small store and bathroom facilities. You can take a taxi there, which will cost 10,000~15,000 won, or take bus #862 (stops in front of the stadium and in shinae).
Mushim-cheon
Mushim-cheon is the river ("stream") that runs through Cheongju. Where it crosses through downtown, there is a large, flat area for rollerblading and bikes, which is usually busy during the spring and summer. It's a great place for people watching! There are also occasional concerts and events held here. In the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom, this is the best place in Cheongju to see all the pink and white flowers. All along the river, there are trails for walking and biking.
Hwayangdong Valley and River
Although not actually in Cheongju, this place is a favorite summer day-trip getaway spot in the foreigner community. It's within the Songisan National Park, and has some beautiful scenery and a river you can swim in and sunbathe next to.
From the Intercity/Shiwae Bus Terminal, get the bus for 화양동 ("hwah-yanhng-dohng") at either 7:20am, 9:20am, or 11:20am. The bus takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. When you get off, you will need to follow the path for about 45 minutes before you come to the best places to sit by the river and relax. Remember to keep the place clean!
The bus times from Hwayangdong coming back to Cheongju are: 7 am, 8:50 am, 10:40 am, 1 pm, 3:20 pm, 4:40 pm, 6:10 pm (may be a 7:30 pm bus too).
Toad Eco Park
This park was built around a toad breeding ground in Sannam-dong to preserve the species and its habitat. It's a beautiful place to take a walk and enjoy nature. In the main building, there are displays about the toads and ecology. In Korean, it's called 두꺼비 생태문화관 ("doo-gguh-bee sang-tay-moon-hwah-gwahn").
In the summer, 상당산성 ("sahng-dahng-sahn-suhng") is a great place for a picnic or a hike. On the slopes of Mount Uam, the fortress consists of three gates and a wall that stretches over 4.2 km in circumference. The walk around the wall takes a couple of hours and commands a great view of the city on a sunny day. There is also a small store and bathroom facilities. You can take a taxi there, which will cost 10,000~15,000 won, or take bus #862 (stops in front of the stadium and in shinae).
Mushim-cheon
Mushim-cheon is the river ("stream") that runs through Cheongju. Where it crosses through downtown, there is a large, flat area for rollerblading and bikes, which is usually busy during the spring and summer. It's a great place for people watching! There are also occasional concerts and events held here. In the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom, this is the best place in Cheongju to see all the pink and white flowers. All along the river, there are trails for walking and biking.
Hwayangdong Valley and River
Although not actually in Cheongju, this place is a favorite summer day-trip getaway spot in the foreigner community. It's within the Songisan National Park, and has some beautiful scenery and a river you can swim in and sunbathe next to.
From the Intercity/Shiwae Bus Terminal, get the bus for 화양동 ("hwah-yanhng-dohng") at either 7:20am, 9:20am, or 11:20am. The bus takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. When you get off, you will need to follow the path for about 45 minutes before you come to the best places to sit by the river and relax. Remember to keep the place clean!
The bus times from Hwayangdong coming back to Cheongju are: 7 am, 8:50 am, 10:40 am, 1 pm, 3:20 pm, 4:40 pm, 6:10 pm (may be a 7:30 pm bus too).
Toad Eco Park
This park was built around a toad breeding ground in Sannam-dong to preserve the species and its habitat. It's a beautiful place to take a walk and enjoy nature. In the main building, there are displays about the toads and ecology. In Korean, it's called 두꺼비 생태문화관 ("doo-gguh-bee sang-tay-moon-hwah-gwahn").