Korean Job Discussion Forums

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

So I recently took a trip here for Chuseok. It was an amazing place but I haven't really heard anyone talk about it. There is the biggest cave I've ever seen and and various other assorted caves as well. I went paragliding, easily arranged through tourist information there. 3 national parks without an hour. You can take a 2 hour boat ride to Chungju, which is also easily arranged and very beautiful. Check it out!

redhed · Joined: 05 Nov 2008

Yeah, there was a couchsurfing meet-up there in the spring.....it's a pretty sweet spot. We found some beautiful camp spots that were virtually empty.

highdials5 · Joined: 13 Oct 2008

Is this the place where Guinsa temple is? I went there around April and enjoyed it too.

nathanrutledge · Joined: 01 May 2008 Location: Marakesh

That cave is tiny, bud! They had to grease me up with butter to get through parts of it!

kimchi_pizza · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 12:18 am Post subject:

Danyang is a neat little town tucked in deep mountain valleys half surrounded by a wide river. You have a few caves and camp grounds as well as a number of prehistoric and historic sites dotting the area.

Guinsa, on the other hand is actually a cult. If you wanna see what a Korean Buddhist cult looks like then that's the place to visit. In the highest temple, higher than even the temple housing Buddha, sits a Buddha like body but the head of a round-faced Korean with a full head of hair. It kinda shocking/disturbing to see. Picture taking is strictly forbidden.
Like any typical cult, it's practically a compound with it's own store, auto shop, mailroom, etc. and they were in the process of putting up a chainlink fence around the area while I was there. I felt...on edge once I stepped inside and then later I realized what it actually was. The Map board outside of it showing the location of all the buildings and temples along with a brief histoy in Korean and English even used the word "cult"....

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

The cave I went to was right outside Danyang, near the tourist info across the river. There was no greasing up before going in.

Guinsa...I took pics freely and it wasn't an issue. It was the biggest and most impressive temple I've seen in Korea! Definitely worth checking out.

kumba84 · Joined: 18 Oct 2009

Where did you stay in Danyang? I'm hoping to go there this weekend and am looking for something 30,000 or less, but not too nasty.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

There are rows of love motels outside the bus terminal in Danyang, along the river. Serviceable for 30 or 40.

Johnny5 · Joined: 05 May 2009 Location: Chungju

I didn't think Guinsa gave off any more cultish vibes than any live in religious compound would. I took photographs and video freely there. I recommend it highly. The slope of the road up there is really steep though.

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

mikesaidyes · Joined: 26 Apr 2011 Location: Sanbon, South Korea

Bump because I desperately need to find a hotel/motel this weekend! I made the mistake of NOT reserving one in Chuncheon and we were shut out.. to the tune of a 150,000 W taxi ride home to Seoul.

I've looked on Naver and a few come up, but they don't look anything special

Do the names Opera House, Riverside, Motel Rivertel or Chanel ring a bell?

The Sky Motel looks nice...but there's not a phone number.