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Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch | 대관령 양떼목장

OK, sheep are probably not the first thing to pop into mind when considering Korea’s top tourist destinations.

This is what gives Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch, deep in the highlands of Korea’s Taebaeksan Mountains, its charm. It’s an exotic landscape of rolling, treeless hills of grazing land, so very unlike anywhere else in Korea. Some liken it to Switzerland, with its peaks, grassy fields, and, well, sheep. It’s both relaxing and inspiring…unless, of course, you’ve just gotten off the plane from Scotland or New Zealand.

The ranch is open all year round—in fact, you’re more likely to spot the sheep grazing in the hills in summer than in the chilly winter months, when the sheep are kept warm inside. Yet the ranch is an incredibly popular winter tourist destination, largely thanks to its beautiful winter scenery. The Daegwallyeong area—a key gateway through the Taebaeksan Mountains—gets the heaviest snowfall in Korea. Even without the snow, the area has a stark highland beauty to it, with barren rolling hills beneath a cloudless cerulean sky.

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The area is famous for its beef, dried pollack, and osam bulgogi (spicy pan-fried squid and pork). You’ll find many such restaurants in Hoenggye—the Napjak Sikdang 납작식당 (T. 033-335-5477) does a mean osam bulgogi.

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The views of Gangneung and the East Sea from the parking lot.

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Hoenggye-ri hosts the Daegwallyeong Snow Flower Festival (Jan 19–Feb 5), a celebration of Daegwallyeong’s best known meteorological phenomenon. The festival features a good many fun events, including sledding, sleigh rides, skating, snowman making, and mountain hiking. For more information, call 033-336-6112 or visit www.snowfestival.net.

STAY>

There are several small hotels and motels in Hoenggye, but another option is to make use of one of the several rental houses, or “pensions,” as they are called in Korean. A two-person room could run you 100,000–140,000 won a day during ski season. Some ones to check out are Wildfloaroma (T.033-335-6873), Jajaknamu Pension (T. 033-335-3691), and Woorimaul Pension (T. 033-336-4580).

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T. 033-335-1966, www.yangtte.co.kr
If you want to feed the sheep, hay costs 3,500 won.
(14-104 Hoenggye-ri, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gu, Gangwon-do | 강원도 평창군 대관령면 횡계리 14-104)

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Buses to Hoenggye-ri run from Seoul’s Dong Seoul Bus Terminal.

The trip takes about two and a half hours. From Hoenggye-ri Bus Station, take a taxi to the ranch—the fare will be about 10,000 won.

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Yongpyong Ski Resort is Korea’s premier ski destination. Located high in the dramatic mountains of central Korea, the resort combines fantastic scenery, first-class facilities, and a whole lot of fun. One of the principle venues of the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics, it draws visitors from all over Korea, Asia, and the rest of the world.
The resort has got 28 ski slopes in all, graded beginner to expert; the pros will want to make for the Rainbow Slopes. The resort’s 15 lifts will get you to where you want to go, and even non-skiers will want to take the 3.7km cable car to the top of Mt.Balwangsan (1,458m), where you’ll find the iconic Swiss chalet-style restaurant/coffee shop called Dragon Peak. Snowboarders will find much to like, too. At the bottom of the slopes is Dragon Plaza, the largest ski house in Asia.
Compared to some of the world’s better known ski resorts, the apres-ski scene is still a work in progress, but there are still plenty of entertainment options available for after you’re done with your runs.

ⓒ Yongpyong Ski Resort

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There are Korean and Western restaurants at Dragon Peak, the chalet-like building at the top of Mt.Balwangsan. The spaghetti is quite good, and the views are even better.

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The sunrise from the peak of Mt.Balwangsan.

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Future Olympians should test themselves on Rainbow I (1,630m), Yongpyong’s longest slope.

STAY>
Yongpyong Resort offers a range of accommodations options. Those on a budget will want to use the Yongpyong Hostel. Be sure to make reservations early, though (T. 02-3270-1231)!

FYI>
Lift passes are 36,000–89,000 won.
Rental equipment available.
T. 02-3270-1231, www.yongpyong.co.kr.
(130 Yongsan-ri, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-don | 강원도 평창군 대관령면 용산리 130)

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Shuttle bus service available from Seoul’s Lotte World. See website for details.

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