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The valley is an unexplored region of high mountains where fantastic rocks, clean waterfalls, and old trees harmonize beautifully.
Location: Samhwa-Dong, Donghae, Gangwon-do
Haksodae
In this 14km long valley, famous landmarks such as Haksodae (hermitages), Camel Rock, Nymph Hot Bath, folding screen-like rocks, Ssang Waterfall, and Yongchu Waterfall are hidden. The region also attracted the attention of movie fans as it was the setting for "Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East" Director Bae Yong-kyun's film which richly reflects Mureung Valley's beautiful scenery that served as a background of a film.
Mureung Banseok
The entrance point of Mureung Valley is Mureung Banseok, a monster mass of rock. Originally, it was a flat rock that thousands of people could sit on simultaneously but because of slight tectonic activity eighty years ago, the rock slanted to become the wrinkled feature it is today. By the side of Mureung Banseok, a cool brook that originates in the deep valley between Mt. Dutasan and Mt. Cheongoksan flows. Among a number of noted lndmarks in Mureung Valley, the Mureung Banseok is a favored place for family visitors in the midsummer.
Chuam Candlestick Rock
Chuam beach is not very big, but it is well known as a place where one can enjoy the magnificent spectacle of the East Sea sunrise to the fullest. Among numerous fantastic rocks and stones on the beach, the candlestick rock stands out and in the light of dawn looksphantasmal. "Haeam arbor", an arbor built in 1361 at the time of King Kongmin of the Goryeo dynasty, stands with a drooping head.
Mureung Valley
If you amble over an arched bridge built over a brook from Mureung Banseok, the millennium-old temple Samhwa-sa will appear. According to old records, it is said that Jajangyulsa founded Samhwa temple in the 11th year of the reign of Shilla King Seondeok (AD 640). After that, it was rebuilt by Buddhist monk Bumil during King Kyungmun's time in power (AD 864). The temple name refers to where Wanggun, the first king of the united Goryeo dynasty, prayed, "Please unite the Three States as one."
If visitors look at the peak of the mountain in front of Samwha temple, a stunning rock looking like the back of a camel attracts interest. This rock is also called Loom Rock because at a glance, its features look like a loom. At the peak is a ruined fortress called Dutusan Castle. It was built during the early stages of the Shilla dynasty and many people sought refuge there during the Japanese invasion of the 16th Century. If you go roughly 700m up the mountain path, another enchanted area will appear. It is a superb view of four flights of waterfalls coming from a large spout of water. There are also in Mt. Juwang and Mt. Wolak several hermitages. Among them, the one near Dutasan in Mureung Valley is the best.
Highlight : A Superb View of Yongchu Waterfall
Tourists can get an overview of the beauty of Mureung Valley by visiting Mureung Banseok, Samhwa temple, and Haksodae. However, to more deeply discern Mureung Valley's true character, tourists need to go deep in the valley to see the four waterfalls. Because the Ssang and Yongchu waterfalls are considered to be a hidden region of Mureung Valley, they are a 3-4 hour roundtrip hike from from Samhwa temple.
The Ssang Waterfall is a masterpiece of nature: a waterfall produced by streams flowing from three different valleys. The magnificent features of the Yongchu Waterfall stand at the southern bluff of Mungan peak, one peak of Mt. Cheongok.
[Information]
Road: 1) Samcheok- Route 7-6km- left turn-Route 42
Dong Hae City Hyoga four corners-right turn-4.4km-Samhwadong
three-way junction-left turn-5.3km-Mureung Valley parking place
Public Transport: 1) Dong Hae out-of-town bus terminal-Mureung Valley City bus use/ 20 minutes
interval service/takes one hour
2) Dong Hae out-of-town bus terminal-Mureung Valley seat bus use/30 minutes
interval service/ takes 30 minutes
*Because service schedule is subject to change according to spot circumstances, please confirm necessary items in advance.