County in South Korea
Photo: hyolee2, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Yanggu (양구) is a district in Gangwon near the Korean DMZ. Yanggu is located at the exact geographical center of the Korean Peninsula, living up to its title, 'The Center of Korea.' It borders Inje County to the east, Hwacheon County to the west, and Chuncheon City to the south, while bordering Changdo County in North Korea to the north across the Military Demarcation Line. As a border region, Yanggu is a representative military town where soldiers are a common sight on the streets. Home to the Eulji Observatory and the 4th Underground Tunnel, Yanggu is also a place where you can feel the pain of national division and the value of peace up close. Covering an area of approximately 702 km2, Yanggu County is larger than Seoul, which measures about 605 km2.
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해안분지
A valley by 400-to-500-meter-above-sea-level highlands near the coast of Yanggu-gun. American reporters dubbed the basin the punch bowl. From Dolsanryeong that is between the east side and coasts in Yanggu-gun, visitors can view the beautiful panorama of the sea of fog that often hangs around the punch bowl.
제4땅굴
This is the only of the North-Korean-built tunnels discovered with motorized transport inside. The water flowing out from the tunnel have filtered through mountain rock and is considered healthy to drink.
을지전망대
Eulji Observatory Tower is located 1,049 meters above sea level and one of the bitterest battlegrounds of the Korean War. From the tower, visitors can see the checkpoint and farms in North Korea and four peaks including Birobong, the highest in the Geumgangsan Diamond Mountains.
양구군립박수근미술관
The Park SooKeun Museum conducts research, collects and exhibits works, and provides educational programs on the artistic spirit and body of work of Park SooKeun. It also offers various programs and activities, including a creative studio, the Park SooKeun Art Award, and a national landscape painting competition. The museum has five exhibition spaces: the Park SooKeun Memorial Exhibition Hall, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Park SooKeun Pavilion, the Children's Art Museum, and the Larchiveum. Each exhibition space is operated with a distinct approach based on its identity and vision. The museum holds 254 works by Park SooKeun and a total of 987 items in its collection, including works and materials by modern and contemporary Korean artists. Visitors can therefore enjoy a wide range of artworks. The Children's Art Museum makes the museum suitable for families, while the museum's architecture and garden provide a peaceful setting for a leisurely walk.
양구수목원
Yanggu Arboretum is located at the foot of Daeamsan Mountain, about 450 meters above sea level. Visitors can see around 90 species of trees and shrubs, 170 species of flowering plants, six endangered plant species, 153 taxidermied animals, and around 1,500 bonsai trees. The DMZ Wildflower Bonsai Garden recreates natural landscapes in bonsai form to preserve and propagate northern plant species and rare native plants. It also displays a variety of bonsai trees from across Korea. For visitors with children, the DMZ Wildlife Ecology Center is a good place to learn about plants and animals in the DMZ border area and observe turtles and tropical fish. The Wood Culture Experience Center, which has a woodworking workshop, playground, and library, is also suitable for families. The four-season sledding slope is another popular attraction. Visitors can enjoy sledding for free regardless of the season.
국토정중앙천문대
National Center of Astronomy and Space Science was opened in 2007 after an observatory was built near the geographical center of the Korean Peninsula, allowing visitors to look at the night sky from the center of the country. Visitors can observe stars directly through the observatory's guided exhibition programs and learn more about constellations and planets while touring the facility. The observatory also has an exhibition hall featuring the latest astronomical information and various educational activities, as well as a planetarium where visitors can enjoy a digital view of the night sky.
청춘양구 곰취축제
The Gomchwi Festival is held every May. A variety of foods made with gomchwi are available, along with various performances and events.
국토정중앙 청춘양구 배꼽축제
The Baekkop Festival is held every August. It is a cultural and arts festival featuring water hybrid programs, a street parade, and a fireworks show.
펀치볼 시래기사과축제
Various agricultural products, local specialties, and foods produced in the Haean area are displayed and sold.
양록제
Held every October, the festival features a variety of performances by local military personnel, traditional folk games, and athletic events for everyone to enjoy.
DMZ마라톤대회
This event offers a rare chance to run while taking in pristine, untouched natural scenery. Most of the course runs along unpaved roads, allowing runners to fully immerse themselves in nature. Side events include military band performances, aerobic dance shows, free food stalls, and local specialty booths.
도촌막국수
광치막국수
이영근숯불닭갈비
시래원
하나로마트 양구농협정중앙지점
국군복지단 양구마트
제이마트주식회사양구지점
By bus
Yanggu Intercity Bus Terminal is the main bus terminal in Yanggu. It offers routes to Dong Seoul (East Seoul), Chuncheon, Hongcheon, Sokcho, and Daejeon.
By train
As of 2026, there is no railway service to Yanggu. Visitors can take a train to Chuncheon Station and then transfer to an intercity bus to Yanggu.
By car
The route from Seoul to Chuncheon to Yanggu is 151 km and takes about 2 hours.
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Gonghang-ro · International · YNY
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