Have you ever thought about other places to go in the summer besides the beach? Or have you ever made a plan to go someplace that’s hard to get to or not usually visited? One place you might want to visit this summer is Taebaek. Taebaek is a city located in Gangwondo and is becoming a popular summer destination because the temperature is low and the air is cool. There are also many things to see, including the Sunflower Festival.

1. Sunflower Festival
Every summer, there is a sunflower festival at Taebaek Guwau village. There are a lot of beautiful sunflowers and wildflowers to see and a lovely promenade to enjoy. Because of this, it is one of the best places for photographers in summer. The view at the point is beautiful, so many people take pictures there. Also, there are coal quarries and a small museum in the sunflower field.


2. Natural History Museum
Visiting museums is popular way to avoid the summer heat. This natural history museum is located in the gateway of Taebaek and the one and only museum that focuses on the Paleozoic era. People can see the life of the earth and can learn about earth science through fun explanations.


3. Yongyeon Cave
This place is much cooler than the beach in summer and is a fun and different summer activity. When you go inside, you can feel the cool air on your skin and soon after entering you may want a long sleeve t-shirt. It is not only cool inside, but also covered with a masterpiece of stalagmites and stalactites. However, you need to be careful and wear a safety helmet because some paths are narrow or low.


4. Geomryong Swamp & Hwanggi Pond
Do you know the commonality of Geomryong Swamp and Hwanggi pond? Each place is the origin of one of Korea's main rivers. Geomryong Swamp is the origin of the Han River and is located in Geumdae Peak. You can see Geomryong Swamp by walking down a wooded mountain path and there is a special place to take a picture of it. Hwanggi Pond is the source of the Nackdong River and is located in Hwanggi Park in downtown Taebaek. At Hwanggi Pond, there is a place to pitch pennies, so you can learn your fortune and also help unfortunate people by giving pennies to them.


5. Wind Plant (The Hill of the Wind)
The wind plant is located on top of Maebong Mountain on Cheonui Peak. The scene at the top of the steep hill is memorable. Looking down the hill, there is a green sea of Korean cabbage with wind generators working in the background. You feel like you are looking at a famous painting.


6. Taebaek Dakgalbi
You might think of Chuncheon dakgalbi when you hear dakgalbi. However, when you visit Taebaek you have to try that dakgalbi, which is different from other ones. It is famous for dakgalbi with soup. After you finish the dakgalbi with soup inside of a pot lid-like dish, you can eat fried rice like at other restaurants. This fried rice has a strong plain taste because they add some soup when they cook the rice. This is the recommended food when you visit Taebaek.