Official / Local Name김화읍
Region / ProvinceGangwon Province (Cheorwon-gun)
PopulationOfficial Municipality
Coordinates38.2833°N, 127.4667°E · 230 m
Overview
Set at 230 m elevation amid the highland valleys of Cheorwon-gun (Gangwon Province), Gimhwa-eup (김화읍, pop. Official Municipality) is a gateway for Korean ridge hikes, valley temples, and autumn foliage drives.
| Official / Local Name | 김화읍 (Gimhwa-eup) |
|---|---|
| Region / Province | Gangwon Province · Cheorwon-gun |
| Population | Official Municipality |
| Elevation | 230 m above sea level |
| Nearest Rail / Subway Station | Woljeongri Station (월정리역) (20.9 km) |
| Nearby Landmarks & Sights | Chungyeolsaji (충열사지) (2.5 km) · Nŭng-hyŏn (1.5 km) · Daeseongsa (대성사) (5.6 km) · Cheonbulsan (천불산) (3.2 km) |
| Local Neighborhoods & Sub-Areas | Saengch’ang-ni (1.4 km), Buam (부암) (1.4 km), Asari (아사리) (1.6 km), Yongyang-ri (용양리) (2.0 km), Jangheungni (장흥리) (2.1 km) |
| Neighboring Municipalities | Geunnam-myeon (근남면) (6.4 km) · Geunbuk-myeon (근북면) (6.6 km) · Cheorwon-gun (철원) (7.5 km) · Seo-myeon (서면) (12.7 km) · Sangseo-myeon (상서면) (15.6 km) |
Getting There & Local Transit
Nearest rail/transit hub: Woljeongri Station (월정리역) (20.9 km). KTX Gangneung Line from Seoul to Pyeongchang & Gangneung (1h 30m–2h); ITX-Cheongchun to Chuncheon; Express Bus to Sokcho. Tap a nationwide T-money card on local buses and subways, and search "김화읍" in Naver Map or KakaoMap for real-time directions.
What to See & Do
- Chungyeolsaji (충열사지) (2.5 km) — Gimhwa-eup (김화읍)
- Nŭng-hyŏn (1.5 km) — Gimhwa-eup (김화읍)
- Daeseongsa (대성사) (5.6 km) — Gimhwa-eup (김화읍)
- Cheonbulsan (천불산) (3.2 km) — Gimhwa-eup (김화읍)
Local Food & Regional Specialties
- Hearty regional 국밥 (Gukbap rice soup) and handmade 칼국수 (Kalguksu knife-cut noodles) simmered with anchovy, radish, and seasonal greens from Gangwon Province.
- Charcoal-grilled local pork belly (Samgyeopsal), marinated short ribs (Galbi), and savory 해물파전 (scallion and seafood pancakes) served at family-run 식당 (Sikdang, ₩9,000–₩16,000).
- Earthenware-aged 된장 (Doenjang soybean paste) and 고추장 (Gochujang), sun-dried regional produce, traditional 한과 (Hangwa rice sweets), and local brewery 생막걸리 (unpasteurized draft Makgeolli).
- Locals gather for weekday 백반 (Baekban home-style lunch sets, ₩9,000–₩12,000) where every table receives 6–10 complimentary refillable banchan side dishes, and browse the traditional 5-day market (오일장) for seasonal harvest specialties. Across Gimhwa-eup (pop. 12,000) in Cheorwon-gun, neighborhood alleys combine family-run soup and BBQ spots with modern Korean bakery-cafes.
Best Time to Visit
Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov (Autumn Foliage), Dec–Feb (Winter Snow). Gangwon Province → · 3,651 All Cities →