Gangwon Province · Wonju-si · South Korea

Kwirae-myŏn (귀래면) — South Korea Travel Guide: Things to Do, Access & Local Food

Set at 326 m elevation amid the highland valleys of Wonju-si (Gangwon Province), Kwirae-myŏn (귀래면, pop. Official Municipality) is a gateway for Korean ridge hikes, valley temples, and autumn foliage drives.

Official / Local Name귀래면
Region / ProvinceGangwon Province (Wonju-si)
PopulationOfficial Municipality
Coordinates37.198°N, 127.8804°E · 326 m

Overview

Set at 326 m elevation amid the highland valleys of Wonju-si (Gangwon Province), Kwirae-myŏn (귀래면, pop. Official Municipality) is a gateway for Korean ridge hikes, valley temples, and autumn foliage drives.

Official / Local Name귀래면 (Kwirae-myŏn)
Region / ProvinceGangwon Province · Wonju-si
PopulationOfficial Municipality
Elevation326 m above sea level
Nearest Rail / Subway StationChiak Station (치악역) (14.9 km)
Nearby Landmarks & SightsPaengnyŏn-am (백련암) (2.6 km) · Paengnyŏn-sa (백련사) (2.9 km) · Un’gol-san (운골산) (0.5 km) · Hwangnyong-sa (황룡사) (3.5 km)
Local Neighborhoods & Sub-AreasCh’ilt’ong-gol (칠통골) (0.8 km), Yuhyŏn (유현) (1.0 km), Ahopsa-ri (아홉사리) (1.2 km), Ung-gol (웅골) (1.4 km), Tadul-li (다둔리) (1.4 km)
Neighboring MunicipalitiesBuron-myeon (부론면) (8.0 km) · Sotae-myeon (소태면) (9.1 km) · Heungeop-myeon (흥업면) (10.0 km) · Eomjeong-myeon (엄정면) (10.3 km) · Baegun-myeon (백운면) (11.0 km)

Getting There & Local Transit

Nearest rail/transit hub: Chiak Station (치악역) (14.9 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 "귀래면" in Naver Map or KakaoMap for real-time directions.

What to See & Do

  • Paengnyŏn-am (백련암) (2.6 km) — Kwirae-myŏn (귀래면)
  • Paengnyŏn-sa (백련사) (2.9 km) — Kwirae-myŏn (귀래면)
  • Un’gol-san (운골산) (0.5 km) — Kwirae-myŏn (귀래면)
  • Hwangnyong-sa (황룡사) (3.5 km) — Kwirae-myŏn (귀래면)

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 Kwirae-myŏn (pop. 12,000) in Wonju-si, 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 →