Cheongsong Day-Trip Course of Places to Visit — The Complete Guide to Juwangsan, Jusanji, and Baekseoktan

Looking for a day-trip course of places to visit in Cheongsong? The route Juwangsan Daejeonsa Course → Jusanji → Baekseoktan → dalgi mineral water chicken soup is the classic loop that covers all the highlights without wearing you out. EasyTicket checked operating hours, admission fees, and travel times against primary sources to put this together.

Cheongsong Day Trip at a Glance

Here are the four spots in one table first. Admission and operating details are all based on official sources.

If you’re comfortable driving, a car is the way to go. Only two local buses a day (07:50 and 09:20) go all the way to the Jusanji parking lot — at any other time, you’ll need to walk an hour from Budong Public Bus Stop.

Juwangsan — Cheongsong’s Signature Scenery

Cheongsong’s number-one draw is unquestionably Juwangsan National Park. The trail winds past sheer rock formations and waterfalls, making it approachable even for hiking beginners.

Admission and Hours at a Glance

During fall foliage season (Sep-Nov), the Gamebong through-hike course requires advance reservation. Book your spot ahead of time through the national park reservation system (reservation.knps.or.kr) (source: Korea National Park Service).

Recommended for Beginners — Daejeonsa to Yongchu Falls

For a day trip, the round-trip course from Daejeonsa to the First Falls (Yongchu Falls) is the top recommendation. It’s a mostly flat boardwalk trail, so sneakers are all you need, and the roughly 2-hour round trip still leaves plenty of time for the rest of your day.

If you want to try the full through-hike, there’s the 12.5km, about 6-hour Jeolgol course, running from the Jeolgol Ranger Station over Gamebong to Daejeonsa. It’s rated intermediate difficulty — only attempt it if you’re confident in your stamina.

Jusanji — A Pond With Floating Willow Trees

Famous as a filming location for the movie Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring, Jusanji is a must-visit if you’re in Cheongsong. Willow trees rising from the still water create a scene whose mood shifts with the time of day.

• Location: 73 Ijeon-ri, Budong-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongbuk
• Admission: Free
• Inquiries: Cheongsong-gun Tourism Policy Division, 054-870-6111
• Best time to visit: Early morning mist, or the golden light of late afternoon

It’s about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the pond, so it’s an easy stroll. It’s roughly a 20-minute drive from Juwangsan’s Daejeonsa, so pairing the two into one trip is the way to go.

If you’re relying only on the local bus, get off at Sangijeon Village stop and walk the rest of the way. Since only two morning buses go directly to the parking lot, a car or taxi is recommended if possible.

Baekseoktan — Sinseong Valley’s Shining White Rocks

Meaning “a stream where white stones sparkle,” Baekseoktan is a geosite within the Cheongsong UNESCO Global Geopark. As the highlight of Course 3 on the Sinseong Valley Green Trail, it features a striking scene of water flowing over white sedimentary rock spread out like a carpet.

You don’t have to walk the whole trail. If you drive, park briefly near the Baekseoktan potholes — just 30 minutes or so of looking around is enough to take in the main scenery. It’s an easy short stop before moving on to your next spot.

Dalgi Mineral Water Chicken Soup — Cheongsong’s Signature Restorative Dish

If you’re in Cheongsong, dalgi-yaksu dak-baeksuk (Dalgi mineral water whole chicken soup) is a local specialty you shouldn’t miss. It’s made by slow-boiling native Korean chicken with astragalus root, jujube, and chestnuts in dalgi-yaksu, a naturally carbonated mineral water sourced from Bugok-ri, Cheongsong-eup. The mineral water’s distinctive carbonation is said to tame the chicken’s gamey smell and make the meat more tender.

• Price range: High-20,000-won range per person for a whole native chicken (varies by restaurant)
• Signature menu: Dak-baeksuk (whole chicken soup), herbal baeksuk, neungi mushroom baeksuk
• Location: Near Dalgi Mineral Spring (around Bugok-ri, Cheongsong-eup)
• Notable restaurants: Dalgi-yaksu Dak-baeksuk Haeseong, Sonamu Restaurant, and others

Baeksuk takes 40-60 minutes to cook. Call ahead to order while you’re on the way, and you can eat as soon as you arrive.

If you’re interested in day-trip courses in other cities in the Yeongnam region, it’s also worth checking out Yangsan Day-Trip Course of Places to Visit or Tongyeong’s Essential Day-Trip Route for Places to Visit.

Recommended Day-Trip Itinerary (Schedule)

This schedule assumes departure from Seoul/the capital area, with about a 3-hour (roughly 200km) drive. If you’re starting from the Yeongnam region, just begin 1-2 hours earlier.

Traveling by bus is inefficient. The Dongseoul-Cheongsong intercity bus runs only three times a day (first bus 08:40, last bus 15:30), and public transportation linking Juwangsan, Jusanji, and Baekseoktan from Cheongsong Terminal is limited — so a car is essentially a must for a day trip.

Pre-Departure Checklist

Just 5 minutes of checking before you go can save you a wasted trip.

• Confirm Juwangsan Visitor Center’s Monday closure
• If heading out on the Gamebong course during fall foliage season → reserve in advance on the national park reservation system
• Call the dalgi mineral water chicken soup restaurant 30-60 minutes ahead
• Enter the Jusanji parking lot access road (Ijeon-ri 73) into your navigation
• Light trekking shoes, 1L of water, and a rain jacket (mountain weather can change quickly)
• Phone charger (batteries drain faster in mountain areas)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is a Cheongsong day trip possible without a car?

It’s possible, but not recommended. The Dongseoul-Cheongsong intercity bus runs only three times a day, and public transportation linking Juwangsan, Jusanji, and Baekseoktan within Cheongsong is limited, so you’ll lose a lot of time. A car or rental car is essentially the answer.

Is there an admission fee for Juwangsan?

National park admission is free. However, the Gamebong through-hike course requires advance reservation during fall foliage season, and parking fees may be charged separately.

When is Jusanji most beautiful to visit?

It’s most striking when the morning mist rises early, or when the golden light of late afternoon sets in. For a day-trip schedule, we recommend planning to arrive around 2-3 p.m.

Can you drive to Baekseoktan?

Yes, there’s parking space nearby, so it’s accessible by car. However, if you want to walk the entirety of Course 3 on the Sinseong Valley Green Trail, it’s a 4.7km walking course, so you’ll need sneakers and drinking water.

Besides chicken soup, what other food is Cheongsong known for?

Besides dalgi mineral water chicken soup, raw trout and grilled trout are another local specialty in Cheongsong. Since the trout is raised in cold, clear water, it has little of the fishy smell and a chewy texture.

With good route planning, a Cheongsong day trip lets you comfortably cover all four highlights. Just run through the pre-departure checklist and enjoy a relaxed trip.

References

• Juwangsan National Park - Korea National Park Service
• Korea National Park Service Reservation System - Juwangsan Jeolgol Course
• A Day Trip to Clear Away the Fine Dust: Juwangsan, Cheongsong - Visit Korea
• Following Dinosaur Footprints on a Mysterious Geological Journey: Cheongsong Sinseong Valley Green Trail - Visit Korea