Yonggwolsan Sky Walk, Korea's Zhangjiajie: The Complete Guide to Parking and Transportation

There’s a place nicknamed ‘Korea’s Zhangjiajie’ for its deck path hanging off a cliff above the Seomjingang River, with the water winding along far below. That’s Yonggwolsan Sky Walk in Sunchang, Jeonbuk. It’s a bit out of the way, though, so you’ll need to sort out parking and transportation ahead of time to avoid a wasted trip. EasyTicket has put together everything from parking lot locations to public transit and driving routes, course difficulty, and admission fees, all in one place.

What Is Yonggwolsan Sky Walk?

Yonggwolsan Sky Walk is a cliffside plank trail located around 540 Janggunmok-gil, Donggye-myeon, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk State. The mountain gets its name, ‘Yonggwolsan’ (龍闕山), from the way its shape resembles a dragon rising into the sky, and a roughly 1,096m deck path runs along its ridge. With the Seomjingang River and fields spread out below, it’s also popular as a photo spot.

The direction of the light changes between morning and afternoon, even on the same course. If you want to capture both the river and the cliffs in one shot, visiting around 11 a.m. gives you the cleanest results.

Yonggwolsan Sky Walk Parking Lot: Location and Tips

The starting point is the Yonggwolsan Healing Forest parking lot (526-1 Eochi-ri, Donggye-myeon, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk State). On your navigation app, search for “Yonggwolsan Healing Forest parking lot” or “Yonggwolsan Sky Walk” and it’ll take you right there.

• Parking is fairly spacious, but the lot often fills up around 10 a.m. on weekends and holidays.
• It’s about a 10-minute uphill walk along stone steps from the parking lot to the entrance of the Sky Walk.
• The ticket booth and restrooms are near the parking lot and entrance. Tickets can be paid for with cash or card.
• Parking is run as a public lot with no separate posted fee. It’s safest to double-check with the Sunchang County Office’s Culture and Tourism Division before you set out.

On weekend late mornings, you’re often pushed into roadside parking instead. We strongly recommend arriving before 9 a.m.

Getting There by Public Transportation

There’s no city bus that runs directly to the entrance of Yonggwolsan Sky Walk. If you’re relying on public transportation, the most realistic option is to take a bus to Sunchang Bus Terminal, then transfer to a taxi.

From Seoul

• Seoul Central City Terminal → Sunchang Bus Terminal: about 5 departures a day, roughly 3 hours 20 minutes
• Sunchang Bus Terminal → Yonggwolsan Sky Walk entrance: about a 20-minute taxi ride, costing around 20,000 won

From Gwangju or Jeonju

• Gwangju U-Square → Sunchang: about 1 hour 10 minutes by intercity bus
• Jeonju Intercity Bus Terminal → Sunchang: about 1 hour

Taxis are usually waiting outside the terminal, but calling one for the trip back after your trek can be tricky. Grabbing the driver’s business card on the way there gives you peace of mind.

Getting There by Car (Highly Recommended)

You can get there by public transportation, but if you want to combine nearby attractions (Chaegyesan Suspension Bridge, Yogang Rock) or have more freedom with your schedule, we strongly recommend driving.

Main Routes

• From Gwangju/Daegu: Gwangju–Daegu Expressway Osu IC → Namak Interchange → Yeonsan Intersection → Naeryong Interchange → Yonggwolsan Healing Forest parking lot
• From Seoul/the capital area: Honam Expressway → Iksan–Pohang Expressway → Imsil or Sunchang IC → toward Donggye-myeon

Checkpoints While Driving

• The last 1–2km stretch before the parking lot is a single lane shared by both directions. Drive slowly, since you may meet oncoming cars.
• The road surface can ice over in winter and in the early morning hours. Snow chains or a 4WD vehicle are safer.
• Being a mountain road, there are stretches with weak cell signal, so it’s a good idea to save your navigation route before you set out.

Comparing Course Difficulty and Time

Yonggwolsan Sky Walk breaks down into three main courses. Pick the one that fits your fitness level and schedule.

• Sky Walk Course (recommended): Parking lot → stone steps → plank trail, round trip. Perfect if you want to enjoy the spectacular views without much strain.
• Summit Course: A proper hike that continues past the Sky Walk to Yonggwolsan’s summit. The ridge views are outstanding.
• Yonggul Course: A loop course combining the summit and Yonggul (Dragon Cave), which takes a fair amount of stamina.

The 600m stretch of stone steps before you reach the plank trail is the steepest part of the route. Bringing hiking shoes and trekking poles takes a lot of strain off your knees.

Admission Fees and Hours

Yonggwolsan Sky Walk charges admission. That said, you get half of it back as a local gift certificate.

• Admission: 4,000 won — you’ll receive a 2,000-won Sunchang Love Gift Certificate on entry, which you can use at restaurants, cafes, and farm-produce shops within Sunchang County (Source: Korea Tourism Organization).
• Free admission: Sunchang County residents, ages 70 and up, ages 6 and under, national merit recipients, and people with disabilities
• Hours: March–November 09:00–17:00 / December–February 09:00–16:00

Temporary closures are common during bad weather — heavy rain, strong winds, or icy conditions. It’s safest to check whether it’s open with the Sunchang County Office’s Culture and Tourism Division (063-650-1648) or its official social media before you set out.

Pre-Visit Checklist & FAQ

Here’s the gist of this long guide, all in one place.

✅ Pre-Departure Checklist

• Hiking shoes and trekking poles (for the steep 600m stone-step section)
• At least 500ml of drinking water
• Admission fee (cash or card both accepted)
• ID (to confirm free admission for residents, seniors, or merit recipients)
• A charged phone and a power bank
• Hat and sunscreen (the open deck offers little shade)

📌 Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I bring my dog?
A. Dogs may be restricted on the narrower deck sections for safety reasons. Check with the ticket booth before you visit.

Q. Does it stay open in the rain?
A. It stays open in light rain, but it’s closed for safety during heavy rain or strong winds.

Q. Can kids walk it?
A. Upper-elementary age and older should manage fine, but since parts of the plank trail have exposed railings, a guardian must come along.

Q. Where are the restrooms?
A. They’re near the parking lot and ticket booth. There are none once you’re on the plank trail, so go beforehand.

Yonggwolsan Sky Walk packs the Seomjingang River’s finest scenery into just over a kilometer of plank trail, making it a trekking spot that delivers a lot of satisfaction for a short route. Sort out your parking and transportation, arrive in the early morning, and you can enjoy it without the crowds — so keep it in mind as an easy pick for your next weekend trip.