[theList] Feel the Beauty of Geumsugangsan with Your Whole Body... Where Are the Cable Car Attractions?

The Longest Domestic Cable Car is 'Chuncheon Samaksan Cable Car'
The Northernmost is 'Hwacheon Baegamsan' and the Southernmost is Haenam Duryunsan
'Tongyeong Mireuksan' Also Allows Riding with Pets

The controversy over the installation of the second cable car in Seoraksan, which has lasted for 40 years, has come to a head with the decision to 'proceed with the project,' making cable cars a hot topic once again. While the local community welcomes the project considering its economic benefits, environmental groups have reacted strongly, calling it "destruction of nature."

Cable cars, which offer a panoramic view of natural landscapes, not only provide tourists with a unique experience but are also essential for 'barrier-free travel' for families with children or people with mobility difficulties. Some argue that using cable cars on mountains can prevent damage caused by tourists' 'foot pressure.' On the other hand, there are many counterarguments that additional cable car installations are inappropriate because "we must preserve the natural environment for future generations."

In Korea, a country with many famous mountains, cable car installations have been particularly contentious. Stepping away from this debate, whether or not the second cable car in Seoraksan is installed, we have explored domestic cable car attractions where you can enjoy pristine natural environments.

The Longest Cable Car: 'Chuncheon Samaksan Cable Car'

Photo by Samaksan Cable Car website

The Chuncheon Samaksan Lake Cable Car connects Samcheon-dong across Uiam Lake to Samaksan Mountain. With a length of 3.61 km, it is the longest cable car in Korea. It has become a landmark of Chuncheon, where mountains, lakes, and the city coexist, and was listed in the '2023-2024 Top 100 Korean Tourist Attractions You Must Visit' organized by the Korea Tourism Organization.

The Samaksan Cable Car is made of glass, allowing passengers to enjoy the scenery in all directions. You can enjoy the spectacular view of Uiam Lake and Samaksan Mountain, including a small island named 'Bungeo Island' after its resemblance to a carp. Riding the cable car with a transparent floor doubles the fun.

The Northernmost Cable Car in Korea: Gangwon Hwacheon 'Baegamsan Cable Car'

Photo by Baegamsan Cable Car website

Located at the northernmost point in Korea, the Baegamsan Cable Car travels up to an altitude of 1,178 meters, boasting the highest elevation in the country. Baegamsan was the site of the last battle of the Korean War and the fierce Geumseong Battle fought over the highest peak on the central-eastern front.

Part of the cable car floor is made of glass, allowing tourists to observe the pristine nature of Baegamsan north of the 'Civilian Control Line (CCL),' where civilian access is prohibited, for about 15 minutes. Especially from the summit, visitors can uniquely view both North Korea's Geumgangsan Dam and South Korea's Peace Dam simultaneously.

Due to military operational reasons, the Baegamsan Cable Car operates only by advance reservation through its website.

Korea's Most Beloved Mountain: 'Seorak Cable Car'

Photo by Seorak Cable Car website

Seoraksan, selected as the most beloved mountain by Koreans in a survey by the Korea Forest Service last year, can also be enjoyed via cable car. While riding, you can admire famous spots of Seoraksan such as Ulsanbawi Rock and Manmulsang through the glass windows.

The Seorak Cable Car boarding station is located within the Seoraksan National Park Small Park and takes about 10 minutes to reach Gwongeumseong Fortress at an altitude of 700 meters. One-way rides are not available, and tickets must be purchased on-site as there is no advance reservation.

Gwongeumseong Fortress is said to have been built in one day by generals Kwon and Kim during the Goryeo Dynasty to fend off enemy invasions. Only the site remains today. The view of Seoraksan from the summit of Gwongeumseong is majestic, with numerous bizarre rock formations.

Seoraksan is currently considering additional installations such as the 'Osaek Cable Car' since the 1980s, and Yonhap News reported on the 27th that the Ministry of Environment has effectively granted conditional approval for the project.

Popular Among Both Domestic and International Tourists: 'Seoul Namsan Cable Car'

Photo by Pixabay

The Namsan Cable Car, which began operation in 1962 and has a history of over 60 years, offers a panoramic view of Namsan Mountain rising in the heart of Seoul, making it a popular tourist attraction for both domestic and international visitors.

The one-way ride takes about 3 minutes, covering approximately 600 meters round-trip from Hoehyeon-dong station to the top of Namsan. At the summit, visitors can see the Octagonal Pavilion and N Seoul Tower.

The N Seoul Tower's "Locks of Love" are also famous as a dating spot. Starting with two interlocked locks on the tower's roof terrace fence in December 2006, it has been featured in various broadcasts and was selected as one of Seoul's top 10 Hallyu (Korean Wave) attractions in 2016, becoming a must-visit tourist spot.

Cool Even in Summer: 'Yeongnam Alps Eoreumgol Cable Car'

Photo by Korea Tourism Organization

This cable car allows visitors to explore the mountainous area known as the 'Yeongnam Alps.' The Yeongnam Alps is a nickname given to a cluster of nine mountains over 1,000 meters high centered around Gajisan, located at the borders of Ulsan, Miryang, Yangsan, Cheongdo, and Gyeongju, known for their beautiful mountain ranges. In the Eoreumgol Valley on Jaeyaksan Mountain, you can see cool ice forming under rocks even on hot days.

The cable car ascends about 1.8 km from the lower station to the upper station at an altitude of 1,020 meters in approximately 10 minutes. From the upper station, walking about 250 meters along the Sky Love Trail leads to the Noksan-dae Observatory, where you can view Gajisan and Baegunsan of the Yeongnam Alps and the Eoreumgol Valley toward Miryang city.

Many hiking trails are accessible from the upper station, making it a popular destination for trekking enthusiasts.

With Your Pet Dog: 'Tongyeong Mireuksan Cable Car'

Photo by Tongyeong Tourism Portal

The Tongyeong Cable Car, installed on Mireuksan Mountain in Tongyeong, is also known as the 'Hallyeosudo View Cable Car.' It was listed in the '2015-2016 Top 100 Korean Tourist Attractions You Must Visit' organized by the Korea Tourism Organization. This cable car has a total length of 1,975 meters and is the only one in Korea operating with a bi-cable automatic circulating gondola system.

Hallyeosudo refers to the waterway stretching from Geoje in Gyeongnam through Tongyeong, Sacheon, Namhae, to Yeosu in Jeonnam, meaning 'elegant and beautiful waterway.' After riding the cable car, a 15-minute walk leads to the summit of Mireuksan Mountain in Tongyeong, where you can take in the charm of Hallyeosudo at a glance. The 360-degree view is unobstructed, and on clear days, you can even see Tsushima Island.

Notably, it is Korea's first 'pet-friendly' cable car, allowing visitors to create memories with their dogs against the backdrop of Tongyeong, known as the 'Naples of the East.' Inside the cable car station and gondola, pets must be in carriers, and on hiking trails outside the station, pet etiquette must be observed.

At the arrival point, climbing one flight of stairs leads to a skywalk. Pets are allowed here as well, but since the skywalk floor is made of glass and can be slippery, and some dogs may be scared by the view below, caution is advised.

The Southernmost Mountain and Village: 'Haenam Duryunsan Cable Car'

Photo by Duryunsan Provincial Park

Selected as one of Haenam's seven major tourist attractions, the Duryunsan Cable Car connects Haenam Daehungsa Temple, the Usuyeong Myeongnang Battle Site, and Ttangkkeut Village, operating on a 1.6 km line with a one-way ride of about 8 minutes.

Duryunsan is a tourist destination rich in temples and historic sites with outstanding natural scenery, located at the southernmost tip of the Korean Peninsula. The mountain is known for its botanical significance, featuring subtropical evergreen broadleaf trees and temperate deciduous broadleaf trees forming its forests. It is also famous for its lush silver grass fields, and from the summits of its eight large and small peaks, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the West Sea, South Sea, and various archipelagos.

The mountain is home to Daehungsa Temple, founded by the monk Adohwa in the 5th year of King Jinheung of Silla, and is historically linked to Seosan Daesa. The temple preserves four treasures, including Pyochungsa Temple and Tapsansa Temple's bronze bell, one natural monument, and numerous relics.