Donghae Mureung Valley

Donghae Mureung Valley — Scenic Valley Trekking and Summer 'Mureung Oseonnyeotang' Forest Water Play

Donghae Mureung Valley is a granite valley about 4km long, embraced by Dutasan and Cheongoksan mountains. It was designated as Scenic Site No. 37 in 2008, known as 'the finest landscape on the East Coast.' In spring and autumn, it's a trekking spot where you can walk along Mureungbanseok (Mureung Rock Terrace) and waterfalls, but in summer, it gains another charm. This is because the 'Mureung Oseonnyeotang' water play area, which contains the valley water itself under the shade of a pine forest, temporarily opens at the entrance to the Donghae Mureung Health Forest. Since it's not an artificial water park but a place to cool off with the forest and valley water, it's a course that combines mountains and water for a summer trip to Gangwon.

At a Glance

Mureung Oseonnyeotang — Forest Valley Water Play (Summer Only)

Mureung Oseonnyeotang is an eco-friendly water play area created in a pine forest next to the valley. It opens temporarily each summer, and in 2026, it will operate for 42 days from July 10 to August 20. Hours are daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. With 5 outdoor pools, a snack bar, restrooms, changing rooms, and a photo zone, it's particularly popular with families with children, and during the peak summer season, it's considered a representative summer retreat in Gangwon, attracting thousands of visitors daily.

The fee structure is easy to understand if you divide it into two parts. First, to enter Mureung Valley (the scenic area), there is an admission fee of 2,000 won for adults. And using the Oseonnyeotang water play area itself is free. However, if you enter by car, a separate environmental management fee applies — 4,000 won for passenger cars, 10,000 won for vans, and 20,000 won for buses. Upon payment, one 10L standard trash bag is provided per vehicle (waste must be taken back). As it's centered around shallow pools filled with valley water rather than deep swimming pools, the essence is 'forest shade + cool valley water' itself, rather than water play equipment. Admission fees and charges may vary by season, so please double-check Donghae City's announcements before visiting.

Scenic Mureung Valley — The 4km Granite Valley for Walking and Sightseeing

The reason it's a shame to just play in the water and leave is that the valley itself is a scenic site. Mureung Valley is a granite riverine landscape stretching approximately 4km from Hoamso Pond to Yongchu Falls, designated as Scenic Site No. 37 in February 2008. Mureungbanseok at the entrance is a wide rock terrace spanning about 1,500 pyeong (approx. 4,950 sq meters), with stone carvings by Joseon's master calligrapher Bongrae Yang Sa-eon and writings by ancient poets and literati like Maewoldang Kim Si-seup, making it akin to an outdoor calligraphy museum.

Past the rock terrace, you'll find the ancient temple Samhwasa (三和寺). It's a temple with a three-story stone pagoda and an iron-seated Vairocana Buddha statue, both designated as treasures. From here, the trekking course leading to Haksodae Cliff, Ssangpokpo (Twin Falls), and Yongchu Falls officially begins, and further along the ridge, it extends to Dutasanseong Fortress and hiking trails up Dutasan and Cheongoksan mountains. In other words, Mureung Valley is a rare place where 'foot-soaking water play' and 'half-day trekking' coexist within a single valley.

How to Get There & One-Day Course

Mureung Valley involves a long travel time for a day trip from Seoul. Combining it with accommodation in Donghae or Samcheok for a 2-day 1-night trip significantly increases satisfaction. The recommended itinerary is water play at Oseonnyeotang in the morning → a walk towards Mureungbanseok, Samhwasa, and the waterfalls → a coastal course like Donghae Sea or Samcheok Janghohang Port in the afternoon. This becomes a Gangwon summer course that offers both mountains and the sea in one day. While you can access the valley entrance by car, parking waits can be long on summer weekends, so it's best to arrive early in the morning.

Packing Checklist

• Aqua shoes + Trekking shoes — Aqua shoes for the pools, good grip shoes for valley/rock terrace sections (beware of moss/water making surfaces slippery)
• Spare clothes · Towel — Changing rooms are available but can get crowded; a waterproof bag is also useful
• Hat · Sunscreen — Even with plenty of forest shade, rock terraces and pools are fully exposed to the sun
• Water · Snacks — A snack bar is available, but there might be a wait during peak season; it's convenient to bring simple items
• Utilize standard trash bags — Waste must be taken back, so bring bags for disposal
• Large tubes · Big water play equipment not recommended — They can be more of a hindrance in shallow valley pools

Combine with Nearby Attractions

In the same Samhwa-dong Mureung area, there's the Mureungbyeolyucheonji Lavender Festival, which turns purple in summer, making it great to combine water play and flower viewing in one day. If you want to see other valleys in Gangwon, refer to Gangwon Highland Valley Retreats; to compare valleys nationwide at a glance, check out BEST Summer Valleys in Seoul Vicinity · Gangwon. For a comprehensive comparison of Gangwon summer water activities, including Samcheok Janghohang snorkeling and Goseong Songjiho Lake, not just valleys, Gangwon-do Summer Water Play · Snorkeling Guide is a good starting point. Conversely, if you want to enjoy a light water activity in the city without traveling far, urban water play areas like Gwangnaru Hangang Park Water Play Area are more suitable.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Oseonnyeotang water play open? In 2026, it operates daily from 09:00 to 17:00 for 42 days, from July 10 to August 20. As it's a summer-only opening, the water play area is only open during this period.

Is there an admission fee? There is an admission fee of 2,000 won for adults for Mureung Valley (scenic area). The use of the Oseonnyeotang water play area inside is free. However, a separate environmental management fee applies for vehicle entry (4,000 won for cars, 10,000 won for vans, 20,000 won for buses), and upon payment, a 10L standard trash bag is provided per vehicle. Fees may vary by season, so checking before your visit is recommended.

Can I just go for water play? Yes, you can. However, Mureung Valley is a designated scenic site, so a half-day walk to Mureungbanseok, Samhwasa, and the waterfalls will make your trip much more rewarding than just water play.

Is it suitable for going with children? It's popular with families due to its focus on shallow valley water pools. However, the valley and rock terrace sections can be slippery, so aqua shoes and adult supervision are necessary.

Is it possible as a day trip from Seoul? The travel time is long, so a round trip in one day can be very tiring. We recommend combining it with a 2-day 1-night stay in Donghae or Samcheok to experience both mountains and the sea.