Cheongpyeongsa Temple

Cheongpyeongsa is reached the pleasant way: a ferry crosses Soyang lake from the dam pier in about ten minutes, and from the landing a path climbs a wooded valley for a couple of kilometres to the temple, passing Guseong waterfall on the way. The temple was founded in 973 and rebuilt many times, and its distinguishing feature is what lies around it - the remains of the Goryeo-period garden laid out by the scholar-recluse Yi Ja-hyeon in the twelfth century, with a pond called Yeongjiji and channels through the valley, which is among the oldest surviving designed gardens in Korea and is studied as such. The Hoejeonmun gate is a designated treasure. In autumn the valley path is one of the standard colour walks near Seoul, and the ferry queues accordingly. It can also be reached by road, but the boat is the reason people come this way. Chuncheon's dakgalbi restaurants are the customary end to the day.

What you actually see

• The ferry crossing - the short boat over Soyang lake.
• Guseong waterfall - the fall on the path up the valley.
• The Goryeo garden - the twelfth-century pond and channels.
• Hoejeonmun - the old gate in the compound.

When to go

April to June and October; autumn colour in the valley is the peak and the ferry queues then. Boats run less often in winter and stop in bad weather.

Honest expectations

The walk from the landing is two kilometres uphill each way. Ferry timetables are limited - check the last return. Autumn weekends bring long queues at the pier.

Nearby

Chuncheon and Soyang dam are across the lake; Nami Island is south.