# Pocheon

Pocheon (포천, 抱川) is a city of about 36,000 (2020) in northern Gyeonggi. Major attractions are Sanjeong Lake, Baekun Valley, Sinbuk Hot Springs, Sanjeong Hot Springs, National Arboretum, Bidulginang Falls, and Herb Island.

## Understand

Among basic local governments in Gyeonggi-do, it is the third largest in area after Yangpyeong-gun and Gapyeong-gun, and is the largest among cities in Gyeonggi-do.
Pocheon City is in the northeastern part of the metropolitan area. Geographically, it is the center of the Korean Peninsula and a transit point for inter-Korean connections, and it can be expected to serve as a historical hub city through exchanges such as inter-Korean cooperation projects and attracting major events.
As a short-distance area within an hour of Seoul, it has the potential to develop into a resort for residents in the metropolitan area, and is an all-weather tourist resort city with the development of specialized tourism products that can be seen, heard and felt using various tourism resources and abundant development sites.

### History

It was created in the 13th year of King Taejong (1413) of the Joseon Dynasty. Pocheon was originally called Mahol-gun in Goguryeo when it was a territory of Baekje and Goguryeo. It was called 'Gyeonseong-gun' during King Jinheung of Silla, but it was called 'Cheongseong' again during King Gyeongdeok of Silla. In early Goryeo, it was called 'Poju' and it was called 'Pocheon' again during the Joseon Dynasty.

### Climate

Pocheon belongs to an area with a lot of precipitation, which seems to be due to the fact that the low pressure moving from the Yangtze River and the Chinese continent hits the Taebaek Mountains and its vein (支脈), the Gwangju Mountains.
Looking at the climate data of Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do from 1981 to 2010, it can be seen that the annual average temperature is 10.2℃, the annual average maximum temperature is 16.2℃, the annual average minimum temperature is 4℃, and the total annual precipitation is 1,391.2mm. The annual average temperature in 2010, which is confirmed by the most recent data, is 10.9℃, the annual maximum temperature is 33℃, the annual minimum temperature is -19.5℃, the annual total precipitation is 1,939.5mm, the annual average relative humidity is 67.3%, the annual average wind speed is 1.7 ㎧, the annual maximum wind speed is 10.2 ㎧, and the annual maximum instantaneous wind speed is 20.3 ㎧.

## Get in
### By train

Pocheon does not yet have a subway station. However, Pocheon Station is under construction as of 2024, and is scheduled to be connected to Seoul Subway Line 7 in 2026.

### By car

Highways:
* Sejong–Pocheon Expressway is a highway connecting Janggun-myeon, Sejong Special Self-Governing City and Sinbuk-myeon in Pocheon. If you drive on this highway and exit at Pocheon IC, you can arrive at Pocheon City.
* The 2nd Capital Region Ring Expressway is a ring expressway that covers the metropolitan area, including Incheon Metropolitan City and Gyeonggi Province, and can be used to reach Pocheon.
National roads:
* National roads 37, 43 and 47 pass by.
* National roads 37 : Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do -> Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do
* National roads 43 : Sejong Special Self-Governing City -> Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do -> Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do
* National roads 47 :Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do -> Seoul Special City -> Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do -> Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do

### By bus

* From Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Pocheon Intercity Bus Terminal (express bus / Dispatch interval: 2 hr) : 1 hr 5 minPocheon Intercity Bus Terminal
* From Nonhyeon Station (red bus 1403) : 1 hr 21 min
* From East Seoul General Terminal (red bus 3001-1, 3000) : 56 min
* Other red buses to Pocheon : 3100, 3500, 3200

## Get around
### By bicycle

There are no shared bicycles, but bicycles are available.

### By bus

About 60 city buses help people to travel around Pocheon City. If you can read Korean, consult the schedules.

### By taxi

You can take a taxi at taxi stand. Basic fare of regular taxi is around ₩4,800. The taxi stand is near the bus station.
When you move to another place where is hard to access, you can call a taxi. You can call kakao taxi or T-map taxi. Kakao taxi is easier to call than T-map taxi.

## See

* 38.06778127.4162351 Baekwoon Valley (백운계곡), Dopyeong-ri, Idong-myeon, ☏ +82 31-535-8856. It is a valley about 10 km long that stretches from Gwangdeoksan Mountain to Baekunsan Mountain. There are tourist attractions such as Seonyudam and Geumgwang Falls. The pond and strangely shaped rocks come together to create beauty. There is Heungnyongsa Temple, a temple where the handwriting of King Sejong of Joseon is kept. There are also scenic drives that begin in this valley. (updated Sep 2024)
* 37.896119127.2122732 Pocheon Banwol Art Hall (포천 반월 아트홀), 111, Cheongseong-ro, Gunnae-myeon, ☏ +82 31-535-3600. 09:00-18:00. Pocheon Banwol Art Hall is a place created for Pocheon citizens to realize civic cultural welfare through the creation of a cultural and artistic foundation. Here, you can see various artistic activities such as plays, musicals, and art exhibitions. (updated Sep 2024)
* Sanjeong Lake38.069387127.3228093 Sanjeong Lake, 452-8 Sanjeong-ri, Yeongbuk-myeon, ☏ +82 31-532-6135. 24 hours. Sanjeong Lake is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Pocheon. The surrounding small mountain peaks, such as Myeongseongsan, Mangbongsan, and Mangmubong, create a spectacular view when combined with the lake. Designated as a national tourist site in March 1977, many tourists visit, especially the night fog on the lake in spring and fall. The walking trail that circles Sanjeong Lake is a great tourist course. An amusement park, sculpture park, boat park, swimming pool, and sledding hill were built nearby. (updated Sep 2024)
* 37.974195127.1043914 Sinbuk Spa (Resort), 571 Cheongsin-ro, Sinbuk-myeon, ☏ +82 31-536-5025. Sinbuk Hot Springs Resort is the largest natural hot spring in Korea, using natural Sinbuk Water, the best water in the country. (updated Sep 2024)
* 37.857158127.2652595 Suwon Mountain Observatory, 2485 Cheonggun-ro, Gunnae-myeon. As an observatory modeled after the shape of Suwon Mountain, you can see the scenery of Suwon Mountain at a glance. It also serves as a resting place for citizens. (updated Sep 2024)
* 38.040647127.117036 Pocheon Auraji Baegae Yongam, San 209-1, Sinheung-ri, Changsu-myeon. Auraji refers to the estuary where two or more waterways meet, and Pillow Lava is a name given to the basalt because its shape resembles a round pillow. Pocheon Auraji Pillow Lava is a geological site located at the estuary where the Hantangang River and Yeongpyeongcheon River meet, and is a rock that solidified as high-temperature lava flows and cools rapidly when it meets cold water (Yeongpyeongcheon River). This pillow lava is rarely found on land, and is mostly formed in the sea, which is rich in water. It is registered as a natural monument of Korea as a national heritage. (updated Nov 2024)
* Pocheon Banwolseong Fortress37.893664127.2168637 Pocheon Banwolseong Fortress, 19, Cheonggun-ro 3290beon-gil. The site of a castle in the Three Kingdoms period in Gueup-ri, Gunnae-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do. (updated Dec 2024)
* Pocheon Art Valley37.92314127.2371428 Pocheon Art Valley, 234, Art Valley-ro, Sinbuk-myeon, ☏ +82 1668-1035. 09:00-18:00. A picturesque emerald lake, a granite cliff carved like a folding screen! A cultural and artistic complex where you can appreciate and enjoy art in nature ₩5000. (updated Dec 2024)

### Temple

* 37.899415127.1719559 Wangsan Temple, 193 Hobyeonggol-gil, ☏ +82 31-533-3245. Wangbangsan Mountain, called Pocheon's Jinsan Mountain, is home to Wangsan Temple, which has a thousand-year history. (updated Dec 2024)
* 38.073788127.32761410 Jain Temple, 808, Sanjeong Lake-ro, Yeongbuk-myeon, ☏ +82 31-532-6141. It is a traditional temple at the foot of Myeongseongsan Mountain that connects Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do and Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon State. (updated Dec 2024)
* 37.961944127.26916711 Geumryongsa Temple, ☏ +82 31-533-4405. a temple located in Pocheon (updated Dec 2024)
* 37.925088127.23685812 Cheonjusa Temple, 181-33 Cheonjusa Temple, Art Valley-ro, Sinbuk-myeon, ☏ +82 31-532-2998. Many people visit the temple located next to Pocheon Art Valley. (updated Dec 2024)
* 37.772576127.24096713 Yakcheonsa Temple, 147 Geumgang-ro 2110beon-gil, Naechon-myeon, ☏ +82 31-532-7374. It is a temple located in the valley of Jugeumsan Mountain. (updated Dec 2024)

## Do
### Festivals

* 37.965481127.1317731 Herb Island Light Fairytale Festival, Sinbuk-myeon, Cheongsin-ro 947beon-gil, 35 KR, ☏ +82 0315356494. 10:00-21:00. It is a festival related to herb flowers with an outdoor garden featuring a beautiful light feast and the story of Santa's Village in a fairy tale. (updated Oct 2024)
* 37.965481127.1317732 Herb Island Carnival Festival, 35, Cheongsin-ro 947beon-gil, Sinbuk-myeon, ☏ +82 031-535-6497. 10:00-21:00. There are many unique things to see and do with the theme of life in the Mediterranean, the origin of herbs. The world's first herb and plant museum is in operation. ₩8000-12000. (updated Oct 2024)
* 38.069387127.3228093 Sanjeong Lake Sledding Festival, 79, Sanjeonghosu-ro 411beon-gil, Yeongbuk-myeon, ☏ +82 031-532-6135. A unique winter activity unique to Sanjeong Lake, reminiscent of ice sledding and skating on the ice. There are experiences such as ice biking, ice train riding, and the thrilling snow biking. In addition, the food village offers delicious local food made using ingredients from Sanjeong Lake, including nostalgic snacks. (updated Oct 2024)

## Buy

* 37.892964127.2016921 Pocheon Shen-eup Market, 715 Gueup-ri, Gunnae-myeon. It is a large traditional market held every five days in the center of Pocheon City. You can eat traditional Korean snacks and foods, and purchase various tools and items. (updated Oct 2024)
* 38.090014127.2721952 Pocheon Uncheon Traditional Market, Uncheon Snow Market, 25, Yeongbuk-ro 177beon-gil, Yeongbuk-myeon. Uncheon Traditional Market is a traditional market representing Yeongbuk-myeon, which is relatively large among the markets in Pocheon, and has many visitors. The main items handled here are fruits, electronics, agricultural products, marine products, and livestock products, and it is a medium-sized market with 160 stores. It is recommended to stop by a place with the unique bustle of traditional markets. (updated Oct 2024)
* 37.828102127.1463433 Pocheon Songwoo Market, 641-137 Songwoo-ri, Soheul-eup. Songu Market is a market with 85 stalls. It is not that big of a scale. (updated Oct 2024)

## Eat

* 37.879722127.1958991 Eoga-gil Bakery Cafe, 72, Eogae-gil, Gunnae-myeon, ☏ +82 31-531-7630. (updated Sep 2024)
* 37.97055127.2499812 Hankki, 2534 Hoguk-ro, Yeongjung-myeon. 07:00-16:00. It offers a variety of Korean home-style menus. (updated Sep 2024)
* 37.973725127.2701443 Geumgwanggol Spicy Soup (금광골매운탕), Gyeonggi-do, Geumju-ri, 231번지 1층, ☏ +82 31-534-8703. This restaurant serves Korean spicy fish stew. (updated Sep 2024)
* 37.964496127.2611194 (풍천장어유황오리) Gyeonggi-do, Geumju-ri, 1043, ☏ +82 31-5345-291. This restaurant serves eel and duck dishes. (updated Sep 2024)
* 37.902743127.2155825 Pumpkin Flower, 18-13 Cheongseong-ro 33beon-gil, Gunnae-myeon, ☏ +82 31-536-8892. (updated Sep 2024)
* 37.95864127.3188226 The Pocheon Garden, 82-33 KR the Pocheon Garden, Gisan-ri, Ildong-myeon, ☏ +82 31-534-8859. 11:30-21:30. It is a meat restaurant where you can eat traditional Korean 'Ei-Dong galbi'. (updated Sep 2024)
* 38.061747127.3147997 Udoomji Bakery, 450-8 Sanjeong Lake-ro, Yeongbuk-myeon, ☏ +82 507-1328-2420. 09:30-19:30. It is a place where you can drink various beverages with delicious bread. (updated Sep 2024)

## Drink

* 37.897917127.2033371 Dongbaeg-yeonhwa(Camellia lotus), 175-2 Sineup-dong, ☏ +82 0315367976. 17:00-02:00. It is a franchise bar where you can enjoy a menu of Korean-style cuisine. (updated Oct 2024)
* 37.956854127.3167312 Jung-pocha, 4, Hwadong-ro 1043beon-gil, Ildong-myeon, Republic the first floor, ☏ +82 507-1438-5204. 17:00-01:00. It is a bar that can be enjoyed with fusion-inspired cart-style Korean liquor snacks. (updated Oct 2024)
* 37.828211127.1430093 Noco-Noco, 11-9, Bongsolo 4-gil, Soheul-eup, the first floor, toll-free: +82 507-1474-8115. 15:00-05:00. It is an izakaya with the atmosphere of a Japanese tavern, and it is a bar where you can eat various Japanese-style alcohol snacks. (updated Nov 2024)
* 37.897813127.1996264 Camellia flower, 31, Jungang-ro 119beon-gil, ☏ +82 507-1374-4156. 17:00-02:00. It is a pub located in Pocheon, and Korean-style hostess sundae, suyuk, and sea snail serve a variety of dishes as the main menu. (updated Nov 2024)
* 37.896938127.200635 Hyeonsangsubae, 137-33, Sineup-dong, ☏ +82 31-535-9961. 15:00-01:00. It is a bar that sells a lot of chicken feet in Korea.In particular, many people who put charcoal-flavored food menus. (updated Nov 2024)

## Sleep
### Camping

* 37.858713127.2427791 Spoons glamping, 202 scoop glamping, Cheonggun-ro 2985beon-gil, Gunnae-myeon, ☏ +82 31-533-3039. Spoon Glamping is a glamping site in nature with dazzling sunlight and refreshing air. Please take your time and make special memories. This place overlooks the foot of Pocheon Mountain and is located in a place with clean air, a forest with green trees, and birds singing. (updated Sep 2024)
* 37.861176127.2348252 Woolmi Forest Auto Camping Site, 107, Kkotbaesan 2-gil, Gunnae-myeon, ☏ +82 31-536-9070. (updated Sep 2024)
* 38.045022127.3040863 Tiger camping, 166-7 Sanjeong-ri, Yeongbuk-myeon, ☏ +82 1054149635. (updated Oct 2024)