Mungyeong Voyage Tips and guide

Mungyeong is a city of 77,000 people (2011) in North Gyeongsang. Also, mungyeong is a city in northwestern Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Map of Mungyeong

The Mungyeong economy during much of the 20th century was based on coal mining. However, these mines were closed in the 1980s, and since then the municipal government has focused on developing tourism, agriculture and light industry in the region.

The climate has an average annual temperature of 11.9°C, a maximum temperature of 34.2°C, a minimum temperature of -12.4°C, precipitation of 1,205.4 mm (based on normal values), and an average snowfall of 215 mm, indicating a continental climate.

Express and intercity buses (Mungyeong Bus Terminal). The terminal has frequent services to major cities across Korea.

• Seoul (Dong Seoul Terminal) – about 2h 30min
• Busan – about 3h 30min
• Daegu – about 1h 10min
• Daejeon – about 2h
• Andong – about 1h 30min
• Gwangju – about 3h 30min

Mungyeong is connected by the Jungang Line at Jeomchon Station (점촌역).

• Seoul (Cheongnyangni Station) – about 2h 30min by ITX-Saemaeul
• Andong – about 1h
• Yeongju – about 40min
• Daegu (via connecting lines) – about 1h 30min

Conventional trains (Mugunghwa and ITX-Saemaeul) serve Jeomchon Station. KTX is not available directly to Mungyeong; nearest KTX stop is Gimcheon–Gumi Station (about 40min away by car or bus).

There is no airport in Mungyeong. The nearest major airport is Daegu International Airport, about 1h 20min away by car or bus. Alternatively, Cheongju International Airport and Incheon International Airport are reachable within 2–3h by bus or car.

Mungyeong is accessible via the Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway (Route 45) and the Jungang Expressway (Route 55).

• From Seoul – about 2h 30min (via Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway)
• From Daegu – about 1h
• From Busan – about 3h
• From Daejeon – about 2h

• 36.5868128.16691 Jeomchon Intercity and Express Bus Terminal (city center). (updated Jul 2021)
• 36.595608128.2033532 Jeomchon Train Station. (updated Jul 2021)

• Daeyasan Mountain Natural Recreation Forest
• Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park
• Mungyeongsaejae Open Set
• 36.72988128.1091141 Mungyeong Spa (문경종합온천), 24, Oncheon 2-gil, Mungyeong-eup, ☏ +82 2-54-571-2002. A huge hot spring complex that can accommodate up to 2,5000 people at one time. ₩7,000. (updated Oct 2020)
• Mungyeong Flying Land
• 36.680757128.1367542 Patriot Park Yeol Memorial Hall (박열의사 기념관), 44 Saemgol-gil, Maseong-myeon, ☏ +82 54-572-3396. 09:00-18:00 (closed M). The size of memorial hall takes you by surprise. It contains detailed and interesting information about Korea's independence activists. (updated Oct 2020)
• Buljeong Recreational Forest
• Mungyeong Saejae Four Season Sledding Slope
• 36.652791128.0613513 Mungyeong Eco Rala & Coal Museum (문경에코월드), 432-5 Wangneung-ri, Gaeun-eup, ☏ +82 54-572-6854. 09:00-18:00 (closed M). A museum with a nostalgic theme, dedicated to the miners who once worked in the area. (updated Oct 2020)
• 36.653739128.0618124 Mungyeong Eco Museum (문경석탄박물관), 45 Saejae 1(il)-gil, ☏ +82 54-550-8383. Daily 09:00-18:00. An interactive museum that children will enjoy. Be sure to watch the movie in the 4D theater. (updated Oct 2020)
• Mungyeong Youth Training Center

• Mungyeong Tourist Shooting Range
• Mungyeong Leisure Town
• Mungyeong Rail Bicycle

Mungyeong is well known for its pristine mountains and forests, which provide an abundance of fresh ingredients. The region is especially famous for mountain vegetables, traditional teas, and local specialties that reflect the clean environment of the Sobaek mountain range. Visitors can experience both rustic Korean flavors and unique regional dishes that are difficult to find elsewhere. The following are representative specialties of Mungyeong.

• San-namul (Mountain vegetables). Thanks to the unspoiled forests of Mungyeong, the area is renowned for its wide variety of wild greens harvested in spring and early summer. These vegetables are typically served as bibimbap, namul side dishes, or pancakes. Restaurants such as Songnaechon Sannamulbap specialize in these dishes, offering healthy and earthy flavors.

• Omija (Schisandra berries). Mungyeong is one of the leading producers of omija, a fruit known as the "five-flavor berry." Locals make omija tea, juice, and even omija makgeolli (rice wine). The berry’s unique sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy profile makes it a popular specialty, and omija drinks are especially refreshing in the summer.

• Yakdol makgeolli. This traditional rice wine, made with local glutinous rice and pure mountain spring water, has a clean taste and is slightly sweeter than standard makgeolli. It is a favorite drink to accompany hearty regional meals and is often enjoyed with mountain vegetable dishes or jeon (Korean pancakes).

• Mungyeong Apple. The highland climate with large daily temperature differences produces crisp, sweet apples. Mungyeong’s apples are recognized throughout Korea for their excellent quality, often featured in gift sets. The apple harvest season is in autumn, making it a perfect time to taste freshly picked fruit.

• 36.5994128.0151 Minji Song-eojang (민지송어장), Minji-gil 68-15, Gaeun-eup (From Mungyeong Station (문경역): head south towards National Route 34, then take Regional Road 34 → turn onto local roads towards Gaeun-eup → follow signs to “민지길 (Minji-gil)” until you reach No. 68-15; the restaurant has its own parking.), ☏ +82-54-571-3106. 11:00 - 20:00 (last order 19:00). Minji Song-eojang is a trout restaurant located in Gaeun-eup, Mungyeong. They specialise in fresh trout dishes (sashimi, fry, cutlet, sushi, stew). It has its own trout farm, free parking, and is well-known to locals and travelers. Trout sashimi ~₩34,000; Trout fry ~₩34,000; Trout cutlet ~₩15,000; Trout sushi/roll ~₩15,000; Stew (Maeuntang) ~₩3,000; Rice ~₩1,000. (updated Sep 2025)
• 36.7612128.07712 Mokryeon Garden (문경새재 목련가든), 31, Saejae-2-gil, Mungyeong-eup (From Mungyeong Station (문경역): head toward Mungyeong-eup, then follow signs for Mungyeongsaejae (문경새재) → enter 문경새재 Provincial Park → Mokryeon Garden is located immediately at Entrance Parking Lot No. 1 (제1주차장) on Saejae-2-gil.), ☏ +82-54-572-1940. 08:00 - 20:00. Mokryeon Garden is a Korean food restaurant in Mungyeong’s Saejae area, located at Entrance Parking Lot No.1 of Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park. It offers traditional Korean dishes including grilled meats (석쇠구이), 산채비빔밥, 전골, 정식 한상 차림, 냉면 등. It opens early at 8:00, making it a good breakfast or early meal spot for tourists visiting the trail. Gochujang Grilled Set Meal is available for ₩15,000, Wild Vegetable Bibimbap for ₩10,000, and Freshwater Spicy Fish Stew for ₩55,000. The Magnolia Set Meal is offered at ₩18,000, while Cold Noodles are ₩10,000 and Spicy Cold Noodles cost ₩12,000. A variety of hot pots, pancakes, and grilled dishes are also available. (updated Sep 2025)
• 36.7101128.11343 HanGukGwan SikDang (한국관식당), 5 Bongmyeong-gil, Maseong-myeon, ☏ +82 54-572-5050. 07:00–22:00 (Open daily). Korean Gwan Sikdang is a traditional Korean restaurant offering meals with rice, soup, and various side dishes (banchan). It often features Korean BBQ, where diners grill meats like bulgogi or pork belly at the table. The restaurant provides a communal and flavorful dining experience reflecting Korean culinary traditions. Korean Gwan Sikdang offers traditional Korean dishes such as grilled meats, stews, and banchan, with prices ranging around ₩10,000–₩20,000 per meal. (updated Sep 2025)
• 36.7514128.08414 Familia (파밀리아), 30, Hapusil-gil, Mungyeong-eup (From Mungyeong Station, take a taxi or local bus toward 문경읍. Continue toward 문경새재 direction. Once in 문경읍, head along Hapusil-gil until you reach number 30. The restaurant is visible from the road and has a large parking lot.), ☏ +82 507-1402-4717. 11:00-21:00 daily except Wednesday. Familia is a charming Italian-style restaurant set in a hanok-inspired building in 문경새재 area. The setting is picturesque, with a lovely garden and ample parking, making it a relaxing spot for lunch or dinner. The menu includes pasta, risotto, steak, pizza, and salads. Signature dishes such as “트러플 쑥 크림 파스타 (Truffle Mugwort Cream Pasta)”, “부채살 수비드 스테이크 (Flatiron Sous-Vide Steak)”, and “흑미 필라프 (Black Rice Pilaf)” are well praised. It’s a popular place for family meals and dates, especially during nice weather. entree / main course ~ KRW 13,000-33,000. (updated Sep 2025)
• 36.6459128.1675 Songnaechon Sannamulbap (송내촌산나물밥), 25-1, Gayeol-2-gil, Hogyemyeon (From Mungyeong Station (문경역), take a taxi or bus toward 호계면 (Hogye-myeon). After entering 호계면, follow signs toward 견탄리 (Gyeontan-ri). The road 가열2길 (Gayeol-2-gil) leads to 25-1. The restaurant is tucked in the village; there is a 공용주차장 (public parking) at 견탄1리, then it's a short walk.), ☏ +82 507-1333-4431. 11:00-20:00 daily except Monday; break time 15:30-16:30; last order 19:00. Songnaechon Sannamulbap is a rustic, homey Korean restaurant specializing in healthy 산나물 (mountain greens) dishes in a scenic village setting. The focus is on 자연산 나물 (wild mountain greens), minimal seasoning to let the ingredients’ own flavour shine, and balanced sides. Signature dishes include 산채육회비빔밥, 문경산신령비빔밥, 발효산나물밥, as well as 산나물전 (fried greens pancake) and 수육/발효수육. It’s good for groups/families, quite tranquil, with public parking; many visitors recommend reserving ahead especially on weekends. Most main dishes range between KRW 13,000 and 18,000. The signature “Mountain Vegetable Raw Beef Bibimbap” is about KRW 18,000, while the “Mungyeong Spirit Bibimbap” costs around KRW 15,000. The “Fermented Mountain Vegetable Rice” is about KRW 13,000. Side dishes such as vegetable pancakes or grilled tofu are generally priced around KRW 12,000. (updated Sep 2025)

• Cafe Seodeul (카페 서들).

Address: Hanae-1-gil 32-160, Maseong-myeon Phone: +82-50-7144-1569 Hours: 10:00–20:00 Notes: Large scenic café with terrace and ample parking; popular photo spot and regional “new” cafe.

• Cafe Ga-eun Station (Cafe Gaeun / 카페 가은역).

Address: Daeya-ro 2441, Gaeun-eup Phone: +82-54-571-2441 Hours: 10:00–18:00 Notes: Converted old train station (heritage building) offering retro atmosphere, coffee and local snacks.

• Cafe Eune (으네).

Address: Dongsung-gil 127, Maseong-myeon Phone: +82-50-7139-05117 Hours: 10:00–18:00 Notes: Dessert-focused café known for local specialties (omija/apple pastries), good for takeout and gifts.

• Omynara (오미나라) – Omija winery & tasting (winery/distillery experience).

Address: Saejae-ro 609, Mungyeong-eup Phone: +82-54-572-0601 Hours: 09:00–18:00 Notes: Winery/distillery specializing in omija (Schisandra) wines and local fruit distillates; offers tours and tastings—book ahead for guided programs.

• Yeonine Pocha (연이네 포차).

Address: Jungang-2-gil 5, Jeomchon (central district) Phone: +82-54-555-2848 Hours: 18:00–02:00 Notes: Casual indoor "pocha"-style pub popular for late-night drinks and shared anju (Korean pub dishes); common local favourite.

• STX Resort Mungyeong (STX 리조트 문경).

Address: Cheonghwa-ro 509, Nongam-myeon Phone: +82-54-460-5000 Hours: Check-in 14:00; Check-out 11:00 Notes: Full resort with spa and meeting facilities, set in a mountain area.

• Petro Hotel (formerly Ramada Mungyeong Saejae) (페트로호텔).

Address: Saejae-2-gil 32-3, Mungyeong-eup Phone: +82-54-504-7077 Hours: Check-in 15:00; Check-out 11:00 Notes: Located near Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park, behind the Saejae management office.

• Mungyeong Tourist Hotel (문경관광호텔).

Address: Saejae-2-gil 32-11, Mungyeong-eup Phone: +82-54-571-8001 Hours: Check-in 15:00; Check-out 11:00 Notes: Standard tourist hotel close to Mungyeong Saejae, offering ondol and twin rooms.

• Mungyeong Saejae Resort (문경새재리조트).

Address: Well-Being Town-gil 7-12, Mungyeong-eup Phone: +82-54-572-5100 Hours: Check-in 15:00; Check-out 11:00 (front desk generally 06:00–22:00) Notes: Condo-style resort with family-sized rooms; confirm late check-in policies.

• The Best Hotel (더 베스트 호텔).

Address: Saejae-2-gil 10-3, Mungyeong-eup Phone: +82-54-572-2400 Hours: Check-in 15:00; Check-out 11:00 Notes: Budget-friendly hotel near Saejae entrance, convenient for city access.

• Jinnam Hanok Stay (진남한옥 스테이).

Address: Jinnam 1-gil 171, Maseong-myeon Phone: +82-54-552-9800 / +82-10-4396-3698 Hours: Check-in 14:00; Check-out 12:00 Notes: Traditional hanok lodging in a rural scenic area, ideal for cultural experience.