The beauty of the sea, mountains, and rivers alone would be enough to make a trip worthwhile, but in Gangwon State, they all exceed one’s expectations. Travelers are greeted by the stunning scenery of the East Sea stretching to the horizon, the silhouette of the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range, and the river winding its way through the mountains. It is the essence of captured in the elegant and majestic sceneries of Gangwon State . Start your Gangwon State trip in Gangneung. Walks along the beautiful Jumunjinhaebyeon and Gyeongpohaebyeon Beaches are enough in themselves to warrant this visit, but the view of the open forests at Gangneung Solhyang Arboretum and Daegwallyeong Recreational Forest opens your heart for more. Get a cup of fragrant coffee from the cafés lining Anmokhaebyeon Beach to wrap up your Gangneung trip in style.
Next is Donghae. Donghae offers a great view of the beautiful East Sea, which is also its namesake. Chuam Chotdaebawi Rock, which rises off the coast of Chuam-dong, makes for a great photo spot, while Nongoldam Street, famous for its murals, and the nearby Dojjaebigol Sky Valley, a skywalk experience, offer an exhilarating experience overlooking the sea from above. After getting your fill of the sea, head inland. Jeongseon’s Gariwangsan Cable Car and Yangtte (Sheep) Farm are sure to create unforgettable memories, whether you are alone or with your loved ones. While you’re in the area, don’t miss the “Hoengseong Korean beef” and “salad rice,” which enjoy nationwide fame for their delectable flavors.
Wonju, located near Hoengseong, is a region famous for its hanji (traditional Korean paper) culture, thanks to the nearby paper mulberry habitats offering high-quality fiber for paper-making. The best place to see the history and beauty of Wonju hanji culture is the Wonju Hanji Theme Park. From Wonju, head northward to find Chuncheon. The views of the Soyanggang River and Nami Island add a dash of sentimentality to your trip. From there, you can proceed to Sokcho, Goseong, Yeongwol, and other places throughout the Gangwon State .
Known as ungiseok in Korean, woodgrain stone is a natural mineral produced only in Jeongseon. The features of the stone can be imagined from its Korean name, ungiseok, meaning woodgrain (un), energy (gi), and stone (seok), and the reason it is named such is quite easy to see. Jeongseon’s woodgrain stones, which bear beautiful patterns and beneficial minerals like Germanium, can be found in various forms and sculptures.
 | UNGISEOK 9020 WOODGRAIN STONE NOTEPAD & PEN The three-section notepad uses hanji smoothed with powdered woodgrain stone for a softer texture and sturdier construction. The center of the notepad allows you to store credit or business cards. The pen, which is inspired by the planet Jupiter, is one of the most popular woodgrain stone products thanks to its mysterious appearance.
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 | UNGISEOK 9020 WOODGRAIN STONE BRACELET These bracelets are designed using different gemstones with woodgrain stones as their basis. Different gemstones imbue the bracelets with different colors, while woodgrain stones hold the center with their unique presence and patterns, creating a harmoniously refined feeling. The company also sells fit bracelets with a silicone strap and bracelets featuring the legendary animal Pixiu, which symbolizes good fortune.
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Q When did you start working with woodgrain stones? In 1990, my father discovered the woodgrain stone deposit here and opened a mine. It was our first attempt at developing something like this, so it was quite difficult to shape the stone into a decent product. Even when business wasn’t so easy, my father continued to put everything into the project. So, I, being the eldest son, jumped into the business first, and my little sister, Lee Min-gyeong, joined us recently.
Q It is surprising to see such a variety of products made with woodgrain stone. Woodgrain stone has this mysterious presence by itself, right? It can notably also be used to create accessories, sculptures, wallpapers, and many others. The fact that it is only mined in Jeongseon also makes it a local specialty. We hope to elevate it to a status where it can represent Korea on the world stage. For that, we hope for your continued interest and love for Jeongseon’s woodgrain stones.
