Located in the deep mountains of Yeongwol. High Healing One is a beautiful place like a garden that someone has carefully grown. It feels good just to take a leisurely stroll through the tranquil garden, but how about taking a little time and participating in its wellness program? It offers a special experience that combines the healing power of the forest with humanities and arts. 

High Healing One

- Address: 113 Seomjigol-gil, Sangdong-eup, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do 
- Inquiries: +82-33-370-7777 
- Website: https://foresthealing.or.kr/ 
Operating hours: 09:00-18:00 [Closed on New Year’s Day and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day)]; Reservations can be made by phone. 

Located deep in the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range in Yeongwol. High Healing One is a place that has just started to gain recognition through word of mouth among those who pursue a wellness lifestyle. The mountain slope runs so deep that you can see only the forest and sky in all directions. As you follow the signs toward High Healing One, your eyes widen at the beautiful garden in the middle of the forest. 
When and who made such a space in the middle of the deep mountain? In fact, High Healing One is run by the Forest Healing Foundation, a social contribution foundation affiliated with Kangwon Land. After its opening in November 2019, the place was not widely known in the first four years because it mainly hosted job training programs for vulnerable groups, companies/organizations, and teachers in special fields. The place would have gladly welcomed more visitors, but they did not set out to increase potential visitors to focus on those who do visit. Fortunately, a wellness program for the general public has opened in September, 2023. 
There is a special reason why High Healing One is located in Sangdong-eup, Yeongwol. In the past, Sangdong-eup was a prosperous coal mining town. However, the mines were gradually abandoned, and the past prosperity gave way to desolation as people left the village one by one. The goal of restoring the dilapidated area clicked with the possibility of utilizing natural forest resources. The place hires local residents, prepare meals with locally grown agricultural and special products, and actively encourages users to visit nearby restaurants and tourist attractions. 

Wellness Programs Combining Humanities and Arts

The defining feature of the wellness program at High Healing One lies in “humanities and art healing.” All programs are designed to accommodate the elements of humanities and arts. In one of those programs, visitors can listen to classical music while meditating in a hammock in the forest. At this time, the music therapist plays songs that tell a story comparing life to a journey. Most participants said they were 200% satisfied with their experience, which they had never had elsewhere. One participant said how meaningful the experience was as he was able to look back on his life. As such, High Healing One presents wellness programs on another level that incorporate humanities and arts using meditation and yoga as materials. 
The programs provided at High Healing One are divided into categories based on participant types. First, “Supeuro” is a social contribution program for preventing behavioural addiction. Families from vulnerable groups, including those from children and youth institutions, stay for two days for education, accommodation, and meals. Since its inception, more than 8,000 people have participated in the program. The second “wellness program” is a customized program for companies or organizations. The program offers High Healing One's own wellness activities focused on relieving stress, stabilizing the mind and body, and improving satisfaction with life. And lastly, the place runs a healing training program for elementary, middle, and high school teachers across the country.  
One more category was added in September, a wellness program for the general public. The program provides two options: one-day and overnight programs. In the one-day program, participants arrive at High Healing One around lunchtime, pick up a picnic basket, and go to the forest. After lying down in the hammock listening to the instructor's guidance and taking a full rest, the participants enjoy a picnic in the forest. Afterward, they get to enjoy tea at Cafe Bandi. The overnight program has a flexible schedule. The participants arrive late in the afternoon, look around the facility, have dinner, and participate in at least one program to relax their body. It runs on a very slow schedule where you can sleep relaxed and have a meal the next day. People who want to rest in the woods are also welcome. The proceeds from the program are donated for social contribution projects, which adds more significance to the program.

Into the Garden of Tasha Tudor

At first glance, High Healing One looks beautiful as any garden in the world. It is almost as if you have visited the garden of Tasha Tudor, one of the most prestigious American children's story writers. A well-landscaped garden and modern buildings exist in harmony on an area about 2 million square feet. If you follow the chirping sound of the valley water, you will be guided along forest trails sitting on a 2 million square feet area with intact nature. You may ask, “Can I really use such a good place without participating in the program?” Yes. High Healing One is open to everyone. 
Anyone can visit and rest without registering for a program. You can see the semi-circular building hugging the yard as soon as you go through the entrance, and a book cafe, Cafe Bandi, on the second floor. One side of the building is entirely made up of windows. When the weather is good, all windows open up to the deck. It is an excellent space to sit next to the window and take in the scenery or to pick up a book from the bookshelf to enrich your mind. You can have tea and coffee made from local ingredients at affordable prices.
After the cafe, if you want to enjoy a walk, go to Seomji Pond on the right. You can look around the ecological park modelled after the topography of the Korean Peninsula. If you want to enjoy the forest a little more, turn your steps upward. You can see the entrance to Eoullim Forest next to Danpungwon, which is a forest education center. Eoullim Forest sits along Seomjicheon, a stream boasting first-class water. You don't need to worry about getting lost because it is a single trail. If you go up along the valley, you can visit Ikkiwon (moss garden), an amur maple habitat, Insect Hotel Village, a mountain hawthorn habitat, Hwajeon Farmers' Dwellings, a hammock place in the pine forest, and Soryongpokpo Falls, one after another. 

NOTE

Combine 37 Modular Programs as You Want!  
High Healing One offers 37 programs including Healing Bell Challenge, First Step for Carbon Neutrality, Eoullim Hammock Therapy, Forest Classic, Healing Tool Therapy, and Trekking. Don't worry yourself over which programs to try. Participants can set up their schedules by consulting High Healing One staff, and combine various programs according to the schedule, season, and purpose. Needless to say, you should contact the facility in advance before your visit. 
The program for the general public, which opened in September, is open only on Thursdays and Fridays. The specific offerings will vary every season, and detailed information is announced on the website in advance. Reservations can be made on the website or Naver. 

Nearby Places to Visit

Byeolmaro Observatory

The largest astronomical observatory in Korea, located at the top of Bongnaesan Mountain at 799.8 meters. 
397 Cheonmundae-gil, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do 

Eorayeon

Eorayeon offers the most magnificent view of Donggang River by far. The name “Eorayeon” comes from the scales of the fish swimming in the river shining like silk. 
259 Eorayeon-gil, Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do 

Youngwol Y Park

An art complex that combines various contemporary art, land art, and installation art while also serving as a museum and a workshop. 
1467-9 Songhakjucheon-ro, Jucheon-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do

Yeongwol West Morning Market

Yeongwol West Morning Market used to be an old market where farmers brought their produces early in the morning and sold them. Today, the market is a representative food tourist attraction in Yeongwol. Famous food include Memil Jeonbyeong (Buckwheat Crepe) and Memil Jeon (Buckwheat Pancake.) 
30-1 Jungang-ro, Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do 

#Promotional Videos

▶ Foundation promotional video https://youtu.be/uxA0PVmBvXY 
▶Video introducing the purpose of the foundation, facilities, and Eoullim Forest https://youtu.be/sW6r5MnfRYg