Gangwon Medical Tourism Amid Pristine Nature

Gangwon Medical Tourism Amid Pristine Nature

Gangwon’s popular wellness tourist destination, Museum SAN

Gangwon State, home to the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, is one of South Korea’s leading destinations for relaxation and wellness, where mountains and the sea come together. It features a wide range of cultural, artistic, and experiential wellness facilities that make use of its natural environment, as well as excellent medical infrastructure, including tertiary general hospitals that served as official hospitals for the Olympics. If you are planning a trip that combines medical care, recovery, and relaxation amid beautiful nature, consider Gangwon.

From Official Hospitals for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics to Regional Medical Hubs: Gangwon Medical Institutions

1. Wonju Severance Christian Hospital

Hospital exteriorⓒWonju Severance Christian Hospital

Wonju Severance Christian Hospital is a government-designated tertiary general hospital providing care for patients with serious conditions in the Gangwon region. It provides specialized medical services through dedicated centers in various fields, including the Robotic Surgery Center, Cardiovascular Center, and Cancer Center. In particular, it is equipped with Gangwon State’s first independent electrophysiology laboratory, providing advanced diagnostic testing for arrhythmias as well as complex procedures such as catheter ablation and pacemaker implantation. Its Regional Trauma Center and Regional Emergency Medical Center, the only such facilities in the central region, are key facilities responsible for treating critically ill and trauma patients.

Outpatient centerⓒWonju Severance Christian Hospital / International Health Care CenterⓒWonju Severance Christian Hospital

The hospital built its international medical response capabilities by providing medical support as an official hospital for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter and Paralympic Games. Building on this experience, it also offers high-quality medical care to international patients. Centered around the International Health Care Center, specialists from various departments work together through a coordinated multidisciplinary system, supporting prompt and professional medical care tailored to the patient’s condition and needs. Dedicated coordinators accompany international patients through every step—from medical appointments and examinations to billing and prescriptions—helping them focus entirely on treatment and recovery.

Hospital Information for International Patients

• ① Medical Appointments

  6th Floor, Main Building International Health Care Center [email protected] / +82-10-6615-1415

• ② Interpretation Services

  - Languages: English, Russian, Japanese, Spanish ※ Available in other languages upon prior request
  - Hours: Mon–Fri 08:30–17:30
  - Appointments & Inquiries: Advance reservation required (Phone, Email, WhatsApp, KakaoTalk)
  English/Japanese/Russian: +82-10-6615-1415 / [email protected]

• ③ Convenience Services

  - Assignment of a dedicated 1:1 international patient coordinator
  - One-stop appointment support for consultations, examinations, hospitalization, and surgery
  - Administrative support for visa issuance and extension
  - Free medical interpretation service for foreign patients (English, Russian, Japanese)
  - Issuance of English medical certificates
  - Consultation support regarding overseas insurance and medical expenses
  - Customized health check-up programs for foreign patients
  - Post-treatment follow-up consultation support

2. Sungji Hospital

Non-Surgical Treatment Center / Dental Center

Established in 2001, Sungji Hospital has provided regional healthcare with a team of experienced medical professionals and advanced medical equipment. It has continued to evolve and grow, such as introducing Gangwon State’s first robotic joint replacement surgery and being selected as an eco-friendly hospital. Currently, it provides systematic medical services centered on specialized centers by field, including the Brain and Spine Center, Joint Center, Dental Center, and Health Check-up Center. In 2025, it expanded its Non-Surgical Treatment Center equipped with the latest medical equipment and patient-customized treatment systems, enhancing the expertise and convenience of non-surgical pain management.

Consultation Service Lounge / Immune Care Room

Sungji Hospital also offers comprehensive support for international patients. International patients can receive interpretation and medical guidance in English, Chinese, Japanese, and more at the comfortable, dedicated consultation service lounge. The hospital supports the entire care process, from appointments and examinations to surgery and hospitalization, and also assists with needs beyond medical care, such as hotel reservations and tourism information.

Hospital Information for International Patients

• ① Medical Appointments

  Main Building 1st Floor, Consultation Service Lounge: +82-33-760-3003

• ② Interpretation Services

  - Languages: English, Chinese, Japanese ※ Available in other languages upon prior request
  - Hours: Mon–Sat 09:00–17:30
  - Appointments & Inquiries: Advance reservation required by phone or email
  English, Chinese, Japanese +82-33-760-3003 / [email protected]

• ③ Convenience Services

  - One-stop reservation support for consultations, examinations, hospitalization, and surgery
  - Issuance of English medical certificates and medical records
  - Provision of concierge services (hospital guidance, admission/discharge procedures, hotel reservations, tourism information, etc.)
  - Customized meal plans for international patients (Choices include Korean, halal, vegetarian, diabetic, low-sodium, high-protein, post-gastrectomy, and diets tailored to patients’ food allergies)
  - Post-treatment follow-up consultation

A Different Dimension of Nature and Art: Gangwon Wellness Tourist Destinations

1. Sogeumsan Mountain Grand Valley

Sogeumsan Mountain Grand Valley: Where nature and adventure meet

Sogeumsan Mountain Grand Valley is a complex cultural tourist destination that combines the splendid scenery shaped by mountains and rivers with various experiential facilities. The valley is equipped with a cable car, mountain pedestrian bridge, and observatory. Its representative attractions include the 200-meter-long Sogeumsan Mountain Suspension Bridge and the 404-meter-long Ulleong Bridge, suspended approximately 100 meters above the ground. Crossing the swaying bridges offers a thrilling experience, with views of the Seomgang River and surrounding mountains unfolding below.

200-meter-long Suspension Bridge / 404-meter-long Ulleong Bridge

In spring and autumn, the nighttime attraction “Night of Light Show (Naora Show)” offers a different spectacle after dark. Splendid media facades and dynamic musical fountain shows are staged against mountain cliffs and river waters, illuminating the valley at night. Enjoy nature and adventure from a dizzying height by day, and discover a unique landscape where light and music harmonize by night.

2. Museum SAN

Where nature, architecture, and art harmonize: Museum SAN

Museum SAN is a cultural and artistic space where nature, architecture, and art exist in harmony. It gained widespread attention after being visited by RM, a member of the popular K-pop group BTS who is known for his interest in art. Designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando on a tranquil mountainside, the museum allows visitors to experience the entire space as a single work of art while walking along winding paths. Starting from the Welcome Center, diverse exhibition and relaxation spaces—including the Flower Garden, Water Garden, Main Building, Stone Garden, Meditation Hall, and James Turrell Hall—flow naturally into one another.

Meditation Hall inside the MuseumⓒMuseum SAN / Architecture designed by Tadao Ando

What makes the experience particularly special is the opportunity to go beyond art appreciation and reflect on body and mind through meditation. Marking its 5th anniversary, Museum SAN established the Meditation Hall in 2018, embodying the architectural philosophy of being “a place to regain the strength to live.” Here, visitors can experience permanent programs such as music therapy meditation and live singing bowl meditation, alongside seasonal special programs.

3. Glacier Museum of Art (GMoA)

A unique art museum designed with a glacier motif

Opened in 2025, the Glacier Museum of Art is a cultural and artistic space that encourages reflection on climate change, environmental issues, and a sustainable future through art. True to its name, its unique architecture designed with a glacier motif immediately captures attention. The exterior, finished with stainless steel and glass, creates the illusion of a massive glacier floating on water, dynamically shifting according to the light, time, and weather by reflecting its surroundings.

Outdoor scenery of the museum / Museum café

The museum also features a cozy café where visitors can relax while admiring the architecture and surrounding scenery. The café offers coffee, tea, and light desserts indoors and on an outdoor terrace. Its signature drink is the Glacier Ade, featuring the refreshing flavors of green apple and green grapes. Enjoy a leisurely break amid this extraordinary landscape unfolding over the water, accompanied by seasonal special menu items.