Pocheon Art Valley: The Ultimate Visiting Guide
Want to visit Pocheon Art Valley, but overwhelmed by how little foreigner-friendly info there is on getting there?
I felt the same way. How can a place be this pretty, but so confusing for foreigners reach? Thank god I speak Korean, so I figured it out. You may not, but I’ve got you!
When I finally went to this little artsy Gyeonggi-do park, I realized that it wasn’t that difficult to reach by bus, if you know exactly what you’re doing.
Taking the express bus from Dong Seoul Terminal was especially easy, since the bus won’t stop until you reach Pocheon.
So, let’s get you super confident about how to get to Pocheon Art Valley from Seoul, how to buy tickets, how to decide on the monorail packages (or none), and what to see first when you’re there.
What is Pocheon Art Valley Exactly?
Good question. Today, it is an arts and culture park, with a stunning lake and a few trails. If you’re looking for a half-artsy-half-nature type of escape from Seoul, this is the place.
Pocheon Art Valley was originally a granite quarry in the 1970s, mined for the construction of important buildings in Seoul, like the Presidential Blue House and the National Assembly.
As Seoul grew with new buildings and skyscrapers, Pocheon was reduced to a small city with large-scale deforestation scars. The quarry, which soon fell out of use, was abandoned in 2003.
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Old Quarry Restoration Project
In 2005, the city of Pocheon kick-started a project to restore nature and turn the abandoned quarry into an art space. From 2005-2011, they built a monorail up the mountain, a concert stage, and a seating area.
By 2013, schools were bringing children here on field trips, art and cultural performances were held, and more couples came on dates. Now, you’re about to go there, too!
How to Get to Pocheon Art Valley from Seoul
Pocheon Art Valley is located in the Gyeonggi Province, about 1-2 hours north of Seoul.
There are TWO different buses that can take you to Pocheon, 3000 and 3006. I recommend getting there via 3000, which is an express bus, and getting back to Seoul via the cheaper 3006.
Getting there via bus 3000
The 3000 is an express bus that leaves from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal and goes straight to Pocheon without stopping. It starts running at 10:00 AM, and the price for a ticket is 7,800 KRW.
At the Bus Terminal lobby, head to one of the ticket machines and select “Sinbuk (Pocheon)” for your destination.
Pick the bus time, and follow the rest of the prompts on the screen to purchase your ticket.
You’ll have about an hour to relax on the bus before it begins stopping. Your stop is the second one.
All inter-city buses will only stop on the main road, which means a 25-minute walk along a local street to reach the Art Valley.
But don’t worry, the walk was nice and peaceful! Look for this sign above at the intersection, that’s the street you need to follow.
Getting there via Bus 3006
I don’t recommend using this bus unless you absolutely have to save 4,000 KRW (US$3).
The ride takes around 2 hours, and you have much less control over the schedule since it goes through the city and depends a lot on traffic.
The 3006 bus departs from the Jamsil Transfer Station underneath the Lotte World Tower.
The buses depart every half an hour or so. Check the departure screen for 3006.
The number in the red circle is your boarding platform, and the next two numbers are minutes until the next 2 departures. Have 2,900 KRW ready in cash to pay upon boarding.
You’re getting off at “์ ๋ถ์ฒด์ก๋ฌธํ์ผํฐ” (Sinbuk Cultural Center), which is the stop before last. Keep in mind that there will be no English signs or announcements.
There is sufficient cell service to Pocheon, so you’ll be able to check the map on your phone and get off at the right stop.
If you’re not sure, you can show the stop name above to your driver and ask him to let you know when you’re there. Below is a rough map of the two bus stops and your walking route.
Pocheon Art Valley Visitors’ Information
Unless you’re visiting on a major holiday weekend, there’s no need to book anything in advance.
Opening Hours
- Monday-Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Last admission 6:00 PM)
- Friday-Saturday and Public Holidays: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Last admission 8:00 PM)
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Last admission 7:00 PM)
- Closed on the first Tuesday of every month
Admission Fees
- Adults: 5,000 KRW
- Free for senior citizens and children under 7
The Monorail Tickets
There are two options for the monorail tickets, both of which you’d buy along with your entry ticket.
- One-way: 4,300 KRW
- Round-trip: 5,300 KRW
- Groups of 20+ people: 900 KRW discount per person
I don’t recommend buying a round-trip ticket. There is a serene and easy hiking trail that takes you from up top back down to the ticket office, and it’s downhill.
I bought a round-trip ticket but ended up hiking down, so I wasted money on the return trip…
Don’t be like me.
Park Currency
Along with your tickets, you’ll get 2 banknotes in the… Art Valley currency, 1,000 each.
I thought they were super cute. You use these banknotes to get discounts on food and drinks inside the park. And yes, you can use both at the same time to get 2,000 KRW off something.
Five Main Things to See Inside the Park
I could list everything you’ll see in Pocheon Art Valley, but this post might get too long. So I’ll list out only the main sights and what I think is the best way to go through them all.
Take the monorail up to the top garden and explore the Astronomical Observatory if you’re coming with young children.
The Observatory has become a top field trip destination for local schools, and I’m sure your child will love it, too.
From the science museum, make your way down to a mountainside gazebo. This is the Lake Observatory. It gives you the first glimpse of the lake and a great view of it since you’re a bit higher.
1. Cheonjuho Lake
Known for its vivid turquoise waters, this is the star of Pocheon Art Valley.
Surrounded by towering cliffs with unique patterns created by the quarry, the lake is a must-see and an ideal spot for photography.
From the Lake Observatory, walk down to the main patio right in front of the lake. This is where you’ll get the most iconic photo of it.
The patio is big enough that not a lot of people would be in your frame. I visited on a Saturday, and it still wasn’t crowded.
2. Upper Promenade
When you see a set of steep, wooden stairs, you’re at the start of the promenade.
This is where you’ll get more stunning views of the lake from above. The selling point for me, however, was the view of the Pocheon countryside, so don’t forget to turn around and look at that!
Also up here is the Sky Park with seats where you can relax among the flowers and look out at more stunning views of Pocheon.
The promenade leads to a dead end, so you can turn back after reaching Sky Park.
3. Sculpture Garden
This is arguably the largest attraction in the park. You can stroll around to look at unique sculptures, walk along a tree tunnel, or simply sit and relax on one of the benches.
Walk far enough to the other side of the park and you’ll find the other side of the lake, where concerts and cultural performances are held.
4. Hosu Concert Hall
No, this is not JUST a stage in the middle of a lake. From this side of the lake, you’ll get another stunning view looking back at the main patio, as well as a closer look at the quarry rocks.
Did you manage to find the quarry shot holes before entering the concert hall?
This is the only trace of the old days inside Pocheon Art Valley. Look for perfectly round holes in the rocks. These holes were drilled to hold dynamite that would explode the rocks to mine granite.
5. Park Cafรฉ
After walking and relaxing around the park, stop to take a hot drink (or cold if you’re visiting in the summer) at the cafรฉ. Don’t forget to use your Art Valley banknotes for discounts!
When you’re ready to leave, walk around to the side of the cafรฉ and find the Healing Forest Promenade, a serene forest walking trail that will take you down to the ticket office.
The walk takes about 10-15 minutes and is never crowded at all!
Visiting Pocheon Art Valley in Different Seasons
You can never go wrong with Pocheon Art Valley, no matter which season you visit. But I do have some tips and cautions.
Spring: For a blooming-flowers-and-green-leaves kind of person, visiting in the Spring will be perfect. The weather is quite comfortable, and you could plan your Korea trip for the Cherry Blossoms!
Summer: Perfect lush green scenery, but let me warn you, it is hot and humid.
Fall: This is my favorite season to be in any country. The weather is fresh. There’s no pollen, and the fall foliage is stunning. It’s not any different here in Pocheon Art Valley.
Winter: This is officially the “low season” for the park. You’ll see fewer people, but this is great for you if you treasure peace and quiet. Don’t forget to dress appropriately, bring gloves, caps, or ear muffs. Korea gets brutally cold!
Final Tips From Me Before You Go!
JUST in case you missed any of these important details, I’m putting them here one more time.
- Last admission is one hour before closing time.
- There are limited taxis out there, so plan well. (Buses are great!)
- Drones are not allowed at the art valley.
A More Convenient Way to Visit Pocheon
Alternatively, you could join a short tour from Seoul to avoid the hassle of buses and having to communicate with hand signals.
Leave from Myeongdong Station, exit 10, and spend the day visiting top-up-and-coming spots in Pocheon, including Pocheon Art Valley. Picking fresh fruits is a part of this tour!
โญ๏ธ Join a convenient day tour to Pocheon Art Valley โญ๏ธ
Follow My 3-Day Itinerary for Seoul
Absolutely hate planning from scratch? Check out my 3-day Seoul itinerary that includes Pocheon Art Valley. Use it as a starting point to give you ideas and make it your own.
If you prefer an even quieter vibe than Pocheon, Suwon is another great day trip from Seoul. I spent my entire afternoon hiking the UNESCO Hwaseong Fortress, and it was perfect!
Browse the rest of my South Korea guides for more ideas!
Helpful Travel Tips for South Korea
Most visa-free visitors to South Korea need a K-ETA in order to enter Korea. Check if you need one and apply about a week before you travel. This replaces the arrival form.
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