Hwanseon cave: hiking with bats and Buddhas
Many Koreans may not have heard about Hwanseon Cave located within Deokhang mountain in Gangwon Province.
The 6.2-kilometer cave is actually the biggest limestone cave in South Korea, and the second biggest in all Asia (the world's biggest is Son Doong cave in Veitnam).
It takes about four hours to get to the region of Samcheok city, but you then have to climb more than 40 minutes through the steep hills and mountains.
And that's not even the actual "cave" entrance. You either have to take a 15-minute monorail ride or hike up to get to to the top of the mountain, where you can then finally see the large mouth of the cave.
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The temperature in Seoul was high enough for a refreshing trip the first week of March, but it seemed the deep mountains of Samcheok were not ready to give in.
When the monorail opened up, it was winter all over again, complete with snow. I didn't even think I would need different clothes for a four-hour trip, but luckily, I wasn't the only one.
"It was such a surprise to see all the snow -- I regret not wearing better shoes, but this is indeed a delightful experience," fellow traveler Jane Min said.
Gangwon Province is, after all, the coldest region in the nation.
The inside of the cave is like hiking a full mountain, with its curvy lines, steep valleys, waterfalls and cave dwellers -- especially bats.
There are more than 10 big and small lakes, six waterfalls and also a huge beach-like area within the cave, making it even more interesting than plain stalactites and columns.
"Normally, travelers come during summer time to enjoy the low temperature -- the Deokhang mountain is also a great hiking track so many come to enjoy the trees and scenery," a representative from Hwanseon Cave tourist office said.
"Sometimes it gets too chilly for many travelers to come during winter time, mostly because of the heavy snow. But once you are here, you get to experience a winter wonderland."
Walking -- or climbing to be accurate -- inside the cave takes about two hours. Some intense two hours, to be exact.
The entire length of the cave is 6.2 kilometers, and although only 1,600 meters are open to the public, the trek is steep, sometimes slippery and the stairways are quite narrow, so it's crucial to watch your step at all times.
Among the various themes, including the Wishing Stone and the Great Wall of China, searching for unique looking stones and stalactites is quite entertaining. The Buddha and Virgin Mary stalactites are the most popular.
So now we know where the biggest limestone cave is in Korea.
Plus where to find bats and Buddha hiding together in the same place.
Hwanseon Cave; 117 Daei-ri , Singi-myeon, Samcheok city, Gangwon Province; +82 33 541 7600; open 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (November through February), 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (March through October)
Tickets for cave entrance cost ₩4,000 for adults and for the monorail ₩5,000.
Homemade Chinese Spring Rolls: Recipes with Photos
This photo cookbook contains 6 Chinese recipes: Fried Meat Spring Rolls (Chicken, Ham, Bean Sprout, Bamboo Shoot); Fried Seafood Spring Rolls (Smoked Salmon, Tuna, Bean Sprout, Bamboo Shoot, Carrot); Fried Vegetarian Spring Rolls (Bean Sprout, Bamboo Shoot, Carrot, Cabbage); Unfried Fresh Spring Rolls with Seafood (Shrimp, Crab, Cucumber, Bean Sprout); Unfried Fresh Spring Rolls with Meat (Chicken, Ham, Cucumber, Bean Sprout); Unfried Fresh Vegetarian Spring Rolls (Cucumber, Bean Sprout, Bamboo Shoot, Carrot).There are 73 photos showing individual steps and making it very easy to follow. There is an extra chapter with 30 frequently asked questions and answers on key points of making spring rolls, and also photos are provided for being clear at a glance.
This photo cookbook contains 6 Chinese recipes: Fried Meat Spring Rolls (Chicken, Ham, Bean Sprout, Bamboo Shoot); Fried Seafood Spring Rolls (Smoked Salmon, Tuna, Bean Sprout, Bamboo Shoot, Carrot); Fried Vegetarian Spring Rolls (Bean Sprout, Bamboo Shoot, Carrot, Cabbage); Unfried Fresh Spring Rolls with Seafood (Shrimp, Crab, Cucumber, Bean Sprout); Unfried Fresh Spring Rolls with Meat (Chicken, Ham, Cucumber, Bean Sprout); Unfried Fresh Vegetarian Spring Rolls (Cucumber, Bean Sprout, Bamboo Shoot, Carrot).
There are 73 photos showing individual steps and making it very easy to follow. There is an extra chapter with 30 frequently asked questions and answers on key points of making spring rolls, and also photos are provided for being clear at a glance.
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