On an approximately 13km (about 8.1-mile) stretch, thousands of cherry trees arch overhead, creating a tunnel that turns this domestic travel spot into a springtime must-visit.
Multaeri, tucked into Cheongpung-myeon in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province (Chungbuk), is a village where past and present coexist in a quietly compelling way.
Back in the Joseon era, Multaeri belonged to the Eupnae-myeon area of Cheongpung County and sat along the Namhan River, giving it a long, storied history. When the Chungju Dam was completed in 1985, eight villages in Cheongpung-myeon were flooded and much of the area submerged. To preserve what they could, officials moved precious cultural properties from the inundation zone up the hill to Multaeri and created the Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex.
The Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex is home to Hanbyeokru (Treasure No. 528). Built as an auxiliary government pavilion during the Goryeo period, Hanbyeokru is one of the best spots to take in Cheongpung’s famed moonlit scenery. The complex also houses the Multaeri stone Buddha, believed to date from the early Goryeo era. At about 3.41 meters (roughly 11.2 feet) tall, the statue is a monumental example of the large-scale Buddha style that was popular in regional Goryeo art.
In spring, Cheongpung Lake’s Multaeri becomes what locals call a “flower palace.” Provincial Road 82, which runs from Geumseong-myeon to Multaeri, is lined with thousands of king cherry trees that form a tunnel across roughly 13km (about 8.1 miles). The contrast between the blue water of Cheongpung Lake and the white cherry blossoms makes this drive one of Korea’s top scenic routes.
The village lanes in Multaeri are a hidden cherry-blossom gem. Restaurants and narrow alleys are shaded by venerable, towering trees that burst into rich clusters of flowers. At night, the blossoms glow under streetlights against the dark lake, creating a dreamy, almost surreal atmosphere.
Don’t miss the cable car ride from Multaeri Station up to the summit of Bibong Mountain. From the top, you get a sweeping view of the ribbon of cherry-tree-lined road along the lakeshore and the fresh green slopes of the surrounding hills.
The Cheongpung lakeside cable car connects Multaeri Station and Bibong Mountain Station along a one-way 2.3km (about 1.4-mile) route and takes roughly 9–10 minutes. Fares are 18,000 KRW (about $13.50) for adults and 14,000 KRW (about $10.50) for children. The cable car operates daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission to the Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex is 3,000 KRW (about $2.25) for adults, 2,000 KRW (about $1.50) for youths and military personnel, and 1,000 KRW (about $0.75) for children. The complex is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Check your daily personal fortune—how will your day go?
