Where the seasons drift down the mountainside, the landscape feels steeped in old-time charm. Baekseoktan Valley sits in a deep ravine in Cheongsong County, North Gyeongsang Province. The white rocks lining the clear stream leave a calm, striking impression. Designated a UNESCO Global Geopark site, Baekseoktan is one of Cheongsong’s signature spots—perfect for getting up close to landforms shaped by nature over ages.
On the trail that follows the valley, water and wind take turns composing the soundtrack, and every step feels a little more relaxed. The cool air that slips between the clear stream and the rocks sharpens the valley’s unique hush.
The name Baekseoktan literally means “a stream where white stones glitter.” True to its name, the pale bedrock along the clear river glows softly in sunlight. Those rocks owe their bright color to their composition: sedimentary sandstone packed with light-colored mineral grains like quartz and feldspar. Over tens of millions of years, pebbles, sand and mud compacted and hardened into rock, and the river’s flow has since carved and polished them into the distinctive shapes you see today.
One of the valley’s standout geological features is the pothole—jar-shaped hollows ground into bedrock by swirling water and pebbles. Deep, rounded depressions appear almost deliberately crafted. At Baekseoktan you can observe a sedimentary sequence that begins with a large basal conglomerate and becomes finer upward; along nearby Sinseong Valley you can also spot cross-bedding and mudstone layers, making the area a fun, educational outing for families.
Trails connect Baekseoktan and the Sinseong Valley into a greenway stretching 12 km (about 7.5 miles). In April, pale pink azaleas and mountain cherry blossoms bloom along the route, creating a vivid contrast with the white rocks and deepening the sense of spring. Walking the winding path along the river feels like drifting through a living ink-wash painting.
Sinseong Valley, which embraces Baekseoktan, has long been a retreat for scholars and poets. During the Joseon period under King Injo, Kim Han-ryong developed Gowa village and praised the stream’s clarity, calling it “Gogye.” Later, Dugok Go Eung-cheok, who led militia efforts during the Imjin War, was so taken with the scenery that he named the place “Gowa (高臥),” meaning to recline high and take in the view. On one side of the valley you can still find Jo-eodae, where people once fished, and Gasa-yeon, a deep pool famed for its scenery—both adding to the area’s historic charm.
Online reviews frequently highlight Baekseoktan’s serene calm. Visitors describe the landscape as “otherworldly,” saying that sitting on the white rocks and listening to the water makes daily worries fade. It’s a perfect spot for anyone wanting to escape urban noise and reconnect with nature. The valley is open year-round with no entrance fee, so anyone can explore it freely.
It’s worth venturing beyond Baekseoktan while you’re in Cheongsong. Nearby Banghojeong pavilion perches on a sheer cliff, offering an even deeper sense of Sinseong Valley’s atmosphere. Cheongsong is also known for its apples—thanks to clean air and abundant sunshine they’re exceptionally sweet and crisp—and apple-based desserts and dishes are increasingly popular with visitors.
Local cuisine highlights the area’s mineral waters. Chefs use Dalgi and Sinchon spring water to prepare baeksuk (whole chicken boiled in mineral broth); the slight carbonation in the springs yields exceptionally tender, clean-tasting chicken without any gaminess. Paired with seasonally foraged mountain-vegetable bibimbap, it makes for a wholesome, satisfying meal. In spring, the fresh aroma of newly sprouted greens brightens the appetite and adds to the joy of the trip.
Baekseoktan Valley is a place where you can literally feel the earth’s time. The curved lines carved into each pothole are nature’s patient handiwork. If you want to slow your pace and tune into nature’s rhythm for a while, head to this stream where the white stones glitter.
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