Pocheon Art Valley K-Drama Trip: Visit Top Filming Spots

Where Korean Fantasy Dramas Come to Life

Just two hours north of Seoul, a massive emerald-green lake surrounded by sheer, carved granite cliffs looks less like a real Korean countryside spot and more like a fantasy set created inside a digital renderer. This is Cheonjuho Lake inside Pocheon Art Valley, and if your heart skipped a beat watching an eclipse trigger time travel in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, you have already seen this exact water. Pocheon, a mountainous city in Gyeonggi Province, has quietly become the go-to destination for K-drama directors seeking dramatic rock formations, mysterious waterfalls, and sweeping river canyons.

International fans love Pocheon because it showcases a wildly different landscape from Seoul’s urban sprawl. While Seoul gives us chic rooftop bars and sparkling river parks, Pocheon brings the ethereal magic required for historical saeguks, fantasy romances, and thrilling wilderness escapes. Shows like The Legend of the Blue Sea, Crash Landing on You, Kingdom, and A Korean Odyssey have all filmed key scenes across Pocheon’s unique geological sites. Visiting these spots lets you step directly into the atmosphere of your favorite dramas while enjoying fresh mountain air and local food.

Pocheon Art Valley (Cheonjuho Lake)

In Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, this breathtaking quarry lake serves as the fateful spot where Go Ha-jin (played by IU) jumps into the water to save a drowning child during a solar eclipse, only to wake up in the Goryeo Dynasty. It also appears in The Legend of the Blue Sea, where Dam-ryeong meets the mermaid Shim Cheong under glowing lanterns floated across the water, as well as in A Korean Odyssey and Can You Hear My Heart.

In real life, Pocheon Art Valley is an inspiring story of environmental restoration. What was once a deserted, dusty granite quarry active from the 1960s through the 1990s was transformed by the local government into Korea’s first culture and art complex centered around eco-restoration. The deep pit left behind by granite extraction naturally filled with spring water and rainwater, creating Cheonjuho Lake. The spring water is so pure that it maintains a striking turquoise and emerald tint throughout the year, housing freshwater life in its deep basin. Surrounding the lake is a sprawling park complete with an astronomical observatory, outdoor sculpture garden, walking paths, and a monorail to transport visitors up the steep incline.

How to get there

To reach Pocheon Art Valley from Seoul using public transit, take Seoul Subway Line 1 to Soeol Station or Uijeongbu Station. From the bus stops outside the station, transfer to local Bus 73 or Bus 74, which runs directly toward Pocheon Art Valley. Alternatively, you can take an express intercity bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (near Gangbyeon Station) to Pocheon Intercity Bus Terminal, then take a quick local taxi ride to the main entrance. Because bus schedules in rural districts can vary by season, always verify current operating hours and transportation timetables before setting out on your trip.

Bidulginang Waterfalls

In the hit Netflix series Kingdom, this mysterious, shadows-filled cave and waterfall area serves as the atmospheric location where the resurrection plant is discovered hidden away in the cold waters. Romance fans will recognize it from Crash Landing on You, where Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok and Yoon Se-ri share a quiet moment by the water as he recalls past memories, and it also featured prominently in It’s Okay, That’s Love and Queen Seondeok.

Bidulginang Waterfalls is a natural geological monument protected within the Hantangang River UNESCO Global Geopark. The name “Bidulginang” comes from the Korean word for pigeon (“bidulgi”), because the erosion-formed rock recess resembles a pigeon’s nest where wild pigeons used to roost. Surrounded by steep, hexagonal basalt columnar joints formed by ancient volcanic activity, the waterfall drops into a crystal-clear, deep blue-green plunge pool. The canyon surrounding the falls creates a shaded microclimate that feels cool even in the heat of summer. Because this area is a protected natural monument, swimming or stepping into the water pool is strictly prohibited to preserve the pristine environment.

How to get there

Getting to Bidulginang Waterfalls via public transit requires a bit of planning. From Pocheon Intercity Bus Terminal, catch local Bus 53 or Bus 53-1 heading toward the Gwanin region. Get off at the stop near the Hantangang Geopark Center or Bidulginang entrance and follow the pedestrian signs for roughly 10 minutes. Because rural buses run less frequently than city transit, many visitors prefer combining public transit to central Pocheon with a local taxi ride for the final leg to the waterfall grounds.

Pocheon Hantangang Sky Bridge

In Crash Landing on You, this striking suspension bridge plays a pivotal role in Episode 13 when Ri Jeong-hyeok and Yoon Se-ri stroll across it and realize that their path had crossed years prior on a bridge in Switzerland long before they met in North Korea. The location was also featured in the popular romantic comedy What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim during a sweet weekend getaway date.

Spanning 200 meters in length and suspended 50 meters above the river canyon, the Hantangang Sky Bridge offers sweeping 360-degree views over the basalt gorge and the Hantangang River flowing beneath. Built with glass-floor viewing panels in several middle sections, walking across gives visitors a thrilling feeling of floating in mid-air above the valley floor. The walkway links directly into the regional trail system, allowing travelers to trek along the scenic river canyon paths that connect nearby geological features.

How to get there

The Hantangang Sky Bridge is located right within the same geological park precinct as Bidulginang Waterfalls, making it very easy to combine both stops on foot. After visiting Bidulginang, follow the paved park pathways for about 5 to 10 minutes toward the open river plain. You will see the grand towers of the suspension bridge visible across the park grounds.

Sanjeong Lake (Sanjeong Hosu)

Medical drama lovers will immediately recognize the peaceful shores near Sanjeong Lake from Dr. Romantic, where the exterior surroundings of the rustic Doldam Hospital were filmed. The calm lake and surrounding mountains provide the serene, isolated backdrop that gives the show its signature cozy, healing atmosphere.

Sanjeong Lake, which translates literally to “mountain well lake,” is a tranquil reservoir cradled between Myeongseongsan Mountain and Mangbongsan Mountain. Established as a scenic recreational zone, it features a paved wooden boardwalk that wraps entirely around the water’s perimeter, offering an easy flat walking trail with mountain reflections mirrored on the surface. During autumn, the nearby mountain slopes attract hikers for the annual silver grass festival, while spring and summer bring clear blue skies ideal for duck boats and kayaking.

How to get there

From Seoul, catch an express bus from Dong Seoul Terminal to Pocheon or Uncheon. From the local bus stops in Pocheon or Uncheon, take local Bus 138-6, which runs directly to the main terminal entrance of Sanjeong Lake. The bus drops off near the main plaza where the lakeside walking trails begin.

Make a Day of It

A full day of exploring K-drama filming locations in Pocheon demands a satisfying meal, and Pocheon happens to be one of Korea’s premier culinary destinations for two iconic specialities: Idong Galbi and local Makgeolli.

Pocheon Idong Galbi refers to marinated beef short ribs grilled over open charcoal fires. Originating in the Idong-myeon region of Pocheon, this style of galbi is renowned for tender meat seasoned with a subtle soy sauce, garlic, and sesame marinade that highlights the natural richness of the beef without being overly sweet. Pairing freshly grilled galbi with fresh wrapped lettuce leaves and local side dishes is the ultimate post-hiking feast.

To complement your meal, try Pocheon Makgeolli, a traditional lightly sparkling Korean rice wine. Pocheon’s pure mountain groundwater and historical brewing traditions have made its makgeolli famous throughout Korea. Look for local varieties flavored with local chestnuts or traditional rice formulations at restaurants near Sanjeong Lake or central Pocheon.

Location	K-Dramas Featured	Best Nearby Activity
Pocheon Art Valley	Moon Lovers, Legend of the Blue Sea	Monorail ride & Sculpture Park
Bidulginang Waterfalls	Crash Landing on You, Kingdom	Hantangang Geopark Exhibition
Hantangang Sky Bridge	Crash Landing on You, Secretary Kim	Canyon view walk & photo spot
Sanjeong Lake	Dr. Romantic, Cinderella’s Stepsister	Lakeside boardwalk trek & duck boats

Photo Tips

To capture photos that mirror the exact mood of your favorite screen moments, timing and angles are everything:

• Cheonjuho Lake (Art Valley): Head to the secondary wooden observation deck on the upper walking path rather than the crowded bottom plaza. This elevated angle lets you capture the turquoise water framed by both sides of the granite cliffs, matching the iconic framing seen in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. Visit during late morning when the sun hits the water directly to get the brightest emerald color.
• Hantangang Sky Bridge: Stand in the exact middle of the suspension bridge facing down the gorge toward the basalt walls. Position your camera lower to frame the bridge cables rising above you, recreations of the Crash Landing on You scenery look best during late afternoon golden hour when light hits the canyon floor.
• Bidulginang Waterfalls: Frame your photo from the main wooden observation terrace looking down into the green gorge basin. Keep your shutter speed slightly slower if shooting on a camera to capture the smooth motion of the falling water against the dark basalt rocks.

FAQ

Can you visit Pocheon Art Valley and Bidulginang in a single day using public transit?

Yes, but it requires starting early from Seoul. Because bus service between rural Pocheon neighborhoods runs on longer intervals than Seoul transit, taking an early morning subway or express bus to Pocheon and using local taxis between rural sites will help you comfortably cover Art Valley, Bidulginang, and the Sky Bridge in one full day.

Is Pocheon Art Valley accessible for travelers with limited mobility?

Pocheon Art Valley offers a monorail system that carries visitors from the entrance up the steep incline directly to Cheonjuho Lake and the sculpture park. While some upper observation decks feature wooden stairs, main viewing plazas around the lake and smooth paved pathways are accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

Do I need to book tickets in advance for Pocheon K-drama filming locations?

Advance online booking is generally not required for individual travelers visiting Pocheon Art Valley, Bidulginang Waterfalls, or the Hantangang Sky Bridge. Tickets for Art Valley entry and monorail rides can be purchased directly at the ticket booth upon arrival. Always check official municipal tourism websites prior to traveling to confirm current operating days and seasonal maintenance schedules.

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