Cho Gyeongcheol Observatory

A starlit trip with your child, Hwacheon Jokyungcheol Observatory

About the observatory

• Jokyungcheol Observatory is located near the summit of Gwangdeoksan at 431 Cheonmungil, Sanae-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, at an elevation of 1,010 m.
• Because it sits at a high altitude in a clean natural area surrounded by mountains, with almost no city lights, it offers ideal conditions for stargazing.
• It was established by Hwacheon-gun in 2014 to honor the achievements of astronomer Dr. Jokyungcheol, who was famous as the Apollo Doctor.
• It is a family-centered science and culture space where children can grow their dreams about space, stars, and astronomy.

Main facilities and programs

• On the first floor, there is a memorial hall displaying Dr. Jokyungcheol's achievements and personal belongings, making it easy to learn about the story of a scientist.
• On the second floor, you will find various astronomy education facilities and a planetarium with a 12 m dome, where you can enjoy an immersive journey through space.
• On the third floor, there are the main observation room and a secondary observation room, where any visitor can observe stars and celestial objects directly through large telescopes.
• It is equipped with the largest telescope among public observatories in Korea, a 1 m Nasmyth reflecting telescope, a 60 cm research-only reflecting telescope, and various other equipment.
• Free programs such as observatory guided tours, planetarium viewing, and observation experiences as well as paid programs such as Counting the Stars at Night, Star School, and focused observation sessions are offered by age group, so you can enjoy them with your child.

What makes Jokyungcheol Observatory special

• It is a place where ordinary visitors can observe stars directly through a large telescope, and the clean surroundings even make Milky Way photography possible outdoors.
• It is easy to reach, with travel possible in under 2 hours by car from the Seoul metropolitan area.
• It is a popular destination visited by about 30,000 to 40,000 people on average each year, and in 2024 it was even ranked No. 1 as the place people most wanted to visit for stargazing.
• At the outdoor observatory, you can enjoy the open view from the top of Gwangdeoksan along with the sunset and the night sky.

Things to know before your visit

• Every Monday is a regular closure day, and if Monday is a public holiday, the following day is closed instead.
• There is an admission fee, and discounts are available for children and groups.
• For reservation-based programs, it is best to ask in advance through the website or by phone.
• It can get quite chilly in the evening or at night, so please bring extra clothing.
• There are no streetlights on the road leading to the observatory, so careful driving is needed at night.
• If the weather is good, you can observe the sun during the day and stars and the moon at night from the third-floor observation room.
• The exhibition content in the exhibition hall and planetarium may be difficult for preschool children.
• The third floor cannot be visited independently and can only be viewed with a guide.

Recommended for families like these

• Families who want to make special memories with a child who loves stars, space, and science
• Those who want to enjoy both astronomy experiences and the beauty of nature indoors and outdoors
• Any family who wants to observe the night sky in a quiet and clean environment

"Come spend a special day with your child at Hwacheon Jokyungcheol Observatory, where stars, space, and a scientist's dream come alive!"