Hwayang Valley, located 32 kilometers east from Cheongju, was designated Songnisan National Park in 1975.
The vivid green mountains and clear waters make it a highly sought after tourist spot. The nearby Seonnyudonggyegok Valley, just 7 kilometers away, is also a huge draw for travelers.
Hwayang Valley is composed of various shaped rocks such as Cheomseongdae Observatory, Neungundae Observatory, Waryongam Rock and Eupgungam Rock. Well-known statesman from the Joseon Dynasty, Song Si-yeol, visited the valley and wept for King Hyojong offering his final bow. This rock where he cried was then named Eupgungam Rock meaning ‘crying bow’ Rock. Waryongam Rock gets its name from its shape, which is said to look like a wriggly dragon. Cheomseongdae Observatory was used in order to forecast weather patterns.