- Musimwon: Muju's Newest Cafe Attraction
- Meoru Wine Cave: Year-Round 15°C Underground
- Muju Deogyusan Resort: Skiing and the Gondola to Seolcheonbong
- National Taekwondo Museum: Korea's Martial Arts Heritage
- Jeonbuk Tour Pass: Maximizing Your Muju Budget
- Practical Information: Planning Your Muju Winter Trip
Muju winter travel offers families a rare combination: snow-covered landscapes, indoor activities for cold days, and authentic Korean experiences far from Seoul’s crowds. Located where the Baekdudaegan mountain range cuts through Jeonbuk province, this highland region maintains crisp air and reliable snowfall throughout the season.
This guide covers five destinations that work for children and adults alike—from a gondola ride to Deogyusan’s summit to a wine cave maintaining 12-17°C year-round. Whether your family skis or prefers museums, Muju delivers a winter vacation with substance.
Musimwon: Muju’s Newest Cafe Attraction
A building that drew only 2,000 visitors annually as the Baekgunsan Ecology Center has transformed into one of Muju’s most talked-about destinations. Musimwon opened in late 2023 after SBS’s renovation program Son Daemyeon Hotplace partnered with local development initiatives to reimagine the neglected space.
The redesign centers on representing Muju’s natural identity. Outside, what was once an illegal dumping ground now features a circular pond mirroring the building’s shape, an artificial waterfall symbolizing Baekgunsan’s valleys, and black gravel beds creating mirror-like reflections of the surrounding peaks.
Inside the Forest-Themed Interior
Step inside and you’ll find yourself surrounded by metasequoia columns and model Koreana fir trees—the latter being Deogyusan National Park’s flagship species. Gravel paths run through the center aisle, simulating forest trails underfoot.
The most distinctive feature operates on a 30-minute cycle. Automated blackout curtains open for 20 minutes, flooding the space with natural light and mountain views. Then they close for 10 minutes, activating soft lighting and firefly-inspired illumination—a nod to Muju’s famous firefly population. This day-night simulation creates two completely different atmospheres within a single visit.
The menu emphasizes local ingredients: Cheonma (gastrodia) cream milk tea, wild grape iced tea, peach yanggaeng, and rose tiramisu. Each item showcases Muju’s agricultural specialties without relying on artificial flavoring.
Musimwon Details:
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1338-1 Museol-ro, Seolcheon-myeon, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk |
| Phone | 063-324-0996 |
| Hours | 10:00-20:00 (Last order 19:30) |
Meoru Wine Cave: Year-Round 15°C Underground
Muju produces over 600 tons of wild grapes (meoru) annually across 60.5 hectares of highland farms. The region’s significant day-night temperature differential creates ideal conditions for high-sugar-content grapes—and 110 local farms supply six wineries producing distinctly Korean wines.
The Meoru Wine Cave, carved into Jeoksangsan’s slopes, was originally an excavation tunnel for the Muju Pumped Storage Power Plant. After construction ended, the tunnel sat unused until the county transformed 290 meters of its 579-meter length into a wine tourism destination.
What to Expect Inside
The cave maintains 12-17°C throughout the year—making it a comfortable escape during Muju winter travel when outside temperatures drop well below freezing. Inside, you’ll find photo zones decorated with firefly-inspired lights and heart-shaped tunnel installations, plus trick art walls popular with children.
The real draw sits deeper inside: free wine tastings featuring products from all six local wineries. Each producer interprets meoru differently—some emphasize sweetness, others acidity or tannin structure. Tasting them side by side reveals how much variety exists within a single regional grape. Purchases are available on-site.
For tired legs, the cave’s deepest section offers wine foot baths. Warm water infused with meoru wine releases a sweet-tart aroma while you soak—an unusual but effective way to recover from a day of winter sightseeing.
Meoru Wine Cave Details:
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 359 Sanseong-ro, Jeoksang-myeon, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk |
| Phone | 063-322-4720 |
| Admission | Adults ₩2,000 / Groups (20+) ₩1,800 |
| Foot Bath | Adults ₩3,000 / Children ₩2,500 |
| Winter Hours | 10:30-16:30 (Nov-Mar) |
| Note | Free entry with Jeonbuk Tour Pass (foot bath separate) |
Muju Deogyusan Resort: Skiing and the Gondola to Seolcheonbong
No Muju winter travel itinerary is complete without Deogyusan Resort. Built to host winter sports competitions, the resort features slopes across multiple difficulty levels—suitable for first-time skiers, children on sleds, and experts seeking challenging runs.
The Sightseeing Gondola
Even non-skiers should visit for the sightseeing gondola. This 2.6-kilometer ride takes under 20 minutes to reach Seolcheonbong at 1,520 meters elevation. From there, Deogyusan’s summit—Hyangjeokbong—requires only a 600-meter hike.
The gondola operates separately from ski facilities. Purchase tickets at the dedicated booth, then proceed to the boarding station. Winter weekends require advance reservations (available two weeks before your visit starting at 17:00), while weekdays allow walk-up purchases.
Arrive early. Seolcheonbong attracts significant foot traffic, especially during peak snow season when photographers and hikers from across Korea converge to capture the Baekdudaegan ridge blanketed in white.
Hiking to Hyangjeokbong Summit
If you plan to reach the summit, crampons are mandatory—not optional. The path from Seolcheonbong to Hyangjeokbong isn’t long, but snow accumulation obscures stairs and adds slippery inclines. A shop on the first floor of Seolcheonbong’s octagonal pavilion (Sangjeru) sells and rents crampons alongside cold-weather gear.
The summit panorama justifies the effort. On clear days, you can identify Namdeogyusan, Maisan, Daedunsan, and—if visibility cooperates—Jirisan’s Cheonwangbong and Gayasan’s ridgeline stretching across the horizon. This is the Baekdudaegan at its most dramatic.
For official trail information and safety updates, check Deokyusan Resort.
Deogyusan Resort Gondola Details:
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 185 Manseon-ro, Seolcheon-myeon, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk |
| Phone | 063-322-9000 |
| Website | https://www.mdysresort.com |
| Round Trip | Adults ₩25,000 / Children ₩20,000 |
| One Way | Adults ₩20,000 / Children ₩16,000 |
| Winter Hours | Ascent 09:00-16:00 / Descent until 16:30 |
| Weekend Booking | Required Dec-Feb; opens 2 weeks prior at 17:00 |
National Taekwondo Museum: Korea’s Martial Arts Heritage
Taekwondowon, nestled on Baekgunsan’s northern slopes, represents the world’s only facility dedicated entirely to taekwondo—combining competition venues, training centers, research facilities, and cultural spaces in one complex. At its center stands the National Taekwondo Museum, documenting the martial art’s evolution from ancient Korean combat techniques to Olympic sport.
Three Exhibition Halls
Exhibition Hall 1 traces taekwondo’s historical roots. Displays include martial arts depictions from Three Kingdoms-era artifacts and pages from Muyedobotongji, the Joseon dynasty’s military martial arts manual. The timeline extends through Olympic recognition to taekwondo’s current global practice.
Exhibition Hall 2 explores the philosophy behind the practice. Detailed explanations cover poomsae (forms), gyeokpa (breaking), gyeorugi (sparring), and demonstration techniques. For those curious about taekwondo’s mental discipline aspects, this hall provides substantial depth.
Exhibition Hall 3 features donated items from practitioners worldwide, including competition doboks from Hwang Kyung-seon—three-time consecutive Olympic medalist (2008-2012).
Family Facilities
The basement larchiveum (library-archive-museum hybrid) houses taekwondo-themed books and records in a quiet reading environment. A children’s larchiveum section caters to younger visitors, while the adjacent YAP! experience center offers hands-on taekwondo activities for kids. YAP! access is included with the Muju Bandi Travel Pass variant of the Jeonbuk Tour Pass.
A free shuttle from the museum entrance connects to the Baekgunsan observatory, where a cafe and rooftop viewing deck overlook the complex and surrounding peaks. The monorail to the observatory is free with any Jeonbuk Tour Pass.
National Taekwondo Museum Details:
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1482 Museol-ro, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk |
| Phone | 063-320-0114 |
| Hours | 10:00-18:00 (Entry until 17:00) |
| Closed | Mondays (unless holiday), Jan 1, Seollal/Chuseok eve and day |
| Taekwondowon Entry | Adults ₩4,000 / Youth/Children ₩3,000 |
| Tour Pass | Free entry + monorail with Jeonbuk Tour Pass |
Jeonbuk Tour Pass: Maximizing Your Muju Budget
The Jeonbuk Tour Pass functions as a regional attraction pass covering Jeonbuk province’s major sites, restaurants, and experiences. Multiple pass variants exist—some covering the entire province, others focusing on specific areas like Muju.
After online purchase, you receive a barcode ticket via KakaoTalk or SMS. The countdown begins when you scan at your first attraction—not at purchase—allowing flexibility in trip timing. For Muju winter travel, the pass covers Meoru Wine Cave admission, Taekwondowon entry and monorail, plus additional discounts at participating cafes and experiences.
Jeonbuk Tour Pass Quick Reference:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | Digital barcode (KakaoTalk/SMS) |
| Activation | First scan at participating venue |
| Muju Coverage | Wine Cave, Taekwondowon, monorail, select cafes |
| Purchase | Online via Jeonbuk Tour Pass website |
Practical Information: Planning Your Muju Winter Trip
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Time | December-February for snow; January peaks for Deogyusan summit views |
| Getting There | Express bus from Seoul Dong Seoul Terminal to Muju (2.5 hours); car recommended for flexibility |
| Budget (2 Adults, 1 Child) | Gondola ₩70,000 + Wine Cave ₩4,000 + Taekwondowon ₩11,000 = ~₩85,000 base attractions |
| Tour Pass Savings | Jeonbuk Tour Pass reduces attraction costs significantly; calculate based on your itinerary |
| Winter Gear | Crampons essential for Hyangjeokbong; rentable at Seolcheonbong |
| Recommended Duration | 2 days minimum to cover major attractions without rushing |
For families seeking a Korean winter destination beyond crowded resorts, Muju delivers authentic mountain experiences with infrastructure supporting children and non-Korean speakers. The combination of natural scenery, indoor cultural sites, and unique attractions like the wine cave creates a balanced itinerary regardless of weather conditions.
If you’re exploring more of Korea’s winter destinations, our [Ulleungdo Winter Guide] covers another off-the-beaten-path option for adventurous families.