July 22 to Aug. 7: During the Korea Amethyst Festival, the public will have a rare opportunity to tour an amethyst mine. Usually, the mine is closed for preservation reasons, but during this 17-day event, visitors can walk through the Korea Amethyst Mine and collect stones in their uncut state for a small fee. Visitors can also observe the mining and cutting process, while tired travelers will be able to rest in amethyst rooms, where they may feel rejuvenated by the stone’s energy. The rooms contain footbaths filled with water that has been purified with amethyst. Visitors can also tour an amethyst cave, a small zoo, a purple good luck pond, a world mineral exhibition and an exhibition of farming utensils. From Seoul, go to Gangbyeon Station on line No. 2. Take a bus to Uljin at East Seoul Bus Terminal. From Uljin Bus Terminal, take another bus to Sogwang-ri. Admission is 10,000 won for adults and 5,000 won for children under 12.
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