Despite the grilling weather,... many people here in Korea are away on their summer vacation.
And with the temperatures hovering so high for a while now,... many are trying to enjoy their days off away from the heat.
Our Ko Roon-hee guides us to some special tourist hot spots….where people can cool off.
The intense heat in South Korea is changing how some people are spending their summer vacation.
Here at Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province,… people are huddling under big beach umbrellas… to escape the blazing sun.

But aside from a dip in the sea, where can you cool off?
One of the most popular spots is Hwaam Cave located in Jeongseon, Gangwon-do Province.

This place used to be a gold mine… and was in operation from 1922 to 1945.
Natural stalactites were found inside… and it was later developed for tourists.

According to an employee, this summer has brought more visitors than last year because people like the cooler air.

"If you venture inside this cave, the mercury dips to a refreshing 11 degrees Celsius. It's almost 20 degrees cooler than the sizzling temperature outside in Jeongseon."

"We heard that this cave is cool and refreshing. But I am actually cold right now. My kids even had to wear jackets."

It's both entertaining and educational for kids, who can watch these little goblin characters… explain the process of gold mining.

Visitors can also learn about the mine's history -- how Koreans were forced to work here during Japan's colonial rule.

If it's too chilly in the cave, another option is Ahnbandegi village in Gangneung.
It's a farm village located at an altitude of 1-thousand-1-hundred meters, so you can not only feel the breeze but also get an astonishing view of the endless cabbage fields.

"Becuase this place is located at a high altitude, it's really cool here. Especially in the shade."

And when the sun goes down, it's time for stargazing, which some people don't mind doing for hours.

"I wanted to visit somewhere new, rather than the well-known beaches. I came here to look at the beautiful stars and relieve my stress."

The heat in South Korea is likely to continue for a while, so for many holidaymakers looking to cool off, it's time to think outside the box.
Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News, Gangneung.