Despite the grilling weather,... many people here in Korea are away on their summer vacation. <br />And with the temperatures hovering so high for a while now,... many are trying to enjoy their days off away from the heat. <br />Our Ko Roon-hee guides us to some special tourist hot spots….where people can cool off.<br /> The intense heat in South Korea is changing how some people are spending their summer vacation.<br /> Here at Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province,… people are huddling under big beach umbrellas… to escape the blazing sun.<br /><br /> But aside from a dip in the sea, where can you cool off?<br />One of the most popular spots is Hwaam Cave located in Jeongseon, Gangwon-do Province.<br /><br />This place used to be a gold mine… and was in operation from 1922 to 1945. <br /> Natural stalactites were found inside… and it was later developed for tourists. <br /><br />According to an employee, this summer has brought more visitors than last year because people like the cooler air.<br /><br />"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."<br /><br /> "We heard that this cave is cool and refreshing. But I am actually cold right now. My kids even had to wear jackets."<br /><br /> It's both entertaining and educational for kids, who can watch these little goblin characters… explain the process of gold mining.<br /><br /> Visitors can also learn about the mine's history -- how Koreans were forced to work here during Japan's colonial rule.<br /><br />If it's too chilly in the cave, another option is Ahnbandegi village in Gangneung. <br />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.<br /><br /> "Becuase this place is located at a high altitude, it's really cool here. Especially in the shade." <br /><br /> And when the sun goes down, it's time for stargazing, which some people don't mind doing for hours.<br /><br /> "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."<br /><br /> 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.<br />Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News, Gangneung. <br />
