Crash Landing on You Filming Locations Worth Visiting: A Self-Guided Korea Travel Guide
Crash Landing on You (사랑의 불시착) was filmed across multiple regions of South Korea, as well as in Switzerland and Mongolia. This guide covers only the South Korea locations — specifically those with real travel value for international visitors traveling on their own.
One important framing note: virtually all scenes set in "North Korea" were filmed in South Korea. The production used locations in Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Province, and North Chungcheong Province to stand in for North Korean countryside. The Switzerland scenes were filmed on location in the Swiss Alps. Mongolia was used for the Pyongyang train station scenes. This guide focuses on the Korean locations.
Drama Info
| Director | Lee Jeong-hyo |
| Writer | Park Ji-eun |
| Genre | Romantic Comedy, Drama |
| Episodes | 16 |
| Released | December 14, 2019 – February 16, 2020 (tvN / Netflix) |
| Cast | Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Kim Jung-hyun, Seo Ji-hye |
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Yoon Se-ri, a South Korean businesswoman, crash-lands in North Korea while paragliding. Ri Jeong-hyeok, a North Korean military officer, finds her and tries to help her return home safely. What begins as a forced arrangement becomes something neither of them expected.
Why This Drama Is Popular Among Travelers
The drama's filming locations span a wide range of Korean landscapes — from dramatic granite quarries in Gyeonggi Province to peaceful river islands in North Chungcheong Province. Many scenes that appear to be set in North Korea were filmed in accessible, scenic areas of South Korea that have strong independent travel value. The drama helped bring international attention to destinations like Pocheon and Chungju that are not typically on the standard Seoul tourist circuit.
Filming Locations Worth Visiting
The locations below are well-documented filming sites in South Korea, selected for their accessibility and independent travel value.
1. Pocheon Art Valley
Korean: 포천아트밸리
About this location: A former granite quarry in Gyeonggi Province, converted into a public cultural park. The quarry's sheer granite walls and the deep green-blue lake at its base are listed by travel sources as one of the locations used for scenes set around the drama's North Korean countryside. Beyond the drama connection, Pocheon Art Valley is a distinctive destination in its own right — the geological landscape and the quality of the light over the lake give the site an unusual visual character.
Region: Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province
Can you visit? Yes — it is a public park with admission. Hours and fees may vary, so check official information before visiting.
Worth visiting without a car? Possible but requires planning. A rental car or taxi from Pocheon city is the most practical option for international visitors.
Public transport access: From Seoul, take a bus or train toward Pocheon. From Pocheon city center, a taxi to Pocheon Art Valley takes approximately 15–20 minutes. Direct buses from Seoul may be available but schedules vary. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn for best light and comfortable temperatures. The lake changes color depending on season and weather.
Self-guided tip: Allow at least 1.5–2 hours. The walk through the quarry area and around the lake is the main draw. An astronomical observatory is also on site. Combine with the Hantan River Sky Bridge nearby for a full Pocheon day trip.
Local food tip: Pocheon is known for makgeolli (rice wine) and grilled pork dishes. The area around Pocheon city center has local restaurants serving traditional Korean meals.
2. Hantan River Sky Bridge, Pocheon
Korean: 한탄강 하늘다리
About this location: A 200-meter suspension footbridge spanning the Hantan River gorge at a height of approximately 50 meters, located near Bedulginang Waterfall. Associated with a scene in episode 13 where the two lead characters walk and talk. Listed by multiple Korean and international drama travel sources as a filming location. The bridge and the gorge below have strong independent scenic value — the Hantan River area is known for its basalt cliff formations.
Region: Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province
Can you visit? Yes. Access conditions, operating hours, and fees may change, so check current information before visiting.
Worth visiting without a car? Difficult. The bridge is in a rural area best reached by car or taxi from Pocheon city.
Public transport access: From Seoul, travel to Pocheon by public transport, then take a taxi to the bridge area. The nearest landmark is Bedulginang Waterfall (비둘기낭폭포), which is the most commonly referenced navigation point. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Spring or autumn. The gorge and surrounding forest are most scenic outside peak summer.
Self-guided tip: Combine with Pocheon Art Valley (approximately 30–40 minutes by car) for an efficient day trip from Seoul. The Hantan River area also has hiking trails and other natural features worth exploring if time allows.
Local food tip: The Hantan River area is known for freshwater fish dishes and grilled meat restaurants along the riverside. Pocheon makgeolli is a local specialty worth trying.
3. Binae Island, Chungju
Korean: 비내섬, 충주
About this location: A natural river island in the Namhan River near Chungju, associated with the drama's farewell picnic scene. Visit Korea includes Chungju's Binae Island as one of the drama's filming locations. The island is known in Korean travel sources for its reed beds, seasonal wildflowers, and quiet walking paths, giving it independent travel value beyond its drama association.
Region: Chungju-si, North Chungcheong Province
Can you visit? Yes — it is a public natural area. Access conditions may change, so check current information before visiting.
Worth visiting without a car? Possible by train to Chungju, then taxi. A rental car gives more flexibility in this area.
Public transport access: From Seoul, take a train or intercity bus to Chungju. From Chungju, take a taxi to Binae Island (approximately 15–20 minutes). Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: October for autumn foliage and reed grass. Spring for wildflowers. The island is particularly scenic in the golden hour light conditions.
Self-guided tip: The island walking path is relatively flat and easy. Allow 1–2 hours for a relaxed walk. Combine with the Tangeum Lake area in Chungju for a full day in the region.
Local food tip: Chungju is known for apple-based products, freshwater fish cuisine, and sundae (Korean sausage) dishes available at Muhak Market in the city center.
4. Tangeum Lake Rainbow Bridge, Chungju
Korean: 탄금호 무지개길, 충주
About this location: A scenic bridge and lakeside walkway on the edge of Tangeum Lake in Chungju. Associated by drama travel sources with scenes featuring supporting characters in the drama. Listed by Korean and international drama travel sources as a filming location. The lake and surrounding area have independent travel value as a peaceful waterside walking destination in the center of Chungju.
Region: Chungju-si, North Chungcheong Province
Can you visit? Yes — the lakeside area is publicly accessible.
Worth visiting without a car? Yes — the Tangeum Lake area is accessible from Chungju city center by local transport or on foot.
Public transport access: From Seoul, take a train or intercity bus to Chungju. From Chungju Station or bus terminal, the Tangeum Lake area is reachable by local bus or taxi. Routes and travel times may vary, so check Naver Map or Google Maps before traveling.
Best time to visit: Spring (cherry blossoms along the lake) or autumn. The lakeside is pleasant year-round.
Self-guided tip: Combine with Binae Island for a full Chungju day trip. The two locations are both accessible from Chungju city center.
Local food tip: Same as above — Chungju city center has local restaurants and Muhak Market is a good stop for street food and sundae soup.
Scenes depicting the North Korean village where Captain Ri lives were reportedly filmed in a rural area of Gangwon Province (Hoengseong area), where a village set was built for production. The current status and accessibility of this set location are not clearly documented in official tourism sources. If you are planning to visit specifically for this reason, verify current access conditions through recent traveler reports before making the trip, as purpose-built drama sets are subject to change after production ends.
The drama's Switzerland scenes — including the Sigriswil Panorama Bridge and locations in Grindelwald and Lungern — were filmed on location in Switzerland. The Pyongyang train station scenes were filmed in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. These locations are outside the scope of this Korea travel guide.
Pocheon day trip (from Seoul): Pocheon Art Valley (morning) → Hantan River Sky Bridge (afternoon) — approximately 1.5–2 hours each way from Seoul by car.
Chungju day trip (from Seoul): Binae Island (morning walk) → Tangeum Lake Rainbow Bridge (afternoon) → Muhak Market (early dinner) — approximately 1.5 hours by train from Seoul.
How to Watch Outside Korea
Crash Landing on You is available on streaming platforms such as Netflix in many regions. Availability, subtitle languages, and audio options may vary depending on your region. If the title does not appear immediately, try searching by both the English title and the Korean title, 사랑의 불시착.
Final Travel Summary
| Location | Region | Visitable? | Without a Car? | Best Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocheon Art Valley | Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province | Yes | Difficult | Spring / Autumn |
| Hantan River Sky Bridge | Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province | Yes | Difficult | Spring / Autumn |
| Binae Island | Chungju, North Chungcheong | Yes | Possible (taxi) | October / Spring |
| Tangeum Lake Rainbow Bridge | Chungju, North Chungcheong | Yes | Yes | Spring / Year-round |
| North Korean Village Set | Hoengseong area, Gangwon | Uncertain | Difficult | Verify before visiting |
Unlike dramas centered in Seoul, Crash Landing on You takes travelers to regions of Korea that are often overlooked — the gorges and quarry landscapes of Gyeonggi Province, and the river valleys of North Chungcheong. For travelers who want to venture beyond Seoul's main tourist circuits, these locations offer a different dimension of Korea's geography.
Sources and Notes
This guide was compiled using official tourism pages, Korean and international travel media, and verified drama location sources. Filming location details may vary by source, so some locations are described as "associated with" or "reported as" filming sites.
- Visit Korea — Filming spots: Crash Landing on You (Chungju) — Official tourism coverage including Binae Island and Chungju locations
- Creatrip — Crash Landing on You filming locations in Seoul and Incheon — Location overview including verified addresses
- The Soul of Seoul — Crash Landing on You filming locations — Detailed guide including Pocheon and Chungju locations
- Trazy Blog — Crash Landing on You filming spots — Location details including Hantan River Sky Bridge address
Travel information such as opening hours, admission fees, and transport access may change. Please check Google Maps, Naver Map, and official tourism pages before visiting.
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