Nightscapes of Korea takes you to places where the night shines even brighter. Today, we journey to Anbandegi in Gangneung, a place where the quiet comfort of nature meets a dazzling world of stars.

Located 1,100 meters above sea level, Anbandegi is a plateau so close to the sky that it's called "the first village beneath the sky" or "the land above the clouds." Its name comes from anban, a wide wooden board used for making rice cakes, which looks like the village's unique flat and hollowed-out landscape.

Beneath this unique landscape, you'll find a small village and terraced fields stretching out in layers along the steep mountainside. These fields were created by slash-and-burn farmers who, starting in 1965, used only pickaxes and shovels to carve out a living. Today, the cool breeze and warm sunlight blend together to create a view as picturesque as a painting.

As the sun sets and darkness falls, Anbandegi seems to be under a spell, revealing a sky full of glittering stars and the Milky Way. Thanks to its clean air and pristine landscape with no light pollution, the night sky here shines with a brilliance you could never imagine in the city.

From the Meonge Observatory and Sunrise Observatory, you'll have a truly magical experience. In the quiet darkness, it feels like thousands of stars are raining down on you. Between April and August, the Milky Way shines its brightest on nights with little moonlight. This is a dreamy sight that fills the entire night sky.

Wrapped in a blanket against the cold mountain wind, the quiet moment of gazing at the night sky brings a feeling of pure wonder, just like being a child again. As you look at the endless stars sparkling in the darkness, why not hold a special wish close to your heart? We believe the starlight of Anbandegi will send you its warmest encouragement.