Inland Korea Archives - Where to Kim?

5 Incredible Temples in South Korea

Kim — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 14:00:00 +0000

Five incredible temples that you should visit in South Korea; they are unique because of their beauty, serenity, majesty, and remoteness. Have you seen them?

There are many beautiful temples in South Korea. I haven’t seen them all, but I have seen five that impressed me so much that I would recommend adding at least one of them to your South Korea itinerary.

1) Seoamjeongsa Temple (서암정사)

Mysterious, serene and majestic: in Jirisan National Park lies Seoamjeongsa Temple. The Heavenly Kings guard the entrance to the temple complex that consists of a beautiful main hall, the bell building overlooking the valley, a small pond, and a cave with rock-carvings.

Location: 279-2, Chuseong-ri, Macheon-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea

2) Maisan Stone Tower (마이산 돌탑)

Reclusive, with piles and piles of stones, in front of a grey mountainside in Maisan Provincial Park. It looks colorless and remote, yet there is so much to see and there are many decorations, statues, and structures to spot. Don’t miss the Buddha statues hidden in the alcoves on the mountainside.

From Maisan Stone Tower you can walk to another temple: Eunsusa (은수사).

Location: 367 Maisannam-ro, Maryeong-myeon, Jinan-gun, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea

3) Bomunsa Temple (보문사)

A gathering of disciples surrounding a stone pagoda greets you when you visit. Bomunsa Temple on Seokmodo Island (near Seoul!) feels regal yet modest. Climb the stairs to see the buddha carved in the stone wall overlooking the sea.

Location: 44 Samsannam-ro 828beon-gil, Samsan-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, South Korea

4) Guinsa Temple

Hidden in a green valley near Sobaeksan National Park lies Guinsa Temple. If it weren’t a temple, it could have been a military fort defending the mountain pass. The golden look of the main temple on the platform overlooking the valley is something you can’t miss on your visit to Danyang (bring your hiking spirit!). Even though it was almost 4 PM, after seeing the pictures of Guinsa Temple online I just had to go up there.

Location: 73 Guinsa-gil, Yeongchun-myeon, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea

5) Dosolam Hermitage (도솔암)

A small structure hidden between (or held up by) the mountain. This one has the most beautiful view. Enjoy the walk there while admiring the view of the Haenam area and islands. The rocky mountain range in this area is very different from the massive mountains with tall green trees surrounding the other temples on this list. This temple comes with its own toilet building that is bigger than the Hermitage itself. You can visit this temple on your way to and from Wando Island.

Location: Mabong-ri, Songji-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea

Which of these is your favorite temple in South Korea? Feel free to share any other incredible South Korean temples you encountered on your travels.

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Amazing church architecture in South Korea

Kim — Fri, 29 May 2020 14:00:00 +0000

The South Koreans found a new use for electricity pylons: pictures of the most eye-catching churches I encountered on my road trips through South Korea.

This is not an in-depth discussion of church architecture in South Korea. I am not religious, nor do I have a sound knowledge of historical architecture. My high school (a long time ago!) focused on European architecture anyway; mainly Roman and Greek but also Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.

What I want to share instead is my surprise and wonder at the intriguing buildings I saw on my round trips in South Korea. Sometimes this was because of the surroundings, but more often because of the electricity pylon-style of the crosses on top of the buildings.

Aren’t they simply amazing?

1) Interesting surroundings

Next to Dongdaemun wall

Surrounded by tall and modern buildings

>> 11 Ways to Spend Your Day in Seoul

Next to the gas station

Looks huge compared to the tiny houses

>> Read more: Mokpo’s Sihwa Alley

2) I love the many peaks

By day

By night

3) Macau casino style

>> Read more: How to spend one day in Daegu?

4) I blend well enough, but you still notice me

5) Pretending to be a Korean temple

6) Did you notice that the peaks look like electricity pylons?

7) If not for the cross shape, this could have been on top of a motel

Did you see any interesting churches on your trip to South Korea?

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The magnificent Gaya Tomb and Hamchang Art Road

Kim — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 15:00:00 +0000

Visit the serene Gaya Tomb and walk the Hamchang Art Road to see mural art in a quiet village in South Korea. Completely devoid of tourists!

Hamchang is a very small village in Gyeongsangbuk-do. You can find it at about an hour north of Daegu and an hour south of Chungju and Jecheon. It is a perfect stop when you are traveling between Seoul or Chuncheon and Daegu or another city in the southern part of South Korea. I visited Hamchang on my second big trip to South Korea when driving from Suanbo to Daegu. Nearby you can also stop at Mungyeong to see Gomosanseong Fortress and Tokkibiri Road.

Gaya Tomb

Gaya Tomb is the site that impressed me the most in Hamchang. It is quiet and serene and feels like a forgotten and invisible site only you can see. The locals built their houses right next to it, so it feels like Gaya Tomb appears out of nowhere when you turn the corner while following the Hamchang Art Road.

The tomb is presumed to be of King Taejo of the Goryeong Gaya, one of the six mini kingdoms of the Gaya confederacy established around 42 AD. Eventually, Hamchang was assimilated by the neighboring Silla kingdom and renamed Goryeong in the 8th century.

According to local records, Governor Kim Su of Gyeongsang-do and Magistrate Yi Guk-pil of Hamchang found the tombstone buried in front of the tomb and concluded from that that it was a royal tomb of Goryeong Gaya. Later on, a king of the Joseon Dynasty had the stone marker and stone animals placed at the site.

So the tomb turned out to be a very pleasant surprise and I was sorry I had to leave the small site to return to the ‘real world’ and continue my walk on Hamchang Art Road.

Hamchang Art Road

Hamchang Art Road is a two-hour walk through town designed to promote tourism. Hamchang is still not a well-known place to visit though and I only found out about it from The Soul of Seoul blog. I’m adding my experience to the internet to spread the word further!

Let’s not spread the word too far though, so that Hamchang can keep its small-town charm. When I visited Hamchang, I only crossed paths with two other tourists. So if you are looking for a site devoid of tourists, then this one is perfect.

You can start your walk anywhere you want. If you come by train, then Hamchang train station is a good place to start. If you come by car, then you can easily park your car anywhere at Hamchangjungang-ro. As I visited Hamchang after Mungyeong, I first had a cup of tea at 커피에 반하다. From either place you can simply follow the white line on the road.

At first I thought someone had spilled paint on the road by carrying a broken paint tin. But later on it became clear that this was Hamchang’s way to guide my walking tour.

The Art Road passes small houses, walls with mural art and artistic objects. At first I was not very impressed, as the art was only sporadic, but later on I simply enjoyed the walk through a small town still devoid of those white flats you see everywhere in South Korea.

If you head west you’ll soon see the Gaya Tomb described above. After that you walk through small streets with very beautiful recently built houses and also some older houses that aren’t maintained very well. There are some creative signs or drawings to spot here.

After crossing the ‘big’ road you reach the market area where you can find more mural art. Take the stairs to the church from there to see some creative use of mosaic and tiles. Then you’re back at Hamchangjungang-ro.

How to get to Hamchang

By public transport

Take the bus and / or train to Hamchang Station (함창역). From Daegu, it takes about two hours to get there.

By car

You can reach Hamchang in less than an hour from Daegu. Hamchang Art Road and Mungyeong are perfect stops when traveling between the Chungju / Jecheon area and Daegu.

You can park somewhere around 115-72 Guhyang-ri, which is in front of the coffee shop I stopped at.

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Gomosanseong Fortress and Tokkibiri Cliffside Road in Mungyeong

Kim — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 15:00:00 +0000

A fortress and an old trade route at a beautiful location in a mountainous area. Go off the beaten path and visit Mungyeong in South Korea.

About Mungyeong

Mungyeong is not a big or well-known city. You can find Mungyeong at an hour’s drive north of Daegu near Woraksan National Park and Songnisan National Park. It is a perfect stop when you are traveling between Seoul or Chuncheon and Daegu or another city in the southern part of South Korea. I visited Mungyeong on my second big trip to South Korea when driving from Suanbo to Daegu.

The Jinnamgyoban Area, where all these sites are located, was selected as the first of the Eight Scenic Views of Gyeongsangbuk-do for its beautiful landscape. You can still see the traces left by the ancestors of modern-day Koreans, including a group of taverns next to the road and a shrine. A long time ago, this was a very strategically important location.

Gomosanseong Fortress and Gobunsanseong Fortress were built by the Silla Dynasty as part of its expansion northwards in the 5th century. There are also many tombs from this dynasty from the 6th and 7th centuries. Another fortress, Seokhyeonseong Fortress, was built during the more recent Joseon Dynasty. This area is the only place in Korea where you can find these rich cultural heritage sites of different times in one area.

Things to see in Mungyeong

In Mungyeong you can visit the following three sites from the same parking lot:

Gomosanseong Fortress
Tokkibiri Cliffside Road
Mungyeong Omija Theme Tunnel

Gomosanseong Fortress (고모산성)

From the parking lot, you start walking up the hill past Mungyeong Omija Theme Tunnel towards Gomosanseong Fortress. The road is a bit slippery if the ground is wet, so be careful. After a short climb, you see the fortress wall and gate in front of you. It feels a bit like it dooms up out of nowhere, as you suddenly see it when reaching the clearing in the forest.

The fortress is well kept and you can walk on top of the wall (or next to it) to explore the fort. If you climb higher you have a nice view of the valley with the river and the mountains.

History of Gomosanseong Fortress

Gomosanseong Fortress (also called Gomo Mountain Fortress) is an important historical site as it was used during the civilian protest war against the Japanese imperialistic invasion in 1895 and 1896. Ungang, Lee Gangyeon stationed his troops at this fortress to form a defense line. For the Japanese the fortress was a crucial spot from a logistic perspective.

Because of the stance Lee Gangyeon made, the Japanese set fire to the villages around it. You can still see the burn marks on the zelkova tree near the entrance of the fortress.

Traditional houses

North of the fortress gate you can find an open-air traditional Korean houses ‘museum’ (more like three houses). During my visit, many elderly Koreans were relaxing on the wooden platforms under kaki fruit trees opposite the traditional houses.

Walking past the houses you will see three colorful fitness machines nearly overgrown by plants: a sight I personally thought was very interesting and iconic. You’ll often find these fitness machines in the places you least expect them.

Location: Sinhyeon-ri, Maseong-myeon, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

Opening hours: 8:00 – 18:00.

Tokkibiri Cliffside Road (문경 토끼비리)

If you follow the Gomosanseong Fortress wall east you will reach the start of Tokkibiri Cliffside Road. This old trade route is the only clifftop path in the country and at the same time also the most dangerous path on Yeongnam-daero. A quote from Sinjeung dongguk yeoji seungnam (Revised and Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea, 1481):

“The 500m-long stone-carved path, called Gwangapcheon or Tocheon, is located along a section of the cliff east of Yongyeon. According to a local legend, troops led by King Taejo (Wang Geon) of Goryeo once marched through this area to conquer the southern provinces of the Korean Peninsula. When they reached a dead end and could proceed no further, a rabbit suddenly leapt out and ran before them, showing them the path. From that time on, the path came to be called Tocheon (literally meaning “rabbit path”).”

The path was artificially carved out from limestone rock and displays traces of people that have trodden on it before you. From the path you have a view of Gomosanseong Fortress and also of Gobusanseong Fortress on the opposite side of the valley.

Tokkibiri Road was designated as Scenic Site No. 31.

Location: 산41 Sinhyeon-ri, Maseong-myeon, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

Accessible all day.

Mungyeong Omija Theme Tunnel (문경오미자테마터널)

Before heading back to your car, you can visit Mungyeong Omija Theme Tunnel near the parking lot to observe mural art and other artistic decorations in the tunnel. Unfortunately, the tunnel was closed when I visited but if it is open during your visit, then give it a try. It looks like a very colorful and fun place to visit.

Check out the website (in Korean) for more pictures and information. The tunnel has been closed since Chuseok (13 Sept 2019) until now (January 2020). I assume it will open again in spring, but please make sure before visiting if Mungyeong Omija Theme Tunnel is your main reason for visiting.

Location: 1356-1 Mungyeong-daero, Maseong-myeon, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday 9:30 – 19:00

How to get to Gomosanseong Fortress and the other sites

Public transport

I don’t recommend visiting Gomosanseong Fortress and the other sites by public transport. It is just not practical as it takes about three hours by bus from Daegu or Seoul, whereas its location next to the highway makes it a perfect stop by car.

By car

Gomosanseong Fortress is located less than an hour south of Chungju and about an hour and twenty minutes north of the Banwoldang subway station area in Daegu. Check out my South Korea itinerary for other interesting sites to visit in the area.

Parking

You can park at the rest stop (진남휴게소) near the river.

Location: 132-10 Sinhyeon-ri, Maseong-myeon, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

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Go back in time to Seodo Station

Kim — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 15:00:00 +0000

Remote, out-of-use and opposite of the modern Seodo Station you can visit this small wooden building that was used as a filming site for the Korean Drama Mr. Sunshine.

You can get there by train, completely in the spirit of this visit, or park your car right in front of the entrance (three parking spots, and parking in the neighborhood shouldn’t be a problem either). This stop is only a twenty minutes’ drive from Namwon in South Korea.

History of Seodo Station

The original Seodo Station was built in 1932 and was used until the current Seodo Station was built in 2002. It is featured in Honbul (The Ghost Fire), a famous novel by Choi Myunghee about three generations of women from Namwon’s Lee clan under Japanese colonial rule in the 1930s. This is the station where Mrs. Hyowon got off to meet the bridegroom and where Mr. Gangmo used to take the train to go to a school in Jeonju.

Explore Seodo Station

The wooden building once used as a train station is the first thing you see. But head left first to see the tin art of people waiting for the train, surrounded by green bushes and hopefully with a blue sky above.

Then you get to the old train track, going in a circle. Follow the track to the open tunnel for some photos. If the weather is nice, you’ll stumble upon locals relaxing in the grass. The area is surrounded by fields with rice plants that are especially beautiful when they’re yellow. In the olden days, the train used to zig-zag between these rice fields like an unfolded traditional Korean skirt.

Follow the path until you are back at the train station and relax on the wooden benches in front (instantly upping 28 degrees Celsius weather to 38 degrees if the sun is shining), while looking at the old train switched amidst the pink flowers you find everywhere in South Korea.

As always, South Korea doesn’t disappoint: even this small site has a toilet building that has just as much historical value as the train station itself.

Seodo Station is a really small stop along the way and one not many people know about, but that only makes it a more interesting place to visit. Go see it for yourself and spread the word.

Pin it for later

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5 Amazing Cable Cars to Ride in South Korea

Kim — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 15:00:00 +0000

The 5 most amazing cable car rides in South Korea have one thing in common: they give easy access to beautiful views. And when you’re up there you feel like you’re on top of the world.

1) Daedunsan Cable Car

My number one cable car in South Korea. Especially in autumn when the leaves turn red. Daedunsan Cable Car takes you a long way up the rocky mountains of Daedunsan National Park. From there you can start hiking across the cloud bridge towards the hanging red stairs and if you feel active even further up. You walk from mountaintop to mountaintop and feel like you’re floating in the air.

Location: 57 Daedunsangongwon-gil, Unju-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea.

You can visit Daedunsan National Park as a day trip from Boryeong, Jeonju or Daejeon. Look here for a way to combine Daedunsan Cable Car in your South Korea itinerary.

2) Cheongpung Lake Cable Car

Who doesn’t want to have a great view without putting in too much effort? You can reach the observation deck overlooking Jecheon Lake and the mountains of Woraksan National Park without hiking! Cheongpung Lake Cable Car brings you straight to the top where you can admire a 360-degree view from one of the observation decks. There is even a cafe at the top with an excellent bakery.

Location: 166 Munhwajae-gil, Cheongpung-myeon, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea.

Read more about Cheongpung Lake Cable Car.

3) Seoraksan Cable Car

This Cable Car in Seoraksan National Park near Sokcho brings you a long way to the top. What was once Gwongeumseong Fortress is now a viewpoint and picnic area with a beautiful view. It is a good travel destination in all seasons. Only ten minutes of climbing stairs required. You can see the mountains of Seoraksan National park on one side and Sokcho city on the other side.

And at ground level, there is this whole park with hiking trails, temples, and sculptures to explore.

Location: 1137 Seoraksan-ro, Seorak-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea.

Read more: Things to do in Sokcho

4) Tongyeong Cable Car

Overlooking an archipelago of small islands from the top of Mount Mireuksan. A visit to Tongyeong Cable Car feels almost like a tropical destination. From the observation deck at the end of the Cable Car ride, you can see the city of Tongyeong and its harbor. With only a twenty minutes’ walk, you can reach the viewpoint that gives you a 360-degree view of the area. If you’re lucky, you can see as far as Japan!

Location: 910-2 Yeongun-ri, Sanyang-eup, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea.

You can visit Tongyeong as a day trip from Busan or Suncheon. Look here for a way to combine Tongyeong Cable Car in your South Korea itinerary.

5) Duryunsan Cable Car

Perhaps least known of them all is Duryunsan Cable Car. The clouds obscured much of the view during my visit, downgrading this stop to the fifth position in this list (still impressive!). From the top, a fifteen minutes’ walk from the Cable Car station, you have a beautiful view of the surrounding area, including Duryunsan’s eight peaks and if you are lucky, Hallasan on Jeju Island. You literally feel like you’re on top of the world.

Location: 88-45 Daeheungsa-gil, Samsan-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea.

You can visit Duryunsan as a day trip from Boseong, Mokpo or Wando. Look here for a way to combine Duryunsan Cable Car in your South Korea itinerary.

That’s it, the 5 Most Amazing Cable Cars to Ride in South Korea. Each offering a unique view of the National Park or mountain area they’re part of. It doesn’t matter if it is lakes, seas, mountains or hills, the scenery gets to me every single time. High up the mountain, I believe I can do anything. And the inspiration lingers long enough for me to take action after going down.

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Snaking your way through Jirisan National Park

Kim — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 15:00:00 +0000

One of the most scenic routes in South Korea snakes through Jirisan National Park. Along the way, you can visit beautiful viewpoints, cafes, and temples. Time to take your car on a road trip.

Jirisan National Park is the largest and probably also the most famous national park in South Korea. A very good place to go hiking, with great scenery everywhere you look. But there is also plenty to see for those who prefer (or want to alternate with) driving.

All stops are marked in the “Namwon Day 10 – 12” layer of my Google Map for the lesser-known south and west of South Korea.

Odogae Pass

When you enter Jirisan National Park south of Hamyang you’ll automatically find yourself on the Odogae Pass (or Jianjae Pass). This pass was designated as one of the 100 most beautiful roads of Korea and is the start of your road trip through Jirisan National Park.

After reaching the top, you can park your car to take pictures with the zigzagging road.

First Gateway

Driving on you reach the First Gateway and a rest stop with a view of the northern side of the park. There’s a toilet building here and a small shop that sells local products. I still regret not buying dried Jujube here and having to buy a more expensive and not as good looking pack at Lotte Mart in Mokpo. So if you see something that interests you, buy it here or at the next stop.

Jirisanjomang Park

A bit further you reach another shop with a pavilion looking south.

Changwon village

Head further south to visit the village of Changwon and have a drink at 마을카페안녕 (opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00; closed on Mondays). I think I spent nearly two hours relaxing in their garden just like I do in my own garden. The cafe sells many homemade food and drinks. I can recommend their iced Mulberry tea, yogurt, cheesecake and toast with mulberry, strawberry and sweet potato spread.

Before moving on, take your time to observe and enjoy the quietness of the village you’re in.

Byeoksongsa Temple

At about a ten minutes’ drive, you can pay a visit to the secluded Byeoksongsa Temple. Walk to the top to have a great view of the temple site surrounded by mountains.

Seoamjeongsa Temple

The next stop is Seoamjeongsa Temple. Of all the sites I visited during this South Korea itinerary, this was perhaps the site I was most impressed with because it was so beautiful.

You can read more about my visit to Byeoksongsa Temple and Seoamjeongsa Temple in my Seoamjeongsa Special.

Leaving Jirisan National Park

Continue driving as on the picture and leave Jirisan National Park near Namwon. From here you can return to Hamyang using the expressway or head to the next stop on your list. Depending on your route and the season, Jirisan Herb Valley could be an interesting stop.

I actually took the 861 road south, but if you want to visit Jirisan Herb Valley on the same day, then this route is better.

How to visit by public transport

If you want to do this by public transport, you’ll have to go the other way. You’ll first visit the temples and then take the bus or walk to Changwon village. From there you can take two buses and walk a bit to the Jianjae viewpoint. Unfortunately, there is no direct bus to the viewpoint, so you might not want to do all the stops. I saw plenty of people with backpacks getting off the bus and walking towards the temple sites.

Temples and Changwon

From Hamyang (용평리 정류장 승차 bus stop) to the temples or Changwon you can take the bus between Hamyang and Chokdong (함양-촉동).

Get off at the 금계 정류장 하차 bus stop and walk 15 min to Seoamjeongsa Temple or get off at the 창원 정류장 하차 bus stop for Changwon. The temples and Changwon are about 40 minutes walking apart.

Odogae / Jianjae Pass

From Hamyang to Jianjae/Odogae viewpoint: take the Hamyang – Weolpyeong (함양-월평) bus and get off at 월평 정류장 하차 bus stop and walk 20 minutes to the viewpoint. If you’re coming from Seoamjeongsa Temple, then you have to take the Hamyang-Chokdong bus and transfer to the Hamyang-Weolpyeong line.

Extra: Jirisan Herb Valley

The funny thing about this stop is that I actually planned to visit another Herb Valley as a day trip from Namwon and ended up finding this one on the map instead. To start with the most important observation: a visit to Jirisan Herb Valley is only worth it in spring and summer. When I visited on October 11, most fields were flowerless and there weren’t enough areas with plants that thrive in winter. So most areas looked barren, one building was under construction and they were preparing for an autumn festival the next day. In short: a mess.

I did like the botanical garden very much: there was a big variety of plants, many paths to explore (especially fun for kids!) and many things to see. You can look into another greenhouse to see herbs being grown from seeds. Further up is a more scientific hall and a room with dried herbs and preserved insects.

I think Jirisan Herb Village would be an interesting stop when the whole valley is in full bloom.

Jirisan Herb Valley by Public Transport

Reaching Jirisan Herb Valley is more convenient from Namwon city. Take bus 113 from somewhere in the city center of Namwon to bus stop 용산 정류장 하차 at a ten minutes’ walk from the entrance to Jirisan Herb Valley.

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Endless view from Cheongpung Lake Cable Car: no hiking required

Kim — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 15:00:00 +0000

Cheongpung Lake Cable Car brings you to one of the best viewpoints of South Korea without hiking. Admire the view of Jecheon Lake surrounded by the mountains of Woraksan National Park.

I love hiking. I try to do one mountain trail a year (no mountains in my country). But sometimes I also like to just get to the top without too much effort.

I found a good destination for that in the Jecheon area in South Korea.

Cheongpung Lake Cable Car brings you to one of the best viewpoints of South Korea without hiking. Most cable cars take you higher up the mountain area so you can start your hike but this one brings you directly to the end point.

Cheongpung Lake Cable Car

In front of the Cheongpung Cable Car station is the CINEMA 360 Dome. The CINEMA 360 shows the lake from different perspectives and tells you more about the history of the area. You can buy a combi ticket for the CINEMA 360 and the Cable Car ride inside.

Take the short ride up with max six persons per cabin and enjoy the view. During the ride I was mainly looking at the houses below and wondering what it would be like to live there and enjoy this view more often.

Observation platform

At the top you have a 360 degree view of the surrounding area. You can see Jecheon Lake, bridges, Woraksan National Park, and many smaller mountains in the area.

The observation platform has three levels and it is quite easy to find your perfect photo spot without people obscuring the view. Take your time to hang against the balustrade and admire the view.

Most Korean tourists are crowding around the photo spots with artistic hearts anyway. The best way to deal with that is to take a picture of them from above! Korean culture in action.

Cafe with a view

At one of the levels there is a trendy cafe with indoor and outdoor seating areas. The bakery is excellent, only to be topped by the view you have from the outdoor terrace.

I easily spent over an hour up there and had a hard time leaving the observation platform. Only the thought of not seeing Danyang Dodamsambong Peaks and Guinsa Temple convinced me to take the cable car ride down.

If possible, I recommend you visit Cheongpung Lake Cable Car only when it’s not to cloudy or misty. The view will still be ok when the weather is cloudy but it won’t be nearly as beautiful.

Cheongpung Lake Monorail

Alternatively you can take Cheongpung Lake Monorail (청풍호관광모노레일) to reach the viewpoint and take the cable car down. The Monorail spans a track of three kilometers and brings you to the top of Bibongsan Mountain in about 23 minutes. The starting point for the Monorail lies somewhat west of the Cable Car station.

How to get to Cheongpung Lake Cable Car

The site is easy to get to. Navigate to Cheongpung Lake Cable Car (청풍호반케이블카); even Google Maps knows it.

By bus

If you’re using public transport, you can take the bus from Chungju train station (2.5 hours, 2 buses) or Jecheon train station (1.5 hours, 1 bus). It takes some time but your sightseeing tour actually starts the moment you leave the train station as you follow the lake in the middle of a mountain area.

By car

It takes about an hour by car from the Chungju area or half an hour from Jecheon.There is a big parking lot next to the Cable Car station.

I took our rental car from Suanbo (hot springs area just south of Chungju) on road 508 through Woraksan National Park to get to Cheongpung Lake Cable Car. A very scenic round with views of the high mountains of Woraksan National Park on the right and Jecheon lake on the left.

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Wetlands and mountains at Gangjin Bay Eco Park

Kim — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 15:00:00 +0000

Quiet and hidden, your private Eco Park in South Korea. If you’re looking for a more relaxing experience than Suncheon Bay Wetlands Reserve then visit Gangjin Bay Eco Park.

Solar park

Between a sports complex lies a hidden parking lot covered by solar panels. You’re wondering whether you can actually go there or whether it is reserved for companies or sports games. But in you go to park your car near the entrance of Gangjin Bay Eco Park. You’re welcomed by a toilet building, as expected, and an information board confirming you’re at the right place.

Gangjin Bay Eco Park

When you walk up the stairs you get your first view of the wetlands. A quiet little getaway only for you. Reeds and water with wooden boardwalks creating a path you could stroll on for hours. Further away there is are two swans forming a heart.

The yellow of the reeds and light playing with the water are framed by the subtle mountain ranges at the far end of your sight. From the boardwalk, you can spot birds and other creatures living in the wetlands. Looking back at the parking lot the modern technology (aka solar panels) forms a stark contrast with the simplicity of the nature surrounding you.

On your way back, you pass a pedestrian overpass shaped like a boat. With a little bit of fantasy that boat belongs in the water just as much as everything else.

Gangjin is quite an offbeat place to visit, which is surprising as its location is on the road between more touristy locations, making it the perfect stop to relax and take a break from driving.

Gangjin Bay vs Suncheon Bay

I visited Gangjin Bay Eco Park on the way from Boseong to Wando during my second roundtrip in South Korea. If you happen to be in the area, Gangjin Bay is a very good place for a break. Because of the quietness, it was more pleasant to visit than Suncheon Bay Wetlands Reserve. It is not as extensive and there is no cultivated park surrounding it but that only made it more natural.

How to get to Gangjin Bay Eco Park

Location: 510 Nampo-ri, Gangjin-eup, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea

When you reach Gangjin Bay Eco Park and see a parking lot covered by solar panels on your right side, just turn right even though it looks like that is not the way in.

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13 Funny and Iconic Situations to Experience in South Korea

Kim — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 15:00:00 +0000

Thirteen funny, surprising and iconic situations that you can’t escape on your trip to South Korea. Do you recognize any of them from your travels?

1) Toilets are everywhere

On top of a mountain, at a very remote tourist site that nobody ever visits, you name it. I only had trouble finding a toilet once in two months of traveling in South Korea and I can’t even remember where it was so the lack of it didn’t leave a lasting impression.

2) How did you find this place?

And when you do visit this very remote or unknown place they will ask you how you came up with the idea to visit. Without fail. Even if it is a big, well-known cafe in Seoul.

3) You’re from VERY far away

Strike up a conversation with a local and they’ll ask you where you’re from and how long it took you to fly to South Korea. I can even have this conversation in Korean and answer “from the Netherlands” and “10 hours” fluently. If it’s an elderly couple asking then they’ll spend the next minute or so talking among themselves about how far it is.

By now I can follow that entire conversation and interestingly enough: the further away from tourist areas you get, the better your pronunciation of Korean becomes (optimistic self-assessment). In rural areas, they understood everything I said while in Seoul I had to fall back to English. Fortunately enough, the more Korean you try, the better their English becomes… unless there is nothing to start with.

4) Set your own table

If you can’t find your cutlery, then it’s inside the table. They’ll only have to explain it to you once and you’ll make sure to remember it as not to draw stares from the locals. Also: water is free (an improvement over my country where you pay a premium price for it). Beware of finishing your unlimited refill side dishes early or they’ll bring you a replacement when you’re probably too full to finish your main dish already.

5) Breakfast is overrated

Who needs breakfast anyway? After failing my search for Korean breakfast restaurants on my first trip, I aced this exercise on my second one.

6) Cross that line

When driving, I challenge you not to cross that solid (double) line dividing two lanes. You may not know it, but solid lines are an illusion and only exist in the minds of foreigners. If you fail that challenge then you have successfully integrated into Korean society.

But just to keep you on your toes: when there is too much asphalt for you to easily decide how to turn left or right, they’ll paint the road like a work of art and add orange posts to confuse you about the path to take. (Light version in the picture above)

If this is too much of a challenge for you, you can always use a mobility scooter and drive in the middle of an 80 kilometers per hour road.

7) Zigzag on the sidewalk

Imagine you’re walking in a straight line towards your destination… you’ll be the only one. Locals will suddenly veer right or left or cross your path from out of nowhere without glancing backward even once.

8) Iced drinks for the win

Ordering hot tea or coffee is a challenge as they naturally assume you want it iced, no matter the weather. There’s an extra hurdle here: your way of pronouncing ‘hot’ is wrong. Watch and learn.

9) Outside is where it all happens

Most people live in small apartments so they spend a lot of time outside on the streets or in one of the many parks. It doesn’t matter how cold it is; the streets of Seoul will be crowded all day. Likewise, many holidays like for example Christmas are celebrated on the street as well which is great for tourists!

10) Exercise is good for you

Especially outside! With these exercise machines and the many mountains in the country, there is no reason for you to slack.

11) Join the queue

Around lunch and dinner time you’ll see big, orderly, queues in front of popular restaurants. This would never happen in my country as we reserve a table most of the time, but it is quite common in other countries. So if you’re too late to beat them, join them?

12) Dress well

There are kids on school assignments heading your way to practice their English on foreigners and take a picture with you as proof. As before, you only need to tell them where you’re from and say yes to their picture request.

13) Show don't tell

Luckily for you, if you’re traveling with your significant other, only one of you has to decide what to wear: the other can simply wear the same as that is what couples do in South Korea.

Does any of this sound familiar to you or did you experience the complete opposite? Let me know in the comments.

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The post 13 Funny and Iconic Situations to Experience in South Korea appeared first on Where to Kim?.

Inland Korea Archives - Where to Kim?

5 Incredible Temples in South Korea

1) Seoamjeongsa Temple (서암정사)

2) Maisan Stone Tower (마이산 돌탑)

3) Bomunsa Temple (보문사)

4) Guinsa Temple

5) Dosolam Hermitage (도솔암)

Amazing church architecture in South Korea

1) Interesting surroundings

Next to Dongdaemun wall

Surrounded by tall and modern buildings

Next to the gas station

Looks huge compared to the tiny houses

2) I love the many peaks

By day

By night

3) Macau casino style

4) I blend well enough, but you still notice me

5) Pretending to be a Korean temple

6) Did you notice that the peaks look like electricity pylons?

7) If not for the cross shape, this could have been on top of a motel

The magnificent Gaya Tomb and Hamchang Art Road

Gaya Tomb

Hamchang Art Road

How to get to Hamchang

By public transport

By car

Gomosanseong Fortress and Tokkibiri Cliffside Road in Mungyeong

About Mungyeong

Things to see in Mungyeong

Gomosanseong Fortress (고모산성)

History of Gomosanseong Fortress

Traditional houses

Tokkibiri Cliffside Road (문경 토끼비리)

Mungyeong Omija Theme Tunnel (문경오미자테마터널)

How to get to Gomosanseong Fortress and the other sites

Public transport

By car

Parking

Go back in time to Seodo Station

History of Seodo Station

Explore Seodo Station

Read more about the area

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5 Amazing Cable Cars to Ride in South Korea

1) Daedunsan Cable Car

2) Cheongpung Lake Cable Car

3) Seoraksan Cable Car

4) Tongyeong Cable Car

5) Duryunsan Cable Car

Snaking your way through Jirisan National Park

Odogae Pass

First Gateway

Jirisanjomang Park

Changwon village

Byeoksongsa Temple

Seoamjeongsa Temple

Leaving Jirisan National Park

How to visit by public transport

Temples and Changwon

Odogae / Jianjae Pass

Extra: Jirisan Herb Valley

Jirisan Herb Valley by Public Transport

Endless view from Cheongpung Lake Cable Car: no hiking required

Cheongpung Lake Cable Car

Observation platform

Cafe with a view

Cheongpung Lake Monorail

How to get to Cheongpung Lake Cable Car

Wetlands and mountains at Gangjin Bay Eco Park

Solar park

Gangjin Bay Eco Park

Gangjin Bay vs Suncheon Bay

How to get to Gangjin Bay Eco Park

13 Funny and Iconic Situations to Experience in South Korea

1) Toilets are everywhere

2) How did you find this place?

3) You’re from VERY far away

4) Set your own table

5) Breakfast is overrated