[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Camellias, Confucianism and cephalopods in Seocheon County

K-campus

Published: 24 Mar. 2023, 09:10 Updated: 24 Mar. 2023, 09:21

[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Camellias, Confucianism and cephalopods in Seocheon County

Camellia blossoms are bloom in late March and early April. [CHOI SEUNG-PYO]

Spring is one of the most beautiful seasons in Korea, but it's also one of the quickest. Every year it seems to get a little faster, so make sure to get outside and enjoy it before you miss your chance — at least if the pollution allows.

Late March and early April are the perfect time of the year to get out of the big city and explore a bit more of what Korea has to offer. If you're sick of the endless concrete, try heading down to Seocheon in South Chungcheong while the camellia blossoms are still in bloom.

Seocheon is not that well known as a travel destination even to some young Koreans, but it is the best candidate for a pleasant getaway this spring. A bus ride from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal takes around two and a half hours, or three hours by train from Yongsan Station. What’s more, Seocheon County is currently holding the Camellia and Octopus Festival — an unusual combination that's a a favorite of the locals.

Here are four must-visit attractions in Seocheon.

Maryang-ri Camellia Forest

Visitors take in the camellia blossoms. [CHOI SEUNG-PYO]

Seocheon Camellia and Octopus Festival started on March 18 and runs until April 2. This unexpected combination provides an opportunity to enjoy both fresh seafood and scenic views of the red flowers, since the octopus-catching season overlapped with the blooming season of camellia blossoms. It is best to visit around the end of March or early April, when the blossoms are brightest.

Mayang-ri Camellia Forest is the place people swing by for the floral aspect of this festival. The festival will give out 5,000 won of Seocheon specialties to those that find treasure cards hidden in the forest. You can also write down your wish on the wooden ornaments of sowon namu, a wish tree in Korean.

The forest was designated as Natural Monument No. 169 in 1965 and contains around 80 camellia trees that have been alive for nearly five centuries. Recently, more than 200 young camellia trees have been planted in addition, creating an even wilder camellia field in the future. Only a five-minute drive from Maryangjin Port, stop by at the forest where you can take a swift walk in less than half an hour. If you visit, do not miss out on the view of the Yellow Sea from Dongbaekjeong Pavilion, located on a hill in the forest.

103, Seoin-ro 235beon-gil, Seocheon County, South Chungcheong
Admission Fee: 1,000 won for adults, 700 won for students and those in service of the Korean Army, 500 won for children above ages of 7. (No fee for children under ages 7, adults over ages 64, and disabled)
Business hours: In general, 9:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m., Winter Season, 9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. (Last admission 30 minutes before closing time)
Phone number: 041) 952-7999
Website: http://www.seocheon.go.kr/eng/sub02_01_01.do

Sinseong-ri Reed Field

Visitors at Singseong-ri Reed Field walk along the path, taking in the view. [JOONGANG PHOTO]

Having become famous as the shooting spot of “JSA-Joint Security Area” (2000), Sinseong-ri Reed Field has played its role as a background for many drama series and movies, such as “Kingdom” (2019) and “The Slave Hunters” (2010). The field has been chosen as one of the top seven reed fields in Korea. It covers around 60 acres and is a kilometer long. The walk around the field may take an hour or two depending on how fast you decide to move through the reeds.

The reeds, soaring up as high as two meters or sometimes higher, creates great photogenic spots for the visitors. If you have been searching for a place to take a stroll in silence or in small groups for some friendly bantering, this is the spot you should check out. Weekends may be busier, since the weather brings more crowds. The beautiful Geum River stands where the reed field starts and ends, providing even more dramatic scenery.

125-1 Sinseong-ri, Hansan-myeon, Seocheon County, South Chungcheong
Phone number: 042) 950-4224
Website: http://www.seocheon.go.kr/eng/sub02_01_04.do

Janghang Skywalk

The view from Janghang Skywalk shows a wide expanse of the Yellow Sea. [SEOCHEON COUNTY]

Janghang Skywalk, formally named Gibeolpo naval observatory, stands 15 meters (49 feet) above sea level, so those frightened of heights might want to steer away from the challenge. However, the 250-meter-long walk is fairly short yet well thought out, with three different themes spaced out across the experience. The first 100 meters is called "Poet Sky Road," the following 100 meters "Birds’ Sky Road" and the last 50 meters "Sea Sky Road."

The entrance ticket costs 2,000 won, but the ticket you receive is actually a local gift card where that can be spent within Seocheon.

Janghang Skywalk is reached after a walk through Janghang Recreational Pine Forest, a serene stride in the thick of tall evergreen pine trees. Once your reach the top of the skywalk, you can see views of both the Yellow Sea and the wide mudflats. Staring into the sunset from the observatory is a nice way to greet the evening. Birdwatching while watching a few fishing boats floating above the glistening waters adds to the view.

762-34 Songnim-ri, Janghang-eup, Seocheon County, South Chungcheong
Business hours: March to October, 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., November to February, 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., (Fri, Sat and Sun during Apr. to Sept.: 9:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.) Tickets sold until 30 minutes before closing time.
Admission Fee: 2,000 won, transferred to local gift card.
Phone number: 041) 956-5505

Munheonseowon Confucian Academy

Munheonseowon Confucian Academy keeps the long history of Confucianism back from the Goryeo Dynasty. [SEOCHEON COUNTY]

Munheonseowon Confucian Academy is an educational institute built to pay tribute to the Confucian scholars of the Goryeo Dynasty, two of them being Yi-saek and Yi-gok. It was constructed in the early years of the Joseon Dynasty which rose after the Goryeo Dynasty. There have been many alterations added to the site, including a fire during the war, some demolition and some reconstructions, but it now stands as a prominent historical monument where you can get a whiff of Confucian flair and enjoy a pleasant walkthrough in peace.

The academy consists of shrines, pavilion-style buildings, a petite pond and the essence of the place: The educational center and Gangnyundang Hall. The halls have been newly painted and set to present how it might have been for past scholars to be studying there. If you have come so far to Seocheon for something different, why not observe and absorb the traditional traces of Confucianism here?

66 Seowon-ro 172beon-gil Gisan-myeon, Seocheon County, South Chungcheong
Business hours: Mar. to Oct. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Nov. to Feb.: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Closed Mondays, Jan.1, Chuseok (Lunar date Aug. 15), Lunar New Year’s day.
Phone number: 041) 953-5896
Website: http://munheon.org/