New Travel Trends in the COVID Era: Recommended Destinations for Car Camping 'Chabak' Enjoyment?

Project Sleep's 'Fliptopper'.
Photo by Project Sleep

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the new travel trend this year has become 'chabak camping' (car camping). With international travel restrictions making overseas trips difficult and growing concerns about COVID-19 infection, travel that can be enjoyed quietly in places where crowds do not gather has gained popularity.

Since chabak has been somewhat unfamiliar until now, many people experience trial and error in selecting locations and checking chabak supplies. The sleep specialist brand Project Sleep introduced three representative domestic chabak camping spots for those who want to enjoy chabak comfortably.

Chabak beginner spot for 'after-work chabak' within Seoul, Jungnang Camping Forest

Jungnang Camping Forest is a place where you can easily enjoy chabak camping within Seoul without going far. This is an experiential park developed by Seoul City by restoring areas damaged by greenhouses in the greenbelt zone, allowing students and families to enjoy picnics.

The biggest advantage of Jungnang Camping Forest is that it is close to downtown Seoul, making after-work chabak (enjoying chabak or camping after work) possible. Since it was created directly by Seoul City, the facilities are well maintained, which is another advantage. This place is consistently recommended as a chabak spot in Seoul and is a good entry point for chabak beginners.

Natural scenic spot for day-trip chabak, Yeoncheon Dongiri Columnar Joint

Yeoncheon Dongiri Columnar Joint is a place where the wide river and the unique scenery of columnar joints catch the eye. This spot is a famous location where vertical columnar joints have developed over several kilometers along the Imjin River, northward from the confluence of the Imjin and Hantan Rivers.

Yeoncheon Dongiri Columnar Joint, along with Namyangju chabak sites, is considered a recommended chabak location in Gyeonggi Province. It boasts outstanding natural beauty, good accessibility due to its proximity to the metropolitan area, and is a free chabak site. However, due to COVID-19, vehicle access has sometimes been restricted recently, so it is advisable to check in advance.

Romantic chabak site with a sky full of stars, Gangneung Anbandegi

Anbandegi is the largest highland vegetable farm in the country, located at an altitude of 1100 meters in Gangneung City, Gangwon Province. Due to its high elevation, it offers an open view that cannot be seen in the city, making it a great chabak camping spot.

Anbandegi is especially famous nationwide as a chabak spot because at night, with few lights around, you can see a sky full of stars. However, as it is a natural attraction, there are few convenience facilities nearby, and sleeping conditions may be uncomfortable.

Project Sleep recently launched the foldable chabak topper mattress 'Flip Topper' for chabak campers worried about uncomfortable sleeping arrangements. The Flip Topper is made with a dual-layer memory foam structure suitable for chachnik or carknik (car picnics), providing comfortable cushioning while being compact and lightweight, making it an essential chabak supply.

A Project Sleep representative said, "As car camping gains popularity and interest in free chabak sites grows, there is also increasing attention to chabak sleep products," adding, "Since sleeping arrangements can be uncomfortable when chabak or camping, it is good to prepare sleep products like a chabak topper that suit you in advance."