[Jo Yongjun's Travel Stories] Palbong and Stars, Cloud Bridge... Where Nature Becomes a Folding Screen Tonight... Sleep Was Forgotten

Jecheon, Chungju Journey - Oksunbong Suspension Bridge~Worak Dock~Lazy Crocodile~Sujupalbong 44km Drive

Among the landscapes created by the Dalcheon River, Chungju Sujubalpong is considered the best. Although not very tall, the rugged rocky peaks give a sense of grandeur, making this place popular as a car camping destination. Illuminated tents and stars are pouring over Palbong.

The recently opened Jecheon Oksunbong Suspension Bridge

Cheongpung Lake, Oksundaegyo Bridge, Oksunbong Suspension Bridge

Cafe Geeureun Ag-eo has crocodile-shaped stairs that offer a view of Chungju Lake.

Light rays over Chungju Lake encountered during a drive on National Route 36

Cheongpung Lake as seen from Oksunbong Suspension Bridge

[Asia Economy, Reporter Cho Yong-jun, Travel Specialist] Cheongpung Lake (Chungju Lake) is the second largest artificial lake in Korea, following Soyang Lake. It spans across Jecheon City, Chungju City, and Danyang County, and is called Cheongpung Lake in Jecheon and Chungju Lake in Chungju. Around Cheongpung Lake, there are numerous spots where you can enjoy beautiful scenery. Notable places include Bibong Mountain, Jeongbangsa Temple, Oksunbong Peak, and the Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex. Climbing the mountain offers a panoramic view of Cheongpung Lake, often called the inland sea, and driving along National Route 36 that circles the lake is very pleasant. A cruise tour that cuts through the water to admire the picturesque landscape is also a must. But that’s not all. Recently, another attraction that brings joy has been added. For those who are not satisfied with just viewing from afar and want to experience a thrilling close-up, there is the Oksunbong Suspension Bridge. Jecheon City installed a 222-meter-long suspension bridge near Oksundaegyo Bridge over Cheongpung Lake. It is an easier and closer way to enjoy the beautiful scenery. This journey starts from the suspension bridge, follows National Route 36, and heads to Chungju. The winding riverside scenery along Cheongpung Lake is beautiful. Along the way, there is the popular hot spot ‘Crocodile Island’ in Chungju and a caf? that embraces laziness. After the lakeside scenery ends, Sujubalpong awaits, offering a landscape like a traditional Korean painting. Last week, I drove the 44km route.

A suspension bridge was recently built at the foot of Oksunbong in Jecheon. While many local governments nationwide are building suspension bridges, the one crossing Cheongpung Lake stands out for its thrilling experience.

The bridge connects the village of Goegok-ri in Susan-myeon and the hillside just below Oksunbong. It is 222 meters long and 1.5 meters wide, allowing two-way walking without difficulty. After passing Oksundaegyo Bridge and parking, you follow the wooden deck to the entrance of the suspension bridge.

After completing COVID-19 temperature checks and disinfection at the main plaza entrance, you enter the suspension bridge proper. Turning a corner, you encounter a suspension bridge observatory floating against the backdrop of Cheongpung Lake. Even before crossing the bridge, you find a photo zone where you can capture stunning views.

Once you step onto the bridge, it sways violently left and right, living up to its name. The shaking is different from suspension bridges in other localities. This has earned it a reputation as the most thrilling suspension bridge in the country, attracting visitors from all over. While crossing, it’s nice to capture the lake scenery with yachts creating white waves and the cruise ship that operates every 1 hour and 30 minutes in the background. About halfway across, transparent glass panels are installed on the floor to add an extra thrill. Below the bridge, there is a canoe and kayak experience area. You need to paddle out into Cheongpung Lake to see Oksunbong and the suspension bridge from the water.

After crossing the bridge, a 408-meter-long walking trail has been created along the foot of Oksunbong. However, due to private property, it does not connect directly to Oksunbong. The official hiking trail starts at Gyerranjae Park, the boundary between Jecheon and Danyang on National Route 36. It takes about 2.1 km and over an hour to reach the summit of Oksunbong.

Oksunbong (Scenic Site No. 48) is named because its several white and blue peaks resemble bamboo shoots. From the observatory, the massive, jagged rock formations spread like a folding screen, and the vast scenery of Cheongpung Lake creates a magnificent view. Also, crossing Oksundaegyo Bridge and hiking the Gaeunsan trail offers a panoramic view of Oksunbong and the lake.

The suspension bridge is free to use until March next year. However, starting April next year, a fee of 3,000 KRW per person will be charged. Of this, 2,000 KRW will be refunded in Jecheon’s local currency ‘Moa’. The opening effect is so strong that the parking lot fills even on weekdays, so it is better to avoid weekends for the time being.

After leaving the suspension bridge and taking National Route 36 into Chungju City, Cheongpung Lake becomes Chungju Lake. This is because each local government calls it by a different name. Following the waterway, you will reach the Wolaksan Dock on Chungju Lake. From here, you can take a cruise to enjoy the scenery you passed by car from the water. You can see famous lakeside sights such as Oksundaegyo Bridge, Oksunbong, Gudambong, and Jebibong from a different perspective.

After the dock, you are greeted by the caf? ‘Lazy Crocodile,’ which is rapidly gaining popularity. With the slogan “Let’s be lazy just for today,” anyone can enjoy leisure here.

While enjoying a cup of tea overlooking Chungju Lake is charming, you can also climb the ‘Crocodile Stairs,’ known as the Stairway to Heaven, to take a memorable photo. But the caf?’s biggest feature is tasting self-cooked ramen in a camping atmosphere. Cooking ramen in an aluminum pot or a mess tin while gazing at the lake is a unique delight.

Another reason the caf? is famous is that there is a hiking trail nearby that offers a panoramic view of Crocodile Island. To reach Crocodile Island, you must climb a steep path for about 30 to 40 minutes. The trail is a non-designated hiking path with steep slopes and poor maintenance. Standing at the summit, the sight of a group of crocodiles seemingly stepping from the swamp into Chungju Lake is a natural beauty that leaves visitors in awe.

Leaving the caf? and driving along the winding lake, turning left at Sesong Intersection and driving about 10 minutes leads to Sujubalpong. It has become a famous spot due to the camping and car camping boom caused by COVID-19. On weekends, car camping vehicles fill the riverside of Sujubalpong, which overlooks the flow of Dalcheon Stream.

Sujubalpong was a well-known tourist destination even before becoming a car camping hotspot. Among the landscapes created by the Dalcheon River, Sujubalpong is considered the best. Although its height is a modest 493 meters, it feels majestic with its rugged rocky peaks. Each peak, such as Songgot Rock, Jungbawi, and Kalbawi, rises sharply as if piercing the sky. Their presence is solid and dignified. Additionally, the scenery combining the river winding around the mountain base, waterfalls, and sandbanks resembles a painting in a folding screen.

Sujubalpong gets its name from the eight peaks surrounding the Dalcheon riverside. The middle part between the eight peaks was cut off. During the Japanese colonial period, the mountain ridge was cut to reclaim the original waterway basin for farmland. A small waterfall formed between the cut peaks, and a cloud bridge was also installed.

Jecheon and Chungju = Written and photographed by Cho Yong-jun, Travel Specialist jun21@

◇Travel Notes

△Getting There=From the Seoul metropolitan area, take the 2nd Yeongdong Expressway or Yeongdong Expressway, then at Manjong Junction, transfer to the Andong-bound Jungang Expressway and exit at Namjecheon IC. From there, follow the lake passing Jeongbangsa Temple, Neunggang-ri, Dohwa-ri, and Oksundaegyo Bridge directions.

△Attractions=Jecheon has scenic sites such as Uirimji Pond, designated as a scenic site, the Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex, Cheongpung Lake Cable Car and Monorail, Beron Holy Site, Bakdaljae, and the Korean Medicine Expo Park. Chungju offers Haneuljae, Binaeseom Island, Hwalok Cave, Mireuk Daewon Site, Suanbo Hot Springs, Jungangtap Park, Tangeumho Rainbow Road, Mokgye Ferry, and Chungju World Martial Arts Park.