[Jo Yongjun's Journey] After a Hard Year, Leaving a Long, Long Shadow Behind~

Year-End Journey to Buan Gosapo Beach - Wishing for a Flower Path Without Harsh Winds or Rough Waves in the New Year~

The times when even talking about travel or recommending it was cautious due to COVID-19 have passed. At the end of the year, a traveler visiting Buan Gosapo Beach reflects on the challenging year that has passed and looks forward to a new year without COVID-19.

Snow-covered Pinus thunbergii Forest

There is a campground operated by the national park at Gosapo.

The road to Jikso Falls in Naebyeonsan covered with snow

Deserted Gosapo Beach

[Asia Economy Travel Specialist Reporter Jo Yong-jun] "When will COVID-19 end?" This has now become an unbearably tiresome question. After leaving behind 2020, we thought 2021 would be different. With hopes of returning to normal life, this year has been a time of confusion that was no less, if not more, than last year. There was a brief excitement with the implementation of With-Corona, but social distancing measures resumed again. The pandemic, which we thought would end soon, has lasted for two years, and the number of confirmed cases in Korea is breaking records daily. The pause in life shows no sign of ending. The war against COVID-19 is ongoing. It is a time when even talking about travel or recommending it is done cautiously.

No one knows how we have run through this year or what the coming new year will look like. It is now time to fold away the December calendar, which feels unusually heavy. The weight of the last page is as anxious as the weight of the calendar we first hung. 'Travel Manri' heads to a destination to close a year spent losing precious everyday life. This is not a place you must visit immediately. It is a place perfect for a spontaneous trip whenever you want to sort things out and start anew. Nestled in nature filled with the scent of pine trees, it is an ideal place to have time for yourself.

We head to Buan in Jeollabuk-do along the west coast.

Buan, represented by the Byeonsan Peninsula, is a beautiful place designated mostly as a national park due to its pristine beaches and stunning natural scenery. Villages line the coastline, and the coastal cliffs, shaped mysteriously over tens of thousands of years by crashing waves, are famous.

The mudflats teeming with countless lives, salt fields and the salted seafood made from their salt, and the evergreen fir forest of Naesosa Temple?all are abundant. Therefore, Buan offers splendid scenery with seasonal changes and different atmospheres no matter when you visit.

This time, among Buan’s many scenic spots and attractions, we visit a less crowded place perfect for enjoying time alone: Gosapo. It is located midway along the coastline from Byeonsan Beach to Gyeokpo.

The winter wind is fierce. The silver sands of Byeonsan Peninsula make you curl up as the roaring wind howls. Waves relentlessly rush toward the shore. The sky, twisted and dark, looks ready to pour heavy snow at any moment.

Gosapo has a very different atmosphere from the crowded tourist spots in Buan. Following a path where signposts are hard to find, you reach a pine forest. Gosapo, embraced by fine sand, is impressive with its stately pine trees. The elegant 2 km-long pine forest shields the sea breeze but seems no match for the winter’s force.

Heavy snow begins to fall. The green pine forest quickly transforms into a pure white world. Who said the charm of the winter sea lies in the snow, wind, and high waves? The snowy seaside with biting wind is filled with a romance unlike summer. It is a scene that makes you want to let go of everything and rest.

Walking out of the forest, you reach the sandy plain. The footprints you just made vanish in the snow and wind. Step by step, you make your way forward. Not all beaches on the West Sea are mudflats. Gosapo’s fine sandy beach simply recedes with the tide. Especially, Gosapo, along with nearby Byeonsan Beach, is famous for its fine sand.

Due to COVID-19 and the cold winter weather, tourists are hardly seen. In the distance, a young couple stands at the edge of the waves, hopping and enjoying the winter sea. Nearby, fishermen gather clams and cockles, accompanied by the rolling waves.

In front of Gosapo Beach is Haseom Island, nicknamed Shrimp Island by locals because it resembles a shrimp. The island is covered with dense forest, and its bizarre rock formations resemble a natural art gallery.

On the 15th or 30th of the lunar calendar each month, a roughly 2 km sea path called the modern-day Miracle of Moses opens from the beach to Haseom Island.

The path is not mud but a mixture of crushed shells and sand, firm enough for cars to pass. At this time, you can walk to the island and enjoy catching clams, octopus, sea cucumbers, and more.

Island exploration is restricted as a religious group owns a training center there; only those with prior reservation or permission can enter.

Camping is another trend that cannot be missed in the COVID-19 era.

Gosapo has a campground managed by Byeonsan Peninsula National Park. You can use excellent facilities at about half the price of private campsites. The cooking area and restrooms are always kept clean, ensuring no inconvenience.

Even on this day, when the wind and cold were relentless, two or three tents facing the sea were enjoying winter camping.

Though Gosapo holds magnificent scenery, the winter sea breeze is no joke. Inside a tent of a family braving the harsh sea wind, laughter never ceases.

Like that laughter, we hope the coming new year will be one where COVID-19 is overcome and everyone can smile brightly. We look forward to the day when we can freely recommend travel.

Buan = Text and photos by Travel Specialist Reporter Jo Yong-jun jun21@

◇ Travel Notes

△ Getting there = From the Seoul metropolitan area, take the West Coast Expressway, exit at Buan IC, and head toward Byeonsan and Buan for about 10 minutes. After passing Saemangeum and Byeonsan Beach, you will reach Gosapo.

△ Attractions = Buan has many attractions and scenic spots. First, Naesosa Temple and the fir forest trail are famous, and the coastal walking trail called Masil-gil is well known. Other spots include Jikso Waterfall, Solseom Island (a sunset spot, pictured), Goms salt fields, Gaeamsa Temple, Gyeokpo Beach, Chaeseokgang, Jeokbyeokgang, Naebyeonsan, and Wido Island.