[Joyongjun's Travel Journey] Flower Staring, Water Staring, Wind Staring Along the Riverside

Spring Outing Along the Gyeongchun Line
Leisurely Spring Greeting Along the River
Recommended Spring Riverside Trips

Gangchon Rail Bike Cherry Blossom Tunnel Where You Can Enjoy the Spring Scenery of Chuncheon

People walking along the Yeongcheon riverside

Along the riverside path filled with spring flowers, mist rises from the water. It drifts and fades repeatedly like waves carried by the wind. Behind the overlapping mountain peaks, a red glow emerges. The riverside scenery on a spring day, tinted red by the morning sunlight, is full of charm. At some point, the mist disappears, and a busy day begins. Along that path, a romantic journey unfolds for those heading out on a spring outing. You can enjoy the spring by gazing at the flowers blooming along the beautiful valleys and riverside embankments, either lost in the view of the water or enjoying the river breeze. It’s as if the Korea Tourism Organization also recommended a travel route in April that gently follows the waterway. In April, full of spring energy, let's embark on a journey following the spring and the river.

#A Romantic Journey Along the Gyeongchun Line to Welcome Spring, Chuncheon Gangchon Rail Park

Chuncheon Samaksan Lake Cable Car Passing Over the North Han River

The old Gyeongchun Line was a route where the Mugunghwa train rattled along carrying romance. Now, rail bikes run on that railway. Gangchon Rail Park uses parts of the old Gyeongchun Line and has two routes and three departure stations. Based on the departure stations, it is divided into Kim Yu-jeong Rail Bike, Gapyeong Rail Bike, and Gyeonggang Rail Bike. The Kim Yu-jeong Rail Bike is an 8.5 km course where you ride the rail bike to Nanggu Village at the 6 km mark, then transfer to the Romantic Train to go to the old Gangchon Station. From Gangchon Station, a shuttle bus takes you back to the starting point, Kim Yu-jeong Station. The four tunnels appearing midway through the course and the scenery of the Bukhan River enjoyed from the Romantic Train are the highlights of the course. The Gapyeong Rail Bike is an 8 km round trip course to Gyeonggang Station and back, using an electric rail bike. Crossing the Bukhan River along the 30-meter-high Bukhan River Steel Bridge, you pass through the Zelkova Tree Tunnel and Cherry Blossom Tunnel before reaching Gyeonggang Station. During the short rest time, capture memories of your trip with photos at Gyeonggang Station, which is full of the charm of a small station. Gyeonggang Station was also a filming location for the movie and the drama . The Gyeonggang Rail Bike also offers a pet bike option for enjoying the ride with your dog.

Kim Yujeong Literature Village

Opposite Kim Yu-jeong Station is the Kim Yu-jeong Literary Village. It features the birthplace, exhibition hall, and experience spaces of the writer Kim Yu-jeong, who was active in the 1930s. The old Baekyang-ri Station still retains the appearance of a small station on the old Gyeongchun Line. The train timetable and fare chart hanging in the waiting room, along with the station master's uniform and hat, evoke memories of the analog era. The Chuncheon Samaksan Lake Cable Car, connecting Samcheon-dong and the Samaksan Ridge, is 3.61 km long, making it the longest cable car in Korea. From the upper station’s observatory, you can take in panoramic views of Uiam Lake, Bungeo Island, and Chuncheon city.

#Walking Slowly Along the Rocks in Step with Spring, Danyang Seonamgol Ecological Tour Trail

The Seonamgol Ecological Tour Trail is the first section of the Danyang Slow Tour Trail, a 14.8 km walking course along Seonam Valley. Along Danyangcheon, a tributary of the Namhan River, granite and sandstone create beautiful scenery, featuring the three famous Danyang Eight Views: Haseonam, Jungseonam, and Sangseonam. These are renowned spots where legends say immortals once wandered, enchanted by the spectacular rock formations. The area also boasts accommodations and amenities such as natural recreation forests, pensions, and auto camping sites. Additionally, the trail offers stunning views at Soseonam, Eunseonam, and Teukseonam, ensuring there’s never a dull moment. Especially in spring, azaleas and rhododendrons bloom abundantly, as beautiful as a bride’s rosy cheeks, and cherry blossom tree-lined streets stretch from the starting point, making it perfect for enjoying spring. About 1 km from Jungseonam, you reach Danyang’s famous mountains Doraksan and the Danyang branch of Wolaksan National Park, ideal spots to get national park information and take a break. If you’re ready to savor spring, take a leisurely walk upstream along Seonam Valley’s waterway.

Danyang Valley Haseonam, Jungseonam

Climbing the Mancheonha Skywalk, a landmark of Danyang, offers views of Danyang town, the Namhan River, Sobaeksan, Geumsusan, and Wolaksan. At Danuria Aquarium, the largest freshwater fish ecological center in Korea, you can see tanks set against the backdrop of Danyang’s scenic beauty. The Gosu Cave, a limestone cave evoking ancient mysteries, is another must-visit travel destination in Danyang.

#From Picnics to Drives, Cherry Blossom Hotspot Yeongcheon Imgo Riverside Park

Cherry Blossom Spot along Imgo Riverside

Imgo Riverside Park is a long-established cherry blossom hotspot. Cherry trees line the path from the entrance to the end of the park. When the river breeze blows, a pink flower rain creates a spectacular scene. Many people enjoy camping or picnicking in the park, and the flower rain picnic is even more wonderful than the rumors suggest. Moreover, the scenery created by Jahocheon Stream is like a painting, so whether you enjoy the view of the towering cliffs and gently flowing river, stroll along the walking paths, or do anything else, it’s a special spring. All facilities, including drinking fountains and restrooms, are well maintained and free of charge, making it even better.

There are many hidden cherry blossom spots around Imgo Riverside Park. The road from Yanghyanggyo Bridge in Imgo-myeon to Yangsu Bridge is called the ‘Beautiful Cherry Blossom Road.’ This approximately 2 km path along the riverside is perfect for families, couples, and friends to walk and enjoy the cherry blossoms together. The Yeongcheon Dam Cherry Blossom Hundred-Mile Road is also not to be missed. From Yeongcheon Dam, which boasts spectacular views of the lake and mountains, to near Bohyeonsan Astronomy Science Museum, cherry blossoms stretch endlessly along the 40 km provincial road. It offers the best cherry blossom drive where you can enjoy the blossoms quietly by car.

Enjoying a picnic at Imgo Riverside Park

Nearby is Unjusan Horseback Riding Natural Recreation Forest, Korea’s first place where you can enjoy forest bathing and horseback riding simultaneously. Walking the trails lets you fully enjoy the dense 730,000㎡ forest of Korean red pine, and the Horse Culture Experience Center offers fun programs from feeding horses to horseback riding. The Imgo Seowon Confucian Academy, honoring the loyal Joseon scholar Jeong Mong-ju, is also worth a visit. Famous cafes are clustered around Imgo Seowon.

#Enjoying the Spring Atmosphere Like an Immortal, Imsil Saseondae National Tourist Site

No spring outing under a clear sky is complete without including Imsil. With many mountains and abundant water, Imsil is truly a herald of spring. The fresh greenery of the surrounding mountains, the forsythia along the Seomjin River, and the morning mist over Okjeong Lake color the heart, which was gray all winter, with bright excitement. Among these, Saseondae, located in Gwanchon-ri, Gwanchon-myeon, where Seongmisan Mountain (430 m above sea level) and the upper stream of the Seomjin River, Owoncheon, harmonize like a painting, is perfect for enjoying the spring atmosphere. Saseondae (meaning ‘Four Immortals Terrace’) is a long-standing resting place for Imsil residents and a representative scenic spot visited steadily by people nationwide. The name means ‘the place where four immortals played,’ referring to a legend from about 2,000 years ago when two immortals from Unsusan Mountain in Imsil and two immortals from Maisan Mountain in Jinan leisurely stayed, enchanted by the clean and beautiful scenery of the Gwanchon area. The Unseojeong Pavilion, visible on the hill above Saseondae, was a gathering place for patriotic scholars during the Japanese colonial period to soothe their sorrow over the lost country. Around Unseojeong, the Deokcheon-ri Gachimbakdal cluster is home to rare wild trees not easily found in the central and southern regions of Korea.

Okjeongho Lake symbolizing Imsil

Imsil Cheese Theme Park, where you can experience the birthplace of Korean cheese, showcases the essence of Imsil cheese with over 60 years of history. The Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province 119 Safety Experience Center offers engaging lessons on how to respond to various natural disasters and safety accidents, tailored to different age groups. The Bungeo Island Ecological Park (Okjeong Lake Suspension Bridge), reopened on March 1, is an ecological space overlooking Okjeong Lake, a mysterious lake symbolizing Imsil. Embrace April warmly with Imsil’s heritage, none of which should be missed.

#Is Yellow Spring Coming to the Yeongsan River? Naju Yeongsan River Riverside Sports Park

Riverside Canola Flower Field Viewed from Naju Dukkil Road

Naju Yeongsan River Riverside Sports Park is a resting place for Naju citizens covering the Yeongsanpo area. Located under Yeongsan Bridge and Yeongsan Grand Bridge, the park spans about 130,000㎡ and includes soccer fields and inline skating tracks, with a dedicated parking lot for excellent accessibility. In spring, rapeseed flowers color the park. From Yeongsan Bridge, a vast yellow carpet unfolds. Especially Dongseom Island, a small island in the Yeongsan River, is more secluded and romantic. Even if you miss the peak rapeseed bloom, there’s no need to worry. The Yeongsan River Yellow Sailboat Experience and cycling offer another way to enjoy the leisure of the Yeongsan River. The Yellow Sailboat Experience departs from Yeongsanpo Pier south of Yeongsan Bridge and cruises round-trip for about 50 minutes to the Korean Natural Dyeing Museum Pier. The Yeongsanpo Water Level Gauge at Yeongsanpo Pier (a national registered cultural heritage) is also a sight to see. Under the northern pier of Yeongsan Bridge is a free bicycle rental center, available to anyone with an ID card.

Hong-eo Sculpture at Yeongsangang Riverside Park in Naju

Yeongsanpo Railroad Park is close to Yeongsan River Sports Riverside Park. It offers many free experience facilities such as the Yeongsanpo History and Culture Experience Center and rail bikes. Gosatgil is a leisurely walking course around the old Naju fortress. Bitgaram Lake Park and the observatory are representative resting places and landmarks of Naju Innovation City.