Chungcheongnam-do(Geumsan-gun)

The primary source of Geumgang River is a spring called ‘Ddeunbong’ in Subun-ri, Jangsu-gun, Jeollabuk-do, which flows to the north. At Changnam, it changes direction and enters Bangu-ri, Buri-myeon, Geumsan-gun. From here, the river flows through steep mountains. At Sutong-ri, the precipitous cliffs of a mountain named ‘Jeokbyeok’ tower proudly above, and where the river runs under these steep cliffs it is called the ‘Jeokbyeokgang River’ (적벽강).‘Jeokbyeok’ literally means ‘red walls’ in Korean. The Geumgang River under Jeokbyeok is as calm as a peaceful lake with long sandy shores. This riverbank is alive with beautiful flowers in spring, green pine trees in summer, and in fall, the green gives way to an autumnal tint, until lovely snowscapes blanket the area in winter. A fisherman in his boat in the middle of the river makes the landscape more picturesque. In summer, the Jeokbyeokgang River’s banks can become quite crowded with visitors.


Chungcheongnam-do(Taean-gun)

Sinjindo Island is located at the end of Jeongjuk Peninsula in Sinjindo-ri, Geunheung-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do. The island has an area of 1.06 ㎢, and is 40 km away from Taean-gun and 1km away from Geunheung-myeon. People settled on the island after Manhocheon fortified the shore during the period of King Seongjong.


Chungcheongnam-do(Taean-gun)

After crossing Yeonnyukgyo Bridge on the way to Anymyeondo, you may start to wonder, “Is this really the way to the beach?” Your journey to this beautiful little beach will lead you on a short drive past mountains, rice paddies, and through a small pine grove before you come upon the beach. Once on the beach, you’ll be met by a striking scene of craggy rocks pressed up against the shoreline and a colony of tiny islands dotting the sea. Not just a great place to relax and enjoy time with friends or family, the spot is also a popular site for rock fishing and catching clams and baby crabs.


Chungcheongnam-do(Geumsan-gun)

Nami Recreational Forest is the perfect place for leisure activities and family outings. The forest boasts a picture-perfect view of thick, green forests of broadleaf trees, crystal clear water, curiously shaped rocks, and waterfalls. From the top of the hills, you’ll be able to catch a wide-open view of the cliffs and rocks of Daedunsan Mountain.Nearby the forest are diverse cultural heritage sites such as ‘Baengnyeong Holy Ground’ (former site of a palace during the Baekje Kingdom) and ‘Yukbaek Goji Jeonseung Pagoda’ (a Korean War memorial). The Nami Recreational Forest provides visitors with a unique combination of cultural sites and natural beauty, making it a popular destination among visitors of all nationalities.


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

Located at the western end of Mt. Buso along the Baekma River, the Gudeurae region boasts beautiful scenery and a well-developed sculpture park. The port in the region acted as an entrance to the Sabi Castle during the Baekje Dynasty and today serves as a dock for the cruise ship that travels up and down the Baekma River. Restaurants serving delicious regional cuisine are located near the dock, making the area a recommended tourist location for visitors who are looking for a combination of natural beauty and flavorful culinary delights.Gudeurae was designated a Korea tourist region in 1985. Following the official designation, a sculpture park housing 59 sculptures was established in the area. Thirty of the works of art were crafted by sculptors residing in Gudeurae who are known for skills that have been handed down from artists dating back to the Baekje Period. The other 29 pieces are from Korean and overseas artists who participated in the International Modern Sculpture Symposium in 1999. The sculptures bring about a sense of beauty that reflects the region’s history as well as modern art, making the park a popular tourist site and retreat for residents. A monument built in memory of a well-known folk song describing the beauty of Gudeurae is also located in the region.


Chungcheongnam-do(Taean-gun)

Located on Sinduri Beach (Taean), Sinduri Coastal Sand Dune is the only sand dune in Korea and one of Eight Tourist Attractions in Taean. It was believed to have been formed approximately 15,000 years ago after the ice age when strong winds gradually carried sand from the sea to the current area. Sinduri Coastal Sand Dune offers unique topographies such as wind marks often seen in deserts. In addition, it is home to rich plants and animals: the largest sweetbrier habitat in Korea, rare plants (kouhoumuki, Argusia sibirica, and littoralis), and animals such as Eremias argus, Eurasian skylarks, and narrow-mouthed frogs. Sinduri Coastal Sand Dune was selected as an ecological tourist attraction by the government.


Chungcheongnam-do(Hongseong-gun)

Namdang Port is one of the representative ports of the West Coast along with Baeksajang Port in Taean. Known for catches of prawn, cockle, flat fish, rock fish and other types of seafood, the port draws visitors all year round. You’ll often see people out scouring the shoreline of the port for cockles, which are usually enjoyed as cockle shabu shabu or chargrilled cockle, top local delicacies.In September and October, many tourists flock to the port for the Daeha (prawn) Festival. The Namdangri Daeha Festival is a chance to eat and buy fresh prawn at reasonable prices and participate in programs that celebrate the fishing community. Favorite events include an ancestral ritual to pray for a plentiful catch, a fishing boat parade, singing contests, streets markets, and a ssireum (Korean wrestling) competition.Nearby attractions include the bamboo grove of Jukdo Island (10 minutes’ away by ferry) and Yongbongsan Mt., which is only a 40 minutes’ drive. Old houses of historical figures are also located in the area and include the residences of General Choi Young of the Goryeo Dynasty, Seong Sam Mun (a scholar official of the Joseon Dynasty), and General Kim Jwa Jin and Han Yong Un (independent activists).


Chungcheongnam-do(Asan-si)

Onyangoncheon Station opened on June 1, 1922 as a regular railway station. The station building was relocated on June 23, 1983. On January 1, 2005, it was converted into a metro station. On September 2, 2008, the double tracked railway extension from Cheonan Station to Sinchang Station started operation.The Seoul Metropolitan Subway extended Line 1 to service the Cheonan-Sinchang extension on December 15, 2008. Onyangoncheon Station started to serve the Nuriro Trains on June 1, 2009.


Chungcheongnam-do(Asan-si)

Sinjeongho Tourist Park was created in 1993 on land spanning 272,000 square meters in the Bangchuk-dong area of Asan City. The park has various attractions including a grass plaza, bird garden, wildflower park, sculpture park, youth facilities, and 8.45 meter-high statue of Admiral Lee Sun-shin. The ecological park at the tourist park entrance is home to a variety of plants such as pine trees and azalea flowers, while the sculpture park attracts visitors in the winter with a large ice sculpture 8 meters wide and 3 meters high. Sinjeongho Lake, located in front of the tourist park, is a popular fishing spot throughout the year and visitors can enjoy a leisurely ride on motor boats or pleasure boats.


Chungcheongnam-do(Seocheon-gun)

Hongwon Port, located near Chunjangdae Beach, is a popular place for enjoying sea fishing and delectable meals of fresh raw fish. In addition to its culinary appeal, the port offers the picturesque scene of long stretches of shoreline guarded by two beacons in red and white.Located only 10 minutes away by car is Maryang Port, which is one of the rare places where visitors can see both the sunrise and sunset. Maryang Port is the third most popular spot along the west coast after Anmyeondo Island and Daecheon Beach and is particularly loved by couples. Though Hongwon Port is perhaps not as scenic as Maryang Port, Hongwon is bigger and has more fishing boats (thanks to its small tidal range), resulting in a livelier atmosphere and cheaper sashimi prices.There is also a beautiful camellia hill, called ‘Dongbaekjeong’ located nearby. When the camellias are in full bloom, short-tentacled octopuses are in season at Hongwon Port. However, gizzard shad is by far the most popular seafood caught in the waters off the port. There are even old Korean sayings that stem from the popularity of the gizzard shad, which is said to be most abundant and delicious in the fall. According to the sayings “In the head of Gizzard Shad caught in autumn are three bags of sesame” (referring to the worth of the fish) and, “The smell of grilled gizzard shad brings the runaway daughter-in-law back home” (in reference to its taste).Hongwon Port (along with Gwangyang Port in Jeollanamdo) is the prime spot for gizzard shad. Each autumn the port holds the Gizzard Shad Festival, a festival that has plenty of events & delectable fish dises. While at the festival, visitors are also encouraged to check out the Seocheon Museum of Marine & Natural History and Dongbaekjeong. The stuffed specimens at the museum are worth the visit and the view of the Maryang Port from atop the museum is unbelievable.Representative festival of Hongwon Port: Gizzard Shad FestivalHongwon Harbor hosts the Jeoneo (gizzard shad) Festival every October. During the festival fresh gizzard shad is served up in a variety of ways (including salads mixed with spicy marinated Jeoneo, cucumbers, sesame leaves, and parsley) and the village comes alive with fish-catching activities, performances, and fireworks.Jeoneo is known as a good hangover food and a good diet food because it is low in fat and high in protein. Also said to be good for the skin, this tasty fish appeals to a wide audience (as evidenced by the diverse crowds that visit the festival each year).