Daecheongdo Island is home to some of the best beaches in Korea. Also, there are some good hiking courses on the island that offer great views above the golden beaches and rocky shores. A smaller and less populated island compared to the neighboring Baengnyeongdo Island, Daecheongdo is a perfect pastoral getaway.
Island History
Daecheongdo Island was said to be first inhabited during the Neolithic Age (9500-4500 BC), but the earliest known history periods begin during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 AD), when the island was used as a place of exile. The first known case of an exile was recorded sometime during the reign of Chinese Emperor Togon-temur (1320-d.1370) from the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. It was said that he was exiled on Daecheongdo for meddling in a plot arranged by his stepmother. He supposedly arrived on the island with 100 relatives, and built a palace here. The next known record relates to the island's abundance in medicinal herbs including mulberry mistletoe (Loranthi Ramulus), which was used to cure the illness of Queen Munjeong (d.1565), the wife of King Jungjong (d.1544). There is no record of island inhabitation until 1793, when King Jeongjo, the 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), authorized the inhabitation and cultivation of the island. During the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945), there were as many as 10,000 people living on the island due to its popularity as a major port. Today, there are about 1,500 people who sustain a living from tourism and fisheries.
Surfyy Beach is a 1 kilometer-long surf designated beach, just north of Hajodae Beach in Yangyang. It's the first of its kind in Korea and has the most trainers and approximately 1,000 surfboards while also operating Surf School. Training is available for all different levels from beginners to advanced, and for those only looking to surf, board and wetsuits are available for rent. Surf yoga, longboard, snorkeling and other programs are also available. The beach has various zones including bean bag zone, hammock zone, chilling zone, and sunbed zone for visitors to enjoy. There are also pub & lounge, camping facilities and more for visitors convenience.
South of Naksansa, along the seashore, is Hajodae Beach, with a water depth of 0.5~1.5m and a fine, white sand beach that stretches for 1.5 km.It is 13 km south of Yangyang-gun, and 1 km north of the 38th parallel. There’s a pine forest behind the beach and if you follow the seashore from the entrance of the beach for about 1.5 km, there is a pavilion on top of a cliff. This hexagonal pavilion is Hajodae, where it is believed the retainers of the Joseon Period (1392~1910) named Haryun (1347~1416) and Jojun (1346~1405) spent their last years in hiding. The flat bottom and low depth of the beach make it a suitable place for family vacations. It first opened in 1976, and is now operated as a camping ground and beach. Also in the area are Osaekoncheon (hot springs), Osaekyaksu (natural springs), Naksansa, Seoraksan National Park, Odaesan National Park, Tongiljeonmangdae (reunification observation platform), and Hajodeungdae (lighthouse), etc. Across from Hajodae there is a rock indicating the 38th parallel. Fresh water flows into the right side of the beach. The south side is great for fishing because of its bulwark, rock island, and Giamgoiseok (fantastic rocks and stones), and you can see Jo island to the right. On the left side of the beach there is an unmanned white lighthouse. This lighthouse is open from 9am to 7pm and you can enjoy a view of the whole area from the top.
Located in Gwangbok-dong, Busan, Yedang is a restaurant specializing in sundubu (soft tofu stew). Other items on their menu include haemul pajeon (seafood & green onion pancake), stone pot bibimbap, tteokgalbi (grilled short rib meat patties), bulgogi, and galbijjim (braised beef ribs). The restaurant has a neat and elegant interior and is oftten visited by local residents as well as foreign tourists.
The Gyeonggi International CeraMIX Biennale first started in 2001 and has continued to contribute to the field of ceramics by showcasing hidden talents and allowing artists to experiment with their art. In a further attempt to push the boundaries of ceramic art, the festival in 2011 encouraged artists to expand their art by using elements from other art genres.This 2015 festival’s theme will be called “Color: Ceramic Spectrum,” and it will demonstrate the creative aspect of ceramic arts. Generally, the word ‘color’ carries a physical and optical connotation, but this festival intends to expand the term’s meaning into a more idiomatic definition that encompasses the concepts of classifying objects and defining identity. Thus, the meaning of ‘color’ is portrayed by the artists’ own expression and artistic attitude at the festival. This festival divides color into three categories: “Isaek” (이색; distinctive color), which focuses on new trends and possibilities of ceramic art; “Chaesaek” (채색; multicolored), which shows modern ceramic art through a combination of other genres; and “Bonsaek” (본색; traditional color), which reflects the traditional factors of the three East Asian countries, connecting the past, present, and future of ceramics.※ The festival is held every second year.
Dongnaeeupsong Fortress Site is a representative fortress that combined the mountain and flatland. Built around late Goryo and early Joseon period, the fortress was a fierce battleground during Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. After the battle the fortress was abandoned until being renovated in 1731, making the fortress bigger than before. The fortress had many gates with additional half circle rock wall to protect the gate. During the Japanese occupation, most of the wall was damage with only the walls along Naansan Mountain remaining. After year 2000, Busan-si has attempted to excavate the remains and conserve and restore the fortress site.
Chungcheongnam-do(Asan-si) , Cheonan・Asan Hot Springs
Located in a tourist spot famous for its hot spring, ING Motel is a good place to enjoy a spa, as it is just five minutes from Onyang Oncheon Station. At 58 degrees, the water at Onyang spa was a favorite place for kings over many generations. The water also has good alkaline quality. As for nearby tourist attractions, there is Hyeonchungsa, where incense is always burning to cherish the virtue of Chungmugong Yi Sun Shin, and Onyang Folk Museum, which is has a rich legacy of ancestors and folk history.
The Jinpo Maritime Theme Park was opened in 2008 to commemorate Jinpodaecheop, the sweeping victory of Jinpo in the naval combat against the Japanese forces led by General Choi Mu-seon in 1380. Constructed against a scenic backdrop of the local port and the vast sea, the park houses 16 retired military crafts of 13 models. On display at the park are vintage tanks, historical artillery, combat planes, and warships including the Wibongham Ship, which was a vessel of combat during the Vietnam War. Visitors can even explore the insides of decommissioned warships. The exhibition hall inside the Wibongham Ship showcases the weapons used during the Jinpodaecheop War, artillery made by General Choi Mu-seon, and the typical life inside the warship.
Gyeongpoho Lake, which means “clear as a mirror”, is located 6km northeast of Gangneung, and is also called Gunjaho Lake. Gyeongpoho Lake was formed when the mouth of a bay was closed by sand and pebbles brought in by the sea currents. It is famous as a destination site for migratory birds. It used to be a large lake with a circumference of 12km, but it diminished because of the accumulation of dirt and sand.Gyeongpoho Lake is the setting of the tale of Hwarang and cultural relics from the prehistoric age, and on the Rock Island in the middle of the lake, there is a small pavilion which holds a hanging board called Joam, believed to be written by Song Si-Yeol. There is also a legend that rises from Gyeongpoho Lake: With the moon shining in the sky, it is reflected on the ocean, on the lake, in a glass of wine, and of course, two moons shining brightly in the eyes of someone falling in love.Gyeongpoho Lake was famous as a fishing site as it is clean and clear but due to pollution it was designated as a nature protection site and fishing has been banned.
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