Sometimes the hustle and bustle, noise and chaotic surroundings of Seoul can become a bit too much to handle, and a quick getaway becomes necessary to maintain sanity. During the summer, the humidity can be so intense in the city that taking a walk is more like swimming through hot, heavy air, and the only cure to really get that deep breath is to find a breezy coast and calming ocean tide sounds. Taean-gun (태안군) is a perfect place for a weekend getaway during a weekend in any season.
Not so close that you feel like you haven’t left Seoul, but not too far that it takes an entire day of travel, Taean-gun is situated on the west coast of Korea in Chungcheong-do. There are around 30 beaches to choose from in the county, as well as TaeanHaean National Park, (태안해안국립공원) in the county. If you have one night and two days to head out and you want to go to Taean-gun, here’s what you should do to take it all in:
Mongsanpo Beach (몽산포해수욕장)
Get yourself to Mongsanpo Beach to take that necessary first dip, walk or wade into the water or just enjoy the view. . The pine tree lined 3.5 kilometer long beach is wide and offers up loads of shellfish and other sea life at low tide. There are also places to camp, pensions to stay in and minbaks for those looking to get a cheap night’s rest on the floor. This beach is also NOT one of the more popular in the area, which means there’s space to spread out and just find that all important quiet serenity outside of the city. It’s where you can take a deep breath of fresh air and enjoy your time away.
Take a walk along Solmoraegil (솔모래길)
Solmoraegil is “the road of pine trees and sand”. The course is part of Taeanhaean National Park and was opened in 2011. It stretches 12.7 kilometers from Mongsanpo Beach down to Deureunihang Port passing by the beaches of Cheongpodae, Baeksajang, Sambong and Gijipo. It’s one of the most famous walking paths in the area and offers a great way to explore more of the beautiful beaches that make up the coast of Taean-gun. Websites suggest this walk takes about four hours but if you’re meandering, enjoying your time and taking a dip when it’s hot outside, it’ll probably take a bit longer.
Anmyeon-do Island Recreational Forest (안면도자연휴양림)
Wake up early and head to the forest, the recreational forest of Anmyeon-do. The tall 120 year-old pine trees were once managed by the royal family of the Goryeo Dynasty. These tall pine trees are gorgeous and towering, and if you go in the early morning you might manage to miss the many families that are eating their lunch or a snack beneath the shade that they provide.
Kkotji Beach (꽃지해수욕장)
After visiting the recreational forest and getting in a good walk among the massive trees, you’ll probably be ready for another dip in the coastal waters or just another break on the seaside coast. Kkotji Beach is just 10-15 minutes up the road, and though it is said to be one of the best places to view the sunset from in the country, it offers a breathtaking view at any time of the day. The beach is 3.2 kilometers long and the gentle slope of the beach makes it perfect for families and friends. At one end, you’ll see two stones jutting up into the sky and there are plenty of restaurants and tents with vendors selling good eats in the area. Take advantage of this stop for a good lunch before you head back to the city.
From recreation to beaches and relaxation, Taean-gun offers it all.
Mongsanpo Beach (몽산포해수욕장)
Sinjang-gil, Nam-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do 충청남도태안군남면신장리
Amenities: changing rooms, shower booths, restrooms, water-supply area, campsite and auto-camp site, basketball court, volleyball court, nearby pensions, minbaks and other places to stay as well as cafes and eateries.
Fees: parking lot W5,000 ~ W7,500; camp site W20,000
Website: www.mongsanpo.or.kr/ (Korean only)
Anmyeon-do Island Recreational Forest (안면도자연휴양림)
3195-6, Anmyeon-daero, Anmyeon-eup, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do 충청남도태안군안면읍안면대로 3195-6
Hours: March ~ October: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm; November ~ February: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm
Amenities: bathrooms, parking, convenience store, cabins
Admission: Adults W1,000, Teenagers W800, Children under 13 W400
Kkotji Beach (꽃지해수욕장)
Seungeon4-ri, Anmyeon-eup, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
충남태안군안면읍승언4리
Hallie Bradley is the creator and writer/photographer for the blog The Soul of Seoul. [SC1] Originally hailing from Dayton, Ohio, USA, she has been living and working in Seoul, Korea since 2006. She writes on her travels in Korea, daily life, the culture and traditions as well as lessons learned from her Korean husband and in-laws.
