A Camping Trip in the Black Pine Forest

Enjoy camping at Huirisan, a mountain entirely covered in black pine forest where you can immerse yourself in the scent of phytoncides. Huirisan Recreational Forest is the only national recreational forest in Korea where auto-camping is allowed, making it hugely popular with camping enthusiasts. We also recommend visiting Chunjangdae Beach, known for water as blue as the East Sea, and the Camellia Forest of Maryang-ri.

Along the way

1. 1
   Chunjangdae Beach

   춘장대해수욕장

   Surrounded by black pine forest, Chunjangdae Beach is characterized by a gentle 1.5-degree slope and clear, calm water, with a plaza at its center that doubles as a meeting spot and a space for cultural activities. Besides swimming, at low tide you can walk out to nearby islands such as Ssangdo, and on the tidal flats you can gather majak (mud shrimp), clams, and flounder.MoreLess

   

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2. 2

   Hongwon Port

   홍원항

   Hongwon Port lies on the way to Chunjangdae Beach and is a place to enjoy sea fishing and fresh raw fish (hoe), made beautiful by its breakwater reaching into the sea and its white-and-red lighthouse. On the West Sea, the Maryang area of Seocheon ranks in popularity just after Anmyeondo and Daecheon; among places lovers like to visit for a quiet getaway, it ranks just behind Anmyeondo and Daecheon. Hongwon Port is larger than Maryang Harbor and has more boats. Along the shore are shops that slice fresh fish to order, so you can enjoy fresh hoe at reasonable prices.MoreLess

   

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3. 3

   Lunch (Seosan Hoegwan, Hongwonhang Hoetjip)

   점심식사(서산회관, 홍원항횟집)

   [Seosan Hoegwan] Seosan Hoegwan is a restaurant in Seocheon specializing in webfoot octopus (jjukkumi). There are two methods for catching webfoot octopus: the 'sora-bang' (whelk-shell trap) and the 'nangjangmang' (stow net). The webfoot octopus caught off the coast of Maryang-ri using the sora-bang method — where whelk shells are tied to a line — is caught alive, and is famous for being fresh and delicious. [Hongwonhang Hoetjip] Insisting on only wild-caught seafood in every season, its webfoot octopus dishes and wild flounder are excellent in spring, and its savory gizzard shad (jeoneo) is a highlight in autumn.MoreLess

   

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4. 4
   Seocheon Maryang-ri Camellia Forest

   서천 마량리 동백나무 숲

   One of the Eight Scenic Views of Seocheon, the Camellia Forest of Maryang-ri in Seo-myeon is designated Natural Monument No. 169. Here, 85 camellia trees around 500 years old form a dense forest across 8,265㎡. Visiting the camellia forest from late March to early May, you can enjoy the sight of red camellia blossoms blooming shyly among the green leaves, and climbing up to Dongbaekjeong Pavilion at the top offers a sweeping view of the blue waters of the West Sea and the beauty of the sunset.MoreLess

   

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5. 5
   Huirisan Black Pine National Recreational Forest

   국립 희리산해송자연휴양림

   Opened in 1998, this is a natural black pine forest that covers the entire mountain, offering a beautiful landscape. A reservoir near the entrance also allows for forest recreation. Following the trail to the summit offers a view of the West Sea, and Chunjangdae Beach, the Geumgang Estuary Bank, and Hansan Mosi Town are all nearby, making it easy to combine with other attractions in the area.MoreLess

   

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6. 6

   Seocheon Seongbuk-ri Five-Story Stone Pagoda

   서천 성북리 오층석탑

   A pagoda of the Goryeo period with strong regional characteristics, it imitates the style of the Five-Story Stone Pagoda at Jeongnimsa Temple Site in Buyeo (National Treasure No. 9), as do other pagodas built on former Baekje territory. With a single-tier base and a five-story pagoda body, it most faithfully follows the Baekje-style pagoda form.MoreLess

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7. 7

   Wolhaseong Fishing Village Experience Center

   월하성 어촌 체험 마을

   Wolhaseong Harbor, whose name means 'a fortress lying beneath the moonlight.' Where the road bordered by pine forest comes to an end, a village leading down to the harbor lies quietly. Beyond the village, the West Sea comes into view. The small islands of Ssangdo and Halmiseom, their lower halves submerged in water, come into full view at once. The harbor seems to lie sleeping at the eastern edge of the village. Wolhaseong Harbor is a very small harbor, so visiting in person, you'll find it charming and full of a cozy, familiar feeling.MoreLess

   

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