Likely to Revisit

A rare landscape awaits you in

Taean

Taean, a peninsula like the Korean Peninsula of which it is a part, is full of landscapes not commonly found elsewhere. The impression I have of Taean will likely remain in my mind for a while.

📝Text by. Jae-hyeon Park  /  📷Photos by. Ji-hyeon Hwang

Since it is a large park, it is a good idea to ride a tractor train around the park. The train ride is free for children under 36 months, costing KRW 2,000 for those 19 and under and KRW 3,000 for adults. The ride takes around 13 minutes.

Korea Flower Park

As Bright as Flowers
I was surprised that tulips could come in such various colors. My eyes started to get busy trying to grasp all the different colors of tulips. In a sense, appreciating flowers means appreciating the colors of nature. Drowning in the ocean of colors, you can’t help but smile. As the name of the park suggests, flowers are the star. The park gets filled with different kinds of flowers including tulips each time the season changes. Most of the flowers we see around us do not last long enough. If you want to enjoy the colors and beauty of flowers to your heart’s content and for as long as you want, this park is an ideal destination to quench your thirst for flower watching. It is such a uniquely refreshing, healing experience to fill the emptiness inside you by watching flowers. You never get tired of watching flowers. Watching flowers as vitamins for your soul can perhaps soften your heart when it is hardened. The smiling faces of people in the park give me assurance.

If you climb the mountain from Dongmun-li, you will get to Taeuram Temple where Taean Dongmunli Maaesamjonbul—a stone Buddha triad, which is a treasure of the Baekje period triad—is enshrined.

Suspension Bridge in Baekhwasan Mountain

Trapped in Red Clouds in the Mountain
As a major mountain in Taean, Baekhwasan Mountain is a popular destination among hikers because it is not too high. You can enjoy the mountain landscape as you go hiking. Since the trails are not so challenging, thereby not requiring so much energy, you can better appreciate the beautiful nature through the five senses. You will see many odd-shaped rocks along the way, adding to the pleasure of hiking. Often standing next to those rocks are pine trees that blend nicely with them, creating a unique landscape. The suspension bridge is located below the top of the mountain. The red bridge connecting the two peaks—collectively named Bongbongdae—stands out in the landscape. The panoramic view overlooking from the bridge is breathtaking and much more expansive than expected. You can get a bird’s eye view of downtown Taean, with the West Sea seen from afar giving you a sense of comfort and relaxation. Walking across the bridge, you feel like you are walking in the clouds, creating a feeling of being in mid-air.

As an ecological buffer zone between the coast and inland, the dune is home to many endangered species including narrow-mouthed toads, Seoul Pond Frogs, and pythons.

Sindu-ri Coastal Dune

A Work of Art Crafted by Time
Did you know that there is a desert in Korea? It is not exactly a desert but a sand dune. This is the biggest sand dune in Korea. The vast area of sand makes you feel as if you were somewhere in the Middle East. In this desert landscape, you will no longer be surprised even if a camel appears. The dune is believed to have been formed as strong winds gradually carried sand from the sea to the current area. The process reminds us of how life is—the present is shaped over and over by what we have done so far. A close look reveals the fine layers of sand in the dune. These are the pattern designed by winds. The sand is so fine that it feels like water waves as it slips and falls through your fingers. An oasis is not necessary in this dessert because the West Sea is right next to you.

Located close to Korea Flower Park, it is easy and convenient to check out. Don’t forget to try crab soup, a famous local delicacy.

Kkotji Beach

A View that Calls for Words of Love and Warmth
Kkotji, the name of the beach, makes you curious. “Kkot” means flower in Korean, and the beach was named as such because Rugosa roses bloom along the beach. It is a great place for walking, and the two rocks rising above the water make the landscape of the beach even more special. With the two rocks named Halmae (Grandma) Rock and Halbae (Granpa) Rock in the background, any photo will be a work of art. The rocks stand tall and look majestic above the sea. When the water recedes, you can walk to the rocks. The rocks put on a new appearance as their entire bodies are exposed. The rocks look even more gorgeous around the sunset. When the sun goes down between the two rocks, the view turns into a true masterpiece—a must-see sight that is truly worth the wait. As you stand fascinated watching the view, something warm and bright permeates your mind just like the glow of the sunset paints the sky orange and yellow. If someone or even a stranger were next to you, you would definitely say something nice to them.
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