Break in the city: Urban attractions for summer

By Kim Rahn

To escape the heat, you don’t necessarily have to escape the city. In cities, there are hidden places where you can cool off and have a leisurely pleasant time. The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) introduces such locations for city dwellers.

President’s getaway

Citizens take a walk in Simridaesup, a bamboo forest in Ulsan. / Courtesy of KTO

In Ulsan, a bamboo forest along the Taehwa River is a good vacation spot, because standing amid the bamboos feels cool ― rather a little bit chilly ― even in sweltering heat.

It gained the name Simridaesup (10-ri bamboo forest) as the rows of trees stretch for 10 “ri,” an old unit of measuring distance, with 10 ri equivalent to about 4 kilometers.

The place became popular recently after President Park Geun-hye visited it during her summer vacation.

People can follow a trail through the middle of the forest. From an observatory across the river, the whole forest can be seen. A ferry travels between the observatory and the forest.

At one end of the forest is a pavilion named Taehwaru. Built during the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-935 A.D.), it was said to be one of the top three beautiful pavilions in the southeastern region of the country. But it was burned down during the Japanese invasion of Korea in the late 16th century, and was rebuilt in 2014.

The forest is a part of Taehwa River Park, which is 2.3 times larger than Yeouido Hangang Park in central Seoul and has plenty of space for cycling.

Besides the forest, Ulsan has several beaches and seaside villages with beautiful scenery, including Ganjeolgot, or Ganjeol Cape, a popular spot for seeing the sunrise.

Vacation in K-style

K-Style Hub, located on the second to fifth floors in the KTO’s Seoul building along Cheonggye Stream, is where visitors can have a glimpse of Korean food and culture. It is worth a visit for both Koreans and foreigners.

On the second floor is a tourist information center. Besides the information desk, visitors can see the nation’s major tourist spots in the virtual reality experience zone. Photos and videos of K-pop stars are also on display.

Exhibitions of Korean foods are on the third floor, where people can learn about seasonal foods and related customs, as well as about the main ingredients and the science of fermentation. Visitors can enjoy traditional tea and snacks on the fourth floor, including those from North Korea. A cooking class is available but requires reservations and at least 10 participants.

A souvenir shop is on the fifth floor, where postcards, key holders and other handicraft works are available. It is recommended to rent hanbok, or traditional clothes, and take selfies at Cheonggye Stream just in front of the building.

Across the stream is Youngpoong Bookstore, and Kyobo Book Center is just five minutes away on foot. Visitors can also rent or buy books at Interpark Myeongdong Bookpark located at 1898 Myeongdong Cathedral, an underground culture complex under the cathedral.

Museums in Mokpo

A shipwreck from China’s Yuan Dynasty, discovered in the seas off Sinan County, South Jeolla Province, is on display at the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage in Mokpo.

Mokpo in South Jeolla Province is famous for its port and seafood. But the city also has museums and exhibition centers in its Gatbawi district, a seashore area named after two rocks resembling men wearing “gat,” a type of traditional hat.

The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage provides exhibitions about shipwrecks and maritime relics. One notable exhibition shows a shipwreck found in the sea off Sinan County in 1975. It was later found that the ship was a merchant vessel during China’s Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) heading to Japan.

The ship has been restored to full dimensions, and pottery and daily supplies during the Yuan era are also on display.

Mokpo Natural History Museum is good for children as they can see dinosaur fossils from the Triassic and Jurassic periods, as well as taxidermy including rhinos and wild cats.

There are two Mokpo Modern History Museum Halls, the buildings which were used by the Japanese government during its occupation of Korea (1910-45). The second hall exhibits photos of Korea during the period.

If you visit the city on Friday or Saturday, head to Jayu Market where a night market called Namjin Night Market is in operation. About 50 food stalls fill the market.

At night, the fountain show at Pyeonghwa (Peace) Plaza is recommended. Hundreds of water jets move to the tune of the music, ranging from classical songs to Psy’s “Gangnam Style.”

City of water

Visitors can see oddly-shaped rocks along the seashore trekking course in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, while walking on the newly-built deck.

Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province has not only the sea but also a canal and trekking courses.

Yeongildae Beach has a different charm at night from that in the day. Yeongildae is the name of a pavilion set up over the sea. Lighting on the pavilion and POSCO’s steel mills offer beautiful night scenery. A handicrafts market is also held every Saturday between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.

A 1.3-kilometer-long canal runs through the city, guiding cruise ships toward the sea and back after finishing the whole 8-kilometer journey.

Pohang also has good trekking courses. A newly built course along the seashore provides views of bluffs and the sound of waves. On the 58-kilometer course, a 700-meter section used to be inaccessible due to cliffs, but the city recently built a deck there, allowing visitors a better view of the sea.

A 7-kilometer mountainous course includes Oeo Temple set up during the Silla Kingdom, and Wonhyo Bridge, a suspension bridge named after the Buddhist Monk Wonhyo (617-686) who is said to have visited the temple.

Pohang’s delicacy in summer is a spicy, sweet and sour raw fish soup called “mulhoe.”