Chunjangdae Beach

The beach is surrounded by several campsites. It's a great place to visit for some fresh air. However, the lack of restaurants may be a downside. On the bright side, the beach isn't crowded on weekends, making it a peaceful retreat. You can have fun with your kids by playing in the sand or searching for shells.

The sea is exceptionally serene and unperturbed during weekdays, with an immaculate and uncluttered shoreline. The town itself is petite, yet it boasts a surprisingly pure and hygienic environment.

The beach offers a lengthy stretch of sand, spanning 2 kilometers in length and 200 meters in width, with a water depth averaging at 1-2 meters and a pleasant temperature of 23℃. It sits 34 kilometers north of Seocheon-eup, and has been designated as one of the 8 nature learning sites by the Korea Tourism Organization and one of the 10 clean zones by Seocheon-gun. Aside from swimming, visitors can explore the nearby islands of Ssangdo during low tide, where they can catch crabs, clams, and halibut in the tidal flats. The beach first opened to the public in 1981, and is open annually from July to August. For a unique and exotic experience, visitors can take the Chunjangdae Summer Vacation Train from Seoul Station to Chunjangdae Station in Dodun-ri, Seomyeon. During peak season every summer, the train runs once a day and passes by the sea, offering stunning views. The beach also attracts tourists during the fishing season from May 2 to 9 and May 18 to 23, where crowds gather at nearby attractions such as Busa Embankment, Hongwon Port, Maryang-ri Camellia Forest, Geum River Estuary Bank, Hansan Ramie Hall, Biin Five-story Stone Pagoda, Munheon Seowon, and the birthplace of Lee Sang-jae. To accommodate the increasing number of visitors, Seocheon-gun has been constructing a large-scale marine tourism and leisure facility since 1997, with a total construction cost of 54.727 billion won. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2003, and will preserve the pine trees in the complex, making it an eco-friendly destination for marine recreation and culture on the west coast.

The beach offers ample space and boasts a pristine environment. The shallow waters make it a safe haven for families with young children. However, the fluctuating tide may not appeal to the thrill-seeking youth who enjoy swimming.

The journey from Seo Seoul Toll Gate takes around 3 hours, although there may be some congestion on the way to Mars to Haengdamdo. Judging by the modern restrooms and amenities, it seems that this beach has been recently developed. During low tide, the water flows more than at Daecheon Beach, so you may need to walk a bit to reach the swimming area. The sand is incredibly soft and there aren't many shells to be found. What sets this beach apart is the lack of resort facilities, making it a serene and peaceful spot. The basin facilities are conveniently well-equipped and the public toilets are clean, which is always a plus. The area is quiet and there are no corporate training centers or large resort buildings to disturb the tranquility. While it's uncertain what it will be like during peak vacation season, it was a pleasant surprise to find such a peaceful spot. Overall, I would rate this beach 4 stars for its suitability for a pleasant walk.