Old Harbors Holding Boryeong’s History and Lives | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Ocheon Port is a harbor located where the Gwangcheoncheon River flows into the West Sea's Cheonsuman Bay. Ocheon has historically been the center of life and livelihood for northern Boryeong, as it was once home to Boryeong Chungcheong Suyeongseong (naval command post). Although its former glory has faded over time, Ocheon Port still serves as a major fishing port in the Cheonsuman area. Situated deep within Cheonsuman, Ocheon Port benefits from excellent natural conditions that eliminate the need for separate shelter facilities like breakwaters. Therefore, many fishing boats are docked along the long pier extending without breakwaters along the coast. Visiting the nearby Ocheon Market offers a variety of seafood, notably scallops, a specialty rarely found elsewhere, and mussels about the size of an adult fist, which are also popular. From Ocheon Port Passenger Terminal, ferries operate to nearby islands such as Woldo and Yukdo. Ocheon Port is accessible via National Route 40 and Provincial Route 610, with the Seohaean Expressway’s Gwangcheon IC and Daecheon IC close by. Surrounding attractions include Boryeong Chungcheong Suyeongseong, Ocheon Market, Boryeong Embankment, Cheonbuk Port, Galmaemot Martyrdom Site, and Boryeong Energy World.

Galmaemot Martyrs' Shrine is a Catholic holy site and church located on the coast where the Gwanchoncheon River in Boryeong City flows into Cheonsuman Bay of the West Sea. Galmaemot, once a sandy beach, was the martyrdom site during the 1866 Byeongin Persecution for Bishop Antoine Daveluy, Father Martin Wiangmin, Father Pierre Ohmetre, and lay leaders Ruga Hwang Seokdu, Joseph Jang Jugi, along with many other Catholics. Since its martyrdom status was confirmed in 1927, it has been managed as a holy site. A martyr monument was erected in 1975, and in 1999 a church belonging to the Catholic Diocese of Daejeon was completed to welcome pilgrims. Recognized for its historical value, it was designated a Chungcheongnam-do monument in 2013. Today, in addition to the Sunday 08:00 Mass, pilgrims can attend reservation-only Masses at 11:30 every day except Monday. Overlooking the islands of the West Sea and Cheonsuman Bay, the site’s sunset is poignant and beautiful, evoking the noble sacrifice of the martyrs. Galmaemot Martyrs' Shrine is accessible via National Route 40 and Provincial Route 610, near the Seohaean Expressway’s Gwanchon and Daecheon ICs. Nearby are Ocheon Port, Boryeong Chungcheong Naval Fortress, Ocheon Market, Boryeong Embankment, Cheonbuk Port, and Boryeong Energy World.

Daecheon Port is a fishing port located on the west coast of Boryeong-si, serving as a key maritime transportation hub and an advanced base for fishing. The waters are rich in marine life, famous for fresh and abundant seafood such as flower crabs, cuttlefish, conches, rockfish, sea bream, and shrimp. Flower crabs and cuttlefish are considered local specialties of Boryeong, with flower crabs particularly renowned for their size and taste. Additionally, sashimi made from freshly caught rockfish and sea bream is both affordable and delicious, making it very popular among visitors and gourmets. The port is even livelier at dawn when auctions are held. After the merchants' auction, a seafood market is set up to sell fresh seafood directly to visitors. The coastal passenger ship terminal within the port operates ferries to nearby islands such as Sapsi-do, which are not connected to the mainland by road. Daecheon Port can be accessed via National Route 40 through Daecheonhang-ro and Haean-ro from downtown Boryeong, with the Seohaean Expressway Daecheon IC nearby. Nearby attractions include Boryeong Undersea Tunnel, Boryeong Undersea Tunnel Exhibition Hall, Daecheon Beach, and Zip Sky Lounge.

Kimga-ne Traditional Beef Bone Sutjebi is a sutjebi specialty restaurant located near Daecheon Beach in Boryeong-si. Daecheon Beach is not far from Seoul, and its shallow waters and suitable temperature make it a popular destination during the summer. Kimga-ne Beef Bone Sutjebi is a renowned restaurant around Daecheon Beach known for its sutjebi with rich broth made from beef bones. Famous for its deep flavor that has been handed down for over 50 years, the restaurant features outdoor tables extended outside the house, offering the feeling of dining in a garden. Kimga-ne Traditional Beef Bone Sutjebi can be accessed via National Route 36 through Seokseo1-gil, and the Daecheon IC on the Seohaean Expressway is nearby. Nearby attractions include Daecheon Beach, Jipsky Lounge, Nampo Breakwater, Daecheon Port, Boryeong Undersea Tunnel, and Boryeong Undersea Tunnel Promotion Center.

Daecheon Beach is located along 4-gil of the beach area in Boryeong-si, Chungnam. It is the largest beach on the West Coast and has been established as a resort area for foreigners since the 1930s. The white sandy beach is 3.5 km long and 100 m wide. The slope is gentle, and the sand is clean. The sunset blending with Dabo Island is especially beautiful. Daecheon Beach is divided mainly into Sunset Plaza and Mud Plaza zones, each offering different activities during the vacation season. The annual Boryeong Mud Festival draws attention not only domestically but internationally, featuring various events themed around Boryeong mud such as the Mud Checkpoint and Mud Discotheque. At the far end of the beach is the Boryeong Mud Experience Center, where visitors can enjoy mud sauna, mud ondol room, mud self-pack, and mud massage. In addition to swimming, there are many other attractions at Daecheon Beach. The Daecheon Zip Trek offers a thrilling experience as if rushing toward the sea. The Sky Bike is the nation's first marine rail bike running between Daecheon Beach and Daecheon Port. The track is set 8 to 15 meters above the water, allowing riders to travel along the sea path. The 2.3 km round trip takes 40 minutes, and it is recommended to ride during high tide when the sea is full.