Healing Trip in the Evergreen Forest of Oeyeon do | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

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.

The name Oeyeondo was given because the island is far away from the land, as if shrouded in mist. It is 53 km away from Daecheon Port, requiring a two-and-a-half-hour boat ride to reach. However, until you get close, Oeyeondo remains hidden and wrapped in mystery. Often covered by thick sea fog, you encounter Oeyeondo rising abruptly in the middle of the vast sea. Although it is a modestly sized island of 200,000 pyeong, three mountains rising directly from the sea create a spectacular view, and the mountains are entirely covered with evergreen forests, adding to its mystique. Among about 70 islands belonging to Boryeong City, it is the farthest and is surrounded by small islets that act like its guardians, commonly referred to as the Oeyeon Archipelago. Until about a decade ago, it was a developed fishing ground where seasonal markets formed annually. The evergreen forest behind the Oeyeondo village is a valuable resource designated a natural monument, offering a glimpse of the flora of Southwest Korea’s islands. It includes evergreen trees such as camphor, camellia, zelkova, linden, and red bay trees, as well as deciduous trees like hackberry, elm, oak, Acer nikoense, and Chalpina.

Muchangpo Beach, opened in 1928, was the first beach on the west coast of Korea. It features a 1.5 km sandy shore, water depths of 1 to 2 meters, a 50 m beach width, a water temperature of 22°C, and a slope of 4 degrees. Surrounded by dense pine forests, it offers visitors both beach and forest bathing experiences. The scenic beauty of its sea pines and peculiar rock formations enhances its charm. The area attracts many tourists annually due to opportunities for sea fishing and abundant groundwater. Notably, around the 1st and 15th days of the lunar calendar each month, a 1.5 km sea path opens from the beach to Seokdaedo Island, called the 'Miracle of Moses.' This phenomenon occurs when seawater recedes at low tide, exposing the sea floor. Visitors enjoy catching crabs and clams along this path. From the Muchangpo Observatory, located 50 meters from the beach entrance on a hill, visitors can take in the full view of this mysterious sea path. Inspired by the water-dividing phenomenon, a Mystery Sea Path Festival is held annually on lunar 1st and 15th days, featuring celebrity performances, torch fishing experiences, a torch parade along the sea path, as well as various hands-on activities such as bare-handed fishing, ecological trap fishing experiences, clam digging, and harvesting of snow crab sticks.