Chasing Autumn Hues: A Day Trip to Gangcheonsan in Sunchang
Autumn, a season painting the world in vibrant colors!
My visit to Gangcheonsan in Sunchang, Jeollabuk-do, a renowned maple viewing destination in November, was exceptionally beautiful.
This trip was supported by Sunchang County through the Baekseokhyun Experience Tour.
Autumn at Gangcheonsan is beloved by many! Would you like to join me on this journey?
The crimson autumn scenery of Gangcheonsan was like a masterpiece. I regretted not visiting sooner; it was truly magical.
Everywhere I stepped and every view I caught was a photo zone. Walking among the beautifully colored maple leaves was delightful, and even the sound of the nearby stream was comforting.
Gangcheonsan County Park
Address: San 263-1, Cheonggye-ri, Paldeok-myeon, Sunchang-gun, Jeollabuk-do
Admission: 5,000 KRW (adults)
The entrance to the parking lot was filled with trees ablaze with red hues. This is a popular spot in Sunchang, so expect parking to be challenging on weekends.
Parking Information
I arrived around 7:40 AM, and the parking lot was already quite full. When I left, parking was no longer allowed in the lot, and the roadside was congested with parked cars. If you plan to visit on a weekend, I recommend arriving early.
Breakfast - Gangcheon Landscape Restaurant
After departing from my accommodation, I headed straight to a restaurant near the entrance of Gangcheonsan for breakfast. I had made a reservation, so the food was promptly served upon arrival. The homemade side dishes were delicious, and the rice was especially glossy and tender, making it enjoyable even with just the side dishes.
I ordered bean sprout hangover soup for breakfast, which was refreshing and warm. The acorn jelly salad was also a treat, with a fragrant sesame oil aroma and well-balanced seasoning.
As I left the restaurant, I saw preparations underway for a group reservation's meal: *sanchae bibimbap* (mountain vegetable bibimbap). After a hearty meal, I began my autumn hike in earnest.
Purchasing Gangcheonsan Tickets
Restaurants and shops lined the path to the entrance. Despite the early hour, the owners were out greeting visitors. The vendor offering samples of roasted chestnuts lured me in with their cheerful voice. The chestnuts were large and plump, and tasted sweet and delicious. I regretted not buying a bag on my way down, as I was rushing and missed the chance.
I was surprised to see a line at the ticket booth even before 8 AM. It reminded me how many early risers there are! After getting my ticket, I entered the park. The dense maple trees immediately captivated my attention.
Autumn Hike in Gangcheonsan
The small bridge immediately after entering was stunning. The fallen leaves covering the stream and the trees dressed in autumn colors along the path were truly breathtaking.
My personal strategy for capturing the best photos began here, involving a lot of waiting. First, I took a photo at the Gangcheonsan photo zone near the entrance, then another on the bridge before setting off.
The scenery along the way was incredibly beautiful. I understood why people come to see the autumn foliage. I wondered what it would be like to be in that painting, so I went down to the stream. The view through the trees was lovely.
As I strolled along, I became separated from my companions. With only two hours left until the departure time, I turned around and walked further up the path.
But then!
How could I simply pass by such a view? I set up my selfie stick and took some photos. Suddenly, a crowd gathered around me. Apparently, they were impressed by my photos and started lining up to take their own!
Couples, families, and hiking club members—all came with their own groups, but everyone seemed relaxed and ready to enjoy the autumn scenery. The area became bustling with people eager to capture the fall colors.
I also spotted stepping stones. The view from the other side was beautiful, wasn't it? I hesitated for a moment before taking photos at another set of stepping stones further up. The cliffs and trees were too beautiful to resist.
There were many photo zones along the path.
Hiking up around 8 AM allowed me to enjoy the trail with relative ease. By 10 AM, there was a massive influx of people heading up. Soon, the path would be packed.
As I enjoyed my autumn hike in Gangcheonsan, I came across a temple: Gangcheonsa Temple.
Gangcheonsa Temple
After passing through the *Iljumun* gate, I saw the temple. With limited time remaining and still much to see, I hesitated. However, I decided to pay my respects at the temple since I had come this far.
The scenery surrounding the temple was beautiful. It was small but well-maintained.
The courtyard covered in fallen leaves was also lovely. After offering my prayers, I looked around again. An hour had already passed.
Gangcheonsan Cafe
Feeling tired and thirsty, I stopped by the cafe. Their signature menu item is *ssanghwacha* (herbal tea). Many people were already enjoying it.
They also sell pastries and cookies, perfect for a snack. I ordered grapefruit tea, the winter version of my usual grapefruit ade. The indoor seating was full, so I took a seat at an outdoor table.
Sitting at an outdoor table, enjoying the autumn scenery, and sipping warm grapefruit tea was delightful. Looking at the time, I realized it was too late to go further up. I decided to enjoy my tea and head back down. Next time, I'll have to allow more time to explore the mountain.
Gangcheonsan Photo Zone
This photo zone captures a unique vibe. I personally loved this spot. Sitting on the heart-shaped bench next to the waterfall allows you to capture the waterfall in the background, so be sure to take a photo here! There are also stairs leading down to the stream. Be sure to go down and take some pictures there as well.
There was a long line at the waterfall photo zone. You can take photos easily without waiting in line if you take them from the bridge next to it. The second photo is thanks to the kindness of many people. I am so grateful to those who waited behind me while I set up my selfie stick and took pictures. Thanks to them, I was able to capture beautiful photos!
I ended up spending time with complete strangers as if we were a group. They watched me taking pictures, took pictures with me, and even waited for me, which made it easier for me to take pictures. These people, who willingly stopped to watch me, were true hiking companions. As a token of my appreciation, I showed them how to connect their phones to their Galaxy Watches. They were all fascinated, which made me feel good.
When I uploaded my Gangcheonsan autumn hiking photos to our family group chat, everyone raved about how beautiful they were. My daughters grumbled that I went to such a nice place without them. I was worried about hiking, but it seemed easy enough for my mother to come along. I might have to bring her next week!
Autumn is a fleeting season, making it even more precious!
I heard that the leaves will be mostly gone after this week, so if you're planning to visit, you should hurry. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until next autumn.
Create beautiful memories with your loved ones in Gangcheonsan, filled with autumn splendor!
Source :https://blog.naver.com/ekoh72/224079302555
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