Relaxing at Jangheung Charcoal Kiln: A Day of Sauna, 계곡, and Delicious Food
Just got back from a charcoal kiln! Decided to post about this before catching up on everything else. This is about my trip to Jangheung Charcoal Kiln.
I had such a great time that I wanted to share my experience on the blog.
First, let's talk about the location of Jangheung Charcoal Kiln.
It's located in Yangju. Looking at the map, there's a 계곡 (valley/stream) right next to it, and a bunch of restaurants line the area. Many places advertise that you can eat and then enjoy the 계곡.
We arrived around 1 or 2 PM on a weekend after grocery shopping, and the parking lot was completely full.
So we parked way up on the shoulder of the road and walked down for about 8 minutes. (Parking can be tough unless you arrive very early or late in the afternoon.)
Spotted this convex mirror on the way down:
There was a 계곡 running alongside the path, and we even saw some ducks!
Here's the charcoal kiln when we arrived:
Apparently, even Kian84 came here to relax!
The first thing you should do upon arrival is to store your belongings in a locker and change into the clothes they provide.
Keep in mind that lockers might be unavailable when it's crowded.
After changing, you'll want to snag a spot on the raised wooden platforms (평상).
We arrived at a slightly awkward time, so we approached some of the staff, the lovely ladies who seemed to be tidying up, with a friendly greeting and a smile:
“Hello! Are you perhaps leaving?”
They were so kind and said we could use their spot, and even told us to spread out and use it widely! We got a great location.
*Tip - Being friendly and outgoing helps to secure a good spot!
We unpacked our things and considered eating right away, but the BBQ area was still crowded, so we decided to play in the 계곡 first.
Jangheung Charcoal Kiln's summer season!
Many people brought a lot of gear. It would be nice to bring a foldable chair to dip your feet in the water.
Not Orange Is the New Black!
Not a prison.
Not just a temporary release.
Not Shawshank Redemption.
The 계곡 water was so clean and refreshing; it felt great.
My feet got so cold that they became numb...
So some people used the 계곡 as a refrigerator!
Normally, they'd even put watermelon in there.
Me sitting on a rock
After playing, we went back, and a BBQ spot had opened up! We took out the pork belly and other ingredients we'd bought at the grocery store.
We purchased the grill grate from the on-site store (4,500 won with a pair of work gloves!).
True to its name as a charcoal kiln, they kept replacing the charcoal in the grilling area so we could cook the meat in optimal conditions.
We brought mushrooms and kimchi and had a very satisfying meal. The best part was that we could bring and eat anything we wanted!
Zero beer
We ate well and took a nap on the 평상.
Kitties
Then we had a sauna session in front of the kiln. The lukewarm areas were tolerable, but I couldn't handle the high-temperature rooms.
Even the area in front of the entrance was too hot;;
So I just stood outside, warming my back.
This is the area in the center where they bake sweet potatoes and potatoes. Wrap your food well in foil and place it under the charcoal, and the owner will torch the charcoal for you. We brought something like a burrito and put it in.
It cooked perfectly even after just a short time.
*You have to keep an eye on your own food here, as no one manages it. I heard some ladies arguing over whose food was whose.
Feeling hot again, we went back to the 계곡.
This time, I soaked my whole butt in the 계곡 water and enjoyed sitting under the waterfall-like area.
Ah, so refreshing!
Sauna - 계곡 - Sauna - 계곡...repeating this cycle.
This time, they were selling shaved ice, so we bought some.
It was 10,000 won.
They provided toppings, so 10,000 won was a steal.
The portion was generous, too.
It tasted like old-fashioned shaved ice.
It was so delicious.
We had so much fun!
We checked out around 6-7 PM.
The traffic and crowds had definitely thinned out by then.
The charcoal kiln was a lot of fun.
The End!
Back in front of the convex mirror on the way up
No comments yet.
