Danyang is a beautiful small town in Korea and 45.5 km (about 28 miles) from High 1 Ski Resort. I have visited twice now, and recently, I was even more taken away by the natural beauty and tranquil countryside setting. Here is why you should visit!
Not only is this place great for a perfect countryside sunset, but for me, it was a chance to switch off from my everyday busy life and be at one with family and nature. The accommodation was easy to find, up and down many county lanes, and on-site were two cabins for the weekend I visited. I booked both since I had family visiting with me, although I had previously visited the year before and booked just one cabin. The thing I liked the most was the view, but also the friendly hosts and clean accommodation. Although I like the idea of camping, but in the hot summer weather, this was a better alternative (plus I really like a warm shower).
The pension offers a great location with on-site parking and an option for a BBQ! And since I had stayed there previously, my hosts arranged for me free of charge! Another thing I like about this place is that only locals appear to visit, which for me is what I want when ever I visit some place new.
Our hosts had rubber rings that we could use, and just a short 2 minute walk away was this beautiful river. I was surprised to see many locals and Korean tourists swimming there and I have to say that everyone was very friendly and welcoming and encouraged me to get in! This was my first time swimming in a river, however, once I was in, it was VERY REFRESHING and an experience that I will not forget!
I took a water gun with me, and I had so much fun, this is something that you cannot experience in a city or water park. Opposite the river, was a campsite, which simply looked so relaxing and for sure gave me that sense of a more REAL Korea away from the glitz and glamour of the big cities.
There were lots of small fish in the water and the water was very clear. I thought it was really nice to watch locals having fun and wanting to interact. There were many rocks where you could slide or jump into the water as well!
After having so much fun in the river, and on the way back to the pension I walked through many different vegetable fields, it just felt really nice to see how fruits and vegetables are grown, and back to the simple life. For me, I lead a very fast paced life and I am always connected to my phone and laptop, so it was a great way to switch off as there was not much reception apart from WIFI.
The BBQ I had that evening was very special, as we had our own private terrace area looking out to the beautiful mountains. There was also a cute dog that the owners had outside of their house which was next to the pension.
The town itself was only a 20-minute drive away, and it was stunning. In the winter it is a famous place for having lots of snow and ski slopes, but come spring, summer and fall, the town is picturesque with it's natural mountains which are used for parasailing and rock climbing. You can book these tours in many experience centers in town.
However, for me, I really enjoyed the local market. Here, I was able to get lunch from many of the local stalls. There was one famous store in the market that had a 30 minute line for it's garlic bread which was prepared onsite. It has also been featured on several Korean TV cooking shows. For me it was a little sweet, but nevertheless it was good to try.
Without a doubt, I will be returning to this peaceful pension to escape the city and for some rest and relaxation! What a wonderful experience and I hope that I convinced you to go as well!
To book the pension that I stayed in:
Let us know in the comments below if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life this summer and head to the unexplored Korean countryside for a more traditional experience!