Ever since I started living in Pyeongtaek, Taean has become one of my favorite destinations as it’s home to many beaches near U.S. military bases. Designated as a National Coastal Park, Taean is home to 27 beaches, each with its own distinctive charm, as well as beautiful attractions like arboretums, a coastal dune, caves, and more.

Mongsanpo Beach, surrounded by lush pine forests, is one of Taean’s top destinations. The calm waters and soft sand make it a favorite for families. Known for outdoor camping and opportunities to collect sea creatures, Mongsanpo Beach offers a variety of activities and it’s only about a 90-minute drive from Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base. Check out the fun activities waiting for you at Mongsanpo Beach!

• Mongsanpo Beach (몽산포 해수욕장)

• Check out more beaches in Taean

• Website for tide times (Make sure to use the Chrome browser for English translation.)

1. Mudflat experience

You can easily dig for high-quality clams in the expansive mudflats during low tide at the beach. Countless clams hide in the soft mud, making it easy for children and beginners to find them. You can also catch blue crabs, octopus and other sea creatures during nighttime low tide and it’s a year-round activity. Compared to other beaches in Taean, Mongsanpo has no rocks and the mudflats are firm, providing a safe environment to explore nature. Novice mudflat explorers often struggle with how to start finding sea creatures, so here are some helpful tips!

• Mudflat experience essentials:

Extra clothes, gloves, non-slip footwear (e.g., aqua shoes), a headlamp, a small shovel or hoe for digging clams, tongs for catching crabs, and a basket for collecting.

Pro tips

❶ To find sea creatures in the mudflats, venture deeper into the sea area when the water recedes during low tide. The deeper you go, the easier it is to find marine life.

❷ The lowest tide usually occurs 1-2 times a day, once during the day and once at night. However, it can vary daily, so check the tidal schedule online before you plan.

❸ You can start exploring the deeper parts of the ocean and collecting sea creatures two hours before the lowest tide. For example, if the lowest tide is at 9 p.m., you can explore from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., but be cautious not to go too deep after 9 p.m. as the tide starts to come back in. Always prioritize safety while exploring mudflats at night.

❹ While clams can be collected easily during both day and night, crabs, octopus, and shrimp are nocturnal, so you’ll need to go at night to find them. Crabs are usually caught in the fall when they become adults, and the closed season for catching crabs ends.

❺ Keep in mind that the sand can make the water muddy and reduce visibility. On such days, it may be challenging to catch anything other than clams.

2. Camping

Several camping sites sit amongst the pine forest at Mongsanpo Beach where you can enjoy fine forest bathing in the cool shade. You can barbecue right in front of the sea and picnic or stay overnight in a tent or camper van. You can conveniently park your car next to your spot in the camping area.

The campsite is well equipped with shower rooms and washing stations for cooking. After swimming or mudflat experiences, take a shower with fresh water. Most campsites are available to use on the day of your visit without prior reservation. Keep in mind that visitors have to bring all the camping items, including a tent, burners and grill. There are no large markets near the beach, so make sure to purchase items before heading to Mongsanpo Beach, or you can stop by downtown Taean, which is close to the Taean-gun Office.

• Campsites:

You can enter any campsite around this area, but here are two campsites located near the beach.

- Mongsanpo Auto Campsite: Mongsanpo-gil 65-24

- Mongsanpo Ocean Campsite: Sinjangri san 113-9

• Price: 30,000 won to 50,000 won per day for up to 3-4 people

3. Swimming

Mongsanpo Beach is safe for swimming due to its soft sand without rocks and gentle waves. Check the tide website to see the high tide schedules for swimming. Swimming is usually available from early June to September, depending on the weather. During the peak season - July and August - lifeguards are on site. Please note that Mongsanpo’s waters sometimes get warmer, and jellyfish can appear, so it’s recommended to wear long sleeves and pants on days when the sand rises, making visibility in the water poor.

4. Mongdae Port

Just a 5-minute drive away is Mongdae Port, where you can see fishing boats and a small fish market selling a variety of fresh sea creatures at affordable prices. Many campers visit the fish market to purchase items like clams and shrimp for their barbeque party. There are many seafood restaurants as well. You can enjoy rock fishing at the seawalls and some fishing-boat owners offer offshore fishing.

• Address: Mongsan-ri 686-39 or Mongdae Port (몽대포구), Naver Map

PICTURE-PERFECT FALL: CHEONGSAN ARBORETUM IS TAEAN’S AUTUMN DESTINATION

Have you had enough of Korea’s fall beauty this season? If not, Cheongsan Arboretum in Taean is the perfect destination to experience all the stunning grasses and leaves of autumn in one visit until the end of November. It’s just a 90-minute drive from Camp Humphreys and two hours from Osan Air Base.

Known as “the best autumn photo spot” on the west coast, Cheongsan Arboretum will amaze you the moment you step inside, surrounded by vibrant seasonal flowers and grasses. This fall, I sought a place where I could see all the fall leaves and flowers at once to save time, and Cheongsan Arboretum delivered every autumn landscape I desired!

From pampas grass and pink muhly to yellow cosmos and lotus flowers, the arboretum packs them all in beautifully. Around every corner, you’ll find plenty of places for stunning photos.

Take time to enjoy ponds where over 200 species of lotuses and water lilies, alongside about 40 species of aquatic plants like water hyacinth, water poppy, and iris, create a dreamy atmosphere.

You can also stroll along Metasequoia Street, lined with majestic trees that change color from green to golden in the fall. The arboretum features themed gardens where you can encounter scenes inspired by artists like Millet, Van Gogh, and Monet. In the garden themed around Millet’s work, you’ll find landscapes that seem to spring to life from his painting, The Angelus.

The adorable alpaca farm is a favorite among kids, so be sure to stop by to feed and interact with these charming animals. Cheongsan Arboretum is open year-round and hosts seasonal festivals, including Phoninia Glabra Festival in spring, Lotus Flower Festival in summer, and Pampas & Pink Muhly Festival in the fall.

It’s particularly popular with pet lovers, as pets are welcome for an additional fee of 4,000 won. Pets should weigh under 5 kg (11lb), and you must bring waste bags. Food and picnic items are prohibited. Free parking is available.

• Naver Map: Nam-myeon Sinjang-ri 23 or Cheongsan Arboretum (청산수목원)

• Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Nov.–May) / 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Jun.–Oct.) - Admission closes an hour before closing time.

• Duration of trip: 1 hour and 30 minutes or 2 hours

• Pampas & Pink Muhly Festival: Aug. 10 to Nov. 30

• Tickets: Adults 13,000 won / Teens 10,000 won / Children 8,000 won / Pets 4,000 won

• Website

Nearby beaches

Cheongsan Arboretum is located near Mongsanpo, Dalsanpo, and Cheongpodae beaches, all accessible within a 5–10-minute drive, so make sure to stop by one of them to enjoy captivating ocean views!

• Mongsanpo Beach (몽산포 해수욕장)

• Dalsanpo Beach (달산포 해수욕장)

• Cheongpodae Beach (청포대 해수욕장)

Camp Humphreys

Osan Air Base

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