Photos by ChiHon Kim ()
If you’re looking to spend the day near the water and enjoying nature, but spending all day in a car to get there doesn’t sound like fun, then have I found the spot for you! A spot where beautiful landscapes and a serene lake await is only 30 minutes away from Camp Humphreys by car.
Check out Sinjeongho Tourist Park, spanning over 272,000 square meters and offering a great escape after a busy week. Find this amazing park in the Bangchuk-dong area and enjoy great strolling, bird-watching and even a relaxing picnic. The lakeside of the park is an excellent place to take a stroll. The walk is not too long, nor too steep so everyone can enjoy. Expect to spend about an hour and half hour on this 3-mile walk. The park is very accessible so you can start your walking tour at any place along the path.
On my visit, I started my walk from the parking lot at the entrance, then circled clockwise around the lake. Eventually I reached a wildflower park and continued on where I found street musicians performing on a small stage. If you're lucky like me, you can enjoy the live music on weekend afternoons here.
After a short break listening to the music, I headed to eco-park, a home to a wide variety of ducks and native birds. You can experience the beauty of the lake up close sitting on a bench. I noticed a heron hunting a fish around the lakeside. It was a little creepy at first, but found out it entertaining. If you’re a nature lover you’ll like this park with its calm, peaceful nature, and partially forested paths. You can also see many different water plants such water flag, water lily and bulrush.
Across a small bridge, I reached a traditional pavilion. In the summer, the pink lotus flowers that grow in the lake surround this area, creating a spectacular view. On reaching this spot, you can either return back along the same path, or complete the circuit by walking along the road on the opposite side of the lake. You’ll find benches dotted along the path to catch your breath.
Sinjeongho Tourist Park also has plenty of restaurants and cafes where you can grab a bite or a coffee. I wrapped up my visit with a nice sandwich from a shop with a rooftop dining area overlooking the lake.
If you've still got the energy to burn after you've done a lap around the lake, explore the rest of the park. Some of the treasures you’ll find include many sculptures, an 8.45-meter-tall sculpture of Admiral Lee Sun-shin and some youth facilities. Particularly worth a visit is a gorgeous 43-meter-high musical fountain at the entrance of the park. The fountain’s water flows synchronized to music from April to October, and at night you can catch the show illuminated by LED lights.
This lake park is a great daytrip when you don’t want to stray too far from home. Grab your walking shoes, go for a stroll, clear your head and go home feeling refreshed.
• ADDRESS: 충남 아산시 신정로 616 (KOR), 616, Sinjeong-ro, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, (ENG), NAVER MAP:
• WEBSITE
Mimi Sandwich
The stretch around the lake has many different restaurants and coffee shops you can choose from. When I was getting close to wrapping up my walk, I felt a little bit hungry, so randomly stepped into the closest restaurant.
Mimi Sandwich features plenty of parking and a beautiful outdoor eating area surrounded by green nature. This is a great place to relax and grab a cup of coffee with a friend or just treat yourself. The no-frills menu offers an assortment of sandwiches, coffees and even tteokbokk, stir-fried rice cake.
I opted for a club sandwich for 5,500 won and an iced green tea latte. The ingredients were evenly distributed throughout the wrapping paper, and it was generously stuffed. You can eat this like a sandwich, without using a fork or making a monster mess.
I enjoyed every bite of the fresh sandwich, and the green tea latte was delightful. A nice meal with a beautiful view to match! Visit this place if you’re a sandwich lover looking for a place that allows you to watch the city's spectacular sunsets.
• ADDRESS: [미미샌드] 충남 아산시 신정호길 68-5 (KOR), 68-5, Sinjeongho-gil, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do (ENG), NAVER MAP [네이버 지도]
• HOURS: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Weekend-only opening
• PHONE: 010-3613-9530
