Korea: Suncheon Bay In South Jeolla

Suncheon Bay is an ecological wetland comprising a long stream, a wide tideland and wide fields of reeds.  It is the habitat of migratory birds, plants and animals.  I knew I wanted to visit this place when I first read about it.

I stayed 3D2N in downtown Suncheon, just enough time for me to visit the Songgwangsa Temple, Suncheon Bay, the Seonamsa Temple, and the Suncheon Open Film Set before taking the bus back to Seoul.  Most of the city buses heading to the attractions in Suncheon leave from the city centre, in front or close to the train station.  Suncheon Bay is about 20 minutes away by the city bus which stops just across the road from the entrance of the park, and entry to the park is free.

I fell in love with this park the minute I stepped foot into the sprawling park. It was late autumn and the park was bathed in a sea of golden reeds.

I felt so good and relaxed walking around in the park. My husband would love this place.

Follow the signages and they will lead you to a wooden platform that cuts through the reed beds.  Most people were heading towards Yongsan in the background, where a short one-hour hike would bring you to an observatory at the top of the hill which would give you a bird’s eye view of the bay.

Throngs of people strolling through the marshes on a Saturday morning, with acres of tall, towering reeds on both sides.

Oh hello! That’s me.Time to take a toilet break at the end of the platform walk before I start moving uphill.  It seems silly to take photos of a lavatory but the ones in the Korean parks usually come in a pretty package – beautiful and/or quirky architecture.   I always look out for interesting lavatories in Korea and I have compiled some photos of these here.

I like the cabin-style design of this lavatory, with sloping roofs that resemble the Joseon dynasty style thatched huts inhabited by the ordinary folk.

Crossing the rickety bridge to Yongsan where I began a hike uphill, where certain sections of the path being quite steep.  I hate hiking uphill, especially when I see elderly folk moving faster than me, and with relative ease.

I puffed and panted my way up to hiking trail to the Yongsan Observatory and was rewarded with a paranomic view of the S-shaped bay and reeds.  You could get a closer look at the scenery using one of the many telescopes provided by the ecological park.

I also took the boat ride (which you have to pay for)  which brings you around the bay.  It is not very expensive and a lovely experience, ‘cos you get to see migratory birds up close, even more so if you have a pair of binoculars with you.  I didn’t bring along a pair but I had with me my 18-200mm Nikon lens, which I zoomed out to get a better look of the birds.  Not just migratory birds, but lots of mud crabs.

If you are planning a road trip around South Korea, or heading down south, Suncheon Bay is a stop that one must make.

At the end of the day, I treated myself to luscious Korean persimmons that were lining the streets in cartons.  Super sweet and very affordable.