Where to do trekking for healing in Korean nature : Sanjeong Lake in Pocheon
Pocheon-si, Gyeonggo-do
October 22nd, 2022
Last Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, We drove to Sanjeong Lake in the very northern region of Gyeonggi Province to feel autumn season. Sanjeong Lake, and Myeongseong Mountain and Mangbong Mauntain surrounding the lake were in the very mid-autumn with its beauty of color. The trekking courses around the lake and into the mountains, built recently, attract tourists and hikers who want to feel healing, walk and climb in the nature not only in fall but every season.
The origin of Sanjeong Lake goes back to the early 20th century, when this artificial lake was made to irrigate fields of the region. The government designated it as a tourist place in 1977 and has developed the area with making harmony of modern trekking courses, facilities, commercial cites and natural environments.
1. Location of Sanjeong Lake.
Sanjeong Lake is located in Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, facing the border of Cheolwon, Gangwon-do, which means that it is very far-northern like Paju and Yeoncheon. It is about one and half hours drive away from Seoul.
2. Attractions of Sanjeong Lake.
First of all, the lake is very well known its spectacular sceneries, which is surrounded by two major mountains, Myeongseong Mountain and Mangbong Mauntain. In each season it has a different color. Now it is covered with red, yellow, and brown leaves. So beautiful! Everywhere is a photo spot. Taking photos with a back drop of the mountains and cliffs overlooking the lake is a must-do.
Benches for resting, art sculptures for taking pictures and cafes are here and there on the track. Especially I recommend this hanok styled big cafe, Gabigabae. It is so beautiful that many people take pictures in front of the cafe.
And try to find little wooden rabbits on trees. Finding rabbits and taking a picture with them is an interesting feature of the tour of this lake. It is said that one day some trees were broken down due to a terribly strong storm, and authorities decided not to take the broken trees away from the path and to put the rabbits on the trees.
There is the shooting site of the popular Korean TV drama, Dr. Romantic(starring Han Seok-kyu), where the main set of the drama, Doldam Hospital is, by the lake. While you walk on the track around the lake, you can spot the side path and the sign post indicating the shooting site. It is not a real hospital, just a set for filming, but looks like a real one.
Interestingly there is the site where Kim Il-seong’s villa used to be. Kim Il-seong is the late former leader of North Korea, who is Kim Jeong-eun’s grand father. But it is said that it is just a rumor. Nobody knows that there was literally his villa.
3. Services and Facilities of Sanjeong Lake
There are two main parking lots called Sangdong and Hadong. Sadong is much bigger and better to access commercial facilities and the starting point of the trekking course.
On the way from Sangdong parking lot to the starting point, many street vendors are along the path, where you can have various snacks and goods. And the small amusement park for children, the sculpture park, the garden and the cabin house on the deck for water sports and boating are in the starting point area.
The trekking course around the lake mostly consists of wooden deck paths, which is good for wheelchairs and baby strollers. So it is recommended as a barrier free tour place.
4. Restaurants, Cafes and Stores around Sanjeong Lake
There are so many places to eat around Sanjeong Lake. Especially Pocheon is very famous for galbi, which is exactly called Idong-galbi. Idong is the region in Pocheon. They have their own unique way of seasoning beef galbi. You can see Idong-galbi restaurants everywhere in Pocheon including the Sanjeong Lake area. In Korea galbi is always right, and Idong-galbi is very famous, so I guarantee any Idong-galbi restaurant can supply better galbi than any other places. And Pocheon is also well known for makgeoli. Galbi and makgeoli is the best match in Pocheon.
Because of its great environment, many good cafes are established around Sanjeong Lake. There are some famous bakery cafes, continuously showing on social media by influencers. Relaxing with freshly brewed coffee at a local cafe cannot be missed on tour.
5. Accommodations around Sanjeong Lake
In country sides of Korea a pension is a common type of accommodations. Many pensions are around Sanjeong Lake for tourists who want to stay a night there. And the condominium, Hanhwa Condo, operated by Hanhwa Group is next to the lake.
6. Other Information
The lake is opened 24/7 all year round. And it has beautiful night views with lights in places, which is another special attraction of the place.
7. The places around Sanjeong Lake we visited for breakfast and lunch.
As soon as we arrived the lake and parked our car at Sangdong parking lot, we went to the bakery cafe called Sanjeong Hosu Bakery Cafe by the parking lot to have coffee and sweet red-bean bread for breakfast.
After finishing a round of the trekking course, we drove to the pork galbi-jjim restaurant called Geumgangsan Spicy Galbijjim, which is famous for among the locals.
Information about Sanjeong Hosu Bakery Cafe is here. https://tnb4earlybirds.blogspot.com/2022/10/a-100-year-legacy-of-red-bean-burns.html
Information about Geumgangsan Spicy Galbijjim is here. https://tnb4earlybirds.blogspot.com/2022/10/where-to-eat-best-galbi-jjim-in-pocheon.html
- How to get Sanjeong Lake
The location of Sanjeong Lake is 108 Sanjeonghosu-ro411beongil, Yeongbik-Myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do.
Only two options to get Sanjeong Lake, traveling by a car or using a bus tour for a group offered by a tour agency.