August 2023

Natural Diversions

Jathyanggi Pureun Sup (Green Forest of Fragrant Pines) represents the largest colony of Korean pines in the country. Just like red pines and hinoki cypresses, Korean pines are known to release the organic compounds known as phytoncides, which naturally ease tension and relieve stress when you walk in the woods. And what better place for a walk than Jathyanggi Pureun Sup, located at an elevation of 450-600 meters? Visitors can take their pick of the various trails on offer here. There¡¯s a 5.8 km circuit trail that shadows a lumber road, a 1.6 km walking path that goes across a rope bridge, and an 860 m phytoncide path, the shortest of all. Rather than picking and choosing, you can also just ramble wherever your feet take you.
On a path soaked in the phytoncides emitted by Korean pines, the simple act of walking can relieve stress. Inhale those healing compounds as you climb the hill, breathing hard, heat radiating through your body. That¡¯s the feeling of being one with nature. Branches brush against each other and insects emit an endless buzz in the rows of trees, a symphony put on by nature itself. A breeze caresses your cheeks, wiping away the droplets of sweat. With each stride, your body grows lighter, infused with the energy of the forest. Accept nature¡¯s embrace and breathe in its fragrance.
The Garden of Morning Calm is renowned for its stunning landscaping. The gorgeous walking paths have featured in TV programs and commercials. The garden is subdivided into more than twenty sections―including the Rose of Sharon Garden, Wild Flower Garden, Rock Garden, Herb Garden and Eden Garden―each designed to match its theme, and over 4,500 species of plants are cultivated there. Stroll through the sections that suit your mood until you discover the essence of the garden for yourself.

Tracks and Tunes

There¡¯s an old train station in Gapyeong that has been transformed into a musical village. Music Village 1939 puts on a variety of musical concerts. The outdoor area features live performances and busking shows depending on the season, and the indoor area includes a concert hall, a movie theater, a recording studio and a music listening room, offering visitors a smorgasbord of musical delights. At one end of a musical path is a cafe where tired visitors can take a breather. A ¡°picnic concert¡± by artists from Gapyeong County is one of the main live concerts hosted here. This is a concert to enjoy with your friends, family members, or a romantic partner while snacking on food you¡¯ve brought with you or had delivered.
The Jarasum Jazz Festival is one of Korea¡¯s best-known music festivals. The organizers¡¯ goal is to create the feeling of ¡°picnicking in nature.¡± In keeping with that goal, a musical ban-quet is served in a natural venue with a fantastic night view, setting off the festive mood. The Jarasum Jazz Festival has a positive impact on the local economy in Gapyeong, too. Guests enjoying the jazz performances outside get to dine on local products. The families, friends and couples who visit Jarasum stretch out on picnic blankets to enjoy the show. The festival lineup offers a wide range of genres, including bossa nova, bebop, swing, fusion, nu jazz and world music.
Campgrounds and Caravans Gapyeong is perfect for camping fanatics who crave the outdoors even in the muggy summer months. Not far from Seoul, the county is a popular destination for Korean campers. The biggest draw is the natural setting, far from the distracting noise of urban areas. Campers can indulge in fully equipped glamping or caravan campsites or rough it in open-air campsites in a recreational forest. There are plenty of campsites that cater to campers¡¯ every taste.
Given the extent of woodland in Gapyeong, it¡¯s no surprise that many campsites are operated by recreational forests. Campsites on Yeoninan Mountain and Yumyeongsan Mountain give campers a taste of each mountain¡¯s unique charms. Woods awash with phytoncides and pristine brooks running through the hills produce natural vistas that seem capable of rejuvenating you with a mere glance. Amid the rustling leaves, chirping insects and crackling logs, camping has never been so fun.
Jarasum is not only the site of a jazz festival, but it¡¯s also a popular eco-friendly campsite. The island has also hosted a world camping and caravanning congress and an outdoor camping fair. But most of all, it¡¯s avid campers who keep Jarasum in the spotlight. They¡¯re drawn by Gapyeong¡¯s crisp air, as well as the mist that creeps up from the river before dawn, creating a breathtaking tableau.