Korean Sand Dunes

Yesterday we all packed up in the car and headed out for another Korean adventure.

This time our destination was Taeanhaean National Park. We, however, did not end up going to the original destination of Hagampo (Hakampo) Beach. We got side tracked when we saw a sign for Sinduri Coastal Sand Dunes. So, we turned off of 634 a little early and headed towards Sinduri Beach. Upon reaching the T-intersection at the beach, we turned right and headed to the end of the road. There is a large building on the right hand side called Sinduri Sand Dune Center. When we went (not during beach season) it was pretty much deserted. There was 1 other family checking out the neat children's learning area too. There are clean bathrooms, fun displays to learn about coastal sand dune habitats, and it was free (at least on the day we went there was no one around to collect a fee (if there even is one).

The learning area is located on the lower level. There is a picture rubbing, sand play and 3 puzzles on the lower level opposite the interactive learning area.

This is the entrance to the interactive learning area. If you go down the stairs, continue straight across the floor to this entrance:

On one wall there was a shelf, markers and sticky notes. The wall was covered in sticky notes with Korean writing. We think it was people's names, so we wrote our own names and stuck them to the wall.

There are displays on how coastal sand dunes form, the animals that call the habitat home, the plants that are found throughout the area, as well as other information about coastal sand dunes. The information is in both Korean and English. 

There were 4 flowers that you could smell, 2 of which were pungent in the not so pleasant way.

 Learning about the wetlands that are near the sand dunes:

 Climbing the sand dune display:

 Learning about native reptiles:

Learning about animals and their feces:

 A display of how the plant roots "hold" the sand together:

 Making some sand art:

After exploring the indoor area, we ventured out to the dunes. You can either return to the front door, walk to the road, turn right and walk a block on the gravel road to the front of the sand dunes. Or you can head out the back door, walk on the trail that turns into a grassy path, continue on the path when it becomes a gravel road. About100 yards past the intersection of the path and road, turn left onto the board walks that take you in the back of the dunes. Either way is easy, though I think the front of the dunes is a little less steep. Or you can continue on the gravel road to the wetlands (which we did not).

Heading out to the dunes via the back door 

The trail to before it turns into a grassy path

The trails turns into a grassy path 

The grassy path turns into a gravel road

The back of the dunes from the gravel road

Clearly marked signs pointing to the dunes, wetlands and Sinduri Sand Dune Center

The boardwalk (we took the left hand one).

The boardwalk ends, leaving you to walk through some grass and up the dune

The kids played in the sand, taking their dear sweet time getting to the top (just to go back down again).

The view of the beach and Yellow Sea from the top of the dunes.

Sand-angel fun:

 There were some other families (all Korean) enjoying the fun of the dunes. One family had a sled with them, though only the adults seemed to be able to get it to go down the hill like on does with snow.

The climb up the back of the dune, where we were playing, is steep. Carrying a kid (or 2) up the dune is a workout on your calves and thighs.

Down on the beach side of the dune there is a sign that shows the trails you can hike along the coast via the Taeanhaean National Park. I wouldn't mind coming back and hiking the hills to our original destination of Hagampo Beach.

After enjoying the dunes we headed over to the beach. The water was calm, the beach was wide and the water was warm. Everything I love about a beach! We did not don swimsuits and go swimming, but the kids got to splash around in the surf, with the tide coming in (and rather quickly) they frolicked and splashed until we told them it was time to pack up and head back home.

Beautiful sea shells 

A tiny little crab

The drive from the Pyeongtaek area is about 2 hrs, give or take some.

Directions from Pyeongtaek (not using interstates):

1. Take 45 south towards Dunpo
2. Merge onto 34 going towards Dangjin.
3. Cross the river while on 34.
4. Continue on 34 until it merges into 32 towards Taean.
5. Take 32 towards Taean.
6. Upon reaching Taean, follow the brown signs that point you towards Hakampo Beach. It should take you to road 603.
7. Continue on 603 until it splits into a V. Bear left onto 634.
8. Follow the signs for Sinduri Beach (left hand turn).
9. Follow the road to the T intersection at the beach.
10. Turn right at the T and take it to the end of the paved road. The Sinduri Sand Dune Center is in the right.