Day 7 of our South Korea self-drive is Danyang. From Andong to Danyang is only 80 km, it takes about 1-hour drive.
Driving allows flexibility and you can plan to visit any unbeaten path you want. It can be challenging to get around in Danyang once you are there because public transportation delays your opportunity in the things to see and do there.
Since we have been visiting many cultural and historical places for the past few days, it is time to have a little break and check out the Korean scenic area.
Danyang is a small-town charm with natural attractions. It is surrounded by picturesque landscapes, including the Sobaeksan Mountains and the Namhan River. The area is known for its breathtaking views, hiking trails, and outdoor adventures.
Gusu Cave
Gusu Cave is a limestone cave renowned for its natural formations and underground beauty. The entry is 11,000 won which is about S$11. You are given a pair of gloves each so that you can hold on to the railing in the caves, as some of the railings are wet.
The cave is tens of millions of years old, having formed over time from limestone that was deposited during the Ordovician Period (around 450 million years ago).
When the cave was discovered, tools and instruments were discovered near the entrance suggesting that the cave was once home to prehistoric humans.
It opened to the public in 1976 and was designated a Natural Monument. The length of the cave is approximately 1395 metres and much of it can be explored via metal walkways and stairways twisting through the caverns. Its stunning geological features have earned it a nickname of “underground palace”.
It is cold in the summer but warm in the winter, we were here in Spring, and the temperature is quite warm inside after walking for about half an hour.
You need about an hour or so to complete this cave. There are lights and railing for you to hold on to but the pathway is quite narrow. There are also lots of stairs up and down so beware if you are not able to walk, please quit halfway and make a U-turn way out.
Danyang Ginseng Cuisine
We had the ginseng meal right outside the Gusu Cave. Most of the dishes used ginseng, such as hot pot BBQ baby ginseng. Even the kimchee incorporated ginseng in it as you can taste it is a bit bitter.
Outside the restaurant, you can see a lady selling ginseng. She offers me a raw ginseng and asked me to eat it raw.
Light tunnel before you reached Mancheonha Skywalk
Our car passes through a neon light tunnel which is pretty amazing. It is a visually stunning tunnel that features a variety of colorful LED lights, creating a mesmerizing experience for visitors. It is before we approaching Danyang Skywalk.
Mancheonha Skywalk
The Mancheonha Skywalk can be seen when our car approaches Danyang.
This is another top attraction to visit. It is a glass-bottomed observation deck that extends out from a cliff, providing visitors with a thrilling experience and breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty.
The Skywalk is situated above the stunning Mancheonha Gorge, offering panoramic views of the emerald green waters, lush mountains, and the surrounding landscape. Walking on the transparent glass floor creates a sensation of walking on air, providing a unique perspective of the gorge below.
Visitors can enjoy the scenic beauty, take memorable photographs, and appreciate the awe-inspiring landscapes from this elevated vantage point. The Mancheonha Skywalk is an exciting attraction for those seeking adventure, stunning views, and an unforgettable experience in Danyang.
There is a feeder bus that drive you up to the top so that you could climb up. The entrance fees are a lot cheaper as compared to the skywalk in Grand Canyon.
Chungjuho Lake
Another thing you can consider doing is a cruise to Chungjuho Lake.
The Chungjuho Lake was formed after the construction of Chungju Dam. It is the largest multi-purpose reservoir in the country as it connects the city of Chungju, the city of Jecheon, and the county of Danyang.
The cruise is the most popular way to see the landscape surrounding the lake. It was a speed boat that travel pretty fast and we have about 15 passengers. The pilot of the speed boat speaks only Korean to explain the iconic landmarks and we have no clue what he is telling.
Danyang Town center
At night we had Korean Beef bbq in Danyang town center, it wasn’t cheap at all the beef bbq, unlike the one we had in Suwon, which was pretty cheap. Danyang town is very small, we parked our car near Danyang aquarium. In front of the aquarium, there is a watch area to check out the beautiful Danyang Bridge which changes colors often.
We walked around the city after our dinner but most stores are about to close. We went to Paris Baguette to get some dessert. I didn’t know that Paris Baguette is a South Korean multinational chain of bakery-cafés, no wonder I saw so many chain stores for the past few days.
Danyang Bridge Light Show
There is a timetable for the light up and music will be aired for about 10-15 mins.
Danyang bridge by day
Where to stay in Danyang? Sono Moon Hotel Danyang
Sono Moon is a hotel resort, the room is spacious but beware there are no big towels, only small towels.
The room usually includes a queen-sized bed and a separate room with a futon. The room also has a medium-sized fridge and a rice cooker.
If you don’t want to go out for dinner, you can dine at the resort as it has a few restaurants to choose from. The first floor has a chicken and pizza restaurant and cafe, called BBQ Garden. In the basement, there are a few more restaurants, a bread shop, and a convenience store. The Ground level and underground is where we park our car.
Opposite the Sono Moon Hotel, there is a beautiful park blossom full of sakura in Spring.
Final thoughts:
If you are coming from Seoul, it takes 2.5 hours to reach. There are a lot of outdoor activities to do in Danyang. From skywalks, caves, ziplines, lakes, and hiking.
What I love most about this place is the natural beauty of mother nature, you can go up to the top and see the whole city. We were here in spring and lots of sakura trees can be seen planted on both sides of the road in the city.
Sono Moon hotel resort is the town’s best hotel I have to say, but you need to bring your own bath towel if you need a big towel to wipe your body, but they do offer a small face towel.
