Chungcheongnam-do

Ironically, Anmyeon-do, the sixth largest island in the Korean Peninsula, was not originally an island. It was during the Chosun Dynasty that a canal was built for a waterway, causing a piece of land to be separated from the mainland. Since then it has been practically an island. In the 1970s the island was once again connected to the land thanks to a bridge. Today it looks like an island, feels like an island, and functions like an island. Its unique features and characteristics have attracted a good number of tourists wishing to experience romance on the island.
Spreading long south of the Taean Peninsula along the West Coast, Anmyeon-do has a lot to offer. The opening of the West Coast Highway narrowed the distance between the land and Anmyeon-do which had remained relatively isolated and uncrowded for many years. Its name literally means “a sound, comfortable sleep.” Perhaps its name has contributed to its current reputation as the island of recreation and leisure loved by those who dream of a sound sleep and sweet rest.

The Pine Scent-filled Natural Recreation Forest
One of Anmyeon-do's biggest tourist attractions is the pine trees. Scattered around the island, they have endured so many years without being replaced by other kinds of trees because they grow on an island distant from the land. The distance has also protected them from human greed. The pine tree forest on the island isthe only pure forest of pine trees in Korea. Hundreds of green pine trees that are around 100 years old claim their grand, luxuriant existence on the island.
Since the Goryeo Dynasty, the pine trees received special treatment and management from the government as they made wonderful materials for palace or ship construction. Unlike the bent pine trees that one usually sees around, they are very straight, slender, and beautiful and even have their own name, “Anmyeon Pine Trees.”
One can see the best preserved Anmyeon Pine Trees at the Natural Recreation Forest, which is the only recreation forest in the nation consisting solely of pine trees. Upon entering the forest, you will be first welcomed by the pine scent being emitted from the tall, straight pine trees that almost look as if they are racing towards the sky. It's much more charming in the early morning when sunbeams start to shine through the thick forest than in broad daylight.
Leaving the recreation forest, you should pay a visit to the arboretum right across from it. There is a wide range of trees including Anmyeon Pine Trees at the arboretum. The trees and flowers create such nice scenery, glowing in their unique beauty and fragrance. And don't forget to go up to the observatory at the arboretum and take a moment to appreciate the panoramic view of the Yellow Sea.

Children Get Excited at Foreshore Explorations
There are as many as 14 beaches along the shoreline on Anmyeon-do. It's fun to notice how unique their names are such as Kkotji, Bangpo, Sambong, and Baeksajang. Driving along the national roads or coast highways around the island, you will see those beaches one after another. The Kkotji beach is the most popular among them for having the most spectacular sunset in Yellow Sea. As the red sun goes down the horizon and touches two rocks locally named Grandma and Grandpa, a magnificent spectacle is revealed in the process.
There are many rocks on the seashore around the beach called the treasure chest of marine life. They appear during low tide and provide children with places to explore. It's nice and relaxing to see children digging up clams with their fathers in the background of the dancing sea and glaring sunlight.
There are other beaches in which you can explore the fore shore around the island. They open the foreshore to the public from May to October. At night during low tide you can go out to one of the fore shores and catch a variety of marine animals including the common octopus, sea slugs, solen, Bai top shells, crabs,
Among the diverse experiences there, catching solens is most loved by children. When it's low tide, spread salt over the holes in the sands, and you will have solens popping up right at your fingertip. In fact, Anmyeon-do is the sum of a great many fore shores, which are at the beaches including Baeksajang, Kkotji, and Batgae and at the inlets including Bangpo and Yeongmok. You can just pick any part of the island for a day's excursion to the foreshore.

At the Island, the Sea is Served on the Table
Also attracting a lot of people is the Baeksajang port, the largest port on the island and one that welcomes more ships full of lobsters and blue crabs than any other port on the island. The port gets literally packed with enthusiastic gourmets in spring when there are lots of blue crabs and in autumn when there are lots of lobsters. The bargains between the fish dealers and the customers sound endearing over the smell of the sea.
In addition to the pleasures of the beautiful scenery, you can also taste the fresh marine products that still smell like the foreshore the short-necked clams make a tasty soup and are a cure for hangovers fantastic Japanese icefish are only available right before and after they plant rice, and there are many more options to choose from including lobsters and blue crabs. It feels almost like luxury to eat such fresh and tasty foods while surrounded with such beautiful scenery.
Relax at the guest houses of romance and recreation.
There were only nature's works to see on the island before nice-looking guest houses were built in recent years. They, however, strike a wonderful harmony with the low-rising mountains, trees, and the sea. Looking out of the window riding in a car, you will be captivated by the desire to stop at one of the pretty houses and have a relaxing stay there. They have now established themselves as one of the island's biggest attractions.
It's nice to ride on the roads with no particular destination. It's also nice to look at the exotic guest houses and have a stop at one of them. The black pines around the island will accompany you on your exhilarating journey. Planted long ago by the natives as the screen to block the rough sea winds, the pine trees now invite you to a nice, restful walk.
Are you tired from the journey by now? Then relax your body and soul at one of the seawater spas. They offer a variety of options including the mud bath using the mud from the Dead Sea, sulfur hot baths, and seawater hot baths.