Breathtaking scenario of the Ochang Lake Park

Traveling tends to magnify all human emotions. Emotions are bigger during these trips because there is so much to see and experience. If you wish to do so, you always have a chance to take some days off and start traveling to beautiful places and make unforgettable memories.

Big monument in the middle of the park

After having a good night's sleep at the hotel, I headed to the very close, almost in front of the hotel, Ochang Lake Park which is open 7 days and 24 hours. I went there at about 11 o'clock and was astonished by the beauty and tranquility of the park. This park can be an amazing place to spend your time peacefully with someone or on your own. There are different activities you may do in the park such as walking with friends, exercising, meditating, jogging, taking your children for a walk as there is a special area for children to play.

Beautiful view of the park in autumn

In warmer seasons you may come to the park with your family or friends and organize a picnic there playing, walking and enjoying the breathtaking view of the lake. Paying a visit in autumn is also a nice decision because the park becomes the most beautiful with yellow, green and orange foliage. By sitting on one of the many benches placed throughout the park, you will get an opportunity to sit and enjoy the view. With fountains in the middle of the lake, the park looks more attractive.

I am sure that you will have a great time and take amazing photos in Ochang Lake Park.

Happy Birthday Cake and candles

After finishing a walk in the park, you should go to the main entrance and turn left, then keep going straight for about 5 minutes to get to the main road. There you should take bus number 713 to reach the next destination: Suamgol (수암골). You have to get off at the stop Uam Elementary School (우암초등학교) and after you get off, walk straight for about 5 minutes, turn left, go past the school and keep going straight for almost 10 minutes. You will see a street on your way so make sure to walk through the street full of houses. If you do not like walking, and you would rather take a taxi, tell the driver the address name ''Suamgol'' as I did.

Smiling children

Suamgol Village, also known as Korean drama land, is a place where you can take funny photos, see different pictures meaning different things, and imagine the scenes of famous Korean dramas as numerous Korean soap operas as ''Take care of us, Captain'' , '' Baker King Kim Tak Goo'' , ''Cain and Abel'' were shot in this area. You will be able to taste bakery products in well-known cafes and drink good coffee in ''Fullmoon Coffee and Tea.'' They are all 1-3 minutes walking distance from each other. When you arrive in Suamgol Village, the first thing you see will be a tourist information center where you can take brochures of the village or may ask any questions you have. In this place you will have an art tour, enjoying creative, funny and colorful pictures drawn on the walls by local residents and artists.

Dancing people playing different instruments

A red rose for a lady

So, walking through the alleyways will have you lost in old memories, and grant you a chance to take unusual and gorgeous photos with the paintings. There are more than 50 paintings which represent different scenes such as ice cream shops, three smiling children, flower for a lady, sunflower and ballerina, washing place and many others. If you want to have a quick snack and take photos on rooftop cafes with a panoramic view opening up, making the village a must-visit spot or of course you may go into the bakery or cafe mentioned above. Golden statues of famous Korean actors such as Gu Hye Sun, Ji Jin Hee and So Ji Sub are put in the street near the cafe on the right side of the road where you should exactly go and take nice photos.

So, the trip to this very interesting place will make your day and give you loads of positive emotions.

Colorful pictures drawn by different artists

Joa Hotel View

No matter if you are a native or a tourist in Korea, Cheongju would be a perfect place to travel. It is 1 hour and 40 minutes from New Seongnam Terminal by bus and the ticket costs 8900 won per person. After I arrived at the station in Cheongju, I took the bus number 105 and got off at the stop named Culture Industrial Park and then got on the next bus number 711, then Ochang was the stop where I got off. Next I took a taxi and headed to Joa Hotel.

Shower belongings ready for the guests

Bathroom and jacuzzi in the hotel room

At the first sight hotel is fairly big having 9 floors and beautifully-designed. I got my room key and went upstairs to the sixth floor. My hotel room costs 90 000 won for a night designed for two people and is definitely worth it. As you enter your hotel room, it is very clean, light, comfortable and modern. There was a TV-set, side table, clothes hanger, a small shelf to hang your clothes or put your things in, mini-fridge, free wi-fi, seperate water closet (WC) and a big bathroom with a shower and jacuzzi. I relaxed in the jacuzzi with bubbles in it. I enjoyed having a bath with bubbles in my childhood and my mom always joined to me. I almost started crying missing my home and mom. Soon I began to play with bubbles as I did when I was a kid. It really let me swim through my childhood sweet memories. The shower really helped to relieve tiredness and stress of my whole day.

The bed was big enough with soft white pillows and blanket. The mini-fridge contained 3 bottles of water, can of lemonade and bottle of vitamin water. And you may make coffee or tea as there is of course an electric kettle and four packages of coffee and lemon tea each by two. You are given a pair of bathrobes, slippers, small and big set of towels. There is an information book on the table where you can find any information about the hotel and service. In case you have any questions, you are welcome to call the receptionist by the phone provided in your room.

Hotel Room View

In the morning you can have breakfast from 9 till 11 in the buffet on the ninth floor which costs extra 10 000 won and there is a big set of choice such as tea, coffee, milk, sausages, toast and others. However, if you arrive late and would like to have dinner, you may order something to eat to your room or you may go out and choose where and what to eat in the neighborhood. The hotel is conveniently located in the center and there are many eateries, cafes, traditional Korean restaurants where different kinds of food are on the menu. Personally, I decided to eat out and had delicious meal for 12 000 won at a Korean eatery.

Hotel Room

I highly recommend you to stay at this hotel and spend a relaxing night without any interruptions. Once you visit this hotel, you will never regret it.