Dangjin

Dangjin (당진) is a city in South Chungcheong, South Korea.

It stands on the south shore of the Bay of Asan. Dangjin borders Incheon, Pyeongtaek, and Hwaseong by sea, and Seosan, Yesan, and Asan by land.

Dangjin is a meaningful place in Korean Catholicism because of the Sollmae Village(솔뫼성지). The Sollmae Village, where Kim Dae-geon was born and Pope Francis visited, is representative, and there are many other Catholic-related tourist attractions such as the site of bishop St. Marie Nicolas Antoine Daveluy in dangjin sin-ri and Hapdeok Cathedral.

Understand

Dangjin is located along the west coast of South Korea.

History

It was Beolseong-gun, Beolsuji-hyeon, Beolchon-hyeon, and Dangpyeong-hyeon in Baekje, During the reign of King Gyeongdeok of Silla, it became the Dangpyeongbu of Hyeseong-gun. Later, in the first year of King Yejong of Goryeo, Gammu was established in Hyeseong-gun and Dangjin-hyeon. In the 13th year of King Taejong of the Joseon Dynasty, Dangjin, Chungcheong-do was the current state and a governor was established. In the 32nd year of King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty, it was promoted from Dangjin-hyeon to Dangjin-gun. On April 1, 1914, Dangjin-gun and Myeoncheon-gun were merged into Dangjin-gun.

Climate

Dangjin is on the northwest coast of South Chungcheong, and has an incremental climate characteristic between the northern and southern parts of the Korean Peninsula. It is more affected by the sea than in the central inland region. In particular, the North Korean line of bamboo passes through the Dangjin area and passes through the northern part of Cheonan. The temperature averages -0.8℃ in January and 23.6℃ in August, and the average annual temperature is 12.3℃. The annual temperature difference is about 25.9℃. Wind is affected by rainy seasons and typhoons due to the southeast and southwest monsoon winds in summer, and the cold northwest monsoon is excellent in winter, so waves sometimes hit high on the coasts of Seokmun, Songsan, and Sinpyeong-myeon in the northwest. The average precipitation is slightly lower than the Korean Peninsula average. In the Dangjin area, summer is about 4 months, which is similar to winter.

Dangjin
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       28     2 −4       0.1     4 −2       5.5     10 2       59     16 8       88     21 14       101     25 18       412     27 22       262     28 23       188     25 18       22     19 12       114     12 5       96     4 −1 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm NOAA and Dangjin culture exhibition
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       1.1     36 25       0     39 28       0.2     50 36       2.3     61 46       3.5     70 57       4     77 64       16     81 72       10     82 73       7.4     77 64       0.9     66 54       4.5     54 41       3.8     39 30 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Get in

By bus

1 Dangjin Bus Terminal (당진버스터미널). This terminal is in the center of Dangjin. From Seoul, express buses take around 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Dangjin. (updated Sep 2024)

By train

2 Hapdeok Station (합덕역). With the opening of the Seohae Line on Nov. 2, 2024, Hapdeok Station opened. Also, Using ITX-MAUM (You can board at Hapdeok Station), you can go all the way to Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do. (updated Nov 2024)

Get around

By car

Dangjin does not have good bus service. So, It will be better to use a taxi or car rental service.

By bus

There are quite a few bus routes, but most of them only run once or twice, and they run every 1-2 hours. Most major bus stops have city bus timetables, so make sure to look at them when you use them.

See

• 1 Samseon Mountain Arboretum (삼선산수목원), 79 Samseonsan Arboretum-gil, ancient-myeon, ☏ +82 041-350-4187. It is a beautiful arboretum, an ecological learning center where you can enjoy nature and preserve and display various plant species. It is a good place to enjoy a walk while healing in nature, and it is a popular attraction for family visitors and nature lovers 
• 2 Gijisi Juldarigi Museum (기지시줄다리기박물관), 11, Anteulmosi-gil, Songak-eup. It is a traditional folk game museum and was established to inform and preserve the Korean-style tug-of-war handed down in the region. (updated Sep 2024)
• 3 Dangjin Hapdeok Irrigation Folk Museum (합덕수리민속박물관), 379-9, Deokpyeong-ro, Hapdeok-eup, ☏ +82 041-350-4931. It was built to commemorate Hapdeokje, one of the three major reservoirs of Joseon, and to allow residents and tourists to experience the value of Suri (water 利) and its past agricultural culture and the wisdom of their ancestors. (updated Sep 2024)
• 4 Hapdeok-cathedral (합덕성당), 22 Hapdeokseongdang 2-gil, Hapdeok-eup, ☏ +41-363-1061. (updated Oct 2024)
• 5 Waemok Village Beach (왜목마을 해수욕장), 844-4 Gyoro-ri, Seokmun-myeon, ☏ +82 041-354-1713. Waemok Village Beach is in the northernmost part of the Taean Peninsula in Dangjin-si, and has a unique topography that extends long and thin while dividing the West Sea. As the coast of the extended part faces the east, it is the only place in Korea where you can see sunrise, sunset, and moonrise. And thanks to the sandy beach and the seashore rock, you can enjoy beaching and seashore rock fishing. (updated Oct 2024)
• 6 Army Museum of Art (아미미술관), 753-4 Nambu-ro, Sunseong-myeon, ☏ +82 507-1412-1556. 10:00 - 18:00 (admission closing time 17:30). Adult ₩7,000; 24 months ~ juvenile ₩5,000; 70-year-old route, disabled, soldier ₩5,000. (updated Nov 2024)
• 7 Sapgyoho Lake Hamsang Park (삽교호 함상공원), 79 Sapgyocheon 3-gil, Sinpyeong-myeon. 09:00 - 18:00, closed Monday. Hamsang Park + Marine Theme Experience: ₩10,000 for adults, ₩9,000 won for children, ₩7,000 won for preferential treatment. (updated Nov 2024)
• 8 Nanjido Beach (난지도해수욕장), Nanjido-ri, Seokmun-myeon, ☏ +82 41-350-3114. The white sand beach is 2.5 km long, 500 m wide, and the water temperature is 20 to 23 degrees, and it is located off the coast of Daeho Embankment in the north of the Taean Peninsula. (updated Nov 2024)
• 9 Dangjin Sollmae Village Gim Daegeon Priest Remains (솔뫼성지), 32 Solmoe-ro, Ugang-myeon. The remains of Father Kim Dae-geon in Solmoi Village, Dangjin, are the birthplace of Father Kim Dae-geon, the first Korean Catholic priest. Pilgrims continue to visit this place, and after Pope Francis visited on August 15, 2014, it became a popular shrine not only for domestic but also for overseas pilgrims. (updated Nov 2024)
• 10 Site of Bishop St. Marie Nicolas Antoine Daveluy in Dangjin Sin-ri (당진신리다블뤼주교유적), 135 Pyeongya 6-ro, Hapdeok-eup [Sinri 62-3]. It is a village where the largest number of Catholics lived in the late Joseon Dynasty, and is designated as a Catholic holy site. (updated Nov 2024)

Mountain

• 11 Ami Mountain (아미산), Jukdong-ri, Myeoncheon-myeon (Cheonan IC → Gongju (30 km) → Buyeo (30 km) → Samsan-ri, Oesan-myeon), ☏ +82 041-932-2023. It is 349 m high. Amisan Mountain means a beautiful mountain like a beauty's eyebrows, and it was also called Soyisan Mountain or Somisan Mountain in the past. It is the highest mountain in Dangjin-si, and forms a watershed between the north and south, and Dabulsan Mountain extends southwest from the top. (updated Oct 2024)
• 12 Seokmunsan Mountain (석문산), Gyoro-ri, Seokmun-myeon. Seokmunsan Mountain is a low mountain about 100m above sea level, providing a beautiful view of the West Sea and Seokmun Seawall. Popular for gentle hiking trails, surrounding fishing and driving courses, it is a natural resort suitable for family visitors. (updated Nov 2024)
• 13 Eunbongsan Mountain (은봉산), Sudang-ri, Jeongmi-myeon. At about 210 m above sea level, it is a mountain where you can see the West Sea and the surrounding natural scenery at a glance. The trail is a relatively gentle and accessible resting place loved by local residents and tourists. In particular, the scenery of Seokmunho Lake and the West Sea from the top is impressive. (updated Nov 2024)

Temples

• 14 Yeongrangsa (영랑사), 142-52 Yeongrangsa Temple, Jingwan-ro, Daego-myeon, ☏ +82 041-353-8053. It is a quiet traditional temple in the arms of Yeongpasan Mountain (Samseonsan Mountain), which is said to block the waves of the West Sea. (updated Oct 2024)
• 15 Korean Buddhist Jogye Order Yeongtapsa Temple (대한불교조계종영탑사), 139-33, Seongha-ro, Myeoncheon-myeon, ☏ +82 041-356-3204. 06:00 - 21:00. The temple was built by Doseon Guksa, a Buddhist monk from Unified Silla during the Northern and Southern dynasties, in Sangwangsan Mountain. (updated Oct 2024)
• 16 Anguk Temple Site (안국사지), 188 Wondanggol 1-gil. On the front of the Anguk Temple site, there is a stone embankment, and there are three main stones and foundations left in the site. On one side of the site, there is a small Ongdalsaem, and pieces of tile are scattered here and there behind it (updated Oct 2024)
• 17 Daehosa (대호사), 131-106 Daehosa, 44,000-year-old Daehoji-myeon, ☏ +82 041-353-1534. Daehosa also serves as the general office of the parish of Taegojong in Chungnam. Buddhist monks and believers are engaged in activities to spread the Buddha of mercy, such as donating rice for underprivileged neighbors to each village in Daehoji-myeon. (updated Oct 2024)

Sapgyoho amusement park

Do

• 1 Sapgyoho amusement park (삽교호놀이동산), 15 Sapgyocheon 3-gil, Sinpyeong-myeon, ☏ +82 041-363-4589. 10:00-21:50. 

• 2 Marine Theme Experience Center (해양테마체험관), Sapgyoho Hamsang Park, 79 Sapgyocheon 3-gil, Sinpyeong-myeon, ☏ +82 041-363-6960. 09:00-18:00. It is a facility that provides marine-related exhibitions and experiences. It is a space that provides various educational and fun experiences by utilizing Dangjin's marine resources and helps understand the marine environment and ecosystem 
• 3 Amazon Aqua Park Dangjin (아마존 아쿠아파크 당진), 117, Sochang-gil, Sinpyeong-myeon, ☏ +82 41-430-8299. (updated Nov 2024)

Festivals

• Gijishi Juldarigi Festival (기지시 줄다리기 축제) : It is a festival centered on traditional tug-of-war designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Based on the spirit of cooperation in the agricultural society, we wish for a good harvest and prosperity in the village, and tug-of-war experiences and traditional performances will be held where local residents and tourists can participate together.
• Haenaru Red Clay Sweet Potato Festival(해나루 황토고구마 축제) : It is a festival with the theme of ocher sweet potatoes, a special product of Dangjin. Sweet potato digging experience, cooking competitions using sweet potatoes, and various sweet potato-related products are exhibited and sold.It also informs the quality and value of Dangjin loess sweet potatoes and provides a place for farmers and consumers to communicate.
• Sapgyoho grilled clam Festival (삽교호 조개구이 축제) : It is a festival with the theme of local specialty seafood held at Sapgyoho Lake tourist attraction. It offers a variety of dishes made of fresh seafood and local specialties, and experience programs and performances are also held along with food booths. It is held to revitalize the local economy and promote the excellence of seafood.
• Sunseong Plum Blossoms & Cherry Blossoms Festival(순성 매화벛꽃 축제) : It is a festival held around mid-April with the theme of apricot blossoms and cherry blossoms every year in Sunseong-myeon. It consists of a pre-ceremony performance, an opening ceremony, a celebration performance of the opening ceremony, an event, and an auxiliary event. The festival program consists of a Pumba performance, a dance performance, a mini-concert by an invited singer, and a citizen's singing contest

• Dangjin Waemok Village Sunrise Festival (왜목마을 해돋이 축제) : It is a sunrise festival held in the whole area of Waemok Village in Gyoro-ri, Seokmun-myeon. The festival started because of the geographical characteristics that Waemok Village can see the sunrise and sunset together.

• Eunbongsan Mountain Cherry Blossom Festival (은봉산 벚꽃축제) : The Cherry Blossom Festival at Eunbong Mountain is held in mid-April every year under the theme of cherry blossoms. When cherry blossoms bloom, the forest road at Eunbong Mountain is considered one of the most popular places not only in Jeongmi-myeon but also in Dangjin.
• Sunseong Plum Festival (순성 왕매실 축제) : It is a festival held in Sunseong-myeon with the theme of grand plum around mid-June every year.

Buy

• Myeoncheon-Dugyeonju(면천두견주) is a traditional liquor, a type of yakju passed down from the area of Myeoncheon-myeon and is a medicinal liquor under the liquor tax law. It is made of yeast, glutinous rice, non-glutinous rice, and azalea flowers. Azalea flowers are also called dugyeonhwa, and the name dugyeonju came from here. It is National Intangible Cultural Property No. 86-2.
• 1 Dangjin Traditional Market (당진전통시장), 99 Dangjin Market-gil, ☏ +82 041-357-8484. It is a medium-sized market in the form of a commercial housing building opened in 1974. (updated Oct 2024)

  

  Port of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin

• 2 Observatory Fish Market (전망대종합어시장), 93 Sapgyocheon 3-gil, Sinpyeong-myeon (at the front of the Sapgyoho tourist attraction.), ☏ +82 010-9483-5530. 09:00 - 24:00. It is the Sapgyoho Observatory Fish Market, a landmark of the Sapgyoho Tourist Site. (updated Oct 2024)

Eat

• 1 cheong-chun jogae pocha (청준조개포차), Room 301, 9 Sapgyocheon 2-gil, Sinpyeong-myeon (In Sapgyo). It is one of the most famous franchise shellfish restaurant. (updated Sep 2024)
• 2 Seafood country (해물나라), 2, Heungchuk-dong-gil, Songak-eup, ☏ +82 41-352-9822. 10:00 - 21:00. (updated Nov 2024)
• 3 Mo's Main Store (모씨네 본점), 115, Dangjin Market-gil, ☏ +82 507-1420-7813. 09:30 - 21:00. (updated Nov 2024)
• 4 Taebong Myeonok (태봉면옥), 106 Baekam-ro, ☏ +82 507-1308-7181. 11:00 - 22:00. (updated Nov 2024)
• 5 Dr. Roar (우렁이박사), 7-1 Saeteo-ro, Sinpyeong-myeon, ☏ +82 507-1374-9554. 08:00 - 19:30 (last order: 19:00). (updated Nov 2024)
• 6 Hadongjeong (하동정), 4-23 Sinbok Un-ro 5-gil, Songak-eup, ☏ +82 041-353-0888. 11:00 - 21:00, closed Monday. (updated Nov 2024)
• 7 Seoyugi Jjamppong (서유기짬뽕), 60 Sapgyocheon 3-gil, Sinpyeong-myeon, ☏ +82 41-363-2017. 10:30 - 16:00, closed Monday. (updated Nov 2024)
• 8 Shell View Sapgyo Main Store (조개뷰 삽교본점), 202ho, 84, Sapgyocheon 3-gil, Sinpyeong-myeon, ☏ +82 507-1465-1528. 11:00 - 23:00. (updated Nov 2024)
• 9 geumjatap (금자탑), 14-31, Jungheung 2-gil, Songak-eup, ☏ +82 41-358-8811. 10:00 - 15:00, closed Sunday. (updated Nov 2024)

Drink

• Myeoncheon-Dugyeonju(면천두견주) is a traditional liquor, a type of yakju passed down from the area of Myeoncheon-myeon and is a medicinal liquor under the liquor tax law. It is made of yeast, glutinous rice, non-glutinous rice, and azalea flowers. Azalea flowers are also called dugyeonhwa, and the name dugyeonju came from here. It is National Intangible Cultural Property No. 86-2.

Sleep

• 1 Dangjin Seohaerang 83 (당진 서해랑 83). It is a sort of Korean rental cottage like resort. It has an outdoor swimming pool. (updated Sep 2024)
• 2 Hotel Rocio (호텔 로씨오), 30-38, Hanjin Pogu-gil, Songak-eup, ☏ +82 041-355-3100. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 12:00. With a cafe and all 52 rooms with ocean views. You can see the blue west coast sea in front of you. (updated Oct 2024)
• 3 Just Sleep Hotel Dangjin Terminal Branch (저스트슬립호텔 당진터미널점), Room 801, 802, Room 168, Bamjeol-ro (- Dangjin Terminal 1 minute - Dangjin City Hall's 3 minute car), ☏ +82 0507-1360-7850. OTT services such as Netflix and Wave are available (updated Oct 2024)
• 4 Cubist Hotel (큐비스트호텔), 835-25 Cubist Hotel, Bukbu Industrial-ro, Songak-eup, ☏ +82 041-358-7707. It has various room structures and gives VIP ROOM a theme. (updated Oct 2024)
• 5 Jauri Hotel Dangjin Branch (자우리호텔 당진점), 30, Tongjeong 3-gil, Seokmun-myeon, ☏ +82 507-1325-7979. Check-in: 17:00, check-out: 12:00. (updated Nov 2024)

Connect

South ChungCheong