Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Khenan]

The wife asked what I wanted for my birthday this year, and after thinking about it, I said that I want to go away for the weekend to somewhere I can swim in a lake or river. It's been too long. However, she immediately pointed out that it's illegal to go swimming in most places, even outside of Seoul. Sigh.

I don't particularly care if it's legal or not - anyone know places where natural, swimmable water exists? I have a car, so anywhere on the peninsula with pensions nearby is doable.

[s.tickbeat]

Jangyu Daecheong river!

[Khenan]

Thanks for the reply... can you tell me anything about this place? I haven't heard of it before.

[Khenan]

Are you talking about this place?

http://blog.daum.net/deersunny/1071

If so, maybe you're joking? ^^ Perhaps not...

Let me be more clear. I'm looking for a place where there aren't a lot of people. I want to be able to dive into the water and swim around freely, without having to worry about small kids getting run over by me (or adults, for that matter, either). Given the general view I've gotten from Koreans re: swimming, I feel that the type of geological place I'm looking for would probably not attract many Koreans. However, I won't cry if there's a few people there - I can be realistic.

I'm not talking about splashing around in a creek.

So - again, anyone know a good place for swimming?

[s.tickbeat]

More like downstream, but it's more of the same. If that's what you're looking for, don't bother with Jangyu. The river is full of children waiting to be squished by enthusiastic foreigners.

[pkang0202]

There is an annual Han River Swim. You should try it.

[Khenan]

Thanks for the reply anyway... Any other tips out there?

[fortysixyou]

There's a reservoir near Daejeon where I swim sometimes.

It's used as the city's drinking water supply, so I assume it's clean. Swimming there is frowned upon, but meh. There's even a tiny sandy beach for BBQs and sun-tanning. I went last weekend, on one of the rare and few sunny days in the past 3 months, and brought innertubes, and floated around for hours, drinking ice cold brews. It was pretty much my idea of paradise.

There must be other reservoirs around Korea, and tons of fresh water swimming rivers and such. You just have to keep asking around, or go scout some out yourself.

[Khenan]

Okay, now we're getting somewhere...

Keep them coming... I really haven't seen any rivers that are good for swimming in. Most of my trips to the countryside have been to the mountains, and access to the streams (which aren't big enough for swimming) is usually blocked off anyway.

[Louis VI]

Get in your car and drive east or west or south until you hit a huge body of natural water. Believe me you will. Then swim.

[Khenan]

Cute, but I'm looking for fresh water. I've had enough of the Korean oceanside for now... besides, in my experience, the eastern and western seas are too cold for swimming, and the southern sea as well (although I'm told that it does actually get warm enough to stay in the water sometimes).

[nathanrutledge]

[Khenan]

Oh, for sure she is... but she is right in that I've seen lots of no-swimming signs all over the country in perfectly safe water.

I can take cold water too... I used to go swimming in glacial lakes, but this time I'm looking for something more relaxing.

It seems like terrain as rugged as Korea's should have dozens of deep lakes. It really boggles my brain that they're so hard to find.

[cmr]

If you do find some nice places, please share!

I'm looking for a real lake, not a reservoir. I just keep seeing reservoirs; Korea seems full of them. If that would suit your needs, though, you can take a look at Google Earth or some other map to see where you can find lots of water, but all the lakes I've seen were really reservoirs.

[pkang0202]

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2923391