A Mountain Ridge Afloat on Water: Busodam-ak in Okcheon
A narrow, long rock ridge floats above the surface of Lake Daecheong like a fortress wall. About 10 meters wide and 700 meters long, the ridge was originally part of a mountain, but when the Daecheong Dam was built and the valley was submerged, only the mountain's ridgeline remained above water, like an island. The Joseon-era scholar Song Si-yeol (pen name Uam) called the spot "Sogeumgang" ("Little Geumgang"), saying it looked like a miniature version of Mt. Geumgang.
At a glance: 518 Hwansan-ro, Gunbuk-myeon, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do (Busodam-ak and Chusojeong Pavilion) · Open at all times · No admission fee · Inquiries Okcheon-gun Culture and Tourism Division, 043-730-3413
Even though it's close enough for a day trip from nearby cities like Daejeon and Cheongju, Busodam-ak remains almost unknown to foreign visitors to Korea. That's despite the fact that it's registered in the Korea Tourism Organization's official tourism information and was named one of the "100 Beautiful Rivers of Korea" by the then Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs in 2008.
The ridge floating on the water looks most dramatic when the afternoon sun slants across it. The cliff face and its reflection on the calm lake surface overlap to create the illusion that the ridge is twice as long as it really is. In autumn, the silver grass and fall foliage on the surrounding mountainside turn a golden color that is mirrored on the water.
A wooden boardwalk leads up to Chusojeong, the pavilion that serves as a lookout point on the ridge, with the sound and feel of wood underfoot; only the final stretch switches to a short dirt path (which can be slippery after rain). From the pavilion, the view opens up in every direction, and often the only sound is the wind.
Here's how to get there. Take a train from Seoul or Busan to Okcheon Station (check exact timetables and fares on Korail's official site, korail.com), then take rural bus No. 911 from Okcheon Bus Terminal or Okcheon Station, get off at the "Chusori" stop, and walk about 8 minutes to the entrance. Because this is a rural route with wide gaps between buses, it's safer to check same-day service with the Okcheon-gun Culture and Tourism Division (043-730-3413) before you visit.
Okcheon, set along Lake Daecheong and the Geum River, is also known for its freshwater fish dishes. Local restaurants nearby serve regional specialties such as doribangbangi — small freshwater fish deep-fried whole and braised in a spicy sauce — and eojuk, a dish of fish simmered for a long time and served with noodles.
Busodam-ak has no admission fee and no set opening or closing hours, but since public transit is infrequent, it's best to plan a relaxed half-day itinerary. If you'd like to find fellow travelers for this trip or have questions, you can also ask in the TrustBuddies open chat room.