Sangnok Beach
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Location3210-16, Byeonsan-ro Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- CategoryTour/ Beach
- Korean상록 해수욕장
- Chinese常綠海水浴場
- FieldGeography / Human Geography
- Contents TypePlace Name / Facility
- Current Location3210-16, Byeonsan-ro Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Definition
- A beach located in Docheong-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Background of Construction
- Sangnok Beach was chosen, developed, and operated by the Government Employees Pension Corporation as a recreation site with a purpose to promote the welfare of Korean government employees.
- Development
- Sangnok Beach opened in July 1988 for the exclusive use by government employees and their families. Since July 2010, a private tourism and leisure company has operated and managed the beach. After the beach was taken over by a private company, a freshwater pool, restaurants and shower facilities have been added. The beach is now open to the public.
- Composition
- Located in Byeonsan Peninsula, Sangnok Beach is close to the National Road No. 30 and about 1 km straight away from the southwest of Satubong Peak (162 meters). The white sand beach, about 5 meters in length, is equipped with bungalows, camp sites, shower facilities, ball parks, and communal kitchens. There are many lodging facilities including the Nonghyup Byeonsan Training Center, vacation villas and resorts in the area. Looking out onto the ocean from the beach, viewers can see Gunghang on the right and Sangnok Pier to the left. Behind is the movie set “Jeolla Jwasuyeong” best-known as the on-set site of the 2004 TV drama “Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin.” To the north along the National Road No. 30 close to the beach are the Department Image Theme Park and the Sculpture Park of Keumkuwon. Up the coast to the north are Gyeokpo Beach, Gosapo Beach and Byeonsan Beach, while down south is Mohang Beach.
- Current Status
- Sangnok Beach was originally developed for the use of government employees only, but after it became private property, the beach has charged for admission. The name “Sangnok,” meaning “evergreen” in Korean, was used to symbolize “incorruptible, exemplary, and virtuous” government employees. As with most beaches found along the Western coast and Byeonsan Peninsula, Sangnok Beach, with its pristine, shallow water, white sands and sheltering pine trees, makes the site suitable as a beach. Walking to the left along the white sand are the remnants of a coastal guard post, now defunct. The site horizon stretching out to the sea makes the beach ideal for a viewpoint or park where visitors can enjoy watching the beautiful sunset.
Sangnok Beach is part of the Course No. 4 zone out of Masil-gil’s Coastal 8 Courses in Byeonsan. Starting from Gyeokpo Port and passing the Jeolla Jwasuyeong on-set site for films and Gunghang, visitors will reach the Nonghyup Byeonsan Training Center to find Sangnok Beach. Sangnok Beach is at the mid-point of the 5 kilometer-long Masil-gil Course No. 4, making it ideal for visitors to trek back and forth between Gyeokpo Port and Solseom Islet. A pine tree forest at the beach allows beachgoers to enjoy setting up tents or low wooden benches. There are also bungalows for lodging, communal kitchens, and shower facilities. Nearby the beach are additional lodging facilities including the Nonghyup Byeonsan Training Center, bed-and-breakfasts, and private villas. Residents in nearby towns, such as Dupo, have voluntarily initiated campaigns to clean up the beach despite it being private property and to develop various tourism resources of Byeonsan Peninsula.