Why Not Try Forest Bathing
for Your Summer Vacation?

Gyeonggi Tourism Organizations picks the province's favorite natural recreation forests

What would you say about going "forest bathing"or "sallimyok"in Korean during your summer vacation's As a matter of fact, it couldn't better than strolling along mountain trails and staying at log cabins in the nation's top-rated natural recreation forest attractions. They are wonderful places for relieving stress arising from routines and drawn-out workloads while helping recover from fatigue as well as feeling peace of mind away from the hustle-bustle of metropolitan city life.
Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (President Lim Byung-soo) announced a list of its own picks for recreational forests located within Gyeongi Province where people on their summer vacation can enjoy forest bathing and scenic spots. They are the Chukryeong-san, Yumyeong-san, Jungmi-san, Saneum, Kukmangbong, Cheongpyeong, Unhak-san, and Yongchu natural recreation forests.
Log cabins, the lodging accommodations of natural recreation forests, are already booked for the summer vacation period, except during the late days of August.
Vacationers can find unsold space on camping grounds. Each natural recreation forest offers briefings on things about each forest and ecological systems.
Take a look at the natural recreation forests recommended by Gyeonggi Tourism Organization.
Chukryeong-san Natural Recreation Forest
Mt. Chukryeong is located at 886 meters above sea level between Namyangju City and Gapyeong County. Chukryeong-san Natural Recreation Forest boasts the shadows of woods filled with Korean white pines aged for more than 50 years, painted maple trees and ash trees where visitors can feel cool air and relax quickly.
Vacationers can also soak in the valley water. Cooking is not permitted within the valleys. Experience programs are offered from 10 a.m. to noon every weekend until October free of charge. Reservations can be made through its website and the natural recreation forest has a camping ground capable of accommodating 50 tents.
Admission fees are each 1,000 won for adults and 300 won for children. Prices for the House of Woods and Forest Recreation Hall range from 40,000 won to 300,000 won according to the number of occupants (from 4 persons to 30 people) while the camping ground charges between 4,000 won to 6,000 won.
The nearby tourist attractions include Moran Museum of Art, Mongolian Cultural Village and the Garden of Morning Calm. For more information pleas log on www.chukryong.net or call 031-592-0681.
Yumyeong-san Natural Recreation Forest
This natural recreation forest is situated inside the valley of Mt. Yumyeong in Seolak-myeon, Gapyeong-gun. Vacationers can view scenic cliffs, hike steep trails and wade in the water from the valleys. They can also enjoy car driving along the most popular driving course along the Cheongpyeong Lake and appreciate the breathtaking views of native plants and trees growing on the 792,000 square meter botanical garden.
Admission fees are 1,000 won for adults and 300 won for children.
The camping ground charges each team 2,000 won while the automobile camping site charges each vehicle 8,000 won. For more information call at 031-589-5487. The nearby tourist attractions include Gail Art Museum, Eobi Gaegok (Valley) and paragliding ground.
Jungmi-san Natural Recreation Forest
While driving up to the Nodachi Pass from Okcheon-myeon, one of the famous driving courses for weekend motorists, you can command a scenic view of the Nam Han River and surrounding wooded area. If you continue to proceed 1.5 km more toward the west, you can come across the natural recreation forest's sale booth. You can find yourself staying in a remote countryside as this resort area is surrounded by such famous mountains as Mts. Baekun, Yumyeong and Yongmun. You cannot recognize the direction as your view is eclipsed by a thick foliage and the most mesmerizing view is a morning walk along courses scattered among log cabins with the fog smoldering in the valley.
Admission fees are 1,000 won for adults and 300 won for children.
The House of Woods charges 50,000 won to 150,000 won. The automobile camping ground costs 8,000 won while the camping ground charges 2,000 won. The nearby tourist attractions include Yongmun-san resort, Jungmi-san Observatory and Semiwon, a garden of lotuses. For more information pleas call at 031-771-7166.
Tips on forest bathing
People in Korea, Taiwan and Japan bask in so-called forest bathing to inhale phytoncides given out by plants and trees for the purpose of improving their health. Forest breathing can relieve stress and fatigue as well as reinforce the functions of expiratory organs. Forest bathing starts in the early summer when trees shows a brisk growth and lasts until the late autumn.
The most opportune season is a clear weather with a moderate temperature and little wind. The favorite time is between 10 a.m. and noon in the spring and summer as the forest is thicker and more phytoncides are eked out.
It is better to stroll along the woods designated for forest bathing and engaging in some exercise for more than three hours, wearing breathable and sweat-absorbing clothes. nw

The Yumyeong-san Natural Recreation Forest attracts many vacationers during holiday seasons, particularly in summer.

Gyeonggi Tourism Organization President Lim Byoung-soo

The Chukryeong-san Natural Recreation Forest is one of the nation's popular natural recreation forest areas where vacationers can enjoy forest bathing for health and scenic attractions.