What do you think about the West Sea? If you are keeping away from the West Sea because of the oil spill, you are making a wrong estimate. The tourist spots of Seosan, which is located in Chungcheongnam-do, especially make you forget the oil spill. In Seosan, not only will you see the sea, but you also will be impressed by the miracle islet. Also, the migratory birds of 320 species will impress you even more. Take a journey to Seosan which has various sights. -Ed.
The islet which can be traveled to on foot - Ganwoldo Do you know Moses' Miracle? A sea route can be seen in Seosan as well as the story of Moses' Miracle. The name of this islet is Ganwoldo, where the miracle is seen twice a month. The islet, which is linked with the land at ebb tide and becomes an islet at full sea, is mysterious. It feels like a monk¡¯s cell floating in the sea at the top of the tide.
Although the islet is so small that all sights can be seen in just ten minutes, time unconsciously goes rapidly if you see the sight of the temple with the sea. Ganwoldo is beautiful like a picture scroll spread out. Moreover, Ganwolam, which is a tiny temple in Ganwoldo, makes you feel differently from a temple on a mountain.
You have to be careful about the opening time of the sea road because it isn¡¯t always the same.
The migratory birds¡¯ resting place ? Cheonsuman International Birds Watching Fair There are special guests who come to Seosan every fall. Seven hundred thousand migratory birds welcome the tourists by banding together around Cheonsuman. During the fair, which is held for the birds, you can see the migratory birds, which avoid people, when you go by bus. Moreover, the guides explain the interesting stories and information of the birds on the bus.
When the buses, which are going around the reclaimed land and lake, stop, you can observe the birds in detail through a telescope or binoculars. The scene, where the birds are soaring skyward while forming groups, makes you feel rapture. If you go to Seosan to enjoy the fall scenery, the birds will impress you with their charming spectacles on the field of reeds and pampas.
There are not only bus tours but also the Ecological Center which displays the exhibitions of migratory birds. The center consists of a Bird Audio-Visual Booth, which screens the movie of the representative migratory birds and their lively birdcalls, and the Experience Booth where you can make a bird-shaped mast.
Other sights in Seosan If you don¡¯t want to enjoy Seosan on the coast, CBT recommends the Haemieupseong Fortress. The fortress was built to protect people from Japanese invaders in the Joseon Dynasty period, and it is the place where soldiers persecuted Roman Catholics. However, the sight of the fortress, which harmonizes with the blue sky, makes you forget Korea's painful history.
Nearby is the simpler Gaesimsa Temple, which is smaller than other grand temples.