Chungju Lake

Chungju Lake is a vast reservoir created in 1985 when the Chungju Dam blocked the Namhangang River. It winds between the mountains from Chungju through Jecheon almost as far as Dodamsambong in Danyang, covering about 67.5 km² and holding around 2.75 billion tonnes of water. With mountains that seem to stand in the water, it has become an inland destination for cruises, lakeside walks and cable car rides.

How the lake was made

The dam closed a valley between Jongmin-dong and Dongnyang-myeon in Chungju. Villages and farmland in Chungju, Jecheon and Danyang disappeared under the water, and about 50,000 people are said to have lost their homes. The old town of Cheongpung in Jecheon was flooded too, and buildings rescued from the flood zone were moved to what is now the Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex.

Not everyone agrees on the name. Jecheon, which lost the most land, calls it Cheongpungho, and the Danyang stretch is sometimes called Danyangho. Signs with different names often refer to the same lake.

What to see

• Lake cruises: Boats leave from several piers, including Chungjunaru, Cheongpungnaru, Janghoenaru, Danyangnaru and Woraknaru. The long route from Chungju Dam to Janghoenaru takes about 1 hour 30 minutes and passes Yeongbong Peak of Woraksan and the rock peaks of Gudambong and Oksunbong, two of the Eight Scenic Views of Danyang. From Janghoenaru, the most popular pier, round trips of 1 to 1.5 hours take in Oksunbong, Gudambong and Jebibong Peak of Geumsusan (listed at KRW 14,000 for adults).
• Views from Woraksan: From Yeongbong and Jungbong peaks you look down on the lake snaking between the ridges. On some days mist lies over the water.
• Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex: Historic buildings and monuments moved here from the flooded Cheongpung area.
• Cheongpung cable car and monorail: On the Jecheon side, these take you up to peaks with a view over the whole lake.
• Jongdaengi Trail: A lakeside path on the Chungju side with a suspension bridge.

The dam and the lakeside sights

Chungju Dam, which created the lake, is a concrete dam 97.5 m high and 447 m long, described as the largest multipurpose concrete dam in Korea. It supplies water, controls floods and generates electricity. Around the dam you will find a water exhibition hall, a memorial tower, a rest area and a cruise pier.

The Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex in Cheongpung-myeon, Jecheon, is an open-air museum of heritage moved from the area before it was flooded in 1985. It includes Hanbyeongnu Pavilion and a stone standing Buddha, both Treasures, as well as Paryeongnu and Geumnamnu gates, Geumbyeongheon Hall, Eungcheonggak Pavilion and the Cheongpung local Confucian school, plus nearly 2,000 household objects. It opens 09:00–18:00 from March to October and 09:00–17:00 from November to February, and adult admission is KRW 3,000.

On the Chungju side, the Jongdaengi Trail follows the wooded lakeshore. After the second viewpoint, a steep flight of steps nicknamed "Kkaldak Gogae" leads to the Chungjuho Suspension Bridge, with wide views over the water. The bridge is open 24 hours and free.

Tripto tips

• Where to go: The Chungju side has the dam and the Jongdaengi Trail, the Jecheon side the heritage complex and cable car, and the Danyang side Gudambong, Oksunbong and Janghoenaru. You cannot see it all in one day, so pick one area.
• Cruises: Sailings depend on water levels, weather and season. Check with the pier before you go.
• Time: Half a day for one cruise and one viewpoint, a full day for a drive around the lake.
• When: The lakeside roads are at their best during the spring cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.