Yangpyeong: A Thousand-Year-Old Ginkgo, a Lotus Garden and Okcheon's Naengmyeon

Yangpyeong (양평) is where Seoul goes for fresh air. It's an hour east on the train, along the Han River, with water gardens, mountain temples and some of Gyeonggi's most loved country restaurants. (Our Namyangju guide covers the Dumulmeori riverside on the other bank. This one goes deeper into Yangpyeong itself.)

What to see

• Semiwon (세미원) — a water and flower garden at the meeting of the North and South Han rivers. It's best in July and August, when the lotus ponds bloom. A floating stepping-stone bridge crosses toward the Dumulmeori peninsula.
• Yongmunsa Temple (용문사) — a mountain temple below Yongmunsan, famous for its ginkgo tree, estimated at around 1,100 years old. It's one of the oldest and largest in Asia and a designated natural monument. In late October it turns a spectacular gold.
• The Namhangang bike path — the old railway line along the river is now a cycle path. Bikes can be rented near several stations.
• Seojong-myeon — a riverside area of cafés, galleries and weekend houses, toward Jungmisan's forests.

What to eat

Yangpyeong has its own noodle tradition, and its rural restaurants are the reason many Seoul families come here.

• Okcheon naengmyeon (옥천냉면) — the village of Okcheon is known for cold noodles served with big pan-fried pork meatballs (wanja). Okcheon Myeonok is a long-running "hundred-year shop."
• Pyo Misuk Guksu — braised dried pollock with whole garlic and young-radish bibim noodles. It was featured on Heo Young-man's Baekban Gihaeng, in an episode on Yangpyeong's riverside food.
• Jipyeong Boribapjip — barley rice with vegetables and sauces, in Jipyeong, the town known for its historic makgeolli brewery.
• Hwacheon Galbi — marinated beef ribs in Yangpyeong town.
• Cheonggye Sanghoe — a noodle stop in Yangseo-myeon, near Semiwon.
• Jeongbaejip — a country Korean restaurant on the Jungmisan road in Seojong-myeon.

How to plan the day

Take the Gyeongui–Jungang Line to Yangsu Station for Semiwon in the morning. Then go on to Yangpyeong Station for lunch in town, or to Yongmun Station for the temple in the afternoon. Okcheon is a short taxi ride from Yangpyeong Station.

Practical tips

• Getting there: Gyeongui–Jungang Line from Cheongnyangni or Wangsimni, about one hour to Yangpyeong. ITX trains are faster.
• Yangpyeong's traditional market runs on dates ending in 3 and 8.
• The walk up to Yongmunsa takes about 20–30 minutes on a gentle slope from the parking area.
• Allergies: naengmyeon noodles may contain buckwheat and wheat, and meatballs contain pork, egg and tofu.

The hero video above visits several of these restaurants, and every place below has its own video on EatHub.