[비즈한국] The first reason the name "Yangju" stuck in my mind was because of a theme park. "Doori Land," created by actor Im Chae-moo with his own money, is located in Jangheung-myeon, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do. After hearing the story behind Doori Land on a variety show, I became curious. I’ve always loved theme parks, but the story of an actor struggling with debt yet unable to stop operating it also piqued my interest. Though, after looking it up, I heard it was more suitable for toddlers and young children than adults, so I put the idea of visiting aside.
Even if not for Doori Land, Yangju is a great place to visit with children, such as young kids or nieces and nephews. My acquaintances who are raising children helped me gain confidence in that thought. Have you heard of the National ASEAN Natural Recreation Forest? I wouldn't have even heard of it, let alone visited, if it weren't for a friend of mine who is raising twins.
This place was created with a theme of traditional ASEAN houses to promote friendship between Korea and ASEAN, and to encourage social harmony among foreign workers and multicultural families. While staying in accommodations named after each country, children can enjoy cultural experiences and forest activities that pique their interest. The forest experience, which takes about an hour, is popular, and when the heat wave is intense like it is now, the indoor woodworking class is also a great way to have fun.
If there are children who want to play in the water, the Jangheung Valley in Yangju is a must-visit. Playing in water that is so clear and cool it makes your feet tingle, even in the scorching heat, will satisfy both children and adults. There are many restaurants nearby that serve health-boosting food like chicken baeksuk (ginseng chicken soup), and some places even allow you to sit on wooden platforms with your feet submerged in the cool water while dining, making it feel like a paradise on earth. Jangheung Valley and the surrounding Jangheung Tourist Area are also famous for being the place where Kian84 enjoyed a traditional charcoal kiln sauna in the show "I Live Alone," and where the popular idol group RESCENE's members Woni and Minami recently visited for a shoot.
There is another great place to visit with children: the Yangju City Chang Ucchin Museum of Art. It’s also famous for being visited by BTS RM a few years ago, but don’t worry if your children have absolutely no interest in art museums. Chang Ucchin's paintings are friendly and easy for children to understand. As a master of Western painting representing modern and contemporary Korean art, Chang Ucchin lived with nature throughout his life and showcased a fairy-tale-like, simple style and original colors. The permanent exhibition "Painter Who Resembles a Magpie" and the special exhibition "Visible Lines, Invisible Ties" are currently underway, and if you have elementary-aged children, you might want to keep the exhibition-linked educational program "Click! Stories That Came Out of the Painting," running on August 8, 15, and 22, in mind.
The Chang Ucchin Museum of Art offers a unique experience in its space itself. It is considered one of the museums with outstanding architectural beauty, including the staircase that is popular as a photo spot. Designed by Choi-Pehryera Architects, it earned fame for its architectural beauty early on, winning the 2014 Kim Swoo-geun Architecture Award and being selected as one of BBC's "8 Great New Museums of 2014." The non-typical exterior blends strangely well with the picturesque surrounding nature, and the view through the trees from the Jangheung Sculpture Park opposite, where sculptures by domestic and foreign artists are exhibited, is also truly excellent. You can also enjoy playing in the small stream between the museum and the park.
If you have visited the Chang Ucchin Museum of Art, let's also visit the Yangju City Min Bok-jin Museum of Art located across from Jangheung Sculpture Park. You can visit both places with an admission fee of 5,000 won. Opened in March 2022, the Min Bok-jin Museum of Art honors the artistic spirit of sculptor Min Bok-jin, who was from Yangju. Here, you can leisurely appreciate the works of Min Bok-jin, who established a unique sculptural world that compromises abstraction and figuration with themes of family and human love. The exhibitions "Young Min Bok-jin" and "Form in Between" are currently open, and watching the sculpture creation process in the open storage facility with large windows is fascinating. There are also family-oriented educational programs for both children and adults, so be sure to check them out in advance.
You can also introduce your children to great historical figures. The Tomb of General Gwon Yul is located right next to the Yangju City Chang Ucchin Museum of Art. It is where the tomb of General Gwon Yul, known for the famous Battle of Haengju, as well as the tombs of his family members are located. It is an opportunity to tell your child about history, such as the Imjin War and the Battle of Haengju, and also share anecdotes about his son-in-law, Yi Hang-bok. By the way, if you are an adult struggling because you haven't achieved anything despite your age, look into the life of General Gwon Yul. Won't you feel a bit of hope if you hear that he was a world-weary idler who had no interest in government positions until he was nearly forty, only to realize something late in life and pass the civil service exam at the age of forty-six? Though, the fact that Gwon Yul was the youngest son of a wealthy family, growing up under a father who was a Chief State Councilor, does bother me a bit.