Seomjin River Bike Trail: Day 2

Day 2 was the day to truly hit the road. I woke up praying for better weather than the first day, and the morning greeted me with a mystical sight. The view in front of the accommodation was draped in a poetic fog, and even the spiderwebs were heavy with morning dew. It was a serene and beautiful start.

Sun, Rice Fields, and the “Pong Pong” Bridge

Soon after I started, the sun burned through the mist, revealing a bright, clear sky. The bike paths were wide and well-maintained. On either side, golden rice fields stretched out toward distant mountains—a continuous masterpiece of nature.

While I crossed many small bridges over various streams, the most memorable one was in the Chimsil Wetlands.

The Pong Pong Bridge (Godal-ri Submersible Bridge) This flat, iron bridge connects Godal-ri and Oji-ri. It’s the most popular spot in the Chimsil Wetlands. Measuring about 100 meters, the deck is filled with small holes. When the river rises, water bubbles up through these holes—hence the name “Pong Pong” (an onomatopoeia for bubbling). Interestingly, these holes reduce buoyancy during floods, preventing the bridge from being swept away by the current.

Seomjin River Otter Ecology Park

The Seomjin River is one of Korea’s five major rivers, famous for its crystal-clear water and preserved ecosystem. It’s often called a “Heaven for Otters.” Since otters only live in pristine environments with abundant food, they serve as a living indicator of how healthy this river truly is.

Final Destination: Hwagae Market

My goal for the day was Hwagae Market. Since my accommodation was a bit further away, I had to stock up on dinner supplies here. On the map, the place looked close to the river, but it turned out to be atop a massive hill! The incline was so steep I couldn’t even dream of riding the bike up or down… but the room was spacious and lovely, so it was worth the climb!

Hwagae Market is particularly famous among Koreans because of a hit song from 1988 by Jo Young-nam. The lyrics portray it as a symbolic place of harmony where people from Gyeongsang-do and Jeolla-do provinces meet.

“Across Jeolla and Gyeongsang provinces, Along the Seomjin River, lies Hwagae Market. People from Hadong (downstream) and Gurye (upstream) Gather every five days to open the market. Come and take a look! It may look like a simple country market, But everything you need is there, And nothing you don’t!”