Danyang Gugyeong Market, the Ninth Scenic View of Danyang Palgyeong Along the Scent of Garlic

The Market Called the Ninth Scenic Wonder of Danyang

The name ‘Gugyeong Market’ is said to have been created to convey both the meaning of another scenic view among Danyang’s Eight Scenic Wonders and the literal meaning of ‘sightseeing.’ The Korea Tourism Organization describes it as Danyang’s ninth tourist attraction and introduces it as the largest traditional market in Danyang.

The market combines a permanent market with a five-day market. According to a 2025 survey, the market covers approximately 14,034㎡ and has about 120 stores. Minutes from the Danyang County Council mention 107 stores in Gugyeong Market covered by a smart electrical safety service, so the scope of the count varies depending on the source.

When the Sidewalks Turn into a Five-Day Market on Days Ending in 1 or 6

The five-day market is held on days when the date ends in 1 or 6 each month. On these days, stalls appear not only inside the modern market with its arcade but also along the sidewalks, creating a different atmosphere and pedestrian flow from those of the weekday permanent market.

According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the market as a whole is open from sunrise until 19:00, though hours vary by store. Closing days also vary by store rather than being fixed for the entire market, so visitors targeting a particular shop should separately check whether it is open along with the five-day market dates.

Danyang Garlic, Created by Limestone Soil and Large Daily Temperature Differences

The local environment is part of the reason Danyang garlic has become the market’s signature specialty. Danyang lies in a limestone region, and its alkaline soil and large daily temperature differences are introduced as conditions that produce high-quality garlic.

Danyang garlic is described as slightly smaller than Namdo garlic, which grows in warmer regions, but its flesh is firm and it stores well for a long time. This specialty played a major role in placing Danyang Gugyeong Market eighth nationwide in the 2022 recommendation rate for traditional-market travel resources.

What to Choose, from Garlic Dumplings to Black Garlic Dakgangjeong

Garlic dumplings are introduced as a dish made with pork loin, chives, and cabbage, while the dumpling wrappers are made chewy by mixing glutinous rice and starch. Unlike ordinary steamed dumplings, these garlic dumplings contain garlic and are grilled in garlic oil.

Signature foods include whole-garlic chicken topped with fried whole garlic cloves, black garlic dakgangjeong topped with black garlic, garlic jeonbyeong, garlic sundae, and Danyang six-clove garlic balls. Danyang Gugyeong noodles made with aronia, garlic sundae gukbap, and ginseng rib garlic dumplings are also market foods introduced by the Korea Tourism Organization.

Black garlic nurungji dakgangjeong combines dakgangjeong, nurungji, and a rich black garlic sauce. Since it is recommended to eat it while warm, it is better to eat it immediately after purchase rather than pack it and carry it for a long time.

Three Types of Garlic Bread at Danppang Bakery

Inside the market, Danppang Bakery introduces cream cheese garlic bread, a crisp-outside-soft-inside baguette garlic bread, and black garlic cream cheese garlic bread as its signature menu items. These are examples of expanding the use of garlic beyond side dishes and dumpling fillings by combining it with cream cheese, baguettes, and black garlic.

Danppang Bakery and the black garlic nurungji dakgangjeong shop are said to be right next to each other. Visitors planning to try both are advised to join the waiting list as soon as they arrive, then look around the market; registering first can save time. Garlic tteokgalbi is also said to be available for delivery orders.

Three Minutes from Danyang Intercity Bus Terminal and Ten Minutes from Danyang Station

Travelers visiting Danyang for the first time can use Danyang Intercity Bus Public Terminal as their starting point. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, it takes about three minutes to walk from the terminal to the market. The market address is 31 Dojeon 5-gil, Danyang-eup, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do.

If you travel by train, it takes approximately 10 minutes by public transportation from Danyang Station. The supplied information does not provide bus route numbers or station exit numbers, so this article does not arbitrarily list unverified routes or exits.

For visitors arriving by car, the official guidance is to use nearby parking lots. Some sources list Danyang Gugyeong Market Public Parking Lot as having 47 spaces. The address of the free public riverside parking lot is 38, Subyeon-ro, Danyang-eup, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do; Danyang Riverside Special Stage is at 654 Dojeon-ri.

Stairs at the Riverside Parking Lot and Accessibility Considerations

According to visitor reviews of the free public riverside parking lot, visitors must use stairs to get from the parking lot up to the market, and the market comes into view after climbing “quite a few stairs.” Travelers who have difficulty using stairs may be better off not making this parking lot their default route.

Meanwhile, in the Korea Tourism Organization’s Open Tourism information, Danyang Gugyeong Market is classified as a tourist attraction related to accessibility for visitors with physical disabilities. However, specific information about step-free routes, slopes, stairs, English signage, or the availability of audio guides inside the market could not be confirmed.

Free to Enter, but Store-by-Store Hours Require Attention

Danyang Gugyeong Market is listed as free to enter, and no separate admission fee is indicated for general market use. However, food and product prices depend on what each store sells and should not be confused with a market admission fee.

The market’s own representative telephone number could not be confirmed through official Korea Tourism Organization or Danyang County information, but the essentials section lists the merchants’ association number, 043-422-1706. The official website is the Danyang County website at https://www.danyang.go.kr, and market hours are listed as sunrise–19:00, varying by store; closing days also vary by store.

The recommended time for viewing the entire market, store-by-store restrictions on cash or card payments, and whether indoor photography is prohibited could not be confirmed. In summer 2025, the Night Market was scheduled to operate every Friday and Saturday from 17:00 to 22:00, from July 19 to August 16, centered on 13 stores inside the market. Night-market dates should therefore be distinguished from events held in other years.