Meet Hoeryongpo Along the 350-Degree Naeseongcheon Waterway and First Ppongppong Bridge

Daeeun-ri’s River-Turn Village Encircled 350 Degrees by the Naeseongcheon

Hoeryongpo is located at 347 Daeeun-ri, Yonggung-myeon, Yecheon-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The Naeseongcheon, a tributary of the Nakdonggang River, curves 350 degrees around the village, creating terrain that resembles an island village surrounded by land.

This is not simply a riverside viewpoint but an example of an incised meander. The white river terraces and floodplain reveal the processes of river erosion and deposition, giving the site academic value as well. It was designated a National Scenic Site on August 23, 2005.

The 2005 National Scenic Site That Became Hoeryongpo from Uiseongpo

Hoeryongpo was formerly called Uiseongpo. Yecheon-gun introduces the site as Hoeryongpo, designated a National Scenic Site, and the river-turn landscape itself has become the defining feature of the place along with the change in its name.

The village is described as a clan settlement of the Gyeongju Kim family, who lived in Samak Village, Pungyang-myeon. As of January 2024, 12 people from 7 households lived there. Most residents work in agriculture and produce rice under the brand name “Yonggung Jinsangmi.”

Six Daily Departures from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Yonggung

If you are departing from Seoul, you can take a bus to Yonggung from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal. According to the published schedule, there are six departures per day, operating from 06:20 to 19:00, and the trip to Yonggung takes about 2 hours 20 minutes. The phone number for Yonggung Bus Stop is 054-653-6265.

Buses from Yecheon-eup to Yonggung are listed at 08:00, 12:10, and 16:40. Return services from Yonggung to Yecheon-eup are at 13:50 and 18:50. Hoeryongpo Village is about 16 km from Yonggung Bus Stop by taxi. Yonggung Private Taxi is listed at 054-655-0984, so it is advisable to arrange your return time first.

• From Seoul: Dong Seoul Bus Terminal → Yonggung, about 2 hours 20 minutes
• From Yecheon-eup: 08:00 · 12:10 · 16:40
• From Yonggung to Yecheon-eup: 13:50 · 18:50

Starting at the Parking Lot at 203 Hoeryong-gil, Yonggung-myeon

Visitors arriving by car can enter Hoeryongpo Parking Lot as their destination. Yecheon-gun lists the address as 203 Hoeryong-gil, Yonggung-myeon, or 346-8 Daeeun-ri, Yonggung-myeon. The latest official information does not specify the parking capacity or parking fees.

The address provided by the user, 84 Yonggung-ro, Yonggung-myeon, Yecheon-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is not the address of Hoeryongpo itself but that of Bakdal Restaurant. Bakdal Restaurant is known for sundae-gukbap and grilled squid, and its phone number is 054-652-0522. Therefore, distinguish the meal destination from the Hoeryongpo parking lot when using navigation.

How to Cross the Narrow Metal Plate of the First Ppongppong Bridge

To enter Hoeryongpo Village, cross the First Ppongppong Bridge. The bridge was made from metal plates used at construction sites. It is said to have initially been called the “Pongpong Bridge” because water makes a popping sound when it rises through the holes.

An article from 2005 described the First Ppongppong Bridge as more than 80 m long and about 70 cm wide. Since it is recorded as narrow, crossing while pulling a stroller or large suitcase may be inconvenient. You should also consider that Hoeryongpo can become an island when heavy rain falls. No recent notice on access restrictions was found.

Ten Minutes of Stairs to Hoeryongdae, with a View of Sarangui-san

To see all of Hoeryongpo from above, include Hoeryongdae on Biryongsan Mountain in your itinerary. The described route starts at the Jangansa Temple parking lot, passes Yongwanggak, and climbs stairs for a little over 10 minutes to Hoeryongdae.

From Hoeryongdae, you can see Sarangui-san, the heart-shaped mountain in front, as well as love locks and a mailbox that delivers postcards 350 days later. Because the route includes stairs and uphill sections, Hoeryongdae has not been confirmed as suitable for wheelchair or stroller users.

Choosing a One-Hour Village Walk or the 2.6 km Circular Trail

A 2005 travel article states that one hour is enough to look around the village. If you have more time, you can walk the 2.6 km Hoeryongpo Village circular trail, making it easy to combine the First Ppongppong Bridge and village scenery within a short itinerary.

A full hike on Biryongsan Mountain is a separate activity. Course 1 is described as an approximately three-hour route from Hoeryongpo through the First and Second Viewpoints, Wonsanseong Fortress, and Sarimbong before returning. Courses 2 and 3 are each described as taking about two hours. The route from Hoeryongpo to Samgang Jumak is listed as 14 km, about five hours, and moderate in difficulty. It is also recorded as taking about 15 minutes by car from Hoeryongpo to Samgang Jumak.

• Short visit: about 1 hour around the village
• Village walk: 2.6 km circular trail
• Long-distance hike: 14 km connection to Samgang Jumak · about 5 hours

How to Add the Mir Miro Park and Filming-Site Stories

Hoeryongpo Mir Miro Park was created with oriental arborvitae and juniper trees. The park features “Hoe,” an installation artwork depicting Hoeryongpo in stainless steel, and a song monument engraved with the lyrics of “Hoeryongpo,” known from a trot program.

Hoeryongpo Village was introduced as the place where Jun-seo and Eun-seo played during childhood in the drama Autumn in My Heart. It is also known as a filming location for various entertainment programs, including Happy Sunday—2 Days & 1 Night. Since filming-restricted areas and the availability of English information or audio guides were not confirmed, visitors should avoid invading residents’ privacy when filming in living areas.

Free and Open at All Times, but Plan Your Departure First

According to an article dated January 5, 2024, Hoeryongpo is open for visits at all times year-round and has no admission fee. The official Yecheon-gun page does not list separate operating hours, so there is no need to look for a ticket office as you would at an indoor attraction with restricted hours. However, there are only a few buses each day, so calculate your return transportation before deciding how long to stay on site.

For tourism inquiries, contact the Yecheon-gun Culture and Tourism Division at 054-650-6391. The Hoeryongpo inquiry number listed in Korea Tourism Organization travel information is 054-650-6789. The official tourism page is Yecheon-gun’s Hoeryongpo guide. Separate confirmation was not available regarding Ppongppong Bridge access restrictions during rain or rising water levels, cash-only policies, foreign-language information and audio guides, or accessibility information for the entire trail.

For first-time international visitors, it is practical to prepare a way to reserve or call a taxi after traveling from Dong Seoul to Yonggung, and to plan the one-hour village visit separately from the stair section to Hoeryongdae. The 14 km route from Hoeryongpo to Samgang Jumak is not a short sightseeing route but an itinerary of about five hours.