Boryeong Daecheon Beach, where the gentle sandy shore of Korea’s West Coast meets Mud Square

Why it developed from a 1930s resort into a 3.5 km beach tourism destination

Daecheon Beach began taking shape in the 1930s as a resort complex for foreign visitors. The sandy beach is currently known to be approximately 3.5 km long and 100 m wide, and its gently sloping shoreline became the foundation of a major beach tourism destination on Korea’s west coast. Records show that an opening event was held at the beach in 1932, confirming that coastal tourism in Boryeong had been institutionally organized since at least the early 1930s.

The beach has grown beyond being simply a summer retreat and has become a setting for regional tourism centered on Boryeong mud. In 2007, Boryeong City reorganized its operations under the Beach Development Office and took charge of the Daecheon Beach Tourist Area, Zone 3 Development Project. The expansion of Mud Square and tourism facilities around the beach can be understood within this long-term development process.

How to walk between Mud Square and Sunset Square in 2–3 hours

Daecheon Beach is generally introduced as two main areas: Mud Square and Sunset Square. First-time visitors may find it easier to navigate by using 123 Meodeu-ro, where the Mud Square Tourist Information Center is located, as a reference point and walking along the sandy beach and coastal road. Since the entire beach is 3.5 km long, a round trip from one end to the other covers approximately 7 km on foot.

If this is your first time seeing the beach, a realistic itinerary would allow 40–60 minutes around Mud Square, 60–90 minutes for a beach walk, and additional time for a meal or café, for a total of 2–3 hours. Even if you plan only a short visit to the shore, the usable beach area may vary depending on the tide, weather, and seasonal safety restrictions, so check the on-site information boards first.

• Mud Square Tourist Information Center: 123 Meodeu-ro, Boryeong-si, Chungcheongnam-do, telephone 041-930-3887
• Beach inquiries: Boryeong City Beach Management Division, 041-930-6810
• Number listed for general inquiries about Daecheon Beach: 041-933-7051
• Total round-trip walking distance along the beach: approximately 7 km

Access from Daecheon Station: 10 km and about 20 minutes by city bus

Rail travelers can get off at Daecheon Station on the Janghang Line and take a bus toward Daecheon Beach from the city bus stop in front of the station. Boryeong’s tourism information states that the route is approximately 10 km and takes about 20 minutes, with 113 services per day between 06:00 and 22:30, at roughly 10-minute intervals. However, these figures are based on the information page, so the actual departure times and route should be reconfirmed using the day’s bus information.

Visitors arriving by intercity bus from Seoul or elsewhere at Boryeong Intercity Bus Terminal can also continue by city bus toward the beach. By car, the most common route is to enter from Daecheon IC on the Seohaean Expressway toward Boryeong. During the summer peak season and festival weekends, public and temporary parking lots near the beach may fill up, so arriving early or using public transportation is advisable.

• Daecheon Station → Daecheon Beach: approximately 10 km, about 20 minutes
• City bus operating hours listed: 06:00–22:30
• City bus services listed: 113 per day
• Via Daecheon IC: enter toward Boryeong when using the Seohaean Expressway

Why you should distinguish the free beach from paid activity facilities

Access to the sandy beach at Daecheon Beach itself is free, and there are no regular closing days. Therefore, no separate admission ticket is required for a beach walk or for enjoying the seaside scenery outside the swimming season. However, swimming zones, lifeguard services, showers, parasols, and other seasonal facilities vary according to the beach operating period. The “free beach” and “summer facilities” should therefore not be treated as having the same operating conditions.

Activities around the beach require separate payment. Daecheon Sky Bike is described as a facility that runs along rails approximately 8–15 m above sea level over a 2.3 km round-trip route between Daecheon Beach and Daecheon Port. Zip tracks, go-karts, and other activities are also subject to each operator’s fees and weather policies. The 2026 Boryeong Mud Festival has been announced for July 24 through August 9, but paid activity zones, performances, and temporary parking arrangements may vary according to detailed festival notices.

• Daecheon Beach admission: Free
• Regular closing days: None
• Sky Bike round-trip course: 2.3 km
• Sky Bike rail height: approximately 8–15 m above sea level
• 2026 Boryeong Mud Festival: July 24–August 9

Walking routes across the sand improved through the 2016 Accessible Tourism Site project

Daecheon Beach was selected as an Accessible Tourism Site in 2016. Through the project, facilities were improved with accessible parking spaces, accessible restrooms, tactile comprehensive facility maps, Braille signs, and rest areas. Information states that guidance facilities were installed at three key locations. Special carpets were also placed across the sand to assist wheelchair users, older visitors, and guests traveling with infants or young children.

According to tourism information, 16 accessible restrooms are marked on the Daecheon Beach map. However, routes through beach facilities may change due to typhoon and strong-wind conditions, winter maintenance, or event installations. Wheelchair and stroller users should ask the Mud Square Tourist Information Center or the Beach Management Division about the carpets, restrooms, and parking areas accessible on the day of their visit.

• Accessible Tourism Site selection: 2016
• Tactile comprehensive facility maps: installed at three key locations
• Accessible restrooms: 16 according to the map
• Accessibility inquiries: Boryeong City Beach Management Division, 041-930-6810

During the July opening season and Mud Festival weekends, plan your time before your parking

In 2025, Daecheon Beach opened on July 5. The annual opening and closing dates may vary according to water temperature and safety management plans, so past dates should not be applied directly to the current year’s operating schedule. In particular, late July through early August may overlap with the Mud Festival, making it better to plan separate daily routes for swimming and festival activities.

Parking is available, but public and temporary parking lots around the beach can fill quickly on peak-season weekends and during the festival. If arriving by car, come in the morning, and if you expect to leave late, check whether nearby roads are subject to event-related traffic controls. For visitors planning only a short visit near the beach, taking a bus from Daecheon Station or Boryeong Intercity Bus Terminal reduces parking uncertainty.

• Example of the 2025 opening date: July 5
• 2026 Mud Festival period: July 24–August 9
• Parking: Available, but congestion is possible during peak season and the festival period
• Official tourism information: https://tour.brcn.go.kr
• Boryeong City general tourism inquiries: 041-930-3520