Starway Hadong: Reading the Seomjin River and Pyeongsari Fields from a 390-Meter Star-Shaped Path

Three Directions of Akyang from 390 m in a Star Shape, 150 m Above the Seomjin River

Starway Hadong is a café and skywalk observation facility located at 3358-110 Seomjingang-daero, Akyang-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. Centered around the café building, it has a 390 m-long walkway about 20 m above ground, equivalent to approximately 150 m above the surface of the Seomjin River. Its star-inspired structure gave it the name “Starway.”

The highlight is not merely the river view in one direction. To the east, the wide Pyeongsari Fields—the setting of Park Kyong-ni’s epic novel The Land—stretch out, while the Seomjin River winds below and the Jirisan mountain range extends from Baegunsan to Nogodan in the southwest. The skywalk and the stepped terrace in front of the café each serve as observation decks at different heights.

Why the 830,000-Pyeong Pyeongsari Fields and the Setting of The Land Fit into One Frame

The key feature of Pyeongsari in Akyang-myeon, where Starway Hadong stands, is the terrain formed by broad fields between the mountains and river. Tourist information materials describe approximately 830,000 pyeong of Pyeongsari Fields spreading to the east, and these fields are widely known as the spatial setting of The Land. Thus, although this is a modern observation facility, the landscape within view reflects everyday Akyang, where farmland, river, and mountain ridges overlap.

After viewing the scenery, allow about five minutes by car to reach Choi Champan’s House. It is described as approximately 1.04 km from Starway, while Hansansa is about 0.30 km away, the Pyeongsari Fields about 0.56 km away, and Hadong Goseong Fortress about 0.59 km away. The same landscape can be viewed from the high perspective of the skywalk and from the lower perspective near a traditional Korean house’s wooden veranda and the fields.

18:00 from March to October and 17:00 from November to February: Match Your Visit to the Seasonal Closing Time

The skywalk’s standard operating hours are 09:30–18:00 from March to October and 09:30–17:00 from November to February, and it is listed as open year-round. From April to September, evening hours are offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with visits available until 21:00. However, routes and hours may change depending on weather, safety conditions, and local events, so it is safest to confirm by phone before departure.

The café is generally listed as open from 09:30 to 22:00, but it may operate flexibly depending on skywalk conditions and local events. If you plan to visit only the observation facility, use the seasonal skywalk closing time as your Reference, and if arriving late in the afternoon, it is advisable to confirm whether ticket sales have ended by calling 055-884-7410~11. The official website is https://www.starwayhadong.com/.

• Skywalk, March–October: 09:30–18:00
• Skywalk, November–February: 09:30–17:00
• Evening hours, Fridays–Sundays from April to September: Listed as open until 21:00
• Café: 09:30–22:00, with flexible operation possible

Adult Admission: KRW 3,000; Café Charges Separate—What to Know Before Buying a Ticket

Admission to the skywalk costs KRW 3,000 for adults and KRW 2,000 for teenagers and children. Infants under six and lodging guests are listed as admitted free of charge. Café drinks are charged separately from admission, so it is best to decide before purchasing a ticket whether you will only view the scenery or also buy a drink, and plan your budget accordingly.

Reviews repeatedly express satisfaction with the views and photo spots, while some visitors also found the admission fee and separate beverage purchase burdensome. Reviews from 2025 mention that walking was difficult on windy days and that the metal walkway surface was uncomfortable with platform shoes. If you are uncomfortable with heights or structures that allow views of the ground below, visiting on a day with light winds and wearing sneakers is preferable.

A 1.2 m-Wide Walkway and an 83 m Ramp: A Place Where Walking Stability Comes Before Stroller Convenience

According to publicly available facility information, the ramp connection section is 83 m, the deck road is 1.2 m wide and 127 m long, and the steel road is 1.2 m wide and 180 m long, making the total length 390 m. Although it is possible to see the views in a short time, the route includes ramps and metal walking surfaces, so shoes that support the ankles are practical.

The parking lot is described as accommodating approximately 100 small vehicles and 20 large vehicles, and parking is available. However, stroller rentals are not available, and pets are reportedly not permitted. Public information did not confirm whether wheelchairs and strollers can travel the entire route or whether foreign-language assistance is available, so if needed, it is advisable to call before visiting to ask about the route, elevators, and availability of support staff.

A 2–3-Hour Half-Day in Akyang Linking Hadong Goseong Fortress, Choi Champan’s House, and Pyeongsari Park

For Starway Hadong itself, allowing approximately 40–60 minutes for taking photos, completing one circuit of the skywalk, and deciding whether to use the café should be sufficient. Nearby Choi Champan’s House is about 1.04 km away, Pyeongsari Park about 1.81 km away, and the Jirisan Ecological Science Museum is located at 3358-30 Seomjingang-daero, making it convenient to combine these destinations by car.

For a half-day itinerary, a realistic plan would allocate one hour to Starway Hadong in the morning or early afternoon, at least one hour to Choi Champan’s House and the Toji Literature Museum, and around 30 minutes to Pyeongsari Park. Hadong Goseong Fortress is described as being about 10 additional minutes uphill along a sloping road from Starway Hadong, so add it only if the incline is manageable. Since reliable, up-to-date information on exact public-transit bus numbers, stops, and walking times could not be confirmed, it is safer to plan around access by private car or taxi.

Three Recurring Considerations in 2025 Reviews: Wind, Photos, and Cost

Visitor reviews from 2025 frequently mentioned the panoramic view of the Seomjin River and Pyeongsari Plain, the many photo spots, and the colors of the autumn fields as advantages. In particular, an October review mentioned seeing golden fields, so if you want to see the landscape around the rice harvest, it is appropriate to check local crop conditions and the weather during October before choosing when to visit.

Conversely, some reviews found the elevated outdoor walkway burdensome in strong winds, and others were disappointed by the combination of the admission fee and café costs. Therefore, if your purpose is sightseeing and photography, do not consider purchasing a drink essential. Travelers who do not want heights, strong winds, or an extended café visit may be better served by centering their itinerary on Choi Champan’s House and Pyeongsari Park and making Starway only a brief stop.