Tamjin River, Jangheung: 4.92 km of Wetland Park and 5 Free Car Parks within 280 m

The Tamjin River runs through the middle of Jangheung town in Jeonnam Province. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, a 4.92 km stretch between Pyeonghwa Bridge and Busan Bridge has been turned into a riverside wetland park. Construction began in 2004 and finished in July 2008. Local people use it for rest and exercise, and a summer water festival is held here every year.

What to see: lotus ponds, paths and stepping stones

The Tourism Organization describes the park as a broad, natural-style wetland on the banks of the Tamjin River, which it calls a first-grade clean river running through the centre of Jangheung. Inside the park you will find a lotus pond, an acupressure foot path, wooden decks, aquatic plants such as iris, an ecological observation trail, walking paths and a fountain.

Along the embankment there is an avenue of cherry trees. Flower beds of pink muhly grass and lotus, and a cycling path, run along the waterside walk. Stepping stones let you cross the river on foot. If you head upstream from the riverbank opposite Jangheung Saturday Market, where the water festival takes place, you reach the Jangheungcheon riverside sports ground and the Jeongnamjin Water Science Museum.

Parking: five free car parks within 280 m

Korea's national parking registry lists five car parks within 280 metres of the river. All five are recorded as free and open from 00:00 to 23:59. The largest is Hyeonnam Palace.

This is registry data, so conditions on site may differ. Follow the signs during festivals.

Swimming and safety

Public data lists two managed water-play points and one danger point on the Tamjin River. The maximum depth is recorded as 1.5 m, and two accident records are on file. A river can change depth suddenly even where it looks shallow, so keep children within arm's reach and check the signs for managed and danger points before anyone goes in.

If you need a doctor

Two regional emergency hospitals are both 0.6 km away: Jangheung General Hospital (장흥종합병원) and Jangheung Uri Hospital (장흥우리병원). The nearest pharmacies are Sol Pharmacy (솔약국) at 0.1 km, and Jungang Pharmacy (중앙약국) and Sinhwa Pharmacy (신화약국) at 0.3 km. All three are registered as closed on Sundays. In an emergency call 119, or 122 for the Korea Coast Guard if an accident happens on the water.

Where to stay

There are 15 licensed lodgings within 3 km of the river: 12 motels and inns, 2 hotels and 1 other. Pensions and farm-stay minbak are registered under a different system and are not counted here. For camping, Haneulbit Arboretum (하늘빛수목원) has a general campsite 4.8 km away, and the Jaeamsan Natural Recreation Forest campsite (제암산자연휴양림 야영장) is 7.9 km away.