Daecheong Island in Ongjin-gun, Incheon

Jidu-ri Beach

Sand Dune

An island about 190 kilometers to the northwest of Incheon and 25 kilometers away from the Ongjin Peninsula of North Korea, Daecheong Island in Daecheong-myon, Ongjin County, Incheon has around 400 households and a population of 1,000. The island measures 12.63 square-kilometers and has a 24.7 kilometer-long shoreline. Daecheong is presumed to have been inhabited since the Neolithic Age. It was used as a place of exile during the Goryo period. Inhabitation and cultivation were permitted here starting in 1793, or the 17th year of the reign of King Jeongjo, the 22nd king of the Chosun Dynasty.

D a e c h e o n g Island is ecologically very significant. The island is the northernmost habitat of wild camellia trees. Growing on the island are about 100 varieties of medicinal herbs, including “sanggisaeng” which was used to cure the diseases of Queen Munjeong, the wife of King Jungjong, the 11th king of the Chosun Dynasty. The coastal areas around the island, including Dokbawi Beach, have such an abundance of fish species that the island is called an “anglers’ paradise.” A typical delicacy of the island is “pickled sand lance,” of which the island residents are especially proud since they consider it superior to similar offerings produced by nearby Baekryong Island. The Sunjin Port of Daecheong Island is a crowded place. Four hundred residents live there, and especially in the summer vacation season, people flock into this area to enjoy their vacation.

On scores of fishing boats at anchor in the pier, fishermen focus on repairing fishing nets. This scene reminds the onlooker that the area was famous for skate fishing in the 1980s. At Dapdong Beach next to Sunjin Port, a natural sand playground 300 meters in breath shows itself after the water ebbs.

A magic path through pine forest

At the end of the coastal line, sea urchin, abalone and sea slug abound in the sea. Residents say even a beginner can catch a great amount of fish here, enough to eat for a week. If crossing a ridge overlooking the Dapdong Coast, a village facing the sea comes into sight. On the threshold of the village, pine trees, which look at least 200 years old, line the street. Villagers call this street “cool alley” in summer and “warm alley” in winter.

At the end of pine street there is a small port and a small beach next to the dock. On a hot summer afternoon, visitors can escape the heat at the beach. In the water a swarm of fish can be seen giving the exotic atmosphere of a southern country’s island.

Overview of Santan-dong

Sand dune created
by sand blown from China
The most conspicuous attraction on Daecheong Island is the sand dune. Venture over the ridge linking Seonjin Wharf with Naedong and you will encounter a huge sand dune which looks as if it belongs in the Sahara Desert. In fact this area is often called a “miniature version of the Sahara in Korea.”

The sand dune was formed from sand dust blowing in from the Shandong Peninsula of China over hundreds of years. The sand dune on Daecheong Island is much vaster than the famous sand dune on Ui Island in Sinan County, South Jeolla Province. The desert on this island is allegedly two kilometers long and one kilometer wide, but in actuality it is smaller than that. More accurately, it is estimated to be one kilometer long and 500 meters wide.

Wind surfing, sea fishing

On Daecheong Island, there are eight swimming beaches including those in Satan-dong and Jadu-ri, with water as clear as those found on the east coast. Sand dunes scattered along the coastline, and fresh seafood caught in the Clean Water Zone such as allnatural skates, abalones, and sea cucumbers add to the visitor’s enjoyment.

Daecheong Island is regarded as one of the country’s best places for fishing. In addition, the island has green plains every where which make you recall scenes from the movie “The Sound of Music.” Daecheong Island is a very beautiful and unique place with plains, sea and clear sky joining together to give you the ultimate experience of nature.