A wetland where terraced fields once stood

There is more to Gochang's Ungok Ramsar Wetland than a scenic boardwalk. According to Gochang County, local residents once cultivated terraced rice fields here. After the Ungok Reservoir was built in the early 1980s and nearby communities relocated, the abandoned farmland gradually reverted to wetland over several decades. The ponds, grasses and woodland make an unusual story visible: sometimes less human intervention gives an ecosystem room to recover. Ungok was registered as a Ramsar wetland in 2011.

A new walking route in November 2026

News reports citing Gochang County on 12 November 2026 describe a newly completed national eco-cultural trail of about 2.9 km between the eco-friendly car park and the Ungok Seowon area. It comprises approximately 2.2 km of waterside boardwalk and 0.7 km of mat-surfaced ecological path. Completion does not, by itself, verify unrestricted access to every section, wheelchair accessibility or how the route connects to older trails. Follow current on-site notices.

Choose your starting point

There are two useful approaches, and they are not interchangeable. For the reservoir, ecological park and sightseeing train, use the eco-friendly car park at 15 Ungokseowon-gil, Asan-myeon, Gochang-gun (운곡서원길 15). For the restored Obeygol wetland boardwalk, start near Gochang Dolmen Museum at 74 Goindolgongwon-gil, Gochang-eup (고인돌공원길 74). The county estimates about a 20-minute walk from that parking area to the wetland. Do not assume the new trail and the original routes share a single entrance.

Taking the sightseeing train in November

The county lists November–February departures from the car-park information centre at 10:00, 11:00 and hourly from 13:00 to 16:00. Return trains from the ecological park leave at 10:30, 11:30 and hourly from 13:30 to 16:30. Trains do not operate on Mondays, 1 January or Lunar New Year. One-way fares are KRW 1,000 for primary-school children and younger, and KRW 2,000 for middle-school age and above; visitors aged 65+ may ride free with identification. Service times can change, so check the official page before travelling.

This is a place best appreciated slowly. Wild animal sightings cannot be guaranteed; enjoy them quietly and from a distance if they occur.