Gyeonggi Camping festival in Pocheon – a worthy experience

Gyeonggi Camping festival in Pocheon – Tents

Every new day in Korea, for me, is a learning escapade. For somebody who grew up in a relatively small town in Ghana, it never crossed my mind that I would ever experience real camping. I only saw them in movies and television shows. Even that, what you see is the fully set up camp.

I had perceived such campsites on the screens to be some sort of upgraded no-electricity village setting I was exposed to in Ghana. I may be wrong, but I can’t recall hearing a ‘typical’ Ghanaian family planning for a weekend getaway by camping before, not to talk of a camping festival.

It has long been on my tall list of #MustTry adventures in Korea. Camping is a commonplace in the Korean society. The average family or self-sustaining youth can afford a period of this venture at least once in a year. It is a westernized culture and best enjoyed during summer, when the weather is very convivial.

That is why when I had the rare privilege to be selected by the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (GTO) to participate in a weekend camping festival in Pocheon, I jumped for joy. This summer junket camping was created and hosted in collaboration between the Gyeonggi Toursim Organization and Pocheon Camping First.

Early Saturday morning, I organized a few vacation accoutrement into my orange backpack, picked two fully-charged power banks (in case I run out battery life on my phone), phone charger, dressed up in an aquamarine Lacoste shirt over a veritable wax cloth pants, added my camera and stepped out. I joined seven other campers for the trip.

Pocheon, a small landlocked city located in the Gyeonggi Province of Korea, was the destination. What excited me on the almost 120-minute trip was the natural beauty, portrayed in the breathtaking mountainous views surrounding the highways.

Gyeonggi Camping festival in Pocheon – Site view

I was already captivated and anticipated a great weekend camp. After intermittent sleep and dozes, the next voice I heard was, Williams, wake up, we have arrived. Oh, it wasn’t the camp venue but rather Beoseotgol Iseulbi Garden in the county. We had stopped by to enjoy a local Korea dish for lunch.

Yet, another delicacy experience. We were treated to Mushroom Shabu Shabu. To say it was sumptuous would be an understatement. I have to try it again.

The team finally touched down at the Bidulginang Campsite in Pocheon. You’ve got to love Korean Tourism. I was very impressed by the spectacle at the campground. As we unpacked from the mini-van, I looked around to take a few shots.

At the festival camp area, there were playgrounds, campers scattered all over the area, food tents, drinks tents, toilet amenities and a dais for scheduled performances. Families had settled in and were enjoying the fresh air from the greenery surroundings. Kids played around. It felt reposeful.

Gyeonggi Camping festival in Pocheon

The expert camper and leader amongst us installed the first tent, placed a few items under the shade before we moved away to the Bidulginang waterfalls. The finesse with which he set up the tent amazed me. I then realized there was more to it than I thought.

Gyeonggi Camping festival in Pocheon -Tents setup

Gyeonggi Camping festival in Pocheon

We embarked on a docent-guided tour of the famous waterfalls in the region. The falls is hidden away in a basalt canyon on the Hantangang River so there are a long steps that descend into the location. The Bidulginang waterfalls is a centerpiece natural site on the Hantangang River overlooking the Bulmusan Mountain. The cascade isn’t particularly high nor wide, but it empties out into a misty, blue-green pool surrounded by silver cliffs and lush vegetation. It is such a beautiful scene. I also learned it is a famous location for some popular Korean drama scenes. A Korean Air commercial was even shot there.

Gyeonggi Camping in Pocheon – Tour guide at the Bidulginang falls

Gyeonggi Camping in Pocheon – Campers ready for the falls tour

On return from the falls to our campground, I decided to feed my curiosity by watching closely our humdinger of a camp leader put up our campsite. He meticulously laid down all the parts and fixed them in a systematic pattern. Eventually, our bedroom tents and cooking tents were also erected. The site was complete with a barbecue set as well, for the moonlight party.

Gyeonggi Camping in Pocheon – Bidulginang Falls

Gyeonggi Camping in Pocheon – Hangtang River

In order to participate in the Potluck party which includes food showcase, we visited the Uncheon Traditional market nearby to purchase local foodstuff. One team prepared chicken and potatoes mixed sauce with vegetable accompaniment. The other team also made banana pancakes with cooked apple sauce. For our presentation, we received camping souvenirs from the organizers.

Gyeonggi Camping in Pocheon – food preparation

Gyeonggi Camping in Pocheon – Food preparation

So much to accomplish in a day right? The best was yet to come.

We trooped to the festival arena to enjoy the musical performances. After their last acoustic tune, the 4-member Pitch High band joined our campsite for a barbecue. Who doesn’t like food and drinks, more so under moonlight? The weather was getting cold, yet very breezy due to the trees. Chit chatting, eating drinking and making acquaintances formed most part of the night. I couldn’t wish for anything better.

Somebody needs to remind me put up a full post about Korean barbecue later.

Gyeonggi Camping in Pocheon – Pitch-High band performance

Gyeonggi Camping in Pocheon – Barbecue with Pitch-High band

I can’t readily remember the time I slipped into my tent and fell into slumber. I woke up Sunday to a prepared breakfast, whilst I breathed fresh air and looked into the sublime scenic mountains.

The tents were folded up after tidying up the campground. We bid a fond farewell to Pocheon Bidulginang Campsite and headed for Seoul.

Truthfully, I felt rejuvenated, with my head up as we departed the scene. I just needed that to spur me to complete my Thesis proposal back in school.

Thanks to Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, the organizers and our managers on this trip. You gave me a deserving weekend retreat. Now, I have an idea how to organize a camp in my country.

Wait a minute! Did you wonder what came of my power banks and phone charger? Was there electricity and the likes? Well, I never got to use the power banks because each campsite has an installed power station with multi-sockets to power any electrical gadget. There is a pension nearby for tourist.

Gyeonggi Camping in Pocheon – Power station

As my colleagues on the trip jokingly said, “wow, this is high-tech camping.” That is not all, we could also connect easily to FREE-Wifi signals at the campsite. It enabled me to even post a photo on Facebook and communicate through the internet.

Don’t be surprised, this is Korea, South Korea; the country of piquant Kimchi and high-technology. Why don’t you visit to feel it too?

Gyeonggi Camping in Pocheon

Take a look at the sights and scenes from Pocheon Camping.

Gyeonggi Camping festival in Pocheon – Mushroom Shabu Shabu

Gyeonggi Camping festival in Pocheon

Gyeonggi Camping festival in Pocheon – Mushroom Shabu Shabu

Gyeonggi Camping festival in Pocheon

Gyeonggi Camping festival in Pocheon – Bidulginang Falls

Gyeonggi Camping festival in Pocheon

#2015GGSupporters #GTO #GyeonggiProvince #Gyeonggi-do #Pocheon #Camping #Festivals #MustVisit #VisitKorea #TouringKorea #ExperienceCulture #MustSee

Travel review by: Williams Kyei

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GG Tour is the official blogsite of the Gyeonggi-do Tourism Organization - GG Supporters program. It aims to introduce tourism spots in Gyeonggi-do Province and provide information to make your travel here more convenient and fun.

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About GGTour

The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization is a governmental organization funded by the Gyeonggi-do provincial government that aims to establish Gyeonggi-do as a dynamic business events destination where people, technology and ideas converge to create great value and a memorable experience for customers.

As the lead quasi-government organization in the tourism and business events sector in Gyeonggi-do, the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization assists business event organizers, corporations and associations by providing comprehensive and impartial information on Gyeonggi-do’s meeting and exhibition facilities, incentive venues and industry partners.