The Andong Bicycle Path Follows the Winding Nakdong River... 'Jongjugil' Untact Healing Tourism is Super Popular!

Hidden Scenic Spots, Campsites, Experience Centers, and Restaurants Covered in the Untact Travel Trend

Andong City Hall.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Gwi-yeol] The ‘Nakdong River Long-Distance Bicycle Trail’ starting in front of Wolyeonggyo Bridge in Andong, Gyeongbuk, is hugely popular.

The Nakdong River Long-Distance Bicycle Trail begins at the Wolyeonggyo Certification Center and runs 389 km, ending at the Busan Estuary Dam terminus. In 2021 alone, 64,136 riders completed the trail. All certification procedures for each section, including departure and arrival, were completed. The number of riders who visited Andong without completing the entire trail is even higher.

The Andong section of the Nakdong River Long-Distance Bicycle Trail is a total of 37.3 km, connecting Andong Dam, Suhadong by the Nakdong River, Gaegok-ri, Pungsan Bridge, Danho Bridge in Danho-ri, Pungnam Bridge, Gwangdeok Bridge in Byeongsan-ri, and Gudam Bridge.

Along the Andong section, riders can fully enjoy outstanding scenic views and cultural tourist sites with long-standing history at each stop along the gently flowing Nakdong River.

The starting point, Wolyeonggyo Bridge, is the longest wooden bridge in Korea crossing a lake, boasting beautiful scenery day and night. It has become a popular photo spot among the MZ generation. Nearby attractions include Nakgang Waterway Park, known as Korea’s Giverny, a cafe run by a cast member of Steel Troops that has gained word-of-mouth popularity, and colorful moon boats that allow visitors to stroll across the vast lake, all capturing attention.

The next course, Imcheonggak, introduces Lee Sang-ryong, the first Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, who practiced noblesse oblige during national crises. Thanks to the Imcheonggak restoration project, the railway and retaining walls were removed, allowing for an open view of the Nakdong River.

Passing the confluence of Banbyeoncheon Stream, you arrive at Gwiraejeong Pavilion. This is where a heartfelt letter from ‘Won’s mother’ expressing deep love for Lee Eung-tae, the great-grandson of Lee Gong who built Gwiraejeong, was discovered.

Further down the river is Yeonghoru Pavilion, said to have been inscribed by King Gongmin himself when he stayed in Andong to escape the Hong Geon-jeok Rebellion.

Lee Jung-hwan recorded Imcheonggak, Gwiraejeong, and Yeonghoru as famous scenic spots of Andong in his book Taekriji, highlighting the outstanding natural landscapes and cultural heritage available there.

You will also encounter Nakamjeong, a hidden scenic spot in Andong. Legend says goblins settled and built it here. From the cliff’s edge, the Nakdong River can be seen in full view. Nearby are the Andong Nakdong River Ecological Learning Center, where visitors can observe and experience the living wetlands of the Nakdong River, caravan glamping, car tent camping sites, and Danho Sand Park Camping Ground equipped with a children’s playground and trampolines.

Crossing Danho Bridge, you reach the Maae Prehistoric Site Exhibition Hall, which displays Late Paleolithic artifacts dating back 30,000 to 40,000 years BC, and Maae Pine Forest Park, where the river and pine forest blend so beautifully it feels like a beach. During the 2007 construction of Maae Pine Forest Park, Paleolithic artifacts were discovered for the first time in Andong, leading to the establishment of the prehistoric site exhibition hall here.

The final course passes near the UNESCO World Heritage sites Hahoe Village and Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy.

This area preserves traditional Korean culture intact. Despite over 600 years passing, not only the old houses remain, but intangible cultural heritages such as ‘Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori’ and ‘Seonyu Julbulnori’ are fully transmitted.

In 2005 and 2009, President Bush and his son visited consecutively, and in 1999, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom visited. In 2019, Prince Andrew, the Queen’s second son, also visited and praised the area highly.

Must-try foods when visiting Andong include Heotjesabap, salted mackerel, Andong galbi, Andong jjimdak, Andong guksu, and some of the nation’s top three famous bakeries. The most attractive point is that all these foods can be enjoyed near the Nakdong River Long-Distance Bicycle Trail.

Andong City continuously manages the bicycle trail sections by installing traffic safety signs, safety fences, and repairing streetlights to ensure no inconvenience for tourists. Notably, all Andong citizens are enrolled in bicycle insurance, which also covers bicycle accidents occurring outside Andong.

A cyclist who visited Andong said, “Since tourist spots in Andong are scattered, I often missed many places, but coming here by bicycle allowed me to see the true hidden charm of Andong in every corner,” adding, “I highly recommend this course to riders nationwide.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.