Muchangpo Beach

Muchangpo is a modest beach south of Daecheon in Boryeong, and its reason for existing on any itinerary is the sea parting - on a handful of days each month around the largest tides, the water withdraws far enough to expose a ridge of seabed about a kilometre and a half long connecting the shore to Seokdaedo, the small island offshore, and people walk out on it collecting shellfish and seaweed until the tide turns. This is the same phenomenon as at Jindo but on a smaller scale and with far fewer people. The dates are published in advance by the district and cluster around the full and new moon; outside them there is nothing to walk on. The beach itself is firm brown sand backed by an old pine grove planted as a windbreak, with a small harbour and seafood restaurants. Boryeong's better-known Daecheon beach, host of the mud festival, is twenty minutes north.

What you actually see

• The sea road - the exposed ridge out to Seokdaedo.
• The shellfish gathering - people working the seabed on the walk.
• The pine windbreak - the old grove behind the sand.
• The harbour - boats and seafood restaurants alongside.

When to go

Only on the published parting dates, which cluster around the largest tides - check the Boryeong calendar before travelling, since on any other day there is no sea road at all.

Honest expectations

Outside the parting dates there is nothing unusual to see. The returning tide is fast and the ridge is muddy and slippery - keep to the timings. Facilities are basic.

Nearby

Daecheon beach and the mud festival site are 20 minutes north; Taean is further up the coast.