Sanjeong Lake

Sanjeong Lake sits in a bowl below Myeongseongsan in northern Gyeonggi, a modest reservoir a couple of kilometres round with wooded hills on three sides. The draw is straightforward: a flat, well-made path circles the whole lake in about an hour, with a suspension bridge, sculptures, a wooden deck out over the water and boats for hire in season, and enough shade that it works as a summer walk. Myeongseongsan rises behind it and its ridge is covered in silver grass that turns in autumn, with a trail up from the lake and a longer loop for anyone wanting a real climb. Around the shore are cafés, a campsite and a few resorts. It was a popular honeymoon destination in the decades before overseas travel opened up, which explains the older infrastructure. Pocheon is also known for its makgeolli and for the Herb Island and art valley sites nearby.

What you actually see

• The lake circuit - the level path all the way round.
• The suspension bridge - the crossing over one arm.
• Myeongseongsan - the silver-grass ridge above.
• The boat hire - pedal boats on the water in season.

When to go

April to June for green and blossom, October to November for the silver grass on the ridge. Summer weekends are busy with families.

Honest expectations

It is small and modest - an hour's walk, not a day's. The resort infrastructure around it is dated. Public transport from Seoul takes about ninety minutes with a change.

Nearby

Pocheon Art Valley and Herb Island are in the same district; the Baegun valley runs north.