A Recommended Path to the End: Walking Gangjin Bay Ecological Park
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
On a sunny late-October day, the writer explores Gangjin Bay Ecological Park (강진만생태공원) in Jeollanam-do, where reedbeds (갈대) and mudflats host rich wildlife. From the Nampo observatory the estuary where the Tamjin River and Gangjincheon meet unfolds, with yellow boardwalks, red salt-tolerant plants, and silvery reed heads swaying in the breeze. The park shelters diverse species including mudskippers (짱뚱어), endangered whooper swans (큰고니), red-clawed mud crabs (붉은발망둑게), and otters. Boardwalks split toward the two rivers; choosing the Gangjincheon route leads to scenic reed and silvergrass (억새) stands—note: reeds grow by water and have hollow stems, while silvergrass (eulssae) favors drier hills and shows a central white vein. Listening closely, the mudflat’s tiny sounds and sight of a running small wildcat (삵괭이) bring the ecosystem to life. A local man’s encouragement to walk to the end rewards visitors with a final swaying field of silver grass. The author also encounters traditional “hulchigi” fishing (훌치기 낚시)—a skillful method using multiple hooks to scoop fish like mudskippers on exposed mudflats—revealing the quiet coexistence of people and nature. The route continues along a riverside promenade lined with persimmon trees and offers wide views of Gaudo and Gangjin Bay; the park is a haven for migratory birds and a vivid example of balanced wetland ecology.
