Daebudo Osum, a leisure paradise in Gyeonggi-do

This extensive land, a spacious place reaching beyond the horizon, is now covered with reeds that have just begun to blossom. This hardened land with red Suaeda japonica was once a part of the sea. The area became part of the land after Sihwa Tide Embankment stopped the flow of seawater. Since, it has become a leisure sports paradise, as more lovers of the great outdoors come to visit.

Osum (Island) is in the autumn season. Now, it is not so easy anymore to see the traces of the fame that the island had enjoyed in the past, when it was surrounded by fishing boats and oyster beds. With the reed field, filled with luxuriant reeds that have grown to the height of a man, and the sea plants that still need salty nutrients to feed themselves, the island is now a part of the land that looks somewhat strange. Here, the land has been used as a location for a large number of films, dramas and photo shoots. The hardened land has changed into a kind of natural airstrip and tracks. Attracted by the charms of Osum, people have begun to visit the island to enjoy outdoor sporting activities. They are fascinated with the land itself, and with the winds of the island. Now in 2009, Osum has become a Mecca for leisure sports, of which Gyeonggi-do is very proud.

When seen from the air, the island appears to have the shape of a fish, and thus it is called Osum. Air sports have been developed a great deal here. Maybe it is because there are so many Icaruses that desire to fly in the sky. The most popular sports on the island are paragliding and small aircraft aviation. When the fair winds blow, the sky of Osum is very busy. The whole sky is in all natural colors, thanks to the rainbow colors of the paragliders and the light aircraft that fly in the sky with a roaring sound.

For the first time in your life, you feel a strong desire to fly in the sky. Equipped with safety equipment that includes an orange-colored aviation garment, a helmet, elbow pads, knee pads and gloves, you climb a mountain at altitudes as low as 450 m. For any aviation done by 1 single person, 3 months of training on the ground is necessary, but for two-seater aircraft with a skilled instructor, a brief training period on aviation safety and landing is sufficient. You are struck with wonder by the courage and proficiency of the Icaruses that leap down, one after another. And, at last, your turn has come. The trainee stands at the front of the aircraft and the instructor in the rear. Finally, the southeastern wind blows and the glider spreads itself out to the full, with the wind blowing. For the trainee, even keeping the body steady is not easy, but he or she manages to run forward, although it is very hard, following the verbal directions of the instructor “Three, two, one…Jump!” Running forward unconsciously, the trainee can see their feet pawing forward and backward. This means that in the end, they have succeeded in flying in the sky. Looking around, the trainee knows that he/she is really flying, without a doubt. The fields in Osum look very far away. Around the seashore where the seawater still comes in and out, here and there, one can see fishing boats at rest. The tideland is shining in the glaring afternoon sunlight, and the queer-shaped waterways can be seen over there. Floating in the wind, the glider moves freely, turning to the left and to the right as the instructor continues steering skillfully. When seen from the downside of the mountain, as if just slowly floating, it looks as if the glider is moving at a slow speed. The velocity that you actually feel on the glider, however, is very high. Every once in a while, the trainee’s feet touch tall trees, dropping branches. In the wind, the glider flies rhythmically in the sky to the right and to the left. They say that when the winds are favorable, one can depart from the mountain at an altitude of 450 m, yet reach heights of up to 1,500m. It is really amazing. With the emotions high, the maiden flight goes on with great excitement and joy.

On the island, one can also have the experience of being a pilot. At a site about 500 m away from the paragliding training ground, there is an airdrome, where people can learn how to steer light planes. Three companies (Yemo, Aeropia and BLUE BIRD) are responsible for all training and programs. In the ultra-light planes that weigh less than 225 kg, one can fully feel the changes in the air stream, as the body of the aircraft is small and light. One can feel much joy and thrills, too. If someone wants to steer a light plane, he or she should acquire the “Aviation Qualification Certificate” issued by the Korean Aviation Association. To take the qualification exam that is held once every 2 months, applicants must complete at least 20 hours of flight training. With the growing number of people interested in leisure sports, there are actually many more applicants who want to acquire the qualification certificate for light airplanes. Just like paragliding, having experience is possible, too. During the experience flight, the applicant is accompanied by 1 instructor. The flight begins at the airstrip of Osum, and finishes after the course ranging from Daebudo to Jeju Island.

As well, there are many other leisure sports that one can enjoy on the ground. If you pay just 6,000 Won per hour, you can pass your time in the exotic mood of Osum by renting a bike. You can also freely go everywhere on the island with a leased motor scooter. As well, you can take an opportunity to ride on the uneven ground of Osum on a 4-wheeled bike, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). If you visit Osum with a group with more than 10 people, you can play survival games, too. While fighting against other people, hiding from them and shooting paint bullets, you can feel your daily stress leave you without even realizing it.

Little by little, Osum is changing into an exciting island. Give a new vitality to your tedious daily life by enjoying leisure sports, both in the sky and on the ground. Osum is a small island that has emerged from the sea, and for this reason the changes the island is experiencing seem to be even luckier.

Travel Information

Locality: Daebudo Osum
Address: Osum Leisure Resort, Gopo-ri, Songsan-myeon, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do
Contact: 031-493-9112, www.osum.co.kr

How to arrive:
(In a car) Ansan & Seochang JC ㅡ Wolgot IC --- SR 77 ㅡ On SR 301, turn to the left at the Three Forks Junction right after Sihwa Tide Embankment ㅡ Monument Park of Sihwa Tide Embankment ㅡ Osum Light Plane Airdrome
(By public transport) 
*Suwon Station (On the right side of Aekyung Dept. Store) Bus stop in front of Lotteria:Bus No. 400, No.400-1
*Suwon Station (On the left side of Aekyung Dept. Store) Bus stop: Bus No. 1001, No. 1004
*Take the bus No. 330 for Jebudo at Geumjeong Station (In front of Nonghyup, Exit No. 4) and Banwol Station – Get off at Lucky Mart in Sagang Fish Market in Songsan. Use shuttle bus for Masanpo or taxi (Time:10 minutes by taxi, Fare:10,000 Won)

Notes on the use of facilities and experience programs: Telephone or Internet reservations are necessary. In Osum Leisure Resort, various kinds of programs such as those for survival games, 4-wheeled bikes, bicycles, windsurfing, motor boats, light planes, paragliding and horse riding are available.
Fee: Survival game 22,000-30,000 Won, 4-wheeled bike 15,000-25,000 Won, bicycle hiking 4,000-6,000 Won, light plane 50,000-80,000 Won. Diverse package programs are available, too. Please contact “Gureumsan Paragliding School” (010-3863-0657) for any information on the trainings and experiences related to paragliding.

Near tourist resorts: Gungpyeongri Beach, Jeongok Port, Ippado, Jebudo, Daebudo, Sihwa Tide Embankment’s Fossil Area of Dinosaur Eggs
Recommended restaurants: In Sagang, just 10 minutes away from Osum, there are many sashimi (sliced raw fish) restaurants. At Jungang Sashimi Center (031-357-7219) that has recently become famous after a television broadcasting, you can taste the excellent flavor of Short-necked Clam Handmade Noodle and sashimi that are served in abundant quantity. And, if you visit these days Gopo Sashimi Restaurant (031-356-7052) that is famous for its lobster dishes and roasted clams, you can taste fresh soy-sauced crabs and sashimi.