A canoe experience program is set to begin on Namdaecheon, the pristine river in Yangyang-gun renowned as one of South Korea's premier salmon-run destinations.
In addition, infrastructure at the Namdaecheon Salmon Ecology Park will be significantly upgraded to make ecological tours more accessible to the public.
The Yangyang-gun Sports Council announced Saturday that it will formally launch the "2026 Yangyang Namdaecheon Canoe Experience Program" to give both local residents and tourists a healthy leisure activity and a unique water sports experience.
The program is designed so that anyone can enjoy canoeing safely and easily on the scenic Namdaecheon. Participants receive thorough safety instruction and basic paddling training before getting on the water, allowing complete beginners to take part without hesitation.
The program runs from Saturday through October, every Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. along Namdaecheon. Participants can register on-site at a booth in front of the Pongdang Pongdang Water Play Park (226-2 Nammun-ri) during operating hours. Participation is free.
Canoeing is an eco-friendly water sport that builds full-body strength and balance. On Namdaecheon, it doubles as a wellness activity where families, friends and couples can paddle through beautiful natural scenery and create lasting memories together.
The sports council expects the program to give summer and autumn visitors and local residents alike a chance to engage in healthy leisure and community sports, while raising the profile of Yangyang's riverside environment and water leisure resources.
Yangyang-gun Mayor Kim Jeong-jung has focused since taking office on making Namdaecheon a safer and more comfortable place for people to enjoy and find respite. The county has begun repair work on the deck facilities at the Namdaecheon Salmon Ecology Park, located at 94-3 Josan-ri, Yangyang-eup.
The work is a preemptive measure to eliminate safety hazards along the park's walking trails. The county plans to complete repairs on a 140-meter stretch of aging wooden deck supports — focusing on deteriorated galvanized steel posts — by July 13, securing structural safety and significantly improving visitor convenience.
The Namdaecheon Salmon Ecology Park is one of Yangyang's signature attractions, drawing visitors year-round with its stunning natural scenery.
In spring, yellow coreopsis blooms alongside fresh green shoots, and in April a tunnel of pink cherry blossoms lines Namdaecheon-ro leading to the park, making it a popular spot for scenic drives and strolls.
Come autumn, vast expanses of silver reeds and pampas grass sway against a blue sky, creating landscapes that look like scenes from a film. Even in winter, the park's quiet charm continues to draw photographers and visitors alike.
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