“Camping by a canal?” you ask. Absolutely. Right here at the Gyeongin Ara Waterway Autocamp site, you can experience a unique blend of urban recreation and natural tranquility.
The Gyeongin Ara Waterway itself is quite a story. It is a man-made canal that stretches 18 kilometers. It links the Han River to the Yellow Sea. Think of it as an engineered shortcut. It bypasses the Korean Demilitarized Zone. The canal extends from Incheon’s Seo-gu district to Seoul’s Gangseo-gu district.
But its origins go way back. During the Goryeo period, Choe I tried to build a canal near this very spot. He was the son of Choe Chung-heon. However, the technology wasn’t there yet. Injong, a Joseon dynasty king, also tried. He was also unsuccessful.
Flooding was a major problem for this area. In 1987, a big flood affected about 6000 Incheon residents. The “Gulpocheon River Waterproof Road” project began in 1992. The goal was to control irregular flows and flooding.
One proposal involved digging a waterway to discharge water into the Yellow Sea. Gimpo wanted to maintain a reservoir. The waterway idea was chosen. It would boost Korea’s economy. Hyundai Engineering & Construction was the main contractor in 1995.
There were many controversies. Construction was delayed until 2009. Finally, the Gyeongin Ara Waterway was completed in 2012. The total cost was about US$1.4 billion.
The Gyeongin Ara Waterway aimed to prevent floods. It would improve shipping. Also, it provides recreational opportunities. The main canal is 18 km long. It is 80 meters wide and 6.3 meters deep.
There are terminals in Incheon and Gimpo. Each has two lock doors. These locks raise and lower ships. This allows them to navigate between the different water levels.
There are also “Eight Views of Suhyang” along the Gyeongin Ara Waterway. These include sights like “The Yellow Sea” and “Ara Waterfall”.
The Gyeongin Ara Waterway Autocamp puts you right in the middle of all this. Imagine camping by this impressive waterway. You can explore its history. You can enjoy its recreational activities. You can relax in nature. It is all here waiting for you.
Beside the Gyeongin Ara Waterway is a 41.3 km bicycle path. You can rent a bike. There are five rental shops along the canal.
The Ara Marina has facilities for yachts. It also has a ship gas station. Also, there is a ship repair shop. The Ara Marine Center has a convention center. It even has a wedding hall and a restaurant.