These days, it has become difficult to go out on weekends due to COVID-19, but we drove to Jangheung Nature Recreation Forest in Yangju, where we can see sculptures of famous artists without leaving the car.

[Entrance of Gyunsaeng Sculpture exhibition]

After 10 minutes from Songchu IC on the Seoul Outer Ring Expressway, we arrived at an art theme park that includes Songchu Art Valley created by Crown Haitai. The drive-through Gyunsaeng art exhibition has about 100 works of the Gyunsaeng art exhibition and 30 works of the Arirang Awards. It is said that the name Gyunsaeng Sculpture Exhibition was given after a visitor who saw the exhibition held at Severance Hospital in 2017 said, "Looking at the sculpture, I can feel the life rising." As soon as we arrived, we purchased an admission ticket from the non-face-to-face booth and entered the exhibition.

[Notice in front of the ticket booth]

As soon as I opened the window for the first time to purchase tickets at the ticket booth, I had to adjust my coat again so that the cold wind would no longer bother me. As we went up the hill according to the direction written on the information cover, we found a snowflake festival which was under preparation to open, and when we turned right on the road, we found an electronic display board and a vending machine that automatically gives out brochures.

[Information Desk of Snowflake Festival]

[Brochure Vending Machine]

According to the information book we read before departure, the road is divided into Dongrakdo Island and Cheongnakdo Island, which allows us to drive around and enjoy the 1.2km course with no rush. Before we left, I was worried about traffic jams and accidents but there were not many visitors, and entry and exit were well divided and it allowed us to enjoy the exhibition comfortably. Along the road, you can see that the size of the work and signs indicating the name of the work, the artist, and the year of the work under the work are different. It was an ideal look that could only be seen in an open outdoor space rather than an indoor exhibition in a narrow space. As the size of the artwork increases, very few artists can participate in a narrow space because it costs money to rent space. However, such outdoor exhibitions have the great advantage of pleasing the eyes of visitors and allowing artists to engage in creative activities without restrictions.

[choi’s puppy, Sticking out the tongue]

[The apple of Paris]

[Watch the sky]

[Morning Dew, Ddakji Man]

When we enjoyed the artwork to some extent, we arrived at Pig Square with a parking observatory, toilets, and a small unmanned vending machine. The toilets were small, but they were not inconvenient as there were not many people. The vending machine was filled with plenty of drinks and snacks. Also, there was a change machine nearby so we could enjoy the shelter. I parked my car between the yellow information stickers on the observatory and soothed my hungry stomach with snacks and drinks then moved back to the car to appreciate the artwork.

[Vending Machine House]

On the street from Pig Square, we could find a sky bridge with fish mobiles hanging on it. The colors of the mobiles blended well with the surrounding tree branches and it felt like we were looking at the sea in the mountains. Branches are withered because it is winter now, but if you come here in the season when the leaves are green, you will be able to enjoy much more wonderful scenery.

[Sky Bridge with Fish Mobiles]

You will end up in the dung beetle square when you follow the artwork that is connected to the sky bridge. The dung beetle square, which you can see after parking your car at the observatory and walking a bit, enjoying the wonderful scenery of the natural recreation forest, is a geodesic dome-shaped lounge with a structure that can withstand earthquakes and winds. So it provides heating in winter and shade in summer. Colorful chairs, wooden tables, beverage, and snack vending machines, and seasonal customized temperatures provide sufficient rest.

[Outside of the Geodesic dome lounge]

[Inside of the Geodesic dome lounge]

We drove along the winding road starting with the sculpture of two beasts which we saw as leaving the dung beetle square behind. As we drove, we left Dongrakdo Island and entered Cheongrakdo Island, where large artworks are displayed. We drove slowly, maintaining a speed of 5km per hour, and moved to the slow section while paying attention to safety.

[2 Beasts at the end of Dongrakdo Island리]

[Sign to approach Pungak-ro]

As we moved, the size of the artworks got larger and the road got narrower, so we had to move slowly. As we went, we could see the letters indicating Art Valley, and this place is a long tunnel, so we walked to the entrance. Unlike the outside scenery, it was a closed and quiet place, but it was the only place where I could think alone. After we finished the tour, we came out to the entrance where we entered again, paid the entrance fee with a card, and went out to find a restaurant for wood barbecue.

[Outside of Art Valley tunnel]

[Inside of Art Valley tunnel]

[Contactless Ticket Machine]

All the side dishes of the restaurant were as delicious as if they were made by my grandmother. The ssam with vegetables grown in the front yard garden and smoked meat balanced out the greasiness and added a savory taste, allowing us to enjoy the meal. The coffee they gave us for free when we finished our meal was perfect to cleanse our pallet.

[The meal and side dishes]

[Assorted wood barbecue]

If you enjoy the scenery of nature and sculptures at the drive-through exhibition in Yangju's clean nature and spend the day having a smoked barbecue, you will be able to escape from your tiring daily life because of COVID-19 and restore your tired mind and body.

Jangheung Art Valley Gyunsaeng Art Exhibition

1. Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00-20:00 (Last entry at 19:30)

2. Admission fee: 5,000 won on weekdays and 7,000 won on weekends

3. Parking: 1,000 won per 10 minutes

4. Inquiry : 031-855-3010

5. Location: 239 Gamagol-ro, Jangheung-myeon, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do (Bugok-Ri)