Upo Wetlands, home of a 140 million-year-old eco system

Upo Wetlands, home of a 140 million-year-old eco system

Chosun.com Media Report Team media@chosun.com

Upo Wetlands, home of a 140 million-year-old eco system

Upo Wetlands was chosen as one of the top 50 places tourists must visit in Korea by CNN Go. Formed in an ancient time when the Korean Peninsula first came into the world, Upo Wetland is especially glamorous in the transitional stage between autumn and winter. 

We took a road trip to Changnyeong, Gyeongnam for a view of nature's masterpiece. 

<Photo One. Upo Wetlands was formed along with the Korean Peninsula.> 

Dare to imagine the size of Upo Wetlands: 210 soccer fields. In the 1 to 2 meter-deep water, 1,000 types of organisms -- including 10 percent of all Korean plants -- are held shelter. The natural self-purifying characteristic keeps the waters clean all year long.  

Migratory birds flock to the wetlands during seasonal transition periods. The exquisitely preserved nature and abundant natural resources are a full hotel-package to the bird-travelers. In this time around, you can also witness rare species like kestrels and swans. 

<Photo Two. Its well-preserved nature is dubbed, "an alive museum.">

Migratory birds tease each other off in the silver grass field as if they are frolicking in a playground. The wetland rimmed by reeds and lotuses is a scene you'd never want to miss. 

A tour around the wetland is best to use the 14km-long hiking trail which takes about 4 hours to finish. Walk the mud road barefoot, and feel the nature tickling beneath your toes. 

<Photo Three. For migratory birds, Upo Wetlands is a rest haven.> 

Tired of walking? Borrow a bike near the Upo Wetlands Ecological Center, where everyone regardless of sex and age can use the service. 

Bike trails are lined right beside walking trails, so careful not to bump into pedestrians during your ride. There are also some sections that limit bike entry, so be aware. 

You will catch a glimpse of a tall observatory on your walk down the hiking trail. The one and only spot you can see an open view of Upo Wetlands will have you dazzled by nature's beauty in its purest form. 

<Photo Four. Ride a bike along the road and relish Upo Wetlands.> 

At the Upo Wetlands Ecological Center, view photos of the wetlands by season and learn more about the plants and animals living here. 

For a convenient trip, take public transportation. Ride a 30 minute-long bus leading to Upo Wetlands from Changnyeong Yeongshin Bus Terminal. 

※ Relevant Information

▶ Upo Wetlands Ecological Center

-Address: 232 Sejin-ri, Yueo-myeon, Changnyeong-gun, Gyeongnam

-Operating hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed every Mondays and New Year's Day)

-Entrance fee: Adults 2,000 won

-Homepage

English: http://eng.upo.or.kr/main/

Chinese: http://chi.upo.or.kr/main/

Japanese: http://jpn.upo.or.kr/main/

-Contact: +82-55-530-2690

▶ Bicycle rental service

-Fee and time: 3,000 won for a 2 hour session

Gyeongsangnam-do official Facebook(English ver.)

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