7 Lookouts in Chungcheongbuk-do That You Shouldn't Miss

Reviewed By SQKrisflyer - Singapore, null

My family and I spent about 1 exhilarating hour on a Friday afternoon up at this skywalk gem that was opened in 2017 and that was selected as one of the “2019-2020 100 must visit tourist spots of Korea”. Getting there and entrance fee: My family and I joined a one-day “Danyang 8 Scenic Wonders, Dodamsambong Peak and Chungju Lake Cruise” tour organised by One Day Korea of which one of the additional stops was the Mancheonha Skywalk (만천하 스카이워크). If you would want to come on your own, the rarely available information recommend to either take a taxi or intra-city bus to Jeokseong-myeon (Aegok)) from the Danyang Intercity Bus Terminal (very near to the Danuri Aquarium). After parking our car, we bought admission tickets (₩3,000 for adults aged 19 to 65, ₩2,500 for children aged 6 to 18 and for seniors aged 65 and above), following which we boarded a bus that took us up to the base of the observatory. I saw people walking up but I would not advise it because the road to the observatory is at least 2 kilometres. The Skywalk Observatory: Upon alighting from the bus, we lifted our heads and gasped at the uniquely horse hoof or slanted egg-shaped Mancheonha Skywalk. It is a 30-metre high observatory that stands over the cliffs that line the Namhan River (Namhangang) and some 80 to 90 metres above the Namhan River. After walking long winding wooden walkway, we then transferred to the gentle sloped spiral walkway of the Mancheonha Skywalk to reach the top of the observatory. At the top of the observatory, you have the breath-taking panoramic view of Sangjin-ri (part of Danyang-eup), the u-shaped meandering Namhan River, three bridges (including a beautiful wave-patterned one) that carry Dangyang-ro, mountains of Woraksan National Park and Soebaeksan National Park (including the 1383-metre Yeonhwabong Peak and 1439-metre Birobong Peak (highest peak)). As the peak autumn foliage was just starting in early November in Danyang, we saw certain parts of the mountains covered with golden yellow forest. But the views are not the only thing that took our breath away! There are 3 platforms measuring 2 metres wide and where the floor is high strength glass with the centre platform being the longest at 15 metres (shape of 3 fingers from a birds-eye-view). While Lotte World Sky Tower holds the world record of the highest glass-floor observation deck, the open air glass floor deck at Mancheonha Skywalk is certainly much longer and much more thrilling because you are walking over the cliff and with the wind blowing at you on a windy day. After you descend directly through the stairs (no need for the winding walkway) to the base of the Mancheonha Skywalk, you could either board a bus back down (which we did), or take the Zipwire (Straw-wire) down (only 2 lines). At more than 50 km/h, the first part takes you from base of Mancheonha Skywalk to the transfer centre (680 metres) and then from transfer centre to the parking lot (300m). There is no distinction between adults and children – ticket price is ₩30,000. You could also take the Alpine Coaster costing ₩15,000 and you have to find out where it is located. I believe the Zipwire and Alpine Coaster will be closed during winter. What I enjoyed: (1) The breath-taking views from atop of the observation deck at about 120 metres, which made me appreciate the beauty of South Korea even more. (2) The exhilarating experience of walking the see-through glass floor platform. Coupled with the open air and the gentle wind, it just like we were walking or even floating in the sky! (3) There is no time limit as to how long we could stay here (4) There was no tourist crowd on a weekday, not even in the afternoon. Do check the weather before you go as you don’t want the rain or fog or mist ruin your trip to this Mancheonha Skywalk that will surely take your breath away at the top...just like it did with my family and me!