Duchang Reservoir: A Walking Loop That Leads You Back to Prehistoric Times
leads all the way back to prehistoric times
I'm a dragon who walks all over Yongin, and today I'm heading to Duchang-ri, Wonsam-myeon, Cheoin-gu. It's Duchang Reservoir. It was built back in the 1980s, so it's not exactly a place with a flashy reputation — just a neighborhood reservoir holding a wide, calm stretch of water. But sometimes that's exactly what you want. Not a crowded place packed with things to see, just somewhere to walk while looking at the water. Duchang Reservoir is perfect for exactly that kind of day.
A One-Hour Loop, No Pressure At All
A walking loop trail is laid out around the reservoir, easy enough to stroll. It takes roughly an hour on foot to walk the whole way around, so you don't need hiking boots — regular sneakers are more than enough. It's not a course that eats up a whole afternoon, so it's easy to drop by if you happen to have a bit of spare time passing through Wonsam-myeon, and it's also a satisfying outing on its own if a reservoir walk is your only plan for the day. Walking along the loop, you'll also pass a section with exercise equipment set up, and that's probably part of why locals nearby often come here for a stroll. You walk for a bit, stretch out at the equipment, then keep walking — that's the rhythm of this trail.
Meeting Prehistoric and Goryeo Times Along the Trail
Here's the point I really want to highlight about the Duchang Reservoir loop trail. You set out thinking it's just a walk along the water, and partway through you come across a prehistoric menhir, and a little further along, a Goryeo-era three-story stone pagoda. Two different eras overlap along a single reservoir trail, so there's never a dull moment while you walk. There's no formal viewing route laid out like at a major heritage site — you just naturally come across them while walking, which somehow makes the encounter feel even better. If you're walking with kids, it's also a good stretch to chat about how old these stones actually are as you go.
It's a one-hour walk along the water, but prehistoric times and the Goryeo era sit right there together along the way. That twist is the real charm of Duchang Reservoir.
— 🐉 YongiNo need to feel like you're missing out once you've finished the loop, either. There's a fishing spot around the reservoir where you'll often see people casting a line instead of just zoning out at the water, and several cafes and pension stays are scattered nearby too. You can just walk and head home, or sit at a cafe with a view of the reservoir for a cup of coffee, or stay the night at a pension if that fits your plans — pick whichever suits your schedule. That said, hours and prices can vary by cafe or pension, so it's worth a quick call or a check on a map app before you head out.
YONGI's Tip · The reservoir is open at all times, year-round, so there's no need to time your visit around anything special. That said, it's deep inside Wonsam-myeon, so it's easier to get there by car than by public transit, and since the menhir and stone pagoda sit partway along the loop trail, walk slowly and keep an eye out for the signs so you don't miss them.