Hwajinpoho, Lagoon in Gangwon Province, South Korea
Hwajinpoho is a lagoon in the northeastern part of Goseong County, Gangwon Province, close to the border with North Korea. It sits just inland from the sea and is fringed by pine forests and open fields.
The area around Hwajinpoho was used as a retreat by figures from both sides during the colonial period and the division of Korea. After the Korean War, the region came under South Korean administration and gradually opened to the public.
Hwajinpoho is known as a former retreat for Korean leaders, and summer villas from that era still stand along its shore. Walking through the area, visitors can see these buildings set among pine trees close to the water's edge.
A marked bike and walking path runs along the lake and is mostly flat, making it easy to follow for visitors of all ages. Visiting in the early morning or late afternoon gives the best light conditions along the water.
Hwajinpoho sits just a short distance from the open sea, separated from it by only a narrow strip of land. This closeness creates a mix of fresh and salt water in the lake, which draws an unusual range of water birds throughout the year.
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