Korea Cross-Country Cycling Trip Day 5
- Jinwook Chang
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
On our final day, we set off from the Hapcheon Changnyeongbo Certification Center and made our way to the Busan Nakdonggang Estuary Bank, marking the end of our five-day journey across Korea.
The first hill that awaited us on the morning of Day 5 was Bakjin Pass, known as one of the toughest climbs of the entire trip. Without a doubt, it was the hardest hill I had ever faced. For the first time, I had to get off and push my bike because I couldn’t manage the steep gradient.
However, as always, the hard work paid off. At the top, Dingyu and I were rewarded with stunning views of the Nakdong River and even discovered an old, now-unused certification center. After a short break, we resumed our ride. And, just as every uphill is followed by a downhill, we enjoyed a thrilling 10-minute descent, racing full speed and feeling the rush of wind, slowing down only for the curves.
Once we reached ground level, the sight of the Nakdong River flowing downstream was a clear sign—we were getting closer and closer to the end of our journey.
Let me share more pictures from the trip below.
Around 2 pm, my phone was on low battery, so I had to take screenshots of the map instead of turning on the map navigation.
I had lunch around 3 pm first because I was extremely hungry, and second because I desperately needed a charger.
Luckily, the convenience store sold a one-time charger, and I bought it for around $5. I was quite surprised to see the one-time charger because I didn't know there was such a thing. The charger is powered by a small battery attached, and the charger, as the name suggests, cannot be charged. (I saw on YouTube somewhere that it might explode when charged).
After biking for around an hour from the Yangsan Certification Center, we entered the Busan Nakdong River park, similar to Han River park in Seoul but for Busan.
To give you a brief overview of Busan,
Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city and the biggest port, located in the southeast in Gyeongsangnam-do Province. It’s a big coastal city with a mix of beaches, seafood markets, and busy urban areas.
The most well-known spot is Haeundae Beach, which gets packed in summer, and Gwangalli Beach, where you can see the Gwangandaegyo Bridge lit up at night. Jagalchi Fish Market is also a big attraction, with all kinds of fresh seafood.
There are also cultural and historic places like Gamcheon Culture Village, with its colorful houses and murals, and Beomeosa Temple in the mountains. Every year, Busan hosts the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which is one of the biggest film events in Asia.
For cyclists, arriving in Busan—especially at the Nakdonggang Estuary Bank—is the official end of the Four Rivers Trail, where the river finally meets the sea.
What a trip! The five-day-long Korea Cross-country Cycling Trip is now over.
As soon as we arrived, we took plenty of photos and videos around the final certification center and congratulated each other for completing such a tough trip.
After a while, I called my uncle to pick us up and take us to the airport so we could head back to Shanghai, as Dingyu had plans the next day. Although it was a pity that I couldn’t stay in Korea for a few more days, I was grateful that Dingyu and I pushed through this journey together and finished it without any major injuries or mishaps.
We then arrived at Gimhae Airport, where we had traditional sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew) before catching our flight back to Shanghai.
Looking back, the Korea Cross-Country Cycling Trip was one of the toughest yet most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. From battling steep hills like Ihwaryeong and Bakjin Pass to pushing through heavy rain and riding in complete darkness, every day tested our endurance and patience. There were moments when my legs felt like they couldn’t move another inch, but the breathtaking scenery, the random encounters with locals, and the satisfaction of collecting each certification stamp made it worth it. More than just a physical challenge, this trip was about perseverance, teamwork, and seeing Korea in its most authentic form—from bustling cities to quiet rural roads. Despite the sore muscles and lack of sleep, I’ll remember this journey as a rare adventure where every hardship made the finish line that much sweeter.
This is the end of the Korea Cross-Country Cycling Series, and to those who are reading this trip blog/guide, I hope to see you complete this trip soon.
Sincerely,
Jinwook James Chang
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