Sinnam, Korea: The World’s Pointiest Park

On the plateau sat a ring, twelve animal representatives of the zodiac sculpted in appropriate manner...
On the plateau sat a ring, twelve animal representatives of the zodiac sculpted in an appropriate manner…

Sinnam, Korea: The World’s Pointiest Park

By David Rich

South Korea’s Haesindeng Park is dedicated to an important member of the species, without which we would not exist. But a single photo is sometimes worth more than 1000 words. Thus we offer a gallery befitting one of the top ten destinations listed in Lonely Planet’s latest Korea guidebook; a definite must-see when next in Northern Asia.

An enormous member mounted on wheels like a vast cannon...
An enormous member mounted on wheels like a vast cannon…

The Park was inspired by a local legend. The haunted spirit of a drowned virgin, a species now less known than in olden days, hexed the fishing catch. Only fishermen who peed toward the sea could appease this finicky virgin.

Being lazy sorts who preferred activities other than pissing toward the sea inspired the locals to erect substitute talismans, saving them from standing personally exposed in inclement weather.

Upon entry to the Park through a thick bushy portal...
Upon entry to the Park through a thick bushy portal…

The park is incongruously located in Sinnam, a tiny fishing village in the middle of the east coast of South Korea, smack dab on the Sea of Japan. In Korea it’s known as the East Sea and spectacular it is, emerald waters fronting the Park, sprinkled with golden islets that necessitated a lighthouse, authentically shaped and flaming red, standing proud at the end of the adjoining pier.

Upon entry to the Park through a thick bushy portal (I just made that up) sat a quite tall protuberance sculpted from fine wood, a maiden carved at the base, praying upwards. Surely it was a dream.

To the right rose a series of interestingly shaped totems and to the left a hill artistically interspersed with a series of black vertical items behind a double-ender hanging behind an enormous member mounted on wheels like a vast cannon, practically daring every tourist to immediately pose behind it; whoa, an impressive shot for the folks back home.

A double-ender
A double-ender

Immediately ahead stood twenty wooden totems outstanding in their field. A path flanked by figures seemingly angry and in the throes of sartyrdom led upward to a plateau overlooking the harbor and the impressive red lighthouse.

A menagerie of totems with a common theme
A menagerie of totems with a common theme

On the plateau sat a ring, twelve animal representatives of the zodiac sculpted in an appropriate manner, the very ones photo-featured with Lonely Planet’s Top Ten Recommendations for Korea. I had to admit that for a change LP was correct.

Opposite the plateau stood three fishermen vividly illustrating the local legend, a helpless virgin positioned behind them in gaping awe. The Park is complemented by a series of benches and seats faithful to the Park’s motif, providing restful contemplation overlooking the East Sea.

The Sinnam Fishing Museum
The Sinnam Fishing Museum

The Sinnam Fishing Museum

The highlight resides in the basement of the Sinnam Fishing Museum, which exhibits sculptures from around the world, spanning eras ranging from Cavemen (or women) through ancient Greeks and Romans up to the present, illustrating the species’ historical and unending fascination with the subject matter.

The experience is guaranteed to elicit the inherent comedic abilities of each and every visitor

Chortling tourists, of which there were many, consisting mostly of giggling and chortling middle-aged Korean females in front of every basement exhibit and everywhere on the grounds, cackled continuously and uproariously in front of every offering.

One can only guess at what an English translation of their merriment might reveal. I can only suggest that perhaps it was memories are made of this.

When You Gaze in Awe:

That which Lonely Planet calls a quirky sightseeing stop can easily be reached in tiny Sinnam by local bus from any nearby town whether Samcheok to the north or Uljin to the south, fare about $.85. For general hilarity alone entry is a bargain at $2.50, discounted to $1.25 to compensate for the envy of the Viagra set. The experience is guaranteed to elicit the inherent comedic abilities of each and every visitor.

 

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One thought on “Sinnam, Korea: The World’s Pointiest Park

  1. Do you have any short trekking program in Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia), Torres Del Paine and Easter Island ? Or can you customize these three places ? I can rough it make my own meals and sleep in tents or dorm style accommodations.

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