Looking for an adventure with almost no people and plenty of delight? Head to DagoMyeon in Asan for a rail bike adventure.
What are rail bikes?
In Korea, sections of old railroad tracks in different parts of the country were turned into rail bike courses. Rail bikes are 4-person peddle cars that ride along the old rail tracks. You buckle yourself in and then go toodle along the tracks. There is nothing fancy about riding a rail bike. Instead, such bikes provide an oddly relaxing and contained adventure. The appeal of rail biking is the simplicity and quirkiness of the whole experience. It’s the arguing about who is and who isn’t peddling. Yelling at each other to use more break or less break. Taking photos of every little thing you pass and videos of you cruising down the course.
Discover the village rail bikes like Asan
The fancy Instagrammers and YouTubes generally go to the same giant rail bike spots. These locations are amazing and worth a visit, but so are the small-town rail bikes. The little tracks tucked away in sleepy countryside villages. The Asan rail bike experience is located in the CUTEST village that is covered with gorgeous murals. It’s like history painted on top of history.
Riding the Asan rail bikes
We paid at a kiosk. You can use your Papago image translator to translate the information if you need to. You pay for 2 people, 3 people, or 4 people to ride a car together. You can’t go alone as far as we know. Lots of families do this activity together. If you have questions about if your kids can ride these bikes with you, contact 1330 and they can answer all your detailed questions.
Asan Rail Bikes
0507-1433-7882
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
충남 아산시 도고면 아산만로 199-7
Railbikes are fun rides that happen around Korea. Guest pedal bikes that ride on a closed line of railroad tracks. Usually 2-4 people pedal together through a scenic area. This particular are is very kid friendly, but also great for a date. Prices: 2 people 25,000 won 3 people 29,000 won 4 people 33,000 won
What you need to know while riding the rail car
After we paid, we walked out to the rail bike area and a person directed us to a rail car. They then explain IN KOREAN how to operate the rail car. Here are the things to know:
- The hand brank is in the front between the chairs.
- You need to wear your seatbelt.
- Don’t stop and get out of the rail car.
- Don’t get to close to the car in front of you.
- There will be a person who jumps out in front of you at the beginning of the ride to take your photo, stop the car and let her take your photo. You have the chance to but it at the end.
- You will need to then break when you come to where the railroad crosses the road. They have a man who directs you and traffic.
- When you get to then halfway point they will turn your car around and send it back on the return track. You will need to break for this.
- On the return, there is a short part that is “assisted” and you will not need to peddle. Be ready for that.
DagoMyeon is a village of murals
Either before or after you take the rail bike, take the time to explore the town and look at as many murals as possible! Here are some locations we think are a must.
Street Life Asan
1970 Mural Wall
Hangul Address
충청남도 아산시 도고면 아산만로 182
A very delightful mural of village life in the 70’s. Perfect place for a photo shoot.
Trick Art Wall Dago
Hangul Address
충청남도 아산시 도고면 신언리 94-2
At the end of the rail bikes is a hidden trick eye mural area that’s very cute. It’s near the lit up orbs past the start of the course.
A cafe recommendation
An easy walking distance from the rail bikes is a spectacularly cute hanok cafe surrounding by lovely murals. It’s a must-visit spot in our book.
I New Cafe
0507-1349-6246
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
충남 아산시 도고면 아산만로198번길 23
A stunning, village hanok cafe near Asan Rail Bikes. Absolute, visual perfection.
A restaurant recommendation
We LOVE budaejjigae and the countryside always has the best. When we are in this particular area of Asan we stop off here for lunch or dinner.
Budae And Duruchigi
A Korean donut recommendation
After you grab your budaejjigae, you NEED to go grab some Korean donuts across the street. This is one of our favorite spots for tasty twisted treats.
Korean Donut Shop
0415336560
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
충청남도 아산시 인주면 아산만로 1679
Some of the best chapssalkwabaegi (Korea donuts). These are simple twisted donuts tossed in a touch of sugar. Takeout only.
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
