Yangyang café for hibiscus iced tea: Cafe Dunchi

I found Cafe Dunchi (카페 둔치) while driving near Naksan Beach, where I had drinks and took an electric boat. What stayed with me was being able to relax while looking at Namdaecheon, then head out onto the river myself.

How far is it from Naksan Beach, and is parking easy?

Dunchi is by Namdaecheon in Yangyang, about a five-minute drive from Naksan Beach. The address is Yangyang Water Sports Center, 295 Ilchul-ro, Yangyang-eup, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon State, South Korea.

When I arrived, the open riverside and exterior that blended naturally into the surroundings caught my eye. The area was quiet, too, so it felt like a good place to linger.

The parking lot was spacious, so parking was easy. I heard that an ecological-park playground has also opened near the café.

At the time of the original post, the café was listed as open daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with last orders at 8:30 PM. Boat hours differed from the café, running from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

What are the indoor and outdoor spaces like?

Inside, the décor was mostly in warm wood tones. It matched the natural surroundings well and felt comfortable.

The window seats filled with sunlight were nice for taking photos.

I especially liked the outdoor area. Having coffee in the breeze felt like slowing down for a while. I also thought it could work nicely for a date spent talking while taking in the view.

How much are the drinks and desserts?

An iced Americano was ₩5,500. In addition to coffee, there were juices, teas, and smoothies.

The signature bakery item, an egg tart, was ₩4,000 each. They said it is baked fresh every morning and sold only that day.

We ordered a hibiscus iced tea and an iced latte, which looked like newer menu items.

How were the hibiscus iced tea and iced latte?

The hibiscus iced tea was tangy with a subtle floral aroma. It was not overly sweet and had a clean finish, so I kept reaching for it.

The iced latte had a fairly rich, nutty flavor. The milk and coffee were well balanced, making it easy to drink. It was relaxing to look out at the scenery while having our drinks.

What are the prices and ride times for electric boats and hwangpo sailboats?

There were electric boats for up to four people and up to six people. The ride time was 30 minutes.

Electric boat prices were ₩28,000 for one to four people and ₩35,000 for one to six people. The round boat was the six-person option.

The hwangpo sailboat required at least eight people and could take up to 12. The ride lasted 20 minutes, with listed prices of ₩6,000 for children, ₩8,000 for teens, and ₩10,000 for adults.

What was operating and riding the electric boat actually like?

Both adults and children put on life jackets and boarded in order. I worried that operating it might be difficult at first, but it was simpler than I expected and I got used to it quickly. You could also connect a phone via Bluetooth and enjoy music during the ride.

I liked moving slowly across the calm water.

It was more about taking in the scenery at an easy pace than enjoying speed. I liked that, and it was also good for travel photos.

What was disappointing about the day I visited?

It was a little cold and overcast on the day I visited, so the view itself was disappointing. I thought the atmosphere would be even better on a clear day or around sunset.

Blankets were available separately.

How is it for a family outing or date?

There were many families visiting with children. Seeing them enjoy the boats, I felt it would suit a family outing as well.

During a Yangyang trip mostly focused on the sea, spending time by the river felt different. Being able to rest at a café and take an electric boat made it memorable.

It suited a day when I wanted a drink and a light activity near Naksan Beach. The scenery was disappointing because of the weather, but I was satisfied with having tea and moving slowly across the river.