24 Hours Without a Phone, Finding True Relaxation in the Forest of Yangpyeong - Review of Digital Detox at Atinmaru

A Spontaneous Digital Detox Trip

"I feel like I'm spending too much time on my phone these days," a friend's casual comment was the trigger. When I thought about it, I realized I was staring at my phone all day long. So, I decided to go somewhere where I couldn't use my phone at all! That's how I found Atinmaru in Yangpyeong.

At first, I was a bit worried. Could I really survive 24 hours without my phone? But once I arrived and saw the scenery, I understood why such a place exists.

The Journey to Yangpyeong and First Impressions

It took about an hour by car from Seoul. You take the Jungang Expressway and get off at Yangpyeong IC, and it's just a little further from there. Finding the place was easier than I thought, but there's a winding mountain road at the end, so you need to be careful.

As soon as I arrived, I could definitely feel it. This is truly a different world. The pension is nestled among lush trees, giving it the feel of a real forest cabin. The air was so fresh, and I could hear the birds... the healing had already begun!

The Start of Digital Detox - Handing Over the Phone

When checking in, the staff mentioned, "There's no Wi-Fi in the rooms. If you leave your phone at the lobby, you'll have a better experience." I was a bit taken aback at first, but since I was already there, I decided to go all in and handed over my phone.

When I entered the room, the minimalist wood tone interior was so beautiful. There was no TV, just a bed, a desk, and a chair, so I thought I might get bored at first... but the forest view outside the window was truly the best.

Time Without a Phone, Surprisingly Okay?

The first 30 minutes were honestly a bit frustrating. I kept reaching for my phone out of habit. But after an hour or two, I started feeling oddly refreshed. I read the book provided by the pension, and gazed out the window...

Sitting idly on the terrace was really nice. I could only hear the sound of the wind and birds... I wondered when was the last time I had such a quiet moment.

Special Experiences in Nature

In the evening, I took a walk around the pension. There's a small trail where you can feel the forest for about 20-30 minutes. In summer, there are some mosquitoes, so I recommend bringing long sleeves!

At night, it gets really dark. Stars that you could never see in the city poured down. Normally, I'd be busy taking photos with my phone, but just seeing them with my eyes made it more memorable.

The Morning Forest, A Completely Different Charm

In the morning, the sound of birds was my alarm. When I opened the window, the morning sunlight streaming through the forest was like a painting. I'm not usually a morning person, but here, I naturally woke up early.

Nearby Places to Visit

After checking out, I visited some local restaurants in Yangpyeong. Dumulmeori is 15 minutes away by car, and Yongmunsa is also worth visiting. Especially, Dumulmeori is really beautiful when there's morning fog.

I also tried some local food at the Yangpyeong traditional market, and the acorn jelly and grilled deodeok were really delicious!

Changes After 24 Hours, Honest Review

At first, I thought, "Let's just endure for a day," but when I got my phone back, I felt a bit regretful. Strangely, there was nothing urgent to check? I realized how much I was mindlessly fiddling with my phone.

Even after returning home, I definitely spent less time on my phone for a few days. I felt like my mind was organized? A lot of stress was relieved...

"I realized the world can be this quiet" was what I felt in those 24 hours.

Overall Impression and Recommended Audience

Satisfaction: ★★★★★ (5/5)

I highly recommend it! Especially for:

📱 People heavily addicted to their phones
😩 Stressed-out office workers
💑 Couples who want to have real conversations
🧘‍♀️ Those who need some alone time

However, if you can't stand boredom or have urgent matters, it might be best to avoid it. There's Wi-Fi in the lobby, so if there's something urgent, you can go there.

Next time, I plan to stay for 2 nights and 3 days. It really felt like my body and mind were cleansed. Digital detox trips are much better than I expected!