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I was joined yesterday by local expat foodie Joe McPherson of Zen-Kimchi fame, on a trip out to Anyang Art Park containing 52 quirky pieces of sculpture by both Korean and international artists dotted along the rocky river bank and amongst the trees. The park is short bus ride north of the satellite suburb of Anyang, 20km south of Seoul, in a densely wooded valley between the mountains Kwanak-san and Samsung-san. Joe, who lives in the area, tells me how this was once a regular Korean resort place until a flood left it looking the worse for wear. Anyang city decided to go a shopping spree for public art and the resulting park is highly quirky and entertaining.

Pieces include the spinning Dancing Buddha – you can actually dance with it since it spins

the 3-D Mirror Labyrinth

the Anyang Crate House Dedicated to the Lost (Pagoda), made of mulitcoloured plastic German beer crates,

and the freaky Boy + Girl that messes with perspective.

Climb up to the spiral observatory for a fantastic view across the valley, or go outside the park to explore several of the Buddhist temples that cling to the hillsides.

Back in by the river is all the busy commercial activity typically associated with a resort area – it can get very busy here with family outings and picnics on the weekend.

You could check out what’s showing in the Anyang Art Center in a sleek minimalist building designed by Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza or go splash around in Anyang Waterland. Alternatively enjoy mechuri (메추리), quail roasted over charcoal, available at several stalls such as Sunolaepang (수노래방) with the blue awning next the Art Center.