- 문화관광
Last week's 1 Night 2 Days trip took us to Cheorwon, Gangwon-do, near Seoul. A place where spring lingers the longest.
Being near the border with North Korea, Cheorwon has retained much of its old-time charm. The drone footage of the Cheorwon Plain shown on 1 Night 2 Days was truly spectacular. Apparently, there are various other sights to see in Cheorwon besides the plain.
Cheorwon Summary
Cheorwon is the westernmost county in Gangwon-do, preserving historical remnants of the Korean division. It was once a major transportation hub in Gangwon-do, but suffered severe decline due to the Korean War. Currently, Cheorwon-gun is known as a national security tourism destination, boasting various historical sites and tourist attractions.
Cheorwon County Office Website
The Cheorwon County Office website offers various information and services. (Go to the website)
Key features include citizen service information, communication and participation bulletin boards, and a family site.
Major Tourist Attractions in Cheorwon
Key tourist attractions include Goseokjeong Pavilion, the Second Tunnel, the Workers' Party Headquarters, Samburyeon Falls, and the Cheorwon Peace Observation Deck.
These sites preserve the scars of war, making them ideal for national security education and historical exploration.
Additionally, you can find more detailed information on the Cheorwon County Office website (homepage).
It seems that while Cheorwon was once primarily known for national security education, it's now being promoted as a tourist destination with a diverse range of attractions, including columnar joints.
The theme of this episode of 1 Night 2 Days is Gungye.
Cheorwon is also renowned as the capital of Taebong, the kingdom established by Gungye. Let's learn more about Gungye.
Gungye
Gungye was a ruler during the Later Goguryeo period and played a significant role in the Later Three Kingdoms period. He established his regime in Songak and founded Later Goguryeo, subsequently establishing Taebong. During his reign, his influence extended to about two-thirds of the country. However, in his later years, he pursued a theocratic absolutist political ideology based on the Maitreya Buddha faith, leading to his expulsion by Wang Geon and a tragic demise.
Gungye's Life
Birth and Monastic Life: Gungye was born as an illegitimate son of the Silla royal family. In his teens, he entered the monastic life and subsequently gained power.
Founding of Later Goguryeo and Taebong: In 901, he founded Later Goguryeo, changing the name to Majin in 904 and then to Taebong in 911.
Expansion of Power Across the Country: Gungye's influence extended to about two-thirds of the country.
Theocratic Absolutism and Downfall: In his later years, he adopted a theocratic absolutist political ideology based on the Maitreya Buddha faith, which led to his expulsion from the throne in a coup d'état in June 918, ultimately resulting in his death.
Relationship Between Gungye and Wang Geon
Gungye and Wang Geon were rival rulers during the Later Three Kingdoms period.
Wang Geon, who opposed Gungye's theocratic absolutist politics, ousted Gungye and established the Goryeo Dynasty.
The 1 Night 2 Days members played a game, with the winner becoming Gungye and the others acting as his advisors. They then participated in games at two other famous locations in Cheorwon. Ultimately, Kim Jong-min, who became Gungye, chose three people to help with rice planting in the Cheorwon Plain. This was the core concept of the broadcast.
Cheorwon has so many interesting sights.
First Stop: Goseokjeong Pavilion!
Goseokjeong Pavilion
Goseokjeong Pavilion is located in Janghung-ri, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon-gun. It's a pavilion built during the reign of Silla King Jinpyeong on the middle reaches of the Hantaan River. It was designated as Gangwon-do Monument No. 8 on December 16, 1971.
Characteristics of Goseokjeong Pavilion
Goseokjeong Pavilion stands on a 15m-high granite rock, offering a breathtaking view of the Hantaan River. This area has been designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark due to its diverse geological features.
Visiting and Experiencing Goseokjeong Pavilion
Near Goseokjeong Pavilion, there's a program where you can take a small boat and get a closer look at the cliffs. The Cheorwon Tourist Information Center provides information about various tourist attractions, culture, and food in Cheorwon.
And the boat tour of Goseokjeong with the 1 Night 2 Days members.
Goseokjeong Boat Tour
Near Goseokjeong Pavilion, there's a program where you can take a small boat and cruise along the Hantaan River. This boat tour is a popular tourist activity that allows you to see the beautiful natural scenery around Goseokjeong up close.
The boat tour costs 5,000 won for adults and 3,000 won for children, which is relatively inexpensive. The boats don't operate on a fixed schedule; they depart as soon as enough people gather. Each boat can accommodate about 11 people, and they have roofs, so you can enjoy the cruise regardless of the weather.
During the Goseokjeong boat tour, we discovered that there are many rocks shaped like animals around the pavilion. The photos below will help you easily locate them if you take a boat tour in the future.
Im Ggeok-jeong's Hiding Place Rock: A rock standing tall in the middle of the Hantaan River, believed to be a hiding place for Im Ggeok-jeong when he was pursued by government troops.
Goseokam Rock: A massive 10m-tall rock standing in the middle of the Hantaan River, creating a breathtaking scene. Legend has it that Silla King Jinpyeong visited this spot.
Animal-Shaped Rocks: It is said that there are several rocks resembling animals around Goseokjeong Pavilion. These oddly shaped rocks enhance the beauty of Goseokjeong Pavilion.
Cheorwon's Scenic Rock: Goseokjeong Pavilion is one of the Eight Scenic Views of Cheorwon and a prominent scenic spot in the area. A massive 10m-tall rock stands tall, with clear water meandering on either side, creating a stunning landscape.
Beyond the tourist destinations featured on 1 Night 2 Days, Cheorwon boasts the Cheorwon Nine Scenic Views.
Cheorwon Nine Scenic Views
Cheorwon is famous for its beautiful natural scenery, and the Cheorwon Nine Scenic Views are among its most representative attractions. The Cheorwon Nine Scenic Views are as follows:
1st View, Goseokjeong Pavilion: We've already introduced this one, haven't we?
2nd View, Samburyeon Falls: A magnificent three-tiered waterfall located in the middle of Myongsungsan Mountain (870m) on a granite area.
3rd View, Jiktang Falls: Nicknamed Korea's Niagara Falls, Jiktang Falls is the 3rd of the Cheorwon Nine Scenic Views, and its grandeur is truly impressive.
4th View, Maewoldaefalls: A 30m-tall waterfall that creates a spectacular scene.
5th View, Sundam Valley: Boasts a beautiful landscape where a clear stream and lush forests intertwine.
6th View, Soisan Jaesongpyeong: Soisan Mountain offers a different view depending on where you're looking. The view from the top of Soisan Mountain is breathtaking. The ecological forest path and the landmine flower path, reminiscent of the GOP, represent the divided history and hope of our nation, making it a popular hiking trail for tourists.
7th View, Yongyang Swamp: An ecological conservation area where migratory birds visit. It was created to convey the symbolic message of the DMZ, where war, peace, and ecology coexist.
8th View, Songdaeso Columnar Joints: The magnificent columnar joint geological formations are impressive.
9th View, Hak Reservoir Dawn: An ecological trail was created around Hak Reservoir in 2013. It's a special place where you can capture the dawn and star trails of Hak Reservoir.
Samburyeon Falls
A three-tiered waterfall with a width of about 1m and a height of about 20m.
A waterfall formed by the exposure of granite that intruded during the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic Era.
Traces of the waterfall retreating in a zigzag pattern can be observed, which is influenced by the joint structure of the granite.
There's a cauldron-shaped pothole at the bottom of the waterfall.
Surrounded by clear water and lush forests, it boasts a beautiful landscape.
Origin of Samburyeon Falls
There is a legend that Samyeon Kim Chang-hap lived in seclusion in this area during the Joseon dynasty under King Sukjong, and it came to be called 'Samburyeon' due to this.
Samburyeon Falls is one of the most famous attractions among the Cheorwon Nine Scenic Views, where you can enjoy the grandeur of the waterfall and the beautiful natural scenery.
Cheorwon Columnar Joints
Cheorwon is a place where nature and people coexist in harmony in the DMZ region. Cheorwon Columnar Joints, one of the main tourist attractions, are located along the Hantaan River.
Cheorwon Hantaan River Columnar Joint Promenade
A top-class premium trekking course connecting stunning cliffs, a suspension bridge, and a promenade.
It's about 4.2km long, taking about 2 hours and 7 minutes one-way. Shuttle buses operate on weekends.
The entrance fee is 10,000 won per adult, but they give you a 5,000 won Cheorwon County gift certificate, so the actual entrance fee is 5,000 won.
UNESCO Global Geopark
Cheorwon has been designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark, highlighting its significant geological value.
The Cheorwon Columnar Joints are a premium trekking course connecting stunning cliffs, a suspension bridge, and a promenade. Cheorwon is also a place where nature and people coexist in harmony in the DMZ region, and it boasts various tourist attractions, including the Cheorwon Nine Scenic Views and the UNESCO Global Geopark.
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