[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Explore these dragon-featured destinations in the spirit of the Lunar New Year holiday
With the Lunar New Year holiday starting today and the year 2024 corresponding to the Year of the Blue Dragon, the Korea JoongAng Daily recommends four dragon-featured travel spots in Korea from Gangwon to Jeju.
Biryong Falls
비룡폭포
To visit Biryong Falls, you can either walk along the trail or hop onto a cable car from a ticket booth five minutes away by foot from the entrance of Mount Seorak National Park. The round-trip ticket costs 15,000 won ($11.3) for passengers who are middle school students and above.
More waterfalls are available within a three-hour trip with Towangseong Falls and Yukdam Falls nearby.
Seoraksan-ro, Sokcho, Gangwon
(강원도 속초시 설악산로)
Mount Gyeryong
계룡산
Mount Gyeryong in South Chungcheong overlooks Gyeryong National Park and stands at 845 meters. The mountain's border touches four cities — Gongju, Gyeryong, Nonsan and Daejeon. The mountain's Sambul Peak, at 777 meters, and Gwaneum Peak, at 766 meters, unravel breathtaking views of a dragon-like ridgeline.
Gye is the Chinese character for chicken, so the mountain's name technically translates to "chicken dragon mountain." The name is derived from the shape of the ridgeline that resembles a moving dragon with a chicken comb. According to pungsu jiri, the Korean practice of feng shui, or geomancy, the mountain contains extremely holy and positive vibes and therefore was the site of many ancestral rituals.
Mount Gyeryong is home to three main Buddhist temples — Donghak Temple, the oldest study temple for female monks in Korea, Gap Temple and Shinwon Temple. Donghak Temple is the peak mountain base where the hike starts. The climb is mostly moderate apart from some rugged, rocky trails but during the winters the slope may be slippery.
Gyeryong-myeon, Gongiu, South Chungcheong
(충청남도 공주시 계룡면 일원)
Website: https://www.knps.or.kr/front/portal/visit/visitCourseMain.do?parkId=120200&menuNo=7020086
Guryongpo
구룡포
"A port village where nine dragons ascended to heaven" is the literal translation of Guryongpo in Pohang, North Gyeongsang. A large installation of nine entangled dragons is perched on the hill of Guryongpo Park.
Guryongpo Japanese House Street
구룡포 일본인 가옥거리
153-1, Guryongpo-gil, Nam District, Pohang, North Gyeongsang
(경상북도 포항시 남구 구룡포읍 구룡포길 153-1)
Yongmeori Coast
용머리해안
However, the origin of the coast tells a completely different story. Millions of years ago, a hydrovolcanic eruption created a coast and its unusual shape. Bolstering that theory, Mount Sanbang and Yongmeori Coast were formed at different ages and differ in geological characteristics as well.
Despite the dissimilarity between the legend and the formation, a 20-meter wall of sedimentary layers presents an admirable landscape. The entrance is only open during the low tide. The entrance fee is 2,000 won for adults. Before visiting, make sure to check the official social media accounts where operation times are announced. You can also call.
@6sot_official
112-3 Sagye-ri, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo, Jeju
(제주특별자치도 서귀포시 안덕면 사계리 112-3)
Admission fee: 2,000 won for adults ( above age six)
Phone number: 064-760-6321
BY CHOI SEUNG-PYO, BAEK JONG-HYUN, SON MIN-HO, KIM DONG-EUN [kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)