Gamsa-hamnida to Some Denizens of Danyang

A VERY BIG THANK YOU to Mr Ko Jong-gyu at the Danyang Tourist Information Booth. We’d stopped by there to get more information and fortunately for us, it was the low season and you were spending the time in the most exemplary fashion by studying Japanese. We were lucky that you were free and offered to take us around in your car to show us some of the sights in Danyang.

Without you, we wouldn’t have seen the murals of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy in one temple, had our photo taken with the Three Peaks ( Dodamsambong ) and had our first taste of a memorable samgyetang ( stuffed chicken with ginseng). You were even so kind and patient as to drive me back to the restaurant the following day to retrieve a missing glove. Once again, Chong-mal Gamsa-hamnida!

Also want to thank a friendly elderly couple whom we met along the footpaths of the Daeseongsan, the park on the hill just behind Danyang town. Gamsa-hamnida for your very pleasant company as you let us join you on your daily exercise route round the hill and for pointing out to us various landmarks.

Danyang Rocks! - Part 2

Rock lovers will enjoy Danyang in Chungcheongbuk-do ( not to be confused with Damyang of Jeollanam-do)  for the following reasons:

1. Dodamsambong ( Three Peaks). This landmark, just north of Danyang, has been featured in many commercials and advertisements in Korea.

It’s smaller than expected and only romantic in the right circumstances – go early in the morning or late in the evening. It doesn’t seem so evocative in the harsh glare of daylight.

2. Seongmun ( Stone Gate) is 200 meters away from Dodamsambong and has been dubbed presumably by the Koreans themselves “ the most splendid stone gate in Asia”.

source: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3621139721_f4a20683cc.jpg

3. Prehistoric artifacts which were excavated in the region are on display in Suyanggae Prehistoric Remains Hall in the centre of Danyang town.

source: http://www.emuseum.go.kr/eng/museum/museum_04_31.jsp

4. Sainam Rock is less accessible so it’s best to hop into a cab and head south of Danyang to see its ancient pines and pretty vertical profile.

source: http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/17059889.jpg

5. South of Sainam Rock is Doraksan ( 964 m). Another handsome pine perched near the peak affords some dramatic photo opportunities.

source: http://www.land.go.kr/eng/images/tra/3301/223036_image2_1.jpg

6. Still further south is Mount Hwangjeong ( 959 m) which is home to vertical rock formations which are 20 -30 m high and form a splendid stone screen.

source: http://eng.gbmg.go.kr/image/gallery/thumb/120_360_300.jpg

7. Danyang has three natural monuments – beside Gosu Cave, you can also give your imagination a workout by giving your own names to the stalactites and stalagmites in Ondal , Cheondong and Nodong Caves.

source:
http://www.land.go.kr/gTra.do?tra=enudestination&cid=3301
http://cache.virtualtourist.com/4262045-Namhan_River_and_bridge_at_Danyang_South_Korea-Tanyang.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Korea-Danyang-Gosu_Cave_3184-07.JPG
http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/South-Korea/Seoul/blog-118713.html
http://images.travelpod.com/users/quebekwalouis/2.1221235320.gosu-donggulx-danyang.jpg

Danyang Rocks! - Part 1

Danyang is not to be confused with Damyang, the town famed for its bamboo groves. The former is one of the few tourist towns in Chuncheongbuk-do, probably the least blessed of the provinces in terms of the number of attractions. Aside from Suanbo, three national parks and towns like Cheonju and Danyang, there aren’t that many attractions compared to other provinces in the country.

So, it probably hasn’t been easy for the local tourist promotion board in Chungcheongbuk-do to persuade foreign visitors to spend time and won there. Seoulites, however, need no persuasion. In summer, they descend on this quiet and cool provincial town to escape the oppressive heat. In winter, the town regains its sleepy provincial demeanour and the uncrowded streets take on an added charm.

Sandwiched between Woraksan National Park and Sobaeksan National Park, this pleasant town beside the Chungju Lake ( Chungju-ho) offers thrills for adventure-seekers in the form of white-water rafting and paragliding. Photo enthusiasts can also get trigger-happy hunting down the Eight Beautiful Sights of Danyang ( Danyang Palgyeong).

It’s even the ideal place for those seeking peace and quiet and long walks. Way back in 2002, my friend and I had only chosen to visit this town at the last-minute after watching the TV news about snowfalls causing jams in Gangwon-do. We decided it was more prudent to take the train from Gyeongju to Danyang instead of the bus to Gangwondo. It turned out to be a lucky detour.

Gosu-donggul, the main attraction of Danyang, usually attracts hordes of visitors during summer. According to my trusty Lonely Planet, during the peak tourist season, “you cannot move for all the tourists and it will take you an excruciating hour or more to walk around the system”. But when we visited this small provincial town in winter, it was almost as if we had the whole cave to ourselves.

As a result, it felt a little creepy at times so I had little reason to complain about the intrusive presence of the many steel staircases as they undermined the unearthly atmosphere of this very large limestone cave system. It was a good workout as we followed the well-posted 1300 m-long trail from one impressive formation of stalactites and stalagmites to another. Entrance fees were 3000 won in 2002.

source of pics:
http://cache.virtualtourist.com/4262045-Namhan_River_and_bridge_at_Danyang_South_Korea-Tanyang.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Korea-Danyang-Gosu_Cave_3184-07.JPG
http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/South-Korea/Seoul/blog-118713.html
http://images.travelpod.com/users/quebekwalouis/2.1221235320.gosu-donggulx-danyang.jpg