Jangsu of Jeonbuk, the sister city of Yeonsu-gu
Entering Jangsu’s winter
As the year is ending, a meditation space is required. People search for a calm and quiet place to reflect on the path they walked on and prepare for a trip to the unknown. The mountain Jangansan, with a beautiful winter view, and Nongae’s birthplace, where the history and culture of the patriotic heroine Nongae live on, are two places where visitors often go in wintertime for such reasons.
Article and photo by Jangsu-gun Office
Bound by Jangsu-eup of Jangsu-gun (county) in the townships of Gyenam-myeon and Beonam-myeon, Jangansan (1,237m) is the major mountain of Honam among the eight Head Mountains of Korea branched out from the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range, and holds the title of “Mother Mountain” of Honam and Geumnam Vein. With the mountains Baegunsan to the east and Palgongsan to the west, Jangansan makes the Honam and Chungcheong regions rich in nature.
Jangansan is where the spirit of Nongae remains. Nongae was a patriotic gisaeng (geisha) who gave her life in killing a Japanese commander during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. On the range of Jangansan stands its summit, Sangbong Peak, and to the south are the peaks Jungbong and Habong. From the summit of Jangansan, visitors can see a panoramic view of the huge mountain ranges of Baekdudaegan, including the mountain Deokyusan, as well as the grand image of the mountain Jirisan.
Passing through Juchon Village and climbing the ridge from Muryeong Hill to the summit, visitors can see the vast wild-grass field that creates a spectacle. When the first snow of the season falls on the field, the whole ridge is filled with the dance of white wild grass.
As the hiking course from Muryeong Hill to the summit takes about four hours, the entire family can hold hands and enjoy hiking. Especially on sunny days, visitors can enjoy the view of Deokyusan and even Jirisan.
The popular hiking courses of Jangansan are Muryeong Hill Course (three-hour course), which connects Muryeong Hill, the summit, Namseoreung and Beobyeon-dong, Goemok Course (3.5-hour course) which goes through Jangan-ri, Gyenam-myeon, and Namreung Course (4.5-hour course), which connects Beobyeon-dong of Deoksan-ri (Jangsu-eup), the ridge of Namseoreung, Yeonju-dong and Deoksan Valley.
Among these courses, Muryeong Hill Course is most popular. From Muryeong Hill, visitors can go down the mountain while enjoying brilliant views such that of snow on tree branches. They can also see Deoksan Valley and a waterfall basin in a calm winter surrounding.
On the way to Jangansan is the birthplace of Nongae, which holds the history and culture of the patriotic heroine. The place is located in Juchon Village of Daegok-ri, where she spent her youth.
As the village was submerged by the construction of Daegok Reservoir in 1986, only Nongae’s birthplace was restored near the reservoir. Then from 1996 to 2000, the birthplace and other structures were restored at the current location. Today, not only the birthplace of Nongae but also buildings such as Nongae Memorial Hall, Danjeong Pavilion and Uirangnu Pavilion and memorial structures such as Ju Nongae Monument, Choi Gyeong-hoe Monument and the tombs of Nongae’s parents have been restored. Also there is a folk games plaza, management center and store.
Besides being the hometown of Nongae, Juchon is also an agricultural and traditional theme village that preserves the fading traditional culture of Korea such as thatched houses, waterwheels and treadmills. To attract more visitors, the village developed lodging facilities organized by traditional earthen houses such as Sanyuhwa, Gukwane, Heukkkabine, a welfare center and traditional tavern.
Jangsu Tourism: http://tour.jangsu.go.kr/index.do
Inquiries : ☎ 063-350-5556~57
