A Walking Trail from Jeungsan Station to Bongsan Sunrise Park... Encounter a Healing Forest of Phytoncide-Emitting Cypress Trees
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures, a new term "Corona Depression" has emerged to describe the psychological isolation people are experiencing.
At times like these, walking trails taken alone or with a few acquaintances can provide vitality to life. As a non-face-to-face walking course, we introduce the first of Eunpyeong's walking trails, the Bongsan Sunrise Trail.
In the Joseon Dynasty, before smartphones, the communication method was the "bongsu" (beacon fire). From high mountains, urgent messages were sent to the central government by smoke during the day and fire at night, and the mountain summit where this was done was called the bongsudae (beacon platform).
The mountain named Eunpyeong Bongsan got its name from the bongsudae located at its summit. The Bongsan Sunrise Trail starts from Jeungsan Station, passes by the Jeungsan Public Library, and climbs up to Bongsan Sunrise Park. Bongsan is a mountain located in the northwest of Seoul, forming the boundary between Seoul's Eunpyeong-gu and Goyang City in Gyeonggi Province. It is a mountain just over 200 meters above sea level, stretching along the ridges through Susaek-dong, Jeungsan-dong, Sinsa-dong, Gusan-dong, and Galhyeon 2-dong in Eunpyeong-gu, serving as a resting place and walking path for residents.
The site of the bongsudae here was where, during the March 1st Movement in 1919, local villagers gathered at the summit, lighting torches and holding a demonstration of "Manse" (long live) slogans regardless of age or gender. Climbing the bongsudae to recall the spirit of March 1st and reflect on oneself can make this an ideal healing spot.
Walking along the Bongsan Sunrise Trail evokes the feeling of a countryside walking path. Whenever there is an uphill, a downhill follows, making the hike less strenuous. The trail is a dirt path, making it suitable for light hiking with friends. There are many pavilions and exercise facilities along the way, creating a warm space for exercise and conversation.
About halfway through, you will come across the "Hinoki Cypress Healing Forest." Although the cypress forest is still young and you cannot yet fully experience the phytoncides emitted by the trees, you can observe its current state and, if you visit Bongsan again later, enjoy the true taste of a deep forest.
At the summit of Bongsan, on a 600㎡ site, besides the bongsudae, there is an octagonal pavilion and benches, creating a viewing space for residents and Seoul Trail users. Every New Year's Day, residents climb up here for a sunrise event. As a place to renew one's spirit and determination, Bongsan Bongsudae is perfect.
For those who find walking the Bongsan Sunrise Trail insufficient for exercise, they can continue hiking to Aengbongsan via Bongsan-dae and the Seoorung Pass green connection path.
Of course, this connection path is very useful for hikers crossing Bongsan on the Seoul Trail. If hikers feel hungry at the bongsudae summit, descending via Seoorung Pass offers a variety of food options. If descending toward Eungam-dong, there are also many popular restaurants in Eunpyeong. The Eunpyeong walking trails are places where you can feel history and emotion.
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