[Jo Yongjun's Journey] Riding on the Back of a Dragon to Ascend... The Skyway Has Opened

A Thrilling Journey to Sunchang - Yonggwolsan Skywalk and Chaegyesan Suspension Bridge

A 500-meter wooden deck was installed on the massive steep exposed rock face of Yonggwolsan, which borders the Seomjin River, and it was named the "Yonggwolsan Sky Path." Following the sky path, you can see the winding Seomjin River and the vast golden fields spreading out expansively.

Standing on the Chaegyesan Suspension Bridge, the golden-hued Jeokseong fields and the Seomjin River spread out like a painting. The vast and beautiful scenery is enough to make you forget the thrill of the swaying bridge, even if only for a moment.

Metasequoia Road Encountered on the Way to Gangcheonsan County Park

The Yojang Rock, Famous for Being Stolen and Recovered

[Asia Economy Travel Specialist Reporter Jo Yong-jun] Suncheon, Jeonbuk, is a region famous for its gochujang (red chili paste). However, attractions that offer spicier experiences than gochujang are hitting the mark one after another. Along with the popularity of the country's longest suspension bridge, which became a landmark after opening last year, a spectacular cliffside trail has recently been created on a mountain, drawing huge crowds. A path was carved into the rock face of Yonggwolsan (龍闕山, 645m), where the Seomjin River winds, and it was named the Sky Path. Although it is not as dizzyingly precarious as the cliffside trails seen in high mountains of China, the view from standing atop the massive rock face can be described as truly breathtaking. The Seomjin River, which adds rhythm to the scenery from the Sky Path, flows from the opposite side near Imsil, passing through the land of Sunchang beneath your feet, then Namwon, and beyond to Gokseong. When standing on the Chaegyesan Suspension Bridge, the scenery comes before the thrill of swaying. The golden-hued Jeokseong fields and the Seomjin River look like a painting. Not only that, but Gangcheonsan, famous for its autumn foliage, also has a cloud bridge, and along the national road leading there, a straight-lined Metasequoia road welcomes travelers. At this point, Sunchang is no longer just a travel destination remembered for gochujang.

Along the Seomjin River in Sunchang-gun, there is Yonggwolsan. The name uses the characters 'Yong (龍)' meaning dragon and 'Gwol (闕)' meaning palace. It means 'the mountain where the dragon resides.' The original name of Yonggwolsan was Yonggolsan (龍骨山), meaning 'dragon's bone.' However, residents requested a name change because 'dragon's bone' implied death and was considered negative. Eventually, in 2009, Yonggolsan was renamed Yonggwolsan. Whether due to the name change or not, one can sense the extraordinary energy emanating from the mountain.

In Eochi-ri, Donggye-myeon, Sunchang-gun, there is a path to Yonggwolsan along the Seomjin River. I arrived early in the morning at the parking lot to climb the mountain. Despite the early hour, the large parking lot was full of cars. Everyone getting out of their cars was dressed in hiking gear. Although their faces were covered with masks, it was immediately clear that they were full of anticipation for the Sky Path.

Tightening my hiking boots and looking up the mountain, my mouth dropped open. Below the ridge, a wooden deck trail wound around the massive rock cliff.

As soon as the hike began, the path continued beneath an overwhelmingly large rock cliff. The steep, smoothly carved exposed rock face looked like the back or side of a dragon.

Originally, there was no hiking trail here, but a new path was created when the Sky Path was constructed. Large stones were laid, and wooden stairs were built, but the slope is steep. It is called the 'Sky Path' because the trail was built in a place where it seemed impossible to make a path. Steel pillars were driven into the precarious exposed rock to support stairs, and wooden decks were suspended at the ends of the stairs to connect the path. The deck is over 500 meters long, and the aesthetic line drawn by the deck hanging on the massive rock is extraordinary.

After climbing the uphill trail for about 20 minutes from the entrance, you finally reach the Sky Path where the deck trail begins. Standing on the wooden deck trail, the Seomjin River can be seen winding below to the left, flowing from Imsil, passing through Namwon and Gokseong. This area is known as Janggunmok, one of the most beautiful sections of the Seomjin River.

The deck is wide, so it lacks the spine-tingling thrill of high mountain cliffside trails in China, but looking down reveals a dizzying cliff that can startle you momentarily. Above your head, the Sky Path stretches long, resembling a dragon ascending to the heavens.

Standing on the wooden deck observation platform hanging on the side of the rock, a slight sense of fear creeps in. The slope angle appears to be about 60 degrees, but the actual sensation in front of the rock feels close to a vertical cliff.

The highlight of the scenery from the Sky Path is undoubtedly the Seomjin River. The reason you keep looking back while walking the Sky Path is because of the Seomjin River. You can see the water flowing from Imsil on the opposite side, passing through the land of Sunchang beneath your feet, then Namwon and Gokseong. Without the Seomjin River below Yonggwolsan, the Sky Path might never have been created.

At the end of the approximately 540-meter Sky Path, you can climb to the summit of Yonggwolsan. If you have the stamina, you can descend via Janggumokjae and return to the starting point. However, even if you turn back here, there is nothing to regret. The view from the Sky Path is that overwhelming.

About 1.4 km along the riverside from the Yonggwolsan parking lot, there is a large flat rock with a whirlpool hole carved by the river. Here is the famous Yojang Rock, which became even more famous because it was stolen and then recovered. The hole carved by the water in the rock looks like a chamber pot. This is just a resemblance; the rock weighs over 15 tons, and the hole is not comparable in size to an actual chamber pot.

About a 10-minute drive from Yonggwolsan is another famous attraction in Sunchang, the Chaegyesan Suspension Bridge. At 270 meters long and a maximum height of 90 meters, it is the longest suspension bridge connecting mountains in Korea. Although it opened in March last year, it repeatedly closed and reopened due to COVID-19, yet still attracted 500,000 visitors last year, making it a landmark of Sunchang.

It takes about 15 minutes from the stair entrance to the suspension bridge. The bridge floor is made of steel grating, allowing you to see below. Walking on it, the height of 75 to 90 meters is surprisingly dizzying and startling. Only after a few steps does the surrounding scenery come into view. The golden Jeokseong fields and the Seomjin River look like a painting. The vastness is enough to momentarily distract you from the thrill of swaying.

Sunchang has another place similar to the Chaegyesan Suspension Bridge: the cloud bridge at Gangcheonsan, famous for its autumn foliage. Gangcheonsan was designated as Korea's first county park in 1981 and is renowned for its beautiful mountain scenery and vibrant autumn leaves.

In late autumn, the mountains dressed in colorful foliage and the red cloud bridge form an overwhelming scene. Nearby are Byeongpung Waterfall and Gujanggun Waterfall.

Along Provincial Road 792 leading to Gangcheonsan, a Metasequoia road stretches out. The Metasequoia trees, soaring over 1 km, create a magnificent sight. Opening the car window while driving, the cool autumn breeze blowing from the golden fields refreshes your entire body.

Sunchang = Text and photos by Jo Yong-jun, travel specialist jun21@

◇ Travel Notes

△Getting there= From the metropolitan area, take the Gyeongbu and Cheonan-Nonsan Expressways, then exit at Osu Interchange on the Suncheon-Wanju Expressway. Take National Road 13, then at Yeonsan Intersection use National Road 21, and at Naeryong Intersection head toward Yonggwolsan.

△Food= When it comes to gochujang, Sunchang is the place. Traditional Korean set meals featuring dishes flavored with gochujang are a delicacy. In downtown Sunchang, Saejip and Minsokjip are well-known. Saejip grills meat coated with gochujang over charcoal. Minsokjip (pictured), featured on Heo Young-man's Baekban Journey, serves both pork and beef bulgogi. Their homemade dongdongju (traditional rice wine) is also clean and refreshing.