[One Day Walk] Is It True That Dorongnyong Salamanders Live in Incheon?

‘all ways Incheon’ Many roads converge in Incheon. From small alleys and mountain trails to highways, railroads, sea routes, and airways... Incheon communicates with the world through its roads. Among these many paths, we introduce the Incheon Dullegil, which adds the joy of walking by allowing you to feel Incheon's history, culture, nature, and people.

Manwolsan Mountain Trail

This course connects Manwolsan and Mansusan. The Manwolsan section, with its well-developed walking trails, is already popular among citizens. Crossing the connecting bridge and entering Mansusan, you can find the Salamander Village. It is a place where the ecology of salamanders is well preserved, allowing you to experience nature that is hard to see in the city.

Incheon Dullegil Course 5 starts at Manwolsan. The climb up Manwolsan is a gentle forest path, making it easy to ascend. The name ‘Manwolsan (滿月山)’ carries an interesting story. In 1932, Monk Bowol, who was at Geumgangsan, traveled across the country for his practice and arrived here, which was exactly the same mountain he had seen in his dream.

Surprised, the monk climbed to the summit and discovered that the east, west, south, and north directions were all visible at a glance, and the mountain's shape seemed to stretch its arms left and right toward the Incheon city center, embracing all living things. Upon seeing this scene, the monk immediately exclaimed the phrase Dongbang Manwol Segye Yaksayeo Rigurangbul (東方滿月世界藥師琉璃光佛: The Buddha's grace shines like moonlight over the eastern world, removing calamities and curing diseases). This phrase is the origin of the name Manwolsan. However, in the past, it was also called various names such as Wontongsan, Juan-san (朱顔山), Juan-san (朱安山), Seonyusan, Yaksasan, and Yaksan.

As you ascend Manwolsan, the first temple you encounter is Yaksasa, a hermitage built by Monk Bowol to spread the Buddha's teachings. Originally, it was a small hermitage called Yaksam located slightly above the current Yaksasa site. After Monk Bowol returned to Geumgangsan, Monk Hannunghae, who practiced at Haegwangsa in Incheon, built the Daeungjeon, Chilseonggak, and Sansingak halls here and named it Yaksasa. If you do not head to the summit of Manwolsan but go toward Mansusan, you will see the iron bridge connecting Manwolsan and Mansusan.

Mansam's Salamander Village

Crossing the bridge and passing under the mural-painted underpass, turn left to find the Manwolsan Tunnel. Opened in 2005, the tunnel allows quick travel between Bupyeong-gu and Namdong-gu. After passing through the tunnel, you immediately reach Mansam's Salamander Village. Environmental groups and citizens maintain flower beds, reroute the hiking trail along the valley to protect the salamanders living there, and built wooden fences. The village is operated by the Mansu 3-dong Residents' Autonomous Committee. In spring, the valley pools are filled with salamander and frog eggs, attracting children and students.

Turning toward Sindonga Apartments and descending along the Mansusan downhill path, you pass Songsucheon Mineral Spring and Manbuburak. Behind them lies Birugo Pass, which holds a poignant farewell story. In the old days, this was the gateway to the West Sea for those taking boats from Hanyang. Many people bidding farewell and those boarding boats parted ways here. At the end of Incheon Dullegil Course 5, you find Incheon Arboretum, the only arboretum in Incheon city (excluding Ganghwa). It is a precious space where you can escape the city's polluted air and concrete buildings and encounter various plants.

Incheon Dullegil Course 5

● Distance and Duration: 7.1 km, 2 hours 20 minutes

● Route: Bupyeongsamgeori Station - Yaksasa Entrance - Manwol·Mansusan Connecting Bridge - Manwolsan Tunnel Underpass - Salamander Village - Bullo Mineral Spring - Michuhol School (Suhyeon-ro) - Suhyeon Village - Incheon Arboretum (Incheon Grand Park)

● Transportation: Incheon Subway Line 1 Bupyeongsamgeori (Exit 2), Main Buses 2, 111-2, 30, 34, 45, Express Bus 1400 (Get off at Bupyeongsamgeori)