[One Day 10,000 Steps, One Day 1,000 Characters] Arriving at Yeoncheon Station by Subway... Let's Walk the 5km Manggoksan Dulle-gil Trail

The Gyeongwon Line Dongducheon~Yeoncheon subway (Line 1 extension) will open this month. The Gyeongwon Line Dongducheon~Yeoncheon subway project extends Line 1, which currently operates up to Soyosan Station in Dongducheon, all the way to Yeoncheon. The Dongducheon~Yeoncheon section is a total of 20.9 km. The county expects that once the subway opens, accessibility to Seoul will greatly improve, leading to an influx of population and a rebound in the local commercial district. The county plans to revitalize the local economy by expanding infrastructure such as parking lots, plazas, and roads around the stations, and by developing the station area through the Jeongok 4-ri urban regeneration project. Additionally, tourist information centers will be installed at Yeoncheon Station and Jeongok Station, and a Yeoncheon city tour bus will be operated. The public transportation route system will also be reorganized for the convenience of residents and tourists.

Yulmu Festival event in Yeoncheon-gun
Photo by Yeoncheon-gun

The county will hold the ‘2023 Yeoncheon Love Walking Festival’ to celebrate and promote Yeoncheon County, which has become the central axis of the northern Gyeonggi transportation network, and to promote participants’ health and regional harmony. The event will take place on December 16th in the morning at Yeoncheon Station Plaza. Anyone can participate regardless of region, and the number of participants is limited to 1,000 (first-come, first-served). The walking course starts at Yeoncheon Station, follows the Mangoksan Dullegil trail, and returns to Yeoncheon Station. After the walking event, a celebratory performance is scheduled. Finishers will receive souvenirs. Finishers who participate by car or on foot will receive 1 kg of Yeoncheon rice, a finisher’s badge, and snacks, while finishers who come by subway will additionally receive 1 kg of Yeoncheon brown rice.

Exterior view of Yeoncheon Station opening in December [Photo by Yeoncheon-gun]

The Mangoksan Dullegil trail section is about 5 km long and uses small mountain paths. In particular, Mangoksan features a small path called the “Path of Contemplation” and an octagonal pavilion at the top of the sports park, making it easy to escape from everyday thoughts without burden. The trail course starts at the entrance of Mangoksan, follows the small path toward Sinmang-ri, passes through Mangoksan Neighborhood Park, and descends along village roads.

Mangoksan is said to have gotten its name during the late Joseon Dynasty when Emperor Gojong and Emperor Sunjong mourned the national tragedy. Local Confucian scholars and villagers climbed this mountain, looked toward Seoul where the palace is located, and wept bitterly over the declining fate of the nation, hence the name Mangoksan (望哭山), meaning “Mountain of Watching and Weeping.” Next to Mangoksan is Cheonghwasan, which is said to have been named by King Taejong of Joseon in honor of the loyal official Lee Yang-so, who, during the late Goryeo period, paid respects daily facing Kaesong. This legend has been passed down to commemorate the official’s devotion.