[Jo Yongjun's Travel Miles] Dragon Energy Bursting! The First Trip of the New Year Is Here

The Village of Yongam in Goheung Where the Dragon Ascended
Haedong Yonggungsa in Busan That Grants One Wish
Huiryongpo, the Mysterious Village Wrapped by a Dragon
Where Is the Travel Destination to Welcome the Year of the Blue Dragon?

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple offers a truly spectacular sunrise set against the backdrop of the sea and the temple.

The year of the Blue Dragon, Gapjin Year (甲辰年) 2024, has dawned. As the first journey of the new year, we introduce five travel destinations where you can fully absorb the energy of the Blue Dragon. These places are imbued with hopes that fortune will come to those who take hopeful steps with earnest wishes. Mirumaru-gil in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, is famous as the place where a dragon ascended to heaven. But that’s not all. From Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Busan, which grants a single wish, to Yongbongsan Mountain in Hongseong, brimming with the energy of the Blue Dragon, these are special places where you can embrace the dragon’s power. There is no better first travel destination to open the Gapjin year anew.

#Gain the Dragon’s Energy Where the Dragon Ascended, Mirumaru-gil in Goheung

At Mirmaru-gil in Yongam Village, Goheung, and on Yongbawi Rock engraved with traces of the dragon's ascension, there is a dragon sculpture at the top.

In Yongam Village, Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, there is Yeongnam Dragon Rock. This site, ranked as the 6th scenic spot among the top 10 in Goheung, is located in the ‘Namyeol Marine Scenery and Beach’ area and is associated with a dragon legend. Long ago, two dragons fought to ascend to heaven first and obtain the Yeouiju (a mythical orb). A villager named Ryu Si-in heard a secret strategy in a dream to end their fight and shot one dragon with a bow. With Ryu Si-in’s help, the victorious dragon ascended to heaven while stepping on a rock in front of Yongam Village, and the trace remains to this day. Goheung-gun created the coastal trail ‘Mirumaru-gil’ between Yeongnam Dragon Rock and the Goheung Space Launch Observatory. ‘Mir’ is an old word meaning dragon. The 4 km-long Mirumaru-gil features scenic views of surrounding jagged cliffs, pebble beaches, and the open sea. Along the way, you can also visit Dragon Cave and Lion Rock, which are related to the legend.

At the end of Mirumaru-gil is the Goheung Space Launch Observatory, the best place to see the trajectory of rockets launched from Naro Space Center. If you want to learn about Korea’s space development history, the Naro Space Center Space Science Museum is recommended. Paryeongsan Mountain, the highest mountain in Goheung, is part of the Dadohaehaesang National Park and offers outstanding scenery. The Paryeongsan Hinoki Healing Forest, located halfway up the mountain, is a great place to relax in nature.

#Granting a Single Wish, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Busan

The long, extended rock is Yongduam, corresponding to the dragon's head at the temple.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Busan, located by the sea, is a temple with beautiful scenery. It is a sacred site dedicated to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Gwaneum Bosal), and it is said that if you sincerely pray here, one wish will surely come true. Visitors come year-round to watch the sunrise, especially on New Year’s Day, and the Je-ryongdan release site, where Jizang Bosal is enshrined, is a famous sunrise spot. Starting from Yongduam Rock, shaped like a dragon’s head, the temple’s pavilions and sculptures form the image of a writhing dragon, creating a powerful spiritual atmosphere.

The highlight of the temple is the Haesu Gwaneum Daebul, a large statue of Avalokitesvara smiling benevolently while overlooking the sea. Next to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, toward the National Fisheries Science Institute’s Fisheries Science Museum, there is a stone tower area called Pasikdaeji, where people stack stones while making wishes. It is a popular photo spot with a panoramic view of the temple. The temple is open from 4:30 AM to 7 PM, and admission is free.

The Lotte Premium Outlet Dongbusan Branch in the Osiria Tourism Complex, selected as one of the ‘2023-2024 Korea’s Top 100 Tourist Attractions,’ is a representative shopping course in Busan. It houses over 330 brands and is decorated in a Greek Santorini style, giving it an exotic atmosphere.

The National Busan Science Museum consists of the main building, children’s science museum, and planetarium, making it a great place to get familiar with science. Songjeong Beach is attractive for surfing with suitable waves and a long shoreline. At the end of the beach, Jukdo Island, fragrant with pine scent, is also worth visiting.

#Hiking to Receive the Dragon’s Energy, Yongbongsan Mountain in Hongseong

The Rocks of Yongbongsan in Hongseong, Known as the Second Geumgangsan

Yongbongsan Mountain (381m) in Hongseong, Chungcheongnam-do, is called the ‘Second Geumgangsan Mountain.’ Its shape resembles a dragon advancing boldly and the head of an auspicious phoenix, hence the name. It takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to enjoy views of Yongbongsa Temple, Akguibong Peak, Nojeokbong Peak, and the summit before descending. Yongbongsa Temple is located at the foot of the mountain. Among various cultural assets, the Yongbongsa Yeongsan Hoe Gwaebul Painting (a national treasure) is famous. Walking up the path behind Jijangjeon Hall, you will see the Hongseong Singyeong-ri Rock-carved Standing Buddha (a national treasure), about 4 meters tall. On the way to Akguibong Peak (368m), there are rocks named Sapsalgae Rock, Toad Rock, and Seal Rock. The section passing through Nojeokbong Peak (351m) toward the summit features a pine tree growing horizontally through a rock crevice, Lucky Rock, and Sotdae Rock. Standing near the summit marker, you can see the ridgeline extending to Byeongpung Rock, Akguibong, and Nojeokbong in the distance.

Hongjuseong History Park gathers places ideal for exploring Hongseong-gun’s history. Hongju Eupseong Fortress (a historic site) is the representative relic of Hongseong-gun. Originally, the fortress wall was 1,722 meters long, but only 800 meters on the south side remain today. Hongju Amun was the gate for government offices during the Joseon Dynasty and is still used as the entrance to Hongseong County Office. Behind the county office is Anhwaedang, a hanok where officials governing the Hongseong area once worked.

#Full of Blue Dragon Energy, Surobuin Heonhwa Park and Haegasa Site in Samcheok

When you climb the hill, the sculptures come into view against the backdrop of the sea.

Based on the legend of Lady Suro from the Samguk Yusa, Surobuin Heonhwa Park and Haegasa Site are located at the southern and northern ends of the Samcheok coast. Surobuin Heonhwa Park is situated at the summit of Namhwa Mountain near Imwon Port. A 51-meter-high elevator connects the ground and the mountain, making it easy to ascend. At the summit, there is a sculpture of Lady Suro riding a dragon (10.6 meters tall, weighing 500 tons) and a statue depicting people striking sticks and calling ‘Haega,’ recreating scenes from the legend. You can feel the auspicious energy while taking in the giant dragon, Lady Suro, and the majestic sea all at once. There are various attractions including a caf? with a superb sea view, the Ulleungdo Observatory where you can see Ulleungdo with the naked eye on clear days, and humorous zodiac animal wood carvings. The Haegasa Site is located at the entrance of Jeungsan Beach, the northernmost beach in Samcheok. It features Imhaejeong, restored based on the legend, and the ‘Dragon Ball’ sculpture representing the contents of ‘Haega’ and ‘Heonhwaga.’ You can spin the ‘Dragon Ball’ and make a wish, making it a perfect destination for New Year’s travel.

Samcheok has several special coastal travel spots. The Chogok Yonggul Chotdaebawi Trail, with its spectacular jagged rocks like Chotdaebawi and Turtle Rock, and the Deokbongsan Coastal Ecological Trail, opened to the public in 2021, are great for walking while enjoying the magnificent sea energy. Galnam Port, known for its quiet and beautiful scenery, has become a rising attraction visited quietly by photographers and travelers.

#A Mysterious Village Wrapped by a Dragon, Hoeryongpo in Yecheon

Hoeryongpo is named so because the water wraps around the village in a shape that resembles a dragon twisting.

Yonggung-myeon in Yecheon-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is one of the places with ‘Yong’ (dragon) in its name. Hoeryongpo (a scenic site) here is named for the shape of Naeseongcheon River, which is blocked by a mountain and wraps around the village 350°, resembling a dragon twisting. When it rains heavily, it becomes an island, earning the nickname ‘an island within the land.’ The Hoeryongdae Observatory on Biryongsan Mountain offers a panoramic view of Hoeryongpo. On the way there, you can see Yongwanggak Shrine and Dragon Rock. Looking at the river flowing gently around the village from Hoeryongdae, you can’t help but marvel at the mystery and beauty of nature. To enter Hoeryongpo Village, you must cross the First Ppyongppyang Bridge, made from steel plates used at construction sites, with holes all over. The tranquil village is perfect for a stroll, and the Hoeryongpo Mir Miro Park, expressing Hoeryongpo and Naeseongcheon as a maze, is eye-catching. The village has been a filming location for the drama ‘Autumn in My Heart’ and the variety show ‘Happy Sunday?1 Night 2 Days,’ and there is a song monument engraved with the lyrics of the trot song ‘Hoeryongpo.’ The village is open year-round with free admission.

At Yongmunsa Temple, there is a legend that two blue dragons guided King Taejo Wang Geon on the path to the temple. The Yonggung Station Theme Park, opened in October 2023, features popular automata (mechanical dolls or sculptures) that reinterpret the ‘Byeoljubu-jeon’ story in a modern way. The cute illustrations and three-dimensional sculptures vividly express the story. Yecheon Samgang Joomak (a Gyeongbuk folk cultural asset) is the last traditional inn in Korea, holding old stories.