[One Day Walk] Meeting the History of Namsadangpae and Podo... Anseong Course 42

Section distance 6.4 km... Estimated time 2 hours 7 minutes
Refreshing scenery unfolds when climbing Tanghyungdae

The Gyeonggi Dullegil ‘Anseong Course 42’ starts at Cheongryongsa Temple and continues through Jwaseongsa Temple, Tanghyungdae, and the Grape Museum, ending at Seoun-myeon Office. The section is 6.4 km long, with an estimated duration of 2 hours and 7 minutes. The difficulty level is classified as ‘medium.’ This section also allows you to experience the history of Namsadangpae and grapes along Seoun Mountain.

Begin your walk after circling around the Daeungjeon Hall of Cheongryongsa Temple. The bronze bell and the Daeungjeon Hall, created by the outstanding 18th-century monk and artisan Sainbigu, are designated national treasures. The starting stamp features an illustration of the Cheongryongsa bronze bell. The Daeungjeon Hall of Cheongryongsa has a unique appearance, using bent and twisted trees stripped only of their bark as pillars. Cheongryongsa is also famous for supporting the Namsadangpae, a cultural heritage of Anseong. The Namsadangpae, consisting of about 50 to 60 members, was active from spring to autumn and stayed at Cheongryongsa during winter.

After entering the Seoun Mountain hiking trail and walking for about an hour, you will encounter Seounjeong Pavilion and the site of Seoun Mountain Fortress. Take a moment to appreciate the stone Buddha statue, a local Anseong heritage, next to Seounjeong. This Buddha statue is estimated to have been made in the early Goryeo period.

From Seounjeong to Tanghyungdae, there are occasional steep slopes where you need to shorten your stride. After a challenging time, reaching Tanghyungdae rewards you with refreshing scenery. Tanghyungdae means ‘a place that refreshes the chest.’ After passing Tanghyungdae, a downhill path appears. Since the path is narrow and covered with many fallen leaves, be careful not to slip.

Leaving Seoun Mountain, you will arrive at the Grape Museum. Anseong is known as the first grape cultivation area in Korea. It is said that in 1901, Father Comber, a French priest, planted grapevine seedlings inside Gupo-dong Cathedral for use during mass. Later, the parishioners began large-scale cultivation, marking the beginning of grape farming. Anseong holds an annual grape festival to promote the taste and quality of its grapes.

Passing through the wide fields and vineyards of Seoun-myeon, you will reach the endpoint at Seoun-myeon Office. The arrival stamp features an illustration of Anseong grapes.