Holiday Journal

• Start
•  
• Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale Gwngju
•  
• Sagimakgol Ceramics Village
•  
• Icheon Naratnim Icheon Rice
•  
• Gyeonggi International Ceramics Biennale Icheon
•  
• Gyeonggi International Cermics Biennale Yeoju
•  
• Sun Valley Hotel
•  
• Bobaene
•  
• Yeoju Sinreuk Temple
•  
• Yeong Tomb
•  
• Gwangju Jincheon Yukmyeon
•  
• Namhan Fortress
•  
• Finish

A Teacher of the Korean, King Sejong buried, Yeoju 'Yeongneung(Tomb)'

Teacher's Day on May 15th is the birthday of King Sejong. It's not a coincidence. The birthday of King Sejong was established as Teacher's day on purpose. It's the perfect choice since those who speak Korean are all his disciples. It would be meaningful to visit Yeong Tomb in Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do on Teacher's day and think about the King Sejong who made our own language. We can come up with our words and ideas in Korean.

Here is the entrance of Yeong Tomb(英陵). The King Sejong is buried with his wife Queen Soheon. It's the first tomb of Joseon that the king and queen are buried together. There is King Hyojong's tomb which is several hundred meters away from the Yeong Tomb. Its name is also Yeong Tomb(寧陵) but it has different characters(漢字). Total 42 Tombs of Joseon are left now. 40 tombs are situated in South Korea and rest of them are in North Korea. All the 40 toms are in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. It has been completely preserved, since Joseon regarded Confucianism as its ruling ideology and placed high value on the respect to ancestors. All these tombs are registered on UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

Let's make a bow to the statue of Koreans' eternal teacher King Sejong and enter the tomb.

To praise King Sejong's work, 'Sejongjeon' was built on the left side of the entrance. In the front yard, various instruments for astronomical observation that he made are put on exhibition. It's amazing how people could make these kinds of astronomical observation that allows you to accurately observe time and seasons 600 years ago.

Look at a sundial. The king installed the sundial in front of Hyejeong Bridege and Jongmyo that allows people to watch. The Sundial(Angbuilgu) with drawings of 12 animals was set for the illiterate people. I can imagine how great love he had toward his people. Anyway do you know what time it is now? ^^*

In Seojongjeon, books, pictures, and music instruments are on exhibition to praise his work. In the picture on the bottom, there are books that we have often heard in the Korean history class. From the left, there are Wolincheongangjigok(Treasure No.398), Seokbosangjeol(Treasure No.523), and Wolinseokbo(Treasure No.745). All of them are titled in Korean and Chinese characters are added to the Korean ones.

This is some digression that Hunminjeongeum is the only language that you can know the founder, date of proclamation, and its principle. Eminent linguists worship to the greatness of Hangeul. They even say we need to toast each other to celebrate it. On the contrary, we tend to think using Korean is not fancy. Many people mix English in our songs and daily lives. In these days, one of Disney cartoons Baekseolgongju(Princess Snow White) should be imported with original title 'Snow White'. If Snow White were translated as Baekseolgongju, person who translated it would be ridiculed. Let me give a few examples that we use at work. “My 'schedule' is 'tight' in this case, should I 'arrange' the 'meeting room' to 'arrange' the 'schedule'?”, “What is the 'major concern' of the 'project' that you are 'involved'? Are these sentences spoken in Korean or English? This is our bitterish reality. We all need to reflect on ourselves!

Let me walk to the Yeong Tomb past by Hunmin Gate.

There is a square pond at the entrance. A lot of carps live there. I decided to do fish feeding with 500 won from vending machine.

Hundreds of carps gather around as like I have all gravity. I have never experienced it before. It is great experience to enjoy with only 500 won. Don't forget to feed fishes here. ^^*

All roads in the Yeong Tomb are formed with a quiet forest of pine trees so it has quaint beauty and is particularly fun to walk around. I have visited many tombs of Joseon Dynasty but I think here is the best to take a stroll. It has all great landscaping and geomancy.

When you pass by Geumcheon bridge that separate the tomb from the world, you would face to Hongsalmun with a red arrow sign. It means you need to show the respect to the holy place behind the gate. When you go straight up to Jeongjagak where people hold ancestral rites, there will be a tomb of king beyond the Jeongjagak.

I came up to the tomb of King Sejong. This tomb is special that there is only one tumulus, even though the King Sejong and his wife Queen Soheon are buried together. It's interesting that there are Muninseok(文人石) that assists the king and Muinseok(武人石) that guards him under the tomb of king.

King Sejong must be looking in the same direction. It must be beautiful in all 4 seasons.

Let's go to another Yeong Tomb(寧陵) along the trail in the forest. Body of King Hyojong is buried here. You need to walk about 700m along the winding trail. There are uphills but they are not steep. Don't worry.

I walked about 10 minutes and arrived in front of Hongsalmun of King Hyojong's tomb. However Geumcheon Bridge is not here before the Hongsalmun? Most of royal tombs have small stream that separate the region of tomb and the world, in front of the Hongsalmun.

I was wondering where it was but I found it on the way to Jeongjagak. I don't know its reason but it's unique, anyway. Jeongjagak got its name from a Chinese character Jeong(丁). Its shape looks like that character. There is an open door behind. Ancestral rites are held there.

You can go to the tomb along the road behind the Jeongjagak. Unlike many tombs, it's allowed to go closer to the tomb and watch right in front of the tomb. The tomb in the picture on the left is King Hyojong's tomb and Queen Inseon's tomb is in the picture on the right.

On the way back to the tomb of Hyojong, there is Yeongneungjaesil(寧陵齋室). Officiating priests(祭官) used to take rest and dishes used in religious services are restored here. This is designated as Treasure No.1532. Eaves that pokes their head beyond the wall seem beautiful.

It looks so pretty that dense Zelkova trees are located in one side of the yard. It's hard to find completely preserved houses of royal tomb built with used timbers. It seems to have good arrangement and composition of its space. The woman with red clothes kept taking pictures in front of me, so all my pictures take her back. ^^*

Before the large boxwood tree, there is a singnboard saying this tree is Natural Monument number 459 and it's hard to find this kind of large boxwood tree. It originally grows low and small. In particularly, this tree has historical significance, because it was planted in 1673 and is still alive since then.

The wall with round decorations go well with fresh green leaves beyond the wall. This wall with Korean roof tile should be the most beautiful wall in the world. Let me take a selfie in front of the wall, then let's go~

Since I parked at the parking lot in front of the tomb of King Sejong, I need to walk about 800m along the bamboo forest trail from the entrance of King Hyojong's tomb. The slope is gentle like the picture, so it will take about 15 minutes with slow walk. The way to the parking lot won't be boring because there are dense bamboo woods on both sides of the road.

It takes about 2 hours to look around the whole tomb. If you visit only the tomb of King Sejong, 30 minutes are enough. However I recommend you to go to both two places since the walking path to the tomb of King Hyojong is so pretty. You are lucky to have chance to walk on this pretty road with only 500 won!

+ Address : San83-1,Wangdae-ri, Eungneung-ro, Neungseo-myeon, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do
+ Telephone : 031-885-3123~4
+ Entrance Fee : Age 25~64 500 won, Every last Wednesday Free
+ Open Hour : 9 am ~ 6 pm (June~August Until 6:30 pm)
+ Holiday : Every Monday

• Start
•  
• Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale Gwngju
•  
• Sagimakgol Ceramics Village
•  
• Icheon Naratnim Icheon Rice
•  
• Gyeonggi International Ceramics Biennale Icheon
•  
• Gyeonggi International Cermics Biennale Yeoju
•  
• Sun Valley Hotel
•  
• Bobaene
•  
• Yeoju Sinreuk Temple
•  
• Yeong Tomb
•  
• Gwangju Jincheon Yukmyeon
•  
• Namhan Fortress
•  
• Finish

Gwangju 'Jincheon Yukmyeon' with Yukmyeon(Noodles) in bowl with ice
There is Yukmyeon restaurant that sells special Yukmyeon in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do. Jincheon is the name of the region in Chungcheongbuk-do. However, there is no Jincheon Yukmyeon restaurant in Jincheon. It's a special black rice noodles restaurant which is only in Gwangju. Black rice is the specialty of Jincheon, Chungcheongbuk-do that is responsible for 60% of the national black rice production. Shall we go try it?

It's easy to find this restaurant, since it is located beside the road toward the Observatory of Gwangju Jungdaemulbit Park. It was called Jungdae Reservoir or Jungang Reservoir in the past. Now, let's park here and go into the restaurant.

We are the only team in the restaurant, it might be because it's past lunch time on a weekday. I love this kind of quiet atmosphere. ^^*

Let's look at the menu… This restaurant is famous for Yukmyeon made of black rice and dumpling soup. We chose one warm Jincheon Yukmyeon and one Ice Yukmyeon. Each one costs 8,000 won.

Oh~ An appetizer came out before noodles. There are some salad and Seasoned Acorn Jelly Salad. I was little bit hungry and my appetite was improved by this sour and sweet salad.

There are only two side dishes; Geotjeori Gimchi and Young Radish Gimchi. Geotjeori Gimchi(Fresh vegetable salad dressed with garlic and chili powder, etc) is quite delicious.

At First, Ice Yukmyeon came out. It is served wide ice bowl. It seems like soup of young radish Gimchi. Its shape with half of an egg, watery Gimchi, sliced cucumber, and some ground sesame mixed with salt strongly stimulates my appetite.

Besides, the bowl is made of ice so it keeps coolness until we finish our meal. It has bit salty and sour flavor at first considering the bowl that can be melted. I might have strong salty taste because of Gimchi liquid so I stir it to melt the ice a little bit. Those who don't like sour and salty food won't like these noodles.

Noodles made of black rice is pulled out in person. They are very thin and smooth and have chewy texture. Thin noodles with chewy texture is like ones of 'Instant cup ramen Yukgaejang', but these noodles are much more chewy. It's not a good metaphor. LOL Anyway, it was not that delicious for me, because I don't like salty food. Some people will like this Ice Yukmyeon but others won't like it.

As its name, it has slices of boiled beef meat. Beef meat is very soft and chewy with savory flavor. I will have precious egg and do you want some noodles?

Secondly, one of basic menus 'Jincheon Yukmyeon' is served. This one is warm food. It looks like Galbitang(Short rib soup) since it has ample slices of boiled beef meat with clear soup. I wonder how it tastes.

The soup is clear. It might be infused with brisket and flank without bone. According to the owner's saying, the meat broth is infused with beef. The soup tastes savory at first and has simple and light aftertaste.

The soup contains black mushrooms. Usually black mushrooms are used in stir-fried food and not used in soup, but it's different and delicious. I didn't know black mushrooms go well with soup.

These noodles made of black rice have a chewy texture and savory flavor. Personally, I thinks warm Jincheon Yukmyeon is much better than Ice Yukmyeon. Everyone will love it. I recommend you to try it.

Finally, a small cup of black rice tea came out as dessert. I have run a cafe once so I can evaluate the taste. It strongly tastes sweet and savory. Its flavor is similar to usual black bean latte at cafe. It tastes very good. I feel regretful that I forgot buying its powder at the restaurant.

It's the overall tasty restaurant. Ice Yukmyeon came out in an ice bowl, so its coolness is the best but it's bit salty and has strong sourness with Gimchi liquid. Some people must don't like it. It's very good that warm Jincheon Yukmyeon tastes savory and has rich flavors. It would be good to have lunch here during the Gwangju trip.

+ Address : 264, Sunam-ro, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
+ Telephone : 031-764-5290
+ Open Hour : 10:30 am ~ 10 pm