Beauty of Jeolgol Valley in Spring and Autumn | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Jeolgol Gorge is a narrow and deep valley that developed over about 5km from the Jeolgol branch office of Juwangsan National Park to Daemun Bridge. It is called Jeolgol because there used to be a temple called Unsuam［雲水庵］there. Jeolgol Gorge is composed of tuff, volcanic ash hardened by cooling after a volcanic eruption. During the cooling and hardening process, contraction occurs and cracks develop in the rock, known as joints. Like Yongchu Gorge, Jeolgol Gorge also has well-developed vertical joints, along which erosion formed the valley. Water flowing through this valley carved the rock floor, creating the current narrow and deep gorge. Thanks to its beautiful scenery, it is nicknamed "the path where you walk with clouds and water as companions."

Jusanchi is a reservoir that began construction in August 1720, the first year of King Gyeongjong of the Joseon Dynasty, and was completed in October the following year. On the rock at the entrance of Jusanchi, there is a memorial stele honoring Lee Jinpyo, a descendant of Wolsung Lee from the 47th year of King Yeongjo (1771), and Jose Man, who made great contributions to the Jusanchi embankment. Since its completion, the reservoir has never dried up or exposed its bottom, even during long droughts. This is due to the geological characteristics of the land holding the water. Jusanchi was created on a rock called welded tuff, which is formed by volcanic ash cemented together; this rock contains dense minerals that make water passage difficult. Particularly, about 30 old willow trees and large willows grow naturally in the lake, creating a beautiful landscape harmonized with the lake. The large willows appear to float on the water, evoking a tranquil and cozy atmosphere as if arriving in a magical world, making it a perfect place to forget the mundane world and relax for a while. Combining rock, water, and trees, Jusanchi offers different scenery each season and was designated a nationally recognized cultural asset as a scenic site in 2013, reflecting its high natural heritage value.

Song-i Garden is a specialty restaurant featuring eco-friendly dishes with song-i (pine mushrooms) as the main ingredient, including song-i mushroom hot pot and native clear chicken stew. You can enjoy healthy food carefully made with fresh local food produced in this area. The representative menu, mushroom hot pot, includes various mushrooms along with song-i mushrooms and has a mild and light broth that anyone can enjoy regardless of age or gender. The side dishes served alongside use healthy ingredients from local agricultural products, such as mountain vegetables and acorn jelly.