Quiet Moments by Chungju Lake | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Chungju Tangeumdae is named after the site where Ureuk, one of Korea's three great musical saints, played the gayageum. It is historically significant as the place where General Shin Rip, following defeat by So Seo-haeng during the Imjin War, committed suicide. Originally called Daemunsan, this hill features scenic cliffs winding along the Namhan River and dense pine forests. The name Tangeumdae comes from Ureuk, a musician of the Gaya kingdom forcibly relocated here 1,400 years ago during the reign of Silla’s King Jinheung. Ureuk made his home in the cliffs of Tangeumdae, playing the gayageum while enjoying the scenery. Enchanted by his melodies, people gathered, forming a village named Tangeumdae. The beautiful landscape includes the Namhan River curving around cliffs, thick pine groves, and views from the terrace of the Namhan River, Gye-myeong Mountain, Namsan, Chungju city, and broad plains creating a picturesque panorama.

충주세계무술공원 내에 있는 박물관이다. 충주세계무술공원은 1998년부터 충주시에서 가을마다 열리는 충주세계무술축제의 행사장이다. 충주세계무술축제는 택견을 비롯한 한국과 세계 각국의 무술관계자들이 모여서 ‘세계무술과 문화의 만남’이라는 주제로 다양한 행사를 열고 있다. 충주세계무술박물관은 그동안 열렸던 충주세계무술축제의 성과를 만나고 세계무술의 다양한 모습과 가치를 만나는 곳이다. 우리 고유의 무술인 택견을 비롯해서 다른 나라의 전통무술을 이해하고 이에 관한 다양한 정보를 얻을 수 있다.

Chungju Dam Garden is a Korean restaurant famous for freshwater sashimi and spicy fish stew. Additionally, bulgogi set meals and Korean traditional set menus are popular. The special set menus, Ilpum and Sura, must be reserved a day in advance to enjoy. The main hall is spacious, suitable for group guests, and a karaoke machine is available for gatherings. There is also seating on the outdoor terrace where diners can enjoy their meals while overlooking the Namhan River.

Chungju Dam, the largest concrete multipurpose dam in Korea, connects Jongmin-dong in Chungju-si and Jodong-ri in Dongryang-myeon. It blocks the Namhan River to secure water resources, prevent flood damage, and generate electricity. On the left bank at the top of the dam, there is a water exhibition hall, a memorial tower, and rest areas. On the right bank at the top, there is a waterwheel rest area, a helipad, and Chungju Naru, where visitors can board cruise boats on Chungju Lake created by the dam. The dam is 97.5 meters high, 447 meters long, and has a storage capacity of 2.75 billion square meters. Downstream of the main dam, there is a regulating dam 21 meters high and 480.7 meters long.

Chungjuho Lake, formed by the construction of Chungju Dam, is so vast that it is called an inland sea. Due to the dam's construction, areas across three local governments—Chungju, Danyang, and Jecheon—were submerged, and it has now become a popular tourist attraction. The surrounding area offers numerous tourist resources, including Woraksan National Park, Songgye Valley, Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex, Danyang 8 Scenic Views, Gosu Cave, Guinsa Temple, Suanbo Hot Springs, and Nodong Cave. Chungjuho features five cruise ship docks: Chungju Naru at the main Chungju Dam, Worak Naru below the scenic Woraksan, Cheongpung Naru near the Cheongpung Cultural Heritage Complex, Janghoe Naru at Gudambong and Oksunbong of Danyang Palgyeong, and Danyang Naru in Danyang-eup, allowing visitors to enjoy the lakeside ambiance via sightseeing cruises.

There is a small trail just past the Mireuk-ri three-story stone pagoda in Wolaksan. Facing a picturesque view of faraway hwangjangmok (red pine), oak trees, and haesong (Korean red pine), this path, known as 'Haneuljae,' opens to a cool breeze under the clear sky. The ditch lower to the left side of the path may sometimes dry up due to drought, but wildflowers like bright pink balsam, deep purple water artemisia, and yellow jipsinnamul greet travelers along with the rocky cliffs and peaks nearby. Although the name suggests it touches the sky, Haneuljae (elevation 525m) is not very high. It serves as the provincial boundary connecting Mireuk-ri, Suanbo-myeon, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do with Gwan-eum-ri, Mungyeong-eup, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongbuk. About 30-40 minutes (2 km) from Mireuk-ri leads directly to Gwan-eum-ri in Mungyeong. The rough dirt road smooths into an asphalt path at the Haneuljae pass's ridge, where the summit of Daemisan Mountain (elevation 1,115m) in Mungyeong appears faintly to the west. Below Haneuljae lies the site of Jungwon Mireuk-ri Temple, believed to have been established from the late Silla to early Goryeo periods, with remnants like dangganji-ju (flagpole supports) and corridors indicating a large scale. It is the only Buddhist temple in Korea oriented north and located in Mireuk-ri basin between Jilpjae and Haneuljae. The wooden structures of Jungwon Mireuk-ri Temple were destroyed during the 13th-century Mongol invasions. Remaining are a five-story stone pagoda (treasured), stone Buddha statue (treasured), stone lantern (provincial tangible cultural asset), and three-story stone pagoda (provincial cultural asset). Excavations by Cheongju University Museum in 1977 and 1979 revealed it as 'Mireukdaewon,' where the monk Il-yeon once resided. Close proximity to Wolaksan National Park, the Mireuk-ri original site, and Haneuljae's historical and nature observation trail attracts many tourists.