Gasa literature road following the fragrance of classical lyrics | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Soswaewon Garden preserves the original form of Korean private gardens and is designated as Scenic Site No. 40. It is a cultural heritage treasure that most excellently reveals the beauty of the landscape as a place where Joseon Dynasty scholars, who lived a Daoist life with reverence and adaptation to nature, met and exchanged ideas. Within about 1,400 pyeong, the buildings and landscaping harmonize exquisitely with nature, reflecting the sentiments of Joseon scholars. The existing buildings are Daebongdae, Gwangpunggak, and Jewoldang, with a long wall stretching eastward. Water flows from a northern mountain slope forming a valley, passing under the wall and through the center of Soswaewon. Major landscaping trees include bamboo, plum, pine, orchid, and camellia. Herbaceous plants include sweetflag, iris, liriope, cluster amaryllis, and chrysanthemum. Landscaping features include flat rocks, a cascading waterfall, a pagoda-shaped rock seat, a desk rock called Sangam, two ponds connected by grooves carved into old trees for water flow, and also Aeyangdan, a warm-hearted pavilion. A single-log bridge called Yakkak crosses the valley, and terraces stacked on a slope are planted with flowers and trees, with walls enclosing the interior spaces harmoniously. This space was created mainly under the leadership of Soswaegong Yang Sanbo, a disciple of Jo Gwangjo from the mid-Joseon period, starting in the 1530s and completed by his children and grandchildren. Although buildings were burned during the Japanese Invasions of 1592–1598, his descendants restored and rebuilt them, maintaining the site carefully through 15 generations to the present.

Sikyeongjeong was originally a pavilion built by Kim Seong-won of Seohadang for Seokcheon Im Eok-ryeong. The name Sikyeongjeong means 'a pavilion where the shadow rests,' given by Im Eok-ryeong. Right next to Sikyeongjeong, Kim Seong-won built another pavilion named Seohadang after his pen name. According to the Seohadang Yugo records, both Sikyeongjeong and Seohadang were built when Kim Seong-won was 36 years old. At the time, Im Eok-ryeong, Kim Seong-won, Go Gyeong-myeong, and Jeong Cheol were called the 'Sikyeongjeong Four Immortals.' They famously selected 20 scenic spots around Seongsan and each composed 20 poems, totaling 80 poems called Sikyeongjeong Isipyeong. These poems later became the basis for Jeong Cheol's Seongsan Byeolgok, and Jeong Cheol also composed Saminingok and Sokminingok in Damyang. Sikyeongjeong is a 3-minute walk from the Korea Gasaliterature Museum and historic poetry cultural sites, with Soswaewon Garden nearby.

Myeongokheon is the garden of a house where O Hui-do lived during the Joseon Dynasty in Sandeok-ri, Goseo-myeon, Damyang-gun. It was a place where O Hui-do lived in harmony with nature in the mid-Joseon period, and his son O I-jeong built Myeongokheon, digging square ponds in front and back of the building and planting flowering trees around to beautifully maintain the garden. It is said to be named after the sound of jade beads hitting when water flowed abundantly between the valleys. The upper pond looks like a large well because it was made by digging the ground without stacking artificial stone. The lower pond was made by selecting a natural rock slope and building embankments only around it. Myeongokheon is famous for the crape myrtle trees planted around the pond, which bloom bright red flowers for three months and ten days in summer, surrounding the pond. Before King Injo ascended the throne, he visited O Hui-do in Husang while searching for talents across the country in the Honam region; there was a ginkgo tree in the north garden of Myeongokheon and a paulownia tree behind it. The horses King Injo rode were tied under these trees, so the trees are also called 'King Injo's Horse Tethering Tree' or 'King Injo's Horse Tethering Site.' The paulownia tree has died and no longer exists, with only the ginkgo tree remaining. King Injo visited O Hui-do three times to appoint him. Later, scholar Song Si-yeol of Uam was captivated by the clear water sound and scenery of Myeongokheon and carved the name 'Myeongokheon' on a rock. It is considered a beautiful private garden like Soswaewon. ◎ Travel info to experience the charm of Hallyu - The drama : This private garden made in mid-Joseon features a cozy pavilion, square ponds, flowering trees, and pine trees in harmony. In summer, when the 300-year-old crape myrtle by the lake blooms pink flowers, photographers from all over gather. It is where Lee Young and Ra-on first met in .

Samjinae Village, located in Changpyeong-myeon, Damyang-gun, is a place where many traditional houses and old stone walls are beautifully visible. Damyang, designated as an international Slow City, retains much traditional culture, making it a representative place where modernity and tradition harmonize. Among them, Samjinae Village provides visitors with an opportunity to experience the slow life. Changpyeong Samjinae Village is known as the Jangheung Go clan village. It is a historically valuable place where descendants of Je Bong Go Gyeongmyeong, the leader of the Honam militia who died in the Battle of Geumsan, and his second son Hakbong Go Inhu, who also died together in the Battle of Geumsan, still live.

Songgangjeong was named after Songgang Jeong Cheol rebuilt Juknokjeong. Jeong Cheol, caught in the whirlpool of factional strife, was impeached by the Dongin faction and retired from the court the following year. He returned to this place, Changpyeong, and lived quietly in seclusion for four years. The current pavilion was built in 1770 by his descendants to honor him and was named Songgangjeong at that time. While staying here, Jeong Cheol frequently visited Sikyeongjeong and composed many poems and lyrics, including Samingok and Sokmingok. Samingok, as its title suggests, is a song expressing the tender feelings of a wife parting from and longing for her husband. The technique metaphorically expresses a woman’s love, which can be seen as Jeong Cheol’s own loyal emotions. Deeply saddened, Songgang became pessimistic about the world and spent his time here in drinking and lamentation. Beside the pavilion is a monument of the poem Samingok, and the current building was also restored then.

Located on the foothills of Jebongsan in Jewol-ri, Bongsan-myeon, Myeonangjeong is a pavilion built in 1533 (28th year of King Jungjong) by Song Sun (宋純). It is famous as a place where scholars such as Yi Hwang (李滉) and other eminent literati gathered to discuss academics and educate younger generations. The building consists of three bays at the front and two bays on the side, with four mounting blocks supporting the eaves. It is a wooden tiled house featuring verandas on the sides and left and right, with a room in the center. The current structure has been repaired several times, with roof tiles replaced in 1979. The original form was a humble thatch pavilion barely protecting against wind and rain. The name "Myeonangjeong" comes from Song Sun’s pen name. Born in 1493 (24th year of King Seongjong) in Bongsan, Damyang-gun, Song Sun passed the special literary service examination in 1519. In 1547, he served as a messenger to Beijing, later held roles including Gaeseongbu Yusu, Deputy Minister of Personnel in 1550, and positions such as Dae Saheon and Hansungbu Pan-yun. He also served as Vice-Chancellor of the State Council and historian at the Chunghu-gwan before resigning at age 77. In later years, he retired to his hometown, built Myeonangjeong, and nurtured disciples while discussing learning with scholars including Yi Hwang. His literary works include lyrical poems such as "Myeonangjeongga," "Jasangtuksa Hwanggukyokdangga," two miscellaneous songs, "Myeonangjeongdanga," and five "Oryunga," which are recorded in his collected writings.