Cruising Danang Palgyeong from Sainam to Oksunbong | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Danyang Jeokseong is a mountain fortress built with stones located at the top of Seongjaesan in Habang-ri, Danseong-myeon, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. It is a stone-wall fortress with a length of 923m, though mostly collapsed, with only parts of the inner wall on the northeast side standing 2-3m high and 1m wide. It is a mountaintop fortress encircling the peak of Seongjaesan and its southern slope, with gates found in three locations: southwest, east, and southeast. Around the fortress, ancient roads extend toward both upstream and downstream of the Namhan River, and paths open to the east and west. The fortress occupies a strategic transportation hub, facilitating movement via the Namhan River toward Yeongwol and Chungju, and also toward Jecheon across the river. The Danyang Silla Jeokseong Stele was discovered here, which is important for understanding the nature, purpose, and date of the fortress. This stele dates to no later than 551. Therefore, Jeokseong is considered an important strategic fortress built before mid-6th century to serve as an advanced base for Silla's incursion upstream along the Namhan River. Danyang Jeokseong is relatively large among Three Kingdoms period mountain fortresses, holding significant meaning for studying shifts in power between Silla and Goguryeo. Its very sturdy construction also makes it valuable for research on Silla's fortress-building techniques.

* Sainam, where dramatic rock formations meet valleys * Sainam is one of the eight scenic spots of Danyang, a 70m-high rocky cliff with steep rock faces located beside the green and deep stream of Namjocheon in the south of Danyang. Along the Namjocheon (also called Ungyecheon), broad flat rocks form a curtain-like vertical wall where Sainam is situated, boasting majestic views. Sainam consists of Cretaceous biotite granite from the Mesozoic era, showing well-developed planar and vertical joints making the granite body look like rectangular columns. The granite in this area has well-developed joints in the upper part, including tors, forming a unique landscape; erosion landforms like potholes and scarps are distributed near the stream. There is also Cheongryeonam hermitage from the Goryeo period, and trekking can be enjoyed via the Seonamgol ecological trail. This place combines aesthetic, cultural, historical, ecological, and geological values. * Origin of the name Sainam * During the reign of King Seongjong of Joseon, Governor Im Jaegwang, who was from Danyang, named the place Sainam after the scholar and diviner U Tak from the late Goryeo era, who also hailed from Danyang. U Tak stayed here while serving as a government official of the rank jeong 4-pum called 'Sain' who directly assisted the king.

Seonam Garden is located 300 meters toward Doraksan from Sangseonam at the entrance to Doraksan, accessible from Danyang I.C. via Sainam direction - Seonam Valley and Gasan-ri direction. It is situated on a prominent site called Oknyeo Jiggeumhyeong (land shaped like a maiden weaving silk on a loom) at the foot of Doraksan, one of Korea's 100 famous mountains, where scholars Wooam Song Si-yeol and Suam Kwon Sang-ha stayed. Here, you can enjoy delicious meals and receive good energy, doubling your health and happiness. Designated as a model restaurant by Danyang County, its signature dishes of native chicken baeksuk and spicy fish stew are selected as local specialty foods. The menu also features mountain vegetable set meals, grilled deodeok, healthy acorn jelly, and homemade dongdongju rice wine paired with pancakes and hand-made tofu, all exquisitely flavored. About ten neat and tasty side dishes further enrich the table. Located right in front of the Doraksan hiking trail, guests can dine indoors comfortably after hiking regardless of cold or hot weather. There are group seating areas for gatherings, as well as outdoor tables offering views of distant mountains and beautiful scenery. Nearby (within 300m) is Sangseonam, one of the Danyang Eight Views, which can be visited together.

Danyang-gun’s beautiful scenic spots scattered within about 12km are collectively called Danyang Palgyeong. They include Dodamsambong, Seokmun, Gudambong, Oksunbong, Sainam, Sangseonam, Jungseonam, and Haseonam. Sangseonam, one of the Danyang Palgyeong, appears unexpectedly while driving along National Road 59 from Jungseonam, enchanted by the charming valley scenery. Although it lacks large flat rocks, the small, clustered rocks together evoke the humble and warm neighborhood spirit of Koreans. Clear water gushes out and flows smoothly over flat rocks before becoming a waterfall that falls under the cloud bridge in a narrow gorge. Entering along the arch-shaped bridge, you can see valley water swirling powerfully beneath rocks stacked tier by tier. The clear sound of the water hitting the rocks fills the whole forest, and mountain birds respond with cries from afar. Though located right beside the frequently traveled path, stepping just one step inside turns it into a completely different world.

Jungseonam, one of the Danyang Palgyeong, is said to have been named by Gokun Kim Sujeung, a civil official during the reign of King Hyojong of Joseon, and it is the center of Samseon Gugok. The white rocks, shaped by the wind since ancient times and washed by the valley, form a vivid contrast with the jade-colored stream. When bright sunlight pours into the valley, the white rocks begin to shine dazzlingly as if awakened from a dream. Enchanted by this sight, old scholars not only treasured the inspiration in their hearts but also deeply engraved their names on the rocks before leaving. More than 300 names are carved on the rocks, reflecting the passion of the scholars for Jungseonam. Among them, there is a distinguished inscription on the Okyeomdae cliff called 'Sagungangsan Samseonsuseok,' written by Governor Yun Heon-ju in 1717. It indicates that in the four counties of Danyang, Yeongchun, Jecheon, and Cheongpung, Sangseonam, Jungseonam, and Haseonam are beautiful. Unlike Sangseonam and Haseonam, Jungseonam has a pine forest next to a wide rock, providing shade on the rock and shelter from the sunlight, making it popular as a summer retreat.

Seonam Valley is a famous about 10km long pristine valley extending from Gasan-ri to Daejam-ri in Danseong-myeon, Danyang-gun, known as the 3rd scenic spot (Sang, Jung, Haseonam) among Danang Palgyeong. It features Tuksunam and Soseonam. Known for dense forests, bizarre rock formations, and clear pure waters, it is regarded as a summer resort where camping and water activities are possible anywhere along the valley. Nearby are Soseonam Natural Recreation Forest, Soseonam Auto Camping Site, Soseonam Amusement Park, and Tuksunam Camping Ground. As the first scenic spot of the deep mountain valley of Samseon Gugok, a three-layered white rock about 100 cheok wide forms a yard with a large round rock perched on it, resembling Maitreya, also called 'Bulam.' This rock was named 'Seonam' by Yi Jae-gwang of King Seongjong's reign of Joseon, who said it was a rock where immortals played. Crystal-clear mirror-like waters flow continuously day and night, reflecting the rocks like a rainbow, hence also called Hongam. The spring view with azaleas and rhododendrons and the autumn scenery with maple leaves create a truly otherworldly spectacle. It is especially popular as a summer retreat.