Off to Danyang Palgyeong, the Eight Scenic Wonders | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Ondal Cave is a natural limestone cave estimated to have formed about 450 million years ago, located underground on the slope of Seongsan Mountain, where Ondal Mountain Fortress is situated. The cave and its side tunnels measure 760m in length, with an entrance height of about 2m, covering an area of 349,485㎡. Its existence is recorded in the 14th volume of the new Jingukyeojiseungnam (Historical Records of Local Sites) of Yeongchun-hyeon, Chungcheong Province. Academic research began in 1966, and the cave was briefly open to the public in 1975 but closed due to geographic conditions before reopening in 1997 after extensive development. The cave maintains its pristine prehistoric appearance. Notable features include heights of 5-10m and a 5m width with a stepped structure, and well-developed stalactites and stalagmites. The interior temperature averages 14°C in summer and 16°C in winter, making it suitable for year-round tourism. Abundant groundwater flows 0.8 to 1m deep on the cave floor, with about 40 small ponds hosting over 10 species, including fish like mountain trout and various insects. Outside the cave, on the left mountain peak, stands Ondal Mountain Fortress. This crescent-shaped fortress, showcasing excellent Goguryeo construction techniques, remains almost intact after about 1,400 years. The story of General Ondal and Princess Pyeonggang’s love is remembered here, and the Ondal Culture Festival is grandly held each October when chrysanthemum scents fill the air. The theme park and Jangseung Park within Ondal Tourist Site offer additional attractions.

Dodam Sambong is the place where Jeong Do-jeon, who contributed to the founding of the Joseon Dynasty, spent his childhood, and it is said he was so captivated by the beauty of Dodam Sambong that he named himself Sambong. You can see the scenery of Dodam Sambong, loved by Toegye Yi Hwang, Gyeomjae Jeong Seon, and Danwon Kim Hong-do, right before your eyes. The Sambong Story Hall, located within the amusement park, exhibits materials showcasing Danyang's famous spots. By boarding the yellow sailboat, you can cross Seokmun to the Dodam Garden on the opposite side. Dodam Garden is famous for its planting of Cosmos flowers called Hwanghwa. Along with the scenery of Dodam Sambong, you can fully experience the beauty of nature.

Cheongpung Naru was a ferry terminal on Chungpung Lake in Cheongpung-myeon, Jecheon-si, Chungbuk. The exact time of establishment is unknown, but it is believed to have been in use since before the Joseon Dynasty. Before submersion, the river was about 250m wide with strong rapids and shallow water, so boats used poles and rowed across when water level was high. Ferry boats were used by students commuting to Gyori and by locals transporting wood or firewood for sale at Cheongpung market. They carried 60 to 70 passengers per day. With the construction of Chungju Dam forming Chungpung Lake, a dock was established at Cheongpung Naru in September 1984. Cheongpung Naru is the departure and arrival point for cruise ships traveling around Chungpung Lakeside. There is a separate parking lot, so visitors must park before going down to the pier. At the dock, passengers fill out a boarding registration form and submit it with ID at the ticket office to receive a boarding pass. A round trip from Cheongpung Naru to Jangheung Naru takes about one and a half hours, and passengers must be at the pier 30 minutes before departure. Cruises from here allow passengers to enjoy the scenery blended with the lake. The Cheongpung to Janghoe Naru course offers panoramic views of Chungju Bridge, and scenic spots such as Oksunbong, Gudambong, and Geumsusan around Chungpung Lake, attracting many visitors.

* 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.