Gangjin road to meet the great realist scholar Dasan | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Dasan Chodang, located on the slopes of Mandeoksan with a panoramic view of Gangjin Bay, is where the great scholar Jeong Yak-yong, a leading figure of late Joseon Silhak, lived during his exile. The pen name Dasan (茶山) comes from a mountain behind Gyuldong in Gangjin, which he used while staying here. As a representative Silhak scholar of late Joseon, Jeong Yak-yong was exiled to Gangjin in 1801 and lived here for about 18 years, writing over 600 books including 'Mokminsimseo' and 'Gyeongse Yupyio,' compiling Silhak that aimed to lead the ideological school of Neo-Confucianism toward practical scientific thought. Born as the fourth son of Jeong Jae-won, former Jinju magistrate, he passed the civil service exam at 28 and held various posts before being exiled first to Janggi, Gyeongsang Province, then to Gangjin in 1801 due to the Sin-Yu treason case. He first stayed for 8 years outside Dongmun Gate, at Goseongsa’s Boeunsanbang, and his disciple Lee Hak-rae’s house, then moved to Dasan Chodang in spring 1808 and lived there for over 10 years until his release in September 1818, teaching disciples and writing most of his great works here. Dasan Chodang, which had collapsed in old age, was restored in 1957 by the Dasan Heritage Preservation Society; later the Dongam, where Dasan lived, and Seoram, where disciples stayed, were restored. Among other features at Dasan Chodang are Jeong Stone, a stone inscribed with '丁石' by Dasan on Byungpung Rock, Yakcheon spring where he brewed tea by locating water veins himself, Dajo rock used for tea ceremony, the Yeonji stone mountain in the pond, and Cheonilgak pavilion, built in a place where he consoled his mind longing for his hometown while thinking of his second brother Yakjeon exiled to Heuksando.

Baengnyeonsa, a historic temple where the monk Wonmyo founded the Baengnyeon order during the Goryeo Dynasty, serves as the starting point of a natural Camellia forest with about 1,500 trees growing naturally to the south and west. Baengnyeonsa Camellia Forest was designated Natural Monument No. 151 on December 7, 1962. The camellias here are native species that survive the winter and bloom fully from January to between March and April. The forest trails are well maintained as walking paths, providing a good environment for visitors. There is a path about 7 meters tall leading through the Camellia forest to Dasan Chodang, used by Jeong Yak-yong (1762–1836) when he traveled to Baengnyeonsa. The Camellia forest to Baengnyeonsa is a historic path where warrior monk Cho-ui and Dasan Jeong Yak-yong often strolled while discussing political affairs. About a 6-minute drive from Baengnyeonsa is Dasan Chodang, where Jeong Yak-yong lived in exile and wrote the book "Mokminsimseo."

Baekryeonsa Temple is said to have been founded during the reign of Munsung of Silla by the monk Muyeom (801–888) under the name Mandeoksa, following the mountain’s name. It later declined but was rebuilt on the old site in the 7th year of King Huijong of Goryeo by the monk Wonnyeom Yosae, gaining fame through the Baekryeon Order and becoming known as Baekryeon Temple. In the Joseon era, it was well-known as a place where Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, exiled to Gangjin, communicated and exchanged ideas beyond religion and age with the monk Am Hyejang. Mandeoksan, where Baekryeon Temple and Dasan Chodang are located, has many wild tea plants and has long been called Dasan (Tea Mountain). Jeong Yak-yong adopted the pen name 'Dasan' to represent his time in exile here. Another pride of Baekryeon Temple, important in the late Joseon tea culture revival, is the natural monument No. 151, a 1,500-tree camellia forest. The flowers begin blooming from late November and reach full bloom around late March, with fallen flowers coloring the ground red again in April. Baekryeon Temple offers various templestay programs such as relaxation, group experience, and tea ceremony experiences, with Dasan Chodang and Dasan Museum nearby.