Tour of historic sites in the Honam region | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Gwangjuho (Gwangju Lake) Ecological Park is an ecological park developed on a 184,948m² site near the lakeshore, consisting of theme areas such as a natural observation center, nature learning site, lawn resting plaza, and waterside wetlands. Located about 30 minutes from downtown Gwangju, it is easily accessible for citizens and has been used as a natural ecology learning site for children and a resting space for citizens since its opening in March 2006. The park gives an overall quiet and cool feeling, and unless it is cold weather, visitors can directly observe ecological materials of flowers, animals, and plants. There are 170,000 wildflowers of various colors planted in themed flower zones, including azaleas, forsythias, nandinas, roses, rhododendrons, and hydrangeas, as well as a deciduous plant garden, waterside observation deck, rock garden, and about 3,000 trees such as Styrax japonicus, quince trees, Euonymus japonicus, and maple trees. Additionally, various birds hatch and grow in the marsh area. Wooden stairs have been built between metasequoia-lined streets.

Damyang is scattered with cultural relics of Kasa literature such as Myeonangjeong, Songgangjeong, Sikyeongjeong, and Soswaewon, which are the cradles of Kasa literature. Since ancient times, Myeonangjeong has been a factor attracting many talented people due to Damyang's abundance and outstanding scenery. Representative figures include Toegye Yi Hwang and Songgang Jeong Cheol. Myeonangjeong was also the pen name of Song Sun, who wrote numerous Kasa poems, including 'Myeonangjeongga,' leading the tradition of local Kasa literature from this pavilion. Myeonangjeong is designated as a Jeollanam-do monument. On the national road from Gwangju to Damyang, after passing Goseo Samgeori and heading toward Gwangju Lake, is Sikyeongjeong, which is said to be a place 'where even shadows take rest.' This is where Songgang Jeong Cheol's 'Seongsanbyeolgok' was born. Originally, it was a pavilion built by Seo Hadang Kim Seongwon for his father-in-law Seokcheon Im Eokryeong. Sikyeongjeong, located at the meeting point of Gwangju and Damyang across Gwangju Lake, is famous as a cradle of pavilion culture. Across from Sikyeongjeong is Hwanbyeokdang, where Jeong Cheol’s cousin Kim Yoonje lived during his childhood, which still retains its old atmosphere. About 1 km up towards Hwasun Oncheon from Sikyeongjeong is Soswaewon, preserving its original form as a mid-Joseon private garden and known as the nation’s foremost traditional garden, attracting many visitors. Just before reaching Soswaewon on the left is Jisil Village, and on the hill across the village is Chwiga-jeong, where a story of General Kim Deokryeong remains. About 2 km further toward Hwasun from Soswaewon is Doksujeong, where Seo Eun Jeon Sinmin, who served as Minister of War in the Goryeo King Gongmin era, retired upon the founding of Joseon, refusing to serve two kings, maintaining his integrity. Doksujeong is unique for facing north and its pavilion garden is beautiful.

Damsojeong is located in a place where the scenery looks as if nature has painted a picture, specializing in spicy spicy fish stew and native chicken dishes. Catfish stew is the main menu. There is also ample parking space, making it convenient to use.

충장공 김덕령(1567~1596) 장군과 그의 부인 흥양 이씨, 그 형 덕홍과 동생 덕진 일가족의 충, 효, 열을 기리기 위해 충효리 마을 앞에 세운 비각이다. 이것이 여느 문과 다른 것은 이 비각 앞의 현판에 새겨 있는 내용에서 "...1788년 정조가 윤음으로서, 표리비를 세우라" 이르고, 충효지리[忠孝之里]라는 마을 이름을 지어 하사한 점이다.

The king willow trees located along the road between the east shore of Gwangjuho and Chunghyo-dong village are tall deciduous trees belonging to the willow family. Male and female trees form separate groups, with flowers blooming in April and fruit ripening in May. They are distributed in regions south of Gyeonggi-do and some southern central areas in Korea, as well as central China, and are widely loved as scenic and pavilion trees. They grow by watersides and fields, and their wood is used for furniture and firewood. The three king willows in Chunghyo-dong are all designated as Gwangju city trees and were originally symbols of the village called Ilsong, Ilmae, and Oryu (One Pine, One Plum, Five Willows). However, one plum tree and one king willow dried up and died, and another king willow and pine tree were cut down during road widening and paving in front of the village, leaving only three king willows remaining. The village replanted two more king willows and plans to continue planting pine and plum trees. The history of Chunghyo-dong is unclear, but it has long had a fortress and was called Seongan or Seokjeochon (Stone Low Village). Before the Japanese invasions of 1592–1598, this area contained many garden pavilions and original gardens such as Yangsanbo’s Soswaewon, Kim Yoonje’s Hwanbyeokdang, and Kim Seongwon’s Sikyeongjeong and Nuhadang, which greatly influenced the surrounding landscaping.