Following the Songs of Old Raft Men | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Located in Yeoryang-ri, Yeoryang-myeon, Auraji is one of the main origins of Jeongseon Arirang, designated as Gangwon Province's Intangible Cultural Asset No.1. Known for its picturesque mountains and rivers, it is where the Songcheon River from Pyeongchang-gun Daegwallyeong-myeon and the Goljicheon River from Samcheok-si Hajang-myeon merge. The name Auraji means 'coming together,' reflecting this confluence. Traditionally, Songcheon is called yangsu (positive water) and Goljicheon is called eumsu (negative water); old sayings say heavy yangsu rains cause floods while heavy eumsu rains end the monsoon. About 19.4 km from Jeongseon-eup, Auraji is among the eight scenic sites of Yeoryang, surrounded by Nocheusan, Sangwonsan, Okgapsan, Goyangsan, Banlonsan, and Wangjaesan mountains. The fertile land and clear water have long made it a cultural hub rich in abundance and elegance. Historically, as an upstream raft port on the Namhan River, Auraji was famous for transporting timber downstream to Hanyang, with boatmen’s Arirang songs echoing continuously. It is widely known as the origin of the Jeongseon Arirang lyrics, especially expressing the sorrowful longing of lovers waiting for those who left for ventures as raftsmen and peddlers.

레일바이크는 페달을 밟아 철로 위를 달리는 네바퀴 자전거로 유럽의 산악관광지에서 각광을 받고 있으며 철도((Rail)와 자전거의 약칭(bike)을 합친 말이다.

Gumijeong, located in Bongsan-ri, Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, is a pavilion built by Sugodang Lee Ja-seon, who resigned from his official post after serving as Gongjo Chamui during the Joseon Sukjong era, and lived in seclusion in Jeongseon. The pavilion is built on a wide rock above Goljicheon, an upper stream of the Namhan River, and is named for the nine excellent natural views that can be seen at a glance around the pavilion. Since the Joseon Dynasty, Gumijeong has been a famous scenic spot loved by many people, and it is currently designated as a Gangwon-do monument. Surrounding the pavilion are pine forests and a campsite, making it a popular summer retreat. The nine beautiful views visible from Gumijeong are as follows: 1) Eoryang: a fish trap set on the water surface to catch fish jumping upstream in a stream; it signifies the scene of trapping fish. 2) Jeonju: meaning the rural landscape more beautiful than paintings of surrounding field ridges. 3) Banseo: meaning the rocky scenery with the surrounding rocks looking as beautiful as islands. 4) Cheungdae: meaning the cliff scenery with cliffs appearing to be piled up layer by layer in surrounding areas. 5) Seokji: meaning the pond scenery, named for the pond behind the pavilion formed from rock perforations. 6) Pyeongam: meaning the scenery of a wide, flat rock larger than 100 pyeong (approx. 330 m²). 7) Deungdam: meaning the night scenery of the pavilion reflected in the pond when lanterns are lit. 8) Chwibyeok: meaning the mountain wall scenery and rest area among the stone walls in front of the pavilion. 9) Yeolsu: meaning the beautiful rocky scenery of holes in the rock walls surrounding Gumijeong, appearing in a row.