Namwon trip in search of an unchanging love story Welchon | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Gwanghallu Garden is the garden of Gwanghallu, created in the early Joseon period in Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do. Near Namwon Station in the city, there is Gwanghallu where Chunhyang and Lee Doryeong met, and the garden containing this pavilion is collectively called Gwanghallu Garden. To the north of the garden stands Mount Gyoryongsan, and to the south is Geumam Peak, known as a treasure like gold, with distant views of Jirisan Mountain. Gwanghallu Garden is Korea’s top garden pavilion expressing a profound cosmic view where Gwanghallu, symbolizing the Moon Palace by the pond symbolizing the Milky Way, and Samsin Mountain, the earthly paradise, harmonize. It is one of Korea’s four great pavilions along with Gyeonghoeru, Chokseokru, and Bubyeokru. Inside Gwanghallu Garden are Gwanghallu, Ojakgyo Bridge, Wanwoljung Pavilion, Yeongjugak Pavilion, Chunhyanggwan, Chunhyang Shrine, and Wolmae House, along with accessory facilities such as crafts shops and cafes. Lotus flowers symbolizing the earthly paradise are planted in the pond, and on this pond stands Ojakgyo, the love bridge where Gyeonuu and Jiknyeo, separated by the Milky Way, meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. This stone bridge has four rainbow-shaped holes that allow water flow between both sides and is the most representative bridge of Korean gardens. Chunhyang Shrine holds a portrait of Chunhyang painted by artist Kim Eun-ho. Every year on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, the Dano Festival is held here. ◎ Travel info to experience the charm of Hallyu: This site recreates the palace of the heavenly Jade Emperor from legend and is Korea’s representative traditional garden pavilion. It has been a filming location for various dramas such as , , and , and is the setting of the classic Korean novel , making Gwanghallu Garden a historic narrative backdrop. It is highly recommended to stroll across Gwanghallu, one of the four great pavilions of Korea, and the love bridge, Ojakgyo.

Chunhyang Theme Park, located in the Namwon Tourism Complex, is a cultural and artistic space themed around Chunhyang. It was selected in 1999 for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's 'Tourism Vision 21' project, construction began in December 2001, and it opened on May 1, 2004. The park is divided into five large sections representing Chunhyang's life story: Meeting, Pact, Love and Separation, Trial, and Festival. The Meeting section includes facilities such as a general information center, floor lighting fountain, traditional culture experience hall, and Chunhyang Yard. The Pact section has stone towers, a pact platform, and a swing site. The Love and Separation section features the film set, Buyongdang, Wolmaejip, and workshops. The Trial and Festival sections include Ok Sajung, which recreates prison life, and a resting plaza for visitors.

Chueo Village is located on the boundary of Bojeol-myeon and Sandong-myeon in Namwon-si, Jeonbuk, surrounded by Manhaengsan Cheonhwangbong (909.6m), the highest peak of the Seomjin 2-branch mountain ridge. The area is home to millennium-old temples such as Bohyeonsa and Gwijeongsa, with the village said to have formed around Bohyeonsa, established in the late Goryeo period. In spring, when azaleas bloom, the area is filled with red hues, featuring a beautiful natural environment infused with historical atmosphere. Designated as a rural traditional theme village, Chueo Village consists of Yongpyeong Village and Anpyeong Village, with 25 and 18 households respectively. The village is proud of chueo (loach fish), prized as an ingredient in nourishing dishes like chueotang. These fish are distributed around many rivers flowing into the southwestern sea, living mainly in muddy rice paddies by feeding on organic matter. Medicinally, chueo is used to treat diarrhea, dysentery caused by spleen and stomach weakness, thirst from fever, diabetes by lowering blood sugar, digestive issues in children, male vitality deficiency, jaundice, and pruritus. Various experiences are offered, such as hand rice planting, Manhaengsan azalea outings, mulberry leaf health foods tasting, spring vegetable festivals, and hwajeon (flower pancake) making. Above all, dishes made with clean chueo, like chueotang, chueo boiled slices, and chueo fried food, are a must-try. Walking around the village feels like entering a wide basin, with surrounding mountain peaks and expansive rice fields and farms at the center creating a striking scene. About six households operate guest accommodations in Chueo Village. The specialty chueotang of Namwon, made with organically farmed chueo from the village’s fields, is sure to captivate gourmets. Additionally, various programs available year-round offer visitors experiences in every season.