Eco friendly pilgrimage in Namyangju | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Chukryeongsan Natural Recreation Forest, located in Oebang-ri, Sudong-myeon, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, is about an hour away from Seoul. Key facilities include 7 forest houses, 1 Forestry Recreation Hall with 18 rooms, 1 Chukryeong Hall, 30 campsites, and 3 public restrooms. Along with various hiking trails, the dense pine nut forest includes amenities like forest houses, providing a place to breathe with nature, fully wash away stress and fatigue, and add joy and comfort. Especially, the summit of Seori Mountain features approximately 13,000㎡ of azalea clusters forming a light pink tunnel, and the evergreen, decades-old large pine nut forest offers deep emotion and lasting impressions, enhancing the excitement of travel and the vitality of life. (Source: Chukryeongsan Natural Recreation Forest website)

Mongol Cultural Village is located in Naebang-ri, Sudong-myeon, Namyangju-si, and opened in April 2000 based on the friendship and cooperation agreement between Namyangju-si and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in 1998. It is a space with a total area of 62,479㎡. It is the only permanent performance hall in Korea showcasing Mongolian folk arts, including traditional Mongolian instrument performances and horse-riding shows. The exhibition hall displays about 800 items, including traditional costumes, instruments, and daily utensils, allowing visitors to experience Mongolian history and culture. Exhibits include Mongolian religion, clothing, and lifestyle materials, and admission is free. Outdoors, there are Mongolian traditional houses called gers and stone tombs, adding an exotic atmosphere. Visitors can directly experience the interior of the traditional houses. Currently, Namyangju-si is undertaking a comprehensive renovation of the cultural village, aiming for reopening in the first half of 2025. The remodeling is divided into four sectors: indoor and outdoor performance halls, a glamping café, a media art video hall, and a digital experience center. After renovation, it will be newly operated as a complex cultural space combining culture, leisure, and experiences.

Sudong Valley (Sudong National Tourist Site) is a valley nicknamed 'Mulgolan' because clear water flows abundantly throughout the year. It flows between Seorisan and Cheolmasan mountains, covering an area of about 224,800㎡, and was designated as a national tourist site in 1983. You can enjoy healing camping in the dense forest surrounded by Cheonmasan, Jugumsan, and Seorisan mountains. The upper stream Bigeum-ri's Bigeum Valley, the lower stream Geomdan-ri Valley, and Mulgolan Valley blend with the dense forest to create beautiful scenery. The valley water is wide and has various depths, making it suitable for water play, and camping is available at Sudong Family Shelter.

Jinggiseukan Old Hometown is a Mongolian cuisine specialty restaurant located across from the Mongolian Cultural Village in Namyangju. Here, ingredients are directly imported from Mongolia, allowing you to truly taste authentic Mongolian food. Korean side dishes are served first, and the traditional Mongolian steamed dish, Hurheok, takes a long time to prepare, so it is recommended to call ahead and order before visiting. The menu includes Hurheok, Khan set meals, meat dishes such as Khan mutton boiled pork and grilled ribs, and meal dishes like Khan fried rice and Khan steamed dumplings. For visitors who cannot eat mutton, there are hot stone pot rice and mountain vegetable bibimbap options. A café also operates on site, where you can enjoy a cup of tea and have a chat after your meal.

The Piano Waterfall is located within Hwado Green Water Center, an eco-friendly facility in Hwado-eup, Namyangju-si. The site features an artificial waterfall as well as free water play areas, an ecological park, and a piano-shaped restroom. The Piano Waterfall operates by erecting a steel structure at a cut slope, forming an artificial cliff with rock molds, and pumping treated wastewater from the sewage treatment plant to cascade down the 61-meter cliff. It has been operating since 2005 but is closed during winter from December to February to prevent freezing. Opposite the Piano Waterfall is the piano-shaped restroom, which won the 2008 'Beautiful Restroom' award. The restroom includes a nursing room and lounge, with plants placed throughout. The space, designed with full windows, allows a direct view of the Piano Waterfall. The free water play area runs temporarily in summer with shallow depths safe for children, along with various sculptures, shade tents, and deck facilities. Nearby, a kiosk sells simple snacks, and an ecological park offers pleasant walking areas. Adjacent to the parking lot, the environmental promotion center provides an educational experience worth visiting.

Suchongsa Temple is a branch temple of Bongseonsa near the summit of Ungilsan in Songchon-ri, Joan-myeon, Namyangju. This temple is renowned as a prime location praised by Seogeojeong as having the best view among Eastern temples, offering scenery of Yangsu-ri where the Bukhan River and Namhan River meet, with views extending to nearby mountains. It is said to have been first built during the Silla period, though detailed history is unknown, and there is a legend related to King Sejo of Joseon. While spending a night in Yangsu-ri on a trip for illness treatment, King Sejo followed the faint sound of a bell to a cave containing 18 Arhats statues, where dripping water from a rock crevice produced the bell sound. He then enshrined the 18 Arhats and established the temple, naming it Suchongsa. However, the temple already had significant size before this, as evidenced by the burial mound of Jung-ui Ongju, King Sejo's aunt. Existing buildings include the Daeungbojeon, Eungjinjeon, Yaksa-jeon, Sansingak, Bell Pavilion, Gyeonghakwon, and lodgings. Important cultural assets include treasure-designated artifacts within the Suchongsa burial mound and the five-story stone pagoda of Suchongsa. Within the temple grounds stands a 500-year-old large ginkgo tree bestowed by King Sejo. While all four seasons offer splendid views, the autumn foliage period is especially famous for stunning scenery. From the Suchongsa parking lot, it is a 400m walk to the temple, taking about 15 minutes.