Where chants and the song of life soothe body and mind | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Once the territory of Mahan during the Samhan period, a fortification during Baekje, and the site of Nagan-gun in Goryeo, this area preserves the fortress, Dongheon, guesthouse, General Im Gyeong-eop's monument, marketplace, and thatched houses in their original form from the Joseon Dynasty. The fortress and village were the first in the country to be designated a historic site together. In the 6th year of King Taejo of Joseon (1397), General Kim Bin-gil of Yanghyegong, a local from this area, raised an army to defend against Japanese pirate invasions by building an earthen wall. About 300 years later, in the 4th year of King Injo (1626), General Im Gyeong-eop, known as Chungmingong, was appointed governor of Nagan and rebuilt the stone fortress as it stands today. Unlike other fortresses, it was sturdily constructed on a wide plain using square natural stones 1–2m in size, reaching 4m in height, 3–4m in width, with total fortress length of 1,410m, enclosing three villages—Dongnae, Namnae, and Seonae—in a rectangular shape. Nearly 400 years later, it remains intact and grand. Many generations still live in this traditional folk village, recognized as valuable both for folklore scholarship and as a living history museum. Entering through the east gate as well as the west and south gates creates the illusion of a historical drama filming set (used for "Dragon Tears," "Taejo Wang Geon" among others). Unlike exhibit-style villages like Yongin or Jeju folk villages or aristocrat villages like Andong Hahoe, it shows the genuine lifestyle of ordinary Koreans, filled with the scent and warmth of ancestors. Distinctive southern housing features such as the verandah, kitchen, earth floor, roof, jangdok pots on stone steps, and stone walls linking neighbors are neither sharp nor high, entwined with fence gourds, evoking childhood memories of playing tag and a heartfelt sense of home. ◎ Travel info to experience Hallyu charm – The drama "Youth Geumdang" is set here, where one can see traditional Korean life from the Joseon era to present. The clustered thatched houses are heartwarming, and the earth-and-stone walls with beautifully curved roofs are simply beautiful. Walking along the fortress wall offers a panoramic view of the thatched village. This is the background for Minjae's village in "Youth Geumdang."

Suncheon Dolmen Park, located in Usan-ri, Songgwang-myeon, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do, is a historic site park created by relocating and restoring dolmens (支石墓), standing stones (立石), pit houses, and other cultural relics excavated during the construction of the Jua Multi-purpose Dam. The park covers approximately 18,000 pyeong and features 147 dolmens, 5 model dolmens, 2 standing stones, 6 pit houses, 1 Paleolithic house, sotdae (ritual wooden poles), 2 exhibition halls, an experience learning center, a nature learning center, walking trails, and convenience facilities, making it an outdoor museum. Since December 2000, when the Hwasun, Gochang, and Ganghwa dolmen sites were registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, dolmens have attracted global interest, and this park has gained attention as a popular dolmen-themed travel course.

낙안읍성 인근에 있는 순천시립 뿌리깊은나무 박물관은 故한창기 선생님이 생전에 모아오신 유물을 전시하고 있다. 청동기 시대부터 광복 이후까지 다양한 유물들이 전시되어 우리 '토박이' 문화를 잘 이해할 수 있는 박물관이다. 故한창기 선생님은 생전에 우리 것의 낡음과 투박한 것에서 문화를 창조하고자 하셨다. 보잘것없고 천대받던 것들이 지금은 문화적 가치가 있는 유물이 되고, 조상의 삶을 엿볼 수 있는 자료로 재탄생 되었다.