Folk Culture and Rustic Charm in Yeongwol | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Nanggo Kim Sat-gat Historic Site is located in Norumok, Yeongwol-gun. This place is situated at the northern and southern ends of the Charyeong and Sobaek mountain ranges, respectively, and is called Norumok because the shape of the mountain range resembles a deer lying down. The Gokdongcheon stream flowing within the Kim Sat-gat site is clear and abundant among jagged rocks, and the autumn foliage is beautifully colorful. Here lie the tomb and residence of Kim Sat-gat, a late Joseon wandering and genius poet also known as Nanggo Kim Byeong-yeon. His grave was first discovered in 1982 by a local historian from Yeongwol. To commemorate Kim Sat-gat’s spirit and cultural arts, the Nanggo Kim Sat-gat Cultural Festival has been held annually in early October since 1998. As part of a Gangwon-do policy project, landscaping and road paving, among other infrastructure, were established from 2001 to 2003 to transform the site into a pleasant tourist destination. In October 2003, the Nanggo Kim Sat-gat Literature Museum opened, exhibiting Kim Sat-gat’s literary world to visitors. Within the site are also the Joseon Minhwa Museum and Muksan Art Museum. The Joseon Minhwa Museum displays about 500 folk paintings full of the common people’s joys, sorrows, and satire from the Joseon period, while the Muksan Art Museum exhibits ink paintings by traditional Korean artist Muksan Im Sang-bin. Well-maintained mountain trails to Madaesan and Gombong, part of the Baekdudaegan range, run alongside waterfalls and clear valley water, making it enjoyable to explore the cultural heritage sites together.

조선민화박물관은 전문해설자의 유익하고 재미있는 설명과 함께 조선시대 진본 민화와 고가구, 현대민화 등을 함께 관람할 수 있으며 관람객이 판화로 민화찍기, 민화 그리기 등에 직접 참여 할 수 있는 민화 체험장과 독특한 민화 상품도 구입할 수 있다.

This nearby valley became famous for the location of Kimsatgat's grave. Historical sites related to Kimsatgat are dispersed across the southern part of Gangwon-do and the border area of Chungcheongbuk-do. North of the Namdaecheon River, in Seollaegol (Seollakdong), Eodun-ri, Hadong-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, there is his former home site, and near Waseok-ri in Norumok, there is his gravesite. On the other side of the stream, in Yeongchun-myeon, Danyang-gun, a commemorative poem monument was erected. Recently, literary and historical interest in Kimsatgat has increased, attracting more hikers and exploratory travelers. A hiking trail connecting Daeyari, nearby Madaesan (1,052m elevation; a mountain bordering Gangwon-do, Chungbuk, and Gyeongbuk), Kimsatgat’s birthplace site, and his gravesite has been developed, with frequent visits to Gombong (a peak shaped like a bear). Waseok-ri is a small remote village with about ten households, preserving the old rural atmosphere. Kimsatgat Valley was called 'Mureung-gye' by Kimsatgat himself due to its outstanding scenery. Although it is not designated as a tourist attraction, it boasts a pristine environment that remains unpolluted and well-preserved. Nearby Naeri Valley’s crane and the woodpeckers on the trail to Beopheungsa Jeokbyeolbogung, as well as otters, eagle owls, water rails, golden eagles, little owls, barn owls, kestrels, and duck flocks living where the Donggang and Seogang rivers flow around rocky cliffs, prove that this region is a natural ecological museum. Yeongwol-gun alternates rest years for this valley and Naeri Valley and nearby valleys, so visitors must check before departing.

마대산은 김삿갓유적지를 산자락에 품고 있는 1,052m의 정상에서 내려다보는 동강과 햇빛을 가리는 장목수림, 그리고 계곡 가을단풍으로 유명하다. 김삿갓의 자취를 느낄 수 있는 생가터, 묘역 등을 함께 볼 수 있으며, 선낙골 계곡의 가을 단풍이 매우 아름다운 산이다.