[Joyongjun's Journey Manli] Three Paths in the Sky, Destination is Healing

Geochang·Hapcheon '3 Pleasant Journeys'

Geochang and Hapcheon are wellness tourist destinations in Gyeongnam. With their beautiful mountains and clear waters, they offer many spaces for healing rest and experiences. The Y-shaped Chullyeong Bridge, a landmark of Geochang Udu Mountain Anti-Aging Healing Land, is currently closed due to COVID-19. It is scheduled to reopen once social distancing is lowered to Level 1.

The view overlooking from Hapcheon Odosan Observatory

The view from the summit of Gamaksan Mountain in Geochang

Gamaksan, famous as a car camping destination

Udusan Anti-Aging Healing Land

[Asia Economy Travel Specialist Reporter Jo Yong-jun] 'Healing travel' is gaining attention. This is because, due to COVID-19, it is possible to travel solely for oneself while minimizing contact with others. Accordingly, more local governments are pursuing 'wellness tourism.' 'Wellness tourism' is a compound word of well-being and fitness, meaning tourism for health and a happy life. It has attracted interest as a major travel trend for improving the quality of life, rest, and healing for people physically and mentally exhausted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic for over a year. Geochang and Hapcheon, blessed with beautiful mountains and clear waters, are wellness tourism destinations recommended by the Gyeongnam Tourism Foundation. Above all, these places are not crowded amusement spots but are abundant with healing forests where one can breathe in nature. Geochang is a high mountain paradise. It boasts about 20 mountains over 1,000 meters above sea level. Among them, Wudusan (1,046m), which houses the Anti-Aging Healing Land, stands out the most. The country's first Y-shaped suspension bridge is also located here. Hapcheon has Odosan Natural Recreation Forest, which is not just a lodging facility but offers various forest healing programs such as meditation, yoga, and walking.

◇Geochang Wudusan Y-shaped Suspension Bridge Thrilling Experience & Anti-Aging Healing Land Opening in May

Wudusan is named because its shape resembles a cow's head. Its outstanding scenery is exceptionally beautiful, earning it the name Byeolyusan. Especially, the mountain range with bizarre rock peaks is so mysterious that it evokes an imaginary utopia. Here lies the Anti-Aging Healing Land, utilizing the pristine forest environment. As the name suggests, it is a place primarily designed for 'healing.'

It is equipped with an essential barrier-free deck road that anyone can walk safely and comfortably. There are also lodging facilities such as a botanical garden where rare plants can be admired, a forest recreation center, and forest houses.

Nearby are famous mountains like Uisangbong and Bigaesan, called the small Geumgangsan due to their strange rock peaks. You can also enjoy Gajo Hot Springs, boasting the best alkaline water quality nationwide. It is an ideal wellness tourism destination. The Anti-Aging Healing Land is scheduled to officially open in May, with final construction underway on some facilities, including lodging buildings.

In fact, the most famous attraction in the Healing Land is something else. It is the Y-shaped suspension bridge opened in October last year. Although over 100 suspension bridges have been built nationwide due to the suspension bridge craze, the Y-shape is the first in Korea. The Y-shaped suspension bridge connects three peaks of Wudusan. The three bridges meet in the air without any piers.

To reach the suspension bridge, you can hike about 600 meters along the trail from the Anti-Aging Healing Land. The path is not steep and has low wooden steps, making it easy for the elderly and children to walk without burden.

After about 10 minutes of climbing, the red Y-shaped suspension bridge appeared. The suspension bridge is a pier-less suspension bridge supported by wire railings without main towers.

I asked a Healing Land official accompanying me if it was dangerous without supporting piers. He calmly replied, "It is safe. It can withstand a maximum load of 60 tons, meaning 800 adults weighing 75 kg each can stand on it simultaneously."

The charm of the suspension bridge is, of course, the 'thrilling excitement.' I have crossed many suspension bridges, but they were just ordinary. However, the Y-shape is different. You will understand once you walk on it. The feeling of having nothing supporting it intensifies the thrill.

The highlight of the suspension bridge is its floor made of lattice-shaped steel with holes. Every time you pass over the perforated floor, your calves tingle. Carefully walking, I stood at the central point where the three bridges meet. The spectacular view of Wudusan unfolds at a glance. In front of me, Janggunbong and a waterfall below blend exquisitely.

Due to the unique Y-shaped suspension bridge, many crowds flocked immediately after its opening last year. A Healing Land official said, "It is unfortunate that visitors just pass by the Anti-Aging Healing Land forest recreation facilities and only see the suspension bridge." Currently, access is restricted due to COVID-19, but it will reopen once social distancing is lowered to level 1. Geochang-gun is preparing various measures such as operating shuttle buses from the foot of the mountain and limiting daily admission numbers.

Next, we move to Gamaksan (951m). Surrounded by Jirisan, Deogyusan, and Gayasan, it offers views of Geochang-eup and Hapcheon Dam. At the summit reached by car, wind turbines spin vigorously. Across, Jirisan Cheonwangbong approached impressively.

At the summit is a mountain-top botanical garden that Geochang-gun is carefully developing. In spring, summer, and fall, various flowers bloom splendidly, creating a heavenly garden. Especially near the summit parking lot, it has become popular as a car camping spot. Mid-mountain, you can see Yonsusa Temple from the Silla era, along with a legendary spring and a ginkgo tree.

◇Hapcheon Odosan Natural Recreation Forest, Healing Forest Trail at 700m Above Sea Level

A 'Healing Center' has been established in Hapcheon Odosan Natural Recreation Forest. Located on the northern slope of Odosan at 1,134m above sea level, this place is renowned as a premium resort in Hapcheon.

The recreation forest opened in 2002, and the healing forest in 2018. It is a place where you can enjoy forest bathing along a healing road mainly composed of pine trees at 700m elevation.

The road from the ticket office to the Healing Forest Center, located deepest inside, is well paved. It is possible to move between facilities by car. Of course, there are also a 9 km hiking trail and a 2 km walking trail separated from the road. Odosan Natural Recreation Forest is most popular in summer. The valley water is dammed in layers to create a natural swimming pool.

Walking slowly along the healing road and enjoying forest bathing feels like a simple healing for the body and mind exhausted by COVID-19. The air surrounding the body, the scent of grass, and the sound of birds immediately evoke a response.

Leaving the recreation forest, let's visit the Odosan Observatory. Odosan is neither as tall as Gayasan nor as picturesque as Hwangmaesan. However, it is a deep mountain where the last wild leopard in Korea was captured alive in 1962.

After the leopard disappeared, a road was built. With the KT relay station established at the summit, a road was made from the village entrance to the 1,134m Odosan summit. Due to the steep slope, the paved road length from the foot to the summit is as long as 10 km.

The road endlessly continues between mountain villages and forests, passing Palbu Ridge, where the view opens up in all directions. The mountains layered below ripple like waves, creating an emotional sight. You cannot capture the 'sea made by mountains' in one glance, so you have to turn your gaze 180 degrees.

Below the relay station, there are three observatories. The first observatory is for watching the sunrise. The second offers a panoramic view of the mountains surrounding Hapcheon Lake, where the layered mountain ridges resemble an ink wash painting. The third observatory at the relay station entrance shows mountains rising abruptly through the sea of clouds, including Hwangmaesan, resembling an archipelago. Below, the road winding along Odosan's mountain waist draws a curvy line like contour lines.

Geochang, Hapcheon = Text and photos by Travel Specialist Jo Yong-jun jun21@

◇Travel Notes

△How to get there= Take the Gyeongbu Expressway and Daejeon-Tongyeong Expressway, then at the Hamyang junction, head toward Daegu and Geochang. Exit at Gajo IC, then go toward Jungma Intersection, Geochang International School, and Wudusan. Hapcheon Odosan is about 40 minutes from Wudusan.

△Attractions= In Geochang, there are famous scenic spots such as Susungdae, Wolseong Valley, Gokyeonsa Temple, and Deokcheon Seowon known for cherry blossoms. In Hapcheon, there are Haeinsa Temple, Hwangmaesan, Hapcheon Film Theme Park, and Hapcheon Lake.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.