[Digging Travel] A Library on the Road, Walking Through Chungbuk from Cheongnamdae to Skywalk

① Inland Sea, Refreshing Chungbuk 'Walking Courses' Surrounding Daecheongho Lake

"Walking is a boundless library without walls. It is a library that tells the stories of ordinary objects placed on the path every time, a library that mediates the memories of places we pass by, and at the same time, a library that holds collective memories offered by signposts, ruins, monuments, and more. Seen this way, walking is passing through various landscapes and words."

French sociologist David Le Breton praised the act of walking and called the road a library. The joy given by the scenery encountered while walking and the continuous contemplation during walking is profound and pure, as much as reading a book. If you want to escape the daily routine of the city filled with commuting and immerse yourself in deep reflection while walking a quiet path, pay attention to Chungcheongbuk-do. From the Cheongnamdae walking trail created solely for the powerful, to the skywalk that feels like walking above the clouds, and the Jando Trail that winds along the calm river and ridges. Even Joseon-era scholars admired the 'Danyang Palgyeong' not just as simple scenic spots but as spiritual pilgrimage sites for cultivating the mind and emotions. To steady a scattered mind, the first destination in Chungcheongbuk-do is the presidential villa, Cheongnamdae.

Cheongnamdae Panorama. [Photo by Chungcheongbuk-do]

Contemplation on the Path Walked by Presidents, 'Cheongnamdae'

Across the country, there are various walking trails that highlight regional characteristics, but Cheongju offers a more special walking trail and scenery with its forests and lakes. Among them, Cheongnamdae, boasting the most beautiful forest trail, was a presidential villa for 20 years from its opening in 1983 until it was opened to the public in 2003. Passing through the main building where you can tour the presidential office, reception room, and bedroom, there is a 13.5km walking trail in the forest overlooking Daecheong Lake. 124 species and 116,000 landscaping trees and 143 species with 350,000 flowers captivate the walker's heart throughout the walk. The types of paths are also diverse. The Roh Moo-hyun Presidential Trail, which returned Cheongnamdae to the people, is an impressive section in autumn colored by oak and maple trees in October. The Kim Dae-jung Presidential Trail, stretching 2.5km from the lakeside to the observatory, is a course where oak and pine trees grow densely, harmonizing with the glittering surface of Daecheong Lake and the clear sky shining through the trees.

Cheongnamdae Observatory viewed from the sky.
Photo by Travel Team

The Roh Tae-woo Presidential Trail and Chun Doo-hwan Presidential Trail are gentle courses of about 1.5 to 2km, not far from the main and annex buildings of Cheongnamdae, making them easy for children to walk. The 1km Kim Young-sam Presidential Trail, passing by the fish farm where the former president enjoyed fishing and allowing visitors to enjoy the musical fountain, is highly favored. Behind it, the wide golf course lawn and the beauty of dawn redwoods add to its popularity as a filming location for movies and dramas.

In the middle of the forest trail, an observatory made up of 645 steps offers a panoramic view encompassing Cheongnamdae and Daecheong Lake. The point where the vast lake meets the land resembles the breathtaking scenery of an archipelago. Sitting on benches placed along the lakeside to catch your breath, you too become part of the picturesque landscape.

Aerial view of Mancheonha Skywalk.
Photo by Kim Seon-gwon, travel writer

Enjoying Activities Amid Unique Scenery, 'Mancheonha Skywalk and Jando Trail'

Perhaps because the healing effect of the beautiful scenery is as great as the elixir eaten by immortals, the name Danyang originates from Yeondanjoyang (鍊丹調陽). Combining Yeondan, meaning the elixir eaten by immortals, and Joyang, meaning sunlight evenly shining, it means 'a good place to live ruled by immortals.' Hearing the anecdote that Gyeokam Namsago bowed down after seeing Danyang's scenery, calling it a 'life-giving mountain,' only increases curiosity about the charm of this area.

Opened in 2017, the Danyang Jando Trail is a viewpoint course where you can enjoy the spectacular view between the cliff and the Namhan River. The path, which Joseon-era scholars never experienced, feels like walking floating above the sheer cliff and the river flowing below. The total length is 1.1km, stretching from the Danyang County Health Center to the Mancheonha Skywalk. The Mancheonha Skywalk, meaning 'Ten Thousand Valleys, One Thousand Peaks,' is a structure built atop Manhakcheonbong (320m), boasting a height of over 100 meters.

In addition to its scale that catches the eye from afar, reaching the top observatory after winding up the path allows you to see even Yeonhwabong of Sobaeksan Mountain at a glance. The path to Mancheonha Skywalk, including the Jando Trail, offers various experiences such as monorail, slide, and alpine coaster, making it popular among tourists in their 20s and 30s. As its value became known, it is now listed alongside the Danyang Jando Trail in Korea's Top 100 Tourist Attractions.

Sunrise at Dodamsambong.
Photo by Kim Seon-gwon, travel writer

The Best of Danyang Palgyeong, the Landscape Where Immortals Roamed, 'Dodamsambong'

Toegye Yi Hwang, during his tenure as Danyang County magistrate, regarded Dodamsambong as the foremost among the Danyang Palgyeong. The spectacular view of three towering rock formations on the upper Namhan River inspired the brushes of Danwon Kim Hong-jo and Gyeomjae Jeong Seon, and stirred the poetic hearts of Toegye Yi Hwang and Chusa Kim Jeong-hui. "At sunset, Dodamsambong is dyed with evening glow. The immortal's raft leans against the cliff, and under the starlight and moonlight, golden waves ripple." If Toegye enjoyed starlight and moonlight riding the immortal's raft, nowadays, a popular course is taking a cruise for about an hour around the Namhan River area surrounding Sambong.

Passing close by Dodamsambong and the pavilion Samdojeong, you can also encounter Seokmundo, the eighth scenic spot of Danyang Palgyeong. Enjoying the scenery on a leisurely cruise boat drifting with the current offers a time that rivals the pleasures of immortal play. Recently, Danyang County announced plans to create a 17,400㎡ garden on the riverfront land in front of Dodam Village beyond Dodamsambong. After a few seasons pass, it is said that you will be able to ride a yellow sailboat on the Namhan River garden where cosmos, poppies, and pampas grass proudly display their colors, deepening the dreamlike scenery unique to Danyang even further.

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