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Wood, Water, and Stone in Western Seoul

Leader: Matt VanVolkenburg

DATE: Saturday. April 29, 2023. 1:00pm to 5:00pm
DESTINATION(S): Western Seoul
COST: 30,000 won for members; 40,000 won for non-members

MEETING POINT: At the top of Exit #1 of Gayang Sation (가양역, Subway Line 9, #907). At 1:00PM.

RSVP by April 27 (Thursday) by clicking HERE with payment of the fee via bank transfer. Please register one RSVP at a time.

☞Payment to be remitted to the following account:
SHINHAN BANK ACCOUNT # 100-026-383501 (RAS-KB)

*Reservation is not confirmed until payment has been received by RAS Korea in advance of the event.

 

Now located in western Seoul, Yangcheon was once its own prefecture during the Joseon era and was known for its natural beauty. At the center of the prefecture was Yangcheon Hyanggyo, a state-run Confucian shrine and academy. Other remnants of not only the Baekje and Joseon era, but also the colonial period can be found in the area, especially around Mt. Gungsan. Two museums commemorate famous figures who lived in the area in centuries past.

Starting from Gayang Station, we will make our way to the Heo Jun Museum to learn about the Joseon Dynasty’s greatest physician, who lived in this area, and who compiled the Dongui Bogam, or “Mirror of Eastern Medicine,” which is included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme. From there we will move to Heogabawui, a cave associated with Heo’s family, and then to Guam Park to see Gwangjubawui, scenic rock formations rising from a pond that drew painters hundreds of years ago. After a walk along the Han River, we will visit a 430-year-old gingko tree before making our way to Yangcheon Hyanggyo, which was established in 1411 and which is the only Confucian shrine still remaining in Seoul.

From there we will ascend Gungsan, a small mountain, and visit Soakru Pavilion, rebuilt 30 years ago to commemorate an 18th century pavilion visited by literati of days gone by, and the Seonghwangsa which houses a spirit tablet of the local village protective spirit. Next, we will visit a museum space showcasing a Japanese-built military tunnel excavated in the 1940s but only discovered a decade ago. From there we will visit Gyeomjae Jeong Seon Memorial Museum and learn about Jeong Seon (1676–1759), also known by his pen name Gyeomjae, the innovative painter who served as a magistrate in Yangcheon in the 1740s and who is known for painting its landscapes. The excursion will end with a visit to Magok Cultural Center, a former agricultural pumping station constructed in the 1920s restored as an art space, as well as the Lake Park near Seoul Botanical Garden.

This walking excursion will set off at 1:00 pm from exit 1 of Gayang Station (가양역) #907 (subway line number 9). Though Gungsan is a low (75 meter high) hill, we will be doing around 5 kilometers of walking, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. We will finish at Magongnaru Station (subway line 9 and AREX).

 

** As our excursion leaders are often too focused on leading to take photos of their own tours, we hope that you will consider sharing with us a few photos from the excursion, or write a sentence or two about your experience that we could use in future promotional efforts on behalf of the society.  Any quotes, photos, videos, or other material would be used with attribution. 

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