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Yangcheon Hyanggyo and Gaehwasan Walk

 

Date: Saturday, April 16, 2022. 1:00PM to 5:00PM
Tour Leader: Matt VanVolkenburg
Destination: Western Seoul
Cost: KRW25,000 for RAS Korea members; KRW30,000 for Non-members

 

Meeting Point: Exit 2, Yangcheon Hyanggyo Station(양천향교) #906 (Subway Line 9). At 1:00PM

 

RSVP by April 13 (Wednesday)  by clicking HEREand pay the fee via bank transfer. *There is no longer a ‘Pay exact amount on arrival’ option for payment.

Please register one RSVP at a time.

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

*Reservation is not confirmed until payment is received 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. Not far to the west lies Mt. Gaehwasan, which overlooks the Han River and Gimpo Airport, and, with its temples, Joseon-era grave sites, and Korean War memorials, it offers visitors a glimpse into Korea’s past, both distant and recent. This tour will visit both locations.

Starting from Yangcheon Hyanggyo Station, we will make our way to Yangcheon Hyanggyo, which was established in 1411 and which is the only Confucian shrine still remaining in Seoul. 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.

From there we will take public transportation to Gaehwa Station in order to explore Mt. Gaehwasan. We will first visit Mitasa Temple, where a large, Goryeo-era Buddha statue stands outside. We will also visit the Memorial to the Loyal Dead, which was erected to remember the 1,100 soldiers of the Korean 1st Army Division who died defending Mt. Gaehwasan during the opening of the Korean War, and learn more about the fighting which took place on the mountain during the war, as well as its military importance in the present. From there we will walk along a raised walkway to a replica of the Gaehwasan Bongsudae (Fire Beacon Station) which once stood on the mountain. After visiting Yaksasa Temple to see a statue of the Buddha and a three-story stone pagoda, which also date back to the Goryeo Era, we will make our way down the mountain. On the way, we will visit the numerous tombs, flanked by beautifully carved stone statues and gravestones, of the Pungsan Shim clan. This Yangban family served the Joseon kings for several generations and were memorialized for their meritorious deeds – one of which was taking part in the overthrow of the notorious king, Yonsan-gun. The trip will end at Banghwa Station (Line 5) after passing through a park with a number of 400-year-old zelkova and gingko trees, which tie into the story of how the area almost became a royal tomb.

While on the mountain, we will stop at various points to take in views of the surrounding area and enjoy its natural beauty, which should be heightened by a variety of spring flowers at their peak.

This walking excursion will set off at 1:00 pm from Exit 2 of Yangcheon Hyanggyo Station (양천향교) #906 (Subway Line 9). This tour will involve more than 4 km of walking up and around a low mountain, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

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