The Hwayang Gugok Valley is famous as a place where “Uam” Song Si-yeol taught his disciples after retiring from government service while pursing the happiness that comes from living an honest and humble life.

Song compared himself to Chinese poet Zhu Xi, who wrote about the nine bends in Mountain Wuyi and wanted to pick the nine most scenic valleys in Hwayang-dong in a similar way. It was his most famous disciple, Gwon Sang-ha, who came up with the name Hwayang Gugok, or the nine scenic bends of the Hwayang Valley and wrote a poem about the area in an expression of reverence toward his mentor.

The First Curve: Gyeongcheonbyeok Cliff

A rock on the steep cliff is engraved with “Hwayangdongmun” written by Song Si-yeol.

The Third Curve: Eupgungam Rock

The name of the rock originated from the story that Song Si-yeol wept on this rock after King Hyojong died.

The Fourth Curve: Geumsadam Pond

Amseojae Pavilion is located on the rocks where he studied and taught students while he was in exile.

Location | Around Hwayang-ri, Cheongcheon-myeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Purpose | Sightseeing, Contemplation

The Hwayangseowon Confucian Academy and the Mandongmyo Shrine are surrounded by the majestic landscape, which includes Unyeongdam Pond of Hwayang Gugok Valley, Geumsadam Pond and Hwayangcheon Stream.

It was Song Si-yeol’s followers, including Gwon Sang-ha, who came together to build Hwayangseowon in 1695 to honor their mentor. The academy’s site was a place where Song taught his pupils and studied while living in seclusion after the Manchu War of 1636.

The Mandongmyo Shrine was constructed to hold memorial services for Emperors Sinjong and Uijong of China’s Ming Dynasty who sent troops to Joseon during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592.

Hwayangseowon Confucian Academy

Location | 188 Hwayangdong-gil, Cheongcheonmyeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Foundation | 1696
Purpose | Memorial Service, Education

Mandongmyo Shrine

Location | 188 Hwayangdong-gil, Cheongcheonmyeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Foundation | 1703
Purpose | Memorial Service

Gareun Gugok Valley in Goesan’s Galron Village was originally known as Galron Valley. But after academics found Chinese poetry engraved on rocks at nine different sites, the valley was renamed Gareun Gukgok Valley, a name that highlights the nine spots. The valley is located in the deepest part of the mountains in Goesan and its beauty is breathtaking.

Location | Around Galron-ri, Chilseong-myeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Origin | Before 1899
Purpose | Sightseeing, Contemplation

Seonyu Gugok Valley is named after a story that “Goun” Choi Chi-won, prominent scholar and government official of the Silla Kingdom, engraved the words “Seonyudong” on one of the rocks at the valley. The valley inspired many writers, poets and painters, including Choi, “Ubok” Jeong Gyeong-se and “Doam” Yi Jae. It’s also said that “Toegye” Yi Hwang, a Confucian official and scholar of the Joseon Dynasty period, was so mesmerized by the valley’s beauty that he spent nine months engraving names he gave to each of the nine rocks he picked as the valley’s best. While much of the inscriptions have faded, the magnificent landscape is enough to show why so many scholars treasured the valley

Location | Around Seonyu-dong, Samsong-4 ri, Cheongcheon-myeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Origin | 1752
Purpose | Sightseeing, Contemplation