Touring the Eight Scenic Sites of Danyang, from Sainam to Oksunbong

Danyang has long been famed for the striking scenery created by its mountains, valleys, and rivers. The eight scenic wonders stretching from Dodamsambong to Gudambong and Oksunbong are known as the "Eight Scenic Sites of Danyang" (Danyang Palgyeong). Oksunbong, Sainam, and Dodamsambong, among the Eight Scenic Sites of Danyang, are so beautiful they even appear in Danwon Kim Hong-do's "Byeongjinnyeon Hwacheop" (Album of the Byeongjin Year). A tour of the Eight Scenic Sites of Danyang is the perfect first step for any trip to Danyang.

Along the way

1. 1

   Danyang Jeokseong Fortress

   단양 적성

   This is a stone fortress on Mt. Seongjaesan in Danyang. It once measured about 900m around, but most of it has collapsed; on the northeast side, part of the inner wall of a doubled section remains.\nMoreLess

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2. 2
   Sainam

   사인암

   Located in Sainam-ri, Daegang-myeon, Sainam, together with the upper, middle, and lower reaches of Seonam Valley, is one of the Eight Scenic Sites of Danyang situated in the southeast of Danyang-gun. It is a striking rock cliff, 70m high, rising along the deep, clear blue stream on the Namjocheon, south of Danyang. \nMoreLess

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3. 3

   Lunch (Seonam Garden)

   점심식사(선암가든)

   Selected as a designated local-food restaurant for its native chicken baeksuk (whole chicken soup) and spicy fish stew, Seonam Garden also serves an exceptional set meal of wild mountain greens and deodeok (bellflower root) skewers, along with acorn jelly, house-made dongdongju rice wine, buchimgae pancakes, and hand-pressed tofu.\nMoreLess

   

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4. 4

   Sangseonam

   상선암

   Though there are no large, sweeping boulders here, the small, softly rounded rocks huddled together evoke the simple, warm feeling of a Korean neighborhood. Clear mountain water flows smoothly across the flat rocks before narrowing into a gorge, cascading as a waterfall beneath a suspension bridge with a thunderous roar, its spray sprinkling the clothes of passing visitors. \nMoreLess

   

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5. 5

   Jungseonam

   중선암

   Said to have been named by the Joseon-era scholar-official Kim Su-jeung during the reign of King Hyojong, Jungseonam is the center of the Samseon-gugok (Three Immortals' Nine Bends). Because a pair of dragons are said to have ascended to heaven here from the mountain stream, it is also called "Ssangyongpok" (Twin Dragon Falls). On the rock face of Okyeomdae is a large inscription reading "Sagun Gangsan Samseon Suseok" (The Rivers and Mountains of Four Counties, the Rocks and Waters of Three Immortals), inscribed in 1717, the 43rd year of King Sukjong, by the provincial governor Yun Heon-ju. \nMoreLess

   

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6. 6

   Seonam Valley

   선암계곡

   Seonam Valley is a roughly 10km stretch of pristine stream running from Gasan-ri to Daejam-ri in Danseong-myeon, Danyang-gun, home to three of the famous Eight Scenic Sites of Danyang -- Sangseonam, Jungseonam, and Haseonam -- as well as Teukseonam and Soseonam. Known for its dense forest, striking rock formations, and clear, clean water, it is a popular summer retreat where camping and water play are possible almost anywhere along the valley. \nMoreLess

   

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