In Search of the Pine Tree that Loves Makgeolli

Located in Seokpyeong Village beneath Buyongbong Peak of the Sobaeksan Mountain range, Seoksongnyeong is a Geumgang pine tree with many stories and tales surrounding it. Said to love drinking makgeolli by the bucketful, this pine tree is also a place where people pray for good health and disease-free lives. Nearby Yecheon Hot Springs and the Yecheon Astro-Space Center also make for pleasant travel destinations. At Geumdangsil Village, a variety of rural hands-on experiences await.

Along the way

1. 1

   Yecheon Cheonhyang-ri Seoksongnyeong

   예천 천향리 석송령

   Designated as Natural Monument No. 294, this multi-stemmed pine tree (Pinus densiflora for. multicaulis) symbolizes wealth, longevity, and evergreen vitality. Legend has it that about 600 years ago, a resident rescued and planted a young pine sapling drifting downstream in a flood along Seokgwancheon Stream in front of the village. Standing 10 meters tall with a trunk circumference of 4.2 meters at breast height, a crown spread of 32 meters east-west and 22 meters north-south, and casting 990㎡ of shade, it serves as a guardian tree protecting the village's peace and unity. Furthermore, it is the only "wealthy tree" in the country—and the first in the world—to own 4,558㎡ of land and pay property taxes. MoreLess

   

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2. 2

   Yecheon Hot Springs

   예천 온천

   The area around Gwanhyeon and Cheonhyang-ri in Gamcheon-myeon features many water-related place names such as Yecheon (醴泉 - sweet liquor spring), Gamcheon (甘泉 - sweet spring), Cheonhyang (泉香 - fragrant spring), and Onsugok (溫水谷 - warm water valley), and has a long-standing history of hot spring water. In particular, Saembat is a village pioneered around 1775 by the Onyang Jeong clan. It was named after a spring at the village entrance whose water never decreases during droughts and never freezes in the cold, and is also called Cheonjeon (泉田 - spring field) or Onsugol (溫水谷). MoreLess

   

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3. 3
   Yecheon Astro-Space Center

   예천천문우주센터

   This theme park opened in November 2004. The Yecheon Science and Culture Center established and operates the Yecheon 'Star' Astronomical Observatory. Yecheon-gun plans to lead "science tourism" and "educational tourism" as the first theme park in history centered on stars and space, having invested a total budget of around 40 billion KRW through 2009. Visitors of all generations can stay at the on-site accommodations, observe the distant universe through large telescopes, and experience space environments such as zero gravity. MoreLess

   

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4. 4

   Lunch (Silla Botanical Garden)

   점심식사(신라식물원)

   Changing its appearance across the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, Silla Botanical Garden offers a dining experience where you can enjoy nature along with a meal combining deep flavors of tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties) made from Yecheon Chamwoo (Korean beef) and a special sauce made from mulberries. Hands-on activities are available where visitors can pick, wash, and prep ingredients themselves to cook, and even host a "Happy Farm Party in the Forest" using the dishes they made. When visiting Silla Botanical Garden, you can tour the gardens and listen to commentaries on various plants. You can also participate in separate gardening activities, enjoy traditional tea at the cafe, and purchase gift packages. MoreLess

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5. 5
   Yecheon Geumdangsil Village

   예천 금당실마을

   Geumdangsil Village is located around Sanggeumgok-ri, Yongmun-myeon, Yecheon-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. If you take Local Road 928 running northwest along the Geumgokcheon Stream from Yecheon County Office for about 6km, you will arrive at Geumdangsil Village. It is said to have received the name Geumdang because it resembles a lotus flower floating on water, and it is an ancient village with dolmens scattered around the vicinity. It is a fairly large village with about 700 households, and a quintessential rural community that mainly cultivates crops such as tomatoes, onions, and garlic. MoreLess

   

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