Gasa Literature Museum is the first place to visit in the Siga Cultural Zone. Gasa is a form of poetry which was very popular in the mid Joseon dynasty. You can feel the beauty of Gasa at its fullest at the Gasa Literature Museum. First, stop by the theater to the right of the entrance on the first floor. A movie is presented showing the panoramic view and history of the Siga Cultural Zone. It introduces Siga literature to beginners very easily. The museum exhibits the calligraphy of Songgang, Cheol Jeong and work of Sun Song and Eokryeong Im, as well as some 1,300 precious materials like hanging boards, writings of appointment, family tree books, and essay books. There are seminar rooms, an exhibition hall of local historic relics, a room for cultural activities, the Jisilsanbang gallery, a Korean teahouse, and a pavilion for visitors in addition to exhibition halls of Gasa Literature in the museum. TEL 061-383-3253
- Cyber Gasa Literature Museum http://www.damyang.go.kr
- Opening hours : 09:00~18:00
- fees : adults 1,000 won / children 500 won
- Parking fees : car 1,000won(about 1 dollar) / bus 2,000won(about 2 dollars)
 [ Expert guide ]
See an expert guide for further information. The guides are selected through qualification tests managed by Damyang-gun. No matter what question you might have about local historic sites, they will answer it accurately and enthusiastically. Among them, you may meet atoyumia middle-aged Japanese woman. She said, am always interested in Gasa literature, so this job is ideal for me.
  Gwangju Lake Ecological Park
Gwangju Lake Ecological Park is a natural ecological learning site which is being built with the aim to be completed by February 2006 on a site of 56,000 pyeong (1 pyeong=3.3 square meters) in the vicinity of Gwangju Lake. It is expected to be composed of a nature observation park, a nature learning site, water/wetland/grassland districts, a wild plant garden, indigenously-grown plant garden, a lawn square and other convenience facilities. The ecological park is expected to serve as a site for learning and observation for children and middle and high school students, while serving as a resting place for citizens. In harmony with the scenic natural landscape surrounding Gwangju Lake and Gwangju's historical cultural relics including Hwanbyeokdang, Chwigajeong, Sikyeongjeong and Soswaewon, the ecological park is anticipated to become one of the most popular attractions for theme tours.
 Sikyeongjeong Pavilion, the center of lyric poetry written in line with nature
Sikyeongjeong commands a fine view of the glowing sunset and is famous for the background of Seongsanbyeolgok poems beginning with the phrase of isten to me, owner of Sikyeongjeong, Seohadang!It is elegantly seated on a hill next to Lake Gwangju, facing Mt. Seongsan. It is located in Jigok-ri near the Gasa Literature Museum and faces Hwanbyeokdang pavilion across Changgyecheon river. Great masters of Gasa Literature, Songgang, Cheol Jeong cherished this place, which is composed of two rooms in the front, two more on the side, a study, long wooden aisles and a Paljak-style roof. You can have peaceful mind watching the blue Lake Gwangju seated on the so-called avilion where even the shadows rest Seohadang, Seongwon Kim constructed this building for his mentor and father-in-law, Seokcheon, Eokryeong Im in 1560 (15th year of the reign of King Myeongjong in the Joseon dynasty). Among Its frequent visitors, Eokryeong Im, Cheol Jeong, Seongwon Kim, and Gyeongmyeong Go were called he four Taoist hermits.They selected 20 scenic sites in Mt. Seongsan and wrote a total of 80 poems entitled ikyeongjeong Isipyeong to praise their beauty. Jeong Cheol eongsan Byeolgokwas composed on basis of this series of poems.
TEL 062-266-9904
 Hwanbyeokdang Pavilion loved by Cheol Jeong and Deokryeong Kim
Hwanbyeokdang is on a hill with old and sturdy trees and moss-covered stone walls across the bridge on Lake Gwangju. The pavilion commands a scenic view reflecting the mountain shadow on the river. It was built by his cousin, Yunje Kim (1501~1572) in Chunghyo-dong in 1532. At first it was annexed to his house which does not exist anymore. He was born in Chunghyo-ri and taught students after retirement. Cheol Jeong was a favorite pupil of his, and Deokryeong Kim and Deokbo Kim were his grand nephews. In this building, there is a frame of calligraphies written by Uam, Siyeol Song and hanging boards on which poems of Eokryeoong Im and Ja-i Jo were carved. Songgang, Cheol Jeong first met his mentor, Yunje Kim at this pavilion when he was 16 years old and had studied here for about ten years before he left this place to serve as a government officer. Therefore, people call both this pavilion and Sikyeongjeong as the Songgang Site. TEL 062-266-9904
 [ Chungjangno and Deokryeong Kim ]
Chungjang-ro, the busiest street of Gwangju was named after the posthumous name of General Deokryeong Kim. He was born in Seokjeochon (the former name of Chunghyo-dong) at the foot of Mt. Mudeung and at the age of 25, became general of the loyal army fighting the Japanese. However, he was tortured to death, falsely charged with heinous treason. His innocence was proved thereafter and rewarded with the posthumous title of hungjangand the Chunghyo-ri Monument was built in his hometown in 1788.
Chwigajeong Pavilion
A 200m (about 200 yd.) walk along the riverside of Changgyecheon river from Hwan byeokdang leads to Chwigajeong. This pavilion was first constructed in commemoration of Chungjanggong, Deokryeong Kim (1567~1596) by his descendent, Mansik Kim in 1890 (27th year in the reign of Gojong of the Joseon dynasty. However, it was destroyed during the Korean War in 1950 and then renovated in 1955. It is the latest building in the Siga Cultural Zone. The name of Chwigajeong originated from the old story that Deokryeong Kim appeared in a dream of poet Seokju, Pil Gwon (1569~1612) and sang a drunken song (Chwiga) expressing a bitter grudge against a false charge against him. The song begins with the phrase, y song is soaked with alcohol / nobody listens to me / the uselessly beautiful flowers and moon / and wasted brilliant exploits. TEL 062-266-9904
Three Willow Trees in Chunghyo-dong
There are three tall willow trees, which are estimated to be more than 400 years old, in front of the Chunghyo-ri Monument in Chunghyo-dong. All of them are designated as municipal trees, and the villagers named each three, Il Song, Il Mae, and Oryu. A number of willow trees were planted as a symbol of the town in old times, however only these three remain now. TEL 062-266-9904
 The Example of a Natural Garden of the mid Joseon dynasty, Soswaewon Garden
You can see the parking lot of Soswaewon on the right side of the Chungui Training Center at Lake Gwangju Samgeori Intersection. You can delight in breathing in the cool and fresh air in the tall bamboo forest in front of Soswaewon. Songgang sang, cool brook flows to Beokodong, my drunken guest is never willing to wake. This garden was made by men but remains natural. It is the example of a natural garden of the mid Joseon dynasty. Scholar Sanbo Yang gave up his political ambition when his mentor and radical reformist, Gwangjo Jo(1482~1519) was purged and killed by the corrupt ruling class, and he built this building going back to rural life. The name of Soswae means lean and cool. There is Daebongdae observatory at the boundary of the bamboo forest. The name of Daebong means to ait for an important guest like a phoenix. Near the observatory, you can find Aeyangdan platform whose name means nusually brilliant sunshine and Ogokmun gate through which stream flows under the wall and then makes five turns (Ogok). Even the wall does not disturb nature by blocking the watercourse. There is a master room called Jewoldang above the observatory and a formal living room named Gwangpunggak in it. Soswaewon was first made in 1527 but was finally completed after about 70 years by the grandson of the founder. The first blueprint carved on a wooden plate remains. TEL 061-382-1071
 Doksujeong Pavilion into that Sinmin Jeon Patriotism sank
You can see the landmark of Doksujeong at the entrance of Nam-myeon town near Soswaewon. It was built by general, Sinmin Jeon in the reign of Gongminwang, the 3lst king of the Goryeo dynasty. It is the oldest pavilion in the Jeollanamdo Province and stands in the middle of a natural garden. Sinmin Jeon retired from the government and led a seclusive life at this pavilion after the Goryeo period ended. The facade of the building faces north because every morning he bowed deeply towards the capital of the Goyreo dynasty in the north, pledging his allegiance.
TEL 061-380-3224
 Myeongokheon Natural Garden surrounded with Indian Lilacs
Myeongokheon looks like a paradise when Indian lilacs bloom in late summer. You can see a town at the 1 km (0.6 mi.) spot in the road from the Goseo Intersection towards Changpyeong Exit. Take the road on the right and find the landmarks of Myeongjiwon and Myeongokheon. It is designated as a municipal memorial site. The name Myeongokheon means he stream sounds like the striking of two gem stones together.This garden is placed on a hillside looking north and composed of an upper-pond, lower-pond, and a pavilion. It has no boundaries and fences but still creates a cozy atmosphere. Huido Oh(1583~1623) retired to hermitage here, and thereafter his son, Myeongjung Oh(1619~1655) built a pavilion and planted Indian lilacs. He first named this garden Myeongokheon. A 1minute walk leads to Husan-ri ginko tree (memorial site No.45) where King Injo tied the reins of his horse before visiting Huido Oh house.。TEL 061-380-3224
[ Artificial Garden vs. Natural Garden ]
Artificial gardens are created usually in urban areas from laborous landscaping and gardening, whereas natural gardens are completed only by building a house or a pavilion in harmony with existing natural surrounding.
 Myeonangjeong Pavilion, center of the Honam lyric literary society of the Joseon dynasty
Myeonangjeong is located at the foot of Mt. Jewol in Bongsan-myeon, Damyang-gun and is famous for the background of Myeonang jeongga poem. Stairs in the tall bamboo forest lead to a graceful pavilion facing Mt. Mudeung and surrounded by hundred-year old oak trees. In addition, this is the birthplace of the Meonangjeong group leading the Honam lyric literary society. The leader of the Meonang-jeong group was Sun Song (1493~ 1583) who was a high-ranking official in the Joseon dynasty. At the age of 41, Song stayed here for a while. During the break, he discussed the principles of the world with great scholar Hwang Lee and educated young people. As a matter of fact, the back scenery of the building is much better than the front one. At the back of the pavilion, endless fields stretch out and such mysterious summits of the No mountains as Mt. Sanseong, Mt. Chuwol, and Mt. Byeongpung create natural borders.
TEL 061-380-3224
Songgangjeong Pavilion and Cheol Jeong poems
You can see Songgangjeong at left riverside of Juknokcheon river, if you walk from the Goseo Intersection to Damyang-eup for 5 minutes. This is the last stop of No. 26, and it is 4.5km away from Myeonangjeong. The stairs in the pine tree forest leads to this building. There is a conspicuous hanging board with letters of Juknokjeong pavilion on the side of the pavilion. Songgang was purged by his political enemy in 1584. After that, he decided to stay at Gitdaebong, renovated Juknokjeong and renamed it Songgangjeong. The pavilion is famous not only for its beautiful views but also the birth place of poems of Cheol Jeong. He composed amiingokand okmiingokhere in the 21th year in the reign of Seonjo, and both are evaluated as great masterpieces in the Gasa-style. The building has three rooms in the front, the three others on the side with a Paljak-style roof. There is a monument on which amiingokis carved in front of the pavilion. |
First place to visit, Gasa Literature Museum
