Goesan-gun

Ssang-gok-gugok valleyis a 10.5km long area from Chilseong-myeon, which is in 12km from Goesan in the direction of Yeongpung, to Jesuri-jae. It has Horongso, So-Geumgang, Byeong-am (tteokbawi), Munsoo-am, Ssang-byeok, Ssang-gok-pokpo fall, Seonnyeo-tang, Jang-am rock (madang bawi).

It is said that the great Confucian scholars and the literati of the Joseon dynasty such as Yi Hwang and Song-gang Jeong Cheol loved the landscape of Sssang-gok-guok valley, which preserves the pristine natural beauty, and spent their time here.

Surrounding the valley is a majestic mountainous landscape filled with a legend that includes Bobae-san, Chilbo-san, Gunja-san and Bihak-san mountains. The clean water flowing through the valley creates an even more scenic view in the backdrop of the cliffs that have awe-inspiring shapes, old pine trees and thick forests.

In particular, Chilbo-san mountain, which looks like a beautiful oriental painting, and Gunja-san mountain, which is called the So-geumgang of Chungbuk, are a popular destinations of hikers.

Move to Gwanpyeong direction from the entrance of Seonyudong. Turn left along Local Highway 517. The upstream of Ssang-gok-gugok starts after going over the hill. If you are coming from Goesan, go down National Highway 34 in Moongyeong direction for 15 minute. You will se Local Highway 517 connecting to Ssang-gok-gugok.

Ssang-gok No.1, Horong-so

Horongso, located 1.1km from National Highway 34, is the first place of gugok (nine valleys) visitors will see. The valley water creates a 90 degree angle to create “so” (stream). A wide and still water goes well with the rocks and old pine trees around it, creating a beautiful landscape. In the nearby cliff is a big rock that has the shape of horong-bul (lantern), which is thought to be the origin of its name.

Sssang-gok No. 2, Sogeumgang

Located 2.3km from the entrance of Sssang-gok, Sogeumgang is considered to be the most beautiful spot among the nine Ssang-gok-gugok valley’s scenic sites. The name Sogeumgang was given because its beautiful landscape was considered to have been taken out of the beautiful Geumgangsan mountain. The unique and beautiful landscapes that change throughout the four seasons and the clean valley water that flows under it more than deserve to be called Sogeumgang. Sogeumgang is located by Local Highway 517, a place visitors often drop by while driving along the highway.

Ssang-gok No.3 Byeong-am rock (Tteok-bawi)

The rock was named tteok-bawi because it looked like a sliced sirutteok (rice cake). According to a legend associated with the rock, people came to live around the place during a famine, when a rumor spread that you do not have to worry about eating when you live near the tteok-bawi. There are still 20 households living near the rock.

Ssang-gok No. 4 Munsu-am rock

Located 200m east of Tteok-bawi, it has a majestic landscape that goes with the rough mountain landscape. The valley water flowing through the stream around the rocks creates a beautiful landscape with the pine trees. It is said that there was a small Buddhist hermitage that enshrined Munsubosal (bodhitsattva) under the rock.

Ssang-gok No. 5 Sssang-byeok

Located 400m up the Munsun-am Rock, 10m tall cliff walls on both sides of the stream with 5m width between them runs parallel to each other to create a beautiful landscape.

Ssang-gok No. 6 Yongso

The valley water flowing down a 100m tall rock cliff hits a 16m in diameter pond to create a whirlpool at bottom, which is magnificent to look at. There is a legend that a dragon ascends to heaven from the pond, but the pond has is now only 5~6m deep. It is said that, in the past, the pond was so deep that a string of yarn would fully unravel but could not reach the bottom of the pond.

Ssan-gok No. 7 Ssang-gok Pokpo Waterfall

Going 700m down along the apricot tree valley that goes from Jeolmal to the northwest, you will see a waterfall cascading down the rocks. While the entire Ssang-gok valley is masculine in appearance, the waterfall is like shy virgin, with a feminine atmosphere. The fall shies away from revealing itself, and the water flowing down the 8 m tall rock cliff creates a 200 pyeong wide pond that unfolds like a woman’s skirt, which will keep you chilled and refreshed.

Sssang-gok No. 8 Seon-nyeo-tang

Going up from Jeolmal in Gwanpyeong direction, you will see a 5m tall waterfall that is 10 m in depth and 2 m in width. The name comes from a legend that seon-nyeo (angels) came down at night to take a bath. The waterfall goes well with the surrounding landscape, and you might fall into a fantasy of seon-nyeo playing in the pond if you sit there long enough.

Ssang-gok No. 9 Jang-am (Madang-bawi)

The last scenic site of Ssang-gok valley is located 700m from Jeolmal in the Jesurijae direction. The valley has water flowing along its entire length and consists of 40m of rocks, giving it the current name because of its width. The sunlight does not reach the area because of the pine tree forest that surrounds it. You won’t feel the heat during the summer no matter how hot it gets.

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