Exploring Goesan: The Historic Ginkgo Tree and Cultural Heritage
- Original source
- blog.naver.com
[ Goesan Travel ]
Must-Visit Places in Goesan County
The Natural Monument Ginkgo Tree and the Wish Tree in Eumnaeri, Cheong-an County
Goesan County's westernmost Cheong-an-myeon was known as Cheong-an-hyeon during the Joseon Dynasty, rich in historical sites and stories.
Among them, the Eumnaeri Ginkgo Tree is a must-see in autumn.
I visited with anticipation, wondering if the leaves had already turned to fall colors.
The Eumnaeri Ginkgo Tree is a part of the history of Cheong-an-hyeon.
The path to the Eumnaeri Ginkgo Tree starts from the old Dongheon (government office) known as Anminheon.
The old Dongheon and Cheong-an Elementary School, which houses the ginkgo tree, are side by side, separated by a fence, alongside the centuries-old zelkova and the wish tree.
The zelkova tree, touching the fence, is reported to be 960 years old.
The courtyard in front of the Dongheon was once the center of the village, where a resting area was created around the zelkova and the wish tree.
It was a nice spot to reminisce about the past, with the wish tree at its center.
The scale is impressive, extending beyond the fence to the old Dongheon.
The wish tree symbolizes success, as its flowers were once used in the traditional examination ceremonies.
The tree, estimated to be 300 years old, stands majestically.
The trunk splits into two branches, each resembling a separate tree with numerous flourishing limbs.
A heart shape appears at the top right, adding to the joy.
By mid-September, the leaves of the wish tree, still green, will turn brown as autumn deepens.
Autumn brings a daily change in flowers and trees, enhancing the charm of travel.
The grandeur of the wish tree contrasts with the simplicity of Anminheon.
As I passed the memorial stones of past officials, I entered through a slightly ajar door.
A wide front yard is surrounded by a fence, leading to the old Dongheon.
It was known as Cheongdang-hyeon in the early Goryeo period and became Cheong-an-hyeon in the early Joseon period, where the local magistrate resided.
Today, it is part of Goesan County, connecting a long history with the present.
The colorful building behind Anminheon is Cheong-an Elementary School, home to the Eumnaeri Ginkgo Tree.
Nearby are the Cheong-an Hyanggyo and Cheong-an Samaso, educational institutions from the Joseon period.
Goesan County's Cheong-an-myeon connects the Joseon era and the present with long-lived trees and educational institutions.
The Eumnaeri Ginkgo Tree stands in the Cheong-an Elementary School yard, still vibrant green, contrary to my expectations.
It is said that during the reign of King Seongjong in the 990s, the local lord wanted a pond for a feast, and the villagers dug a pond named Cheongdang and planted trees around it, one of which is this ginkgo tree.
This 1000-year-old tree stands 16 meters tall, with a circumference of 7 meters at breast height, showing signs of past pruning.
The Eumnaeri Ginkgo Tree in Goesan, along with the Ginkgo Tree Path in Mungwang-myeon, is a representative attraction to visit in autumn.
This ancient tree is designated as a Natural Monument.
The yellow ginkgo nuts ripening in summer and fall are just as depicted in photographs.
As the yellow nuts fall to the ground, the leaves will begin to change color.
Lastly, I sought out the Jangdam Chungshingak, often mentioned when introducing Goesan Cheong-an-hyeon.
Following the brown cultural heritage sign along the road to Goesan, I found it.
It is a cultural heritage site in North Chungcheong Province.
Jangdam's pen name is Supungjeong, and he is a descendant of the Tongrae Jang family.
In the 4th year of King Yeongjo, when the Yi In-jwa Rebellion broke out in Cheongju, he raised a militia to suppress the rebellion and was martyred.
Chungshingak is a tiled house with a gable roof, measuring one room wide and one room deep, located at the foot of a hillside at the edge of farmland.
It is protected by a fence, and a signboard reading "Chungshingmun Baeksesupung" hangs beyond the gate.
Goesan County's Cheong-an-myeon has transitioned from the Goryeo to the Joseon period, with the name changing over time, becoming the administrative center where the local magistrate resided during the Joseon Dynasty.
Visiting Anminheon, Cheong-an Hyanggyo, Cheong-an Samaso, and experiencing the historic trees like the ginkgo, zelkova, and wish tree makes for an enjoyable historical journey. A visit in October, when the three trees are adorned with autumn colors, offers a delightful blend of history and nature.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/goesan-gun/224425934899
More from Travel
No comments yet.
