Exploring the Serene Beauty of Gochang's Galkye Forest
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I visited the beautiful Galkye Forest, a famous spot for flower mu-rut in Gochang.
Date of visit: September 1, 2026
The water flowing down from Deogyusan Mountain creates a natural island-shaped forest as it passes through Songgye and reaches Galcheon.
The history and scholarly culture of the Im family, including Im Hun, can be found throughout the forest.
The photo shows the entrance of Buk Sang Elementary School, and if you take the path beside the school, you will arrive at Galkye Forest.
Across from Buk Sang Elementary School, there is also the Eunjin Im family shrine, which is worth visiting.
It is convenient to park before crossing Cheonghakyo Bridge when visiting Galkye Forest.
Cheonghakyo has a narrow passage, and there isn't much parking space within Galkye Forest.
Designated as a forest genetic resource protection area in 1982, Galkye Forest is managed by the Eunjin Im family.
Galkye Forest is one of the top three scenic spots in Buk Sang-myeon, known for its beautiful autumn foliage and tranquil forest paths.
The forest features pavilions and ancient trees, making it an excellent place for a leisurely stroll.
I went to see if the flower mu-rut was blooming, but unfortunately, it had not yet bloomed.
The best time to see the flower mu-rut in Galkye Forest is from late September to early October.
If you are traveling to Gochang during the Chuseok holiday, I recommend visiting the Asta Chrysanthemum at Gamaksan Byeolbaram Hill and the flower mu-rut at Galkye Forest.
The first pavilion you will see after passing Cheonghakyo is Gaseonjeong.
Built by descendants to honor Im Hun, the current structure dates back to 1934 and features a tiled roof, creating a serene landscape.
Although the flower mu-rut was absent, I found the 'mu-rut' flower blooming beneath Gaseonjeong, making it a lovely sight.
The blooming period for mu-rut is from July to September, transitioning from summer to early autumn.
The flower resembles the bellflower and blooms in a light purple hue.
The stone tablet inscribed with 'Samuja' means 'no deceit in thought' and is a phrase from the Analects, summarizing Confucius's view on the 300 poems of the Book of Songs.
There is also an inscription commemorating the 500th anniversary of the birth of Galcheon Lee Yi, a scholar from the Joseon Dynasty.
The area features a stone bench and a refreshing stream flowing beneath.
Galkye Forest is home to pine trees estimated to be 200-300 years old, along with zelkova, elm, and other species.
On September 1, I noticed the bellflower blooming under the pine trees, and soon it will be adorned with red flower mu-rut.
The winding pine trees provide shade, making it a pleasant place to explore despite the hot weather.
Next to Gaseonjeong, I found a small pavilion called Byeongamjeong, built to honor Im Un or his descendants, which adds to the tranquil atmosphere of the forest.
There is also a stone monument commemorating the achievements of Im Un, the brother of Im Hun.
Galkye Forest features paths for barefoot walking and stone tables and benches, making it a great spot for a picnic.
Along the barefoot walking path, there are various exercise equipment available for light workouts.
There are also facilities to clean off dust and clean restrooms for convenience.
Lastly, I visited another pavilion called Dogyejeong, built to honor Im Yeong, Im Hun's brother.
Opposite Dogyejeong, you can see the memorial hall, Gyeongmojae, built to commemorate Im Yeong.
If you're looking for places to visit in Gochang during the Chuseok holiday, make sure to stop by the flower mu-rut spot at Galkye Forest!
Source :https://blog.naver.com/geochanggun/224409751361
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