Exploring IpGok National Park
By Jo Yoon-hee, 14th SNS Reporter
IpGok National Park
- Address: 59 San, IpGok-ri, Sanin-myeon, Haman-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Free entrance and parking
- Open year-round
On a dazzling day, I visited IpGok National Park with my parents. This park holds nostalgic memories from my parents' youth, and we enjoyed a pleasant walk while reminiscing. Shall we take a look?
IpGok National Park is situated around the IpGok Reservoir, created during the Japanese colonial period to provide agricultural water. It's famous for its lush pine forests and cliffs along the reservoir, making it a popular picnic spot.
I wished I had come when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, but due to feeling unwell, I could only manage a short visit to enjoy the park. Although the cherry blossoms had fallen, the red peach blossoms were still beautiful in the sunlight, so I took some photos.
The double-flowered cherry blossoms, known as 'Kanzan' in Japan, symbolize purity and simplicity. They bloom with leaves in April, featuring light pink or white flowers that can have up to 50 petals.
In Japan, these blossoms are often used to make pickles or flower tea. They thrive in sunny, moist sandy soil and are highly adaptable across the country, though they rarely bear fruit, which is why they are usually grafted onto cherry tree rootstocks.
While I was captivated by the double-flowered cherry blossoms, I stumbled upon the 'IpGok Onsaemiro Agricultural Produce Sale Center.' Local residents sell a variety of spring vegetables, sauces, and dried goods here, and there's even a café where you can enjoy a meal. The prices were reasonable, and the quality was excellent. I bought two bags of edible wild greens, some stone watercress, and mugwort rice cakes, which we enjoyed together on-site.
The weather was so bright that I was surprised there was no fine dust in the air. The white daisies and pink flower turf along the roadside were too beautiful to pass by without capturing.
The Rainbow Bridge (IpGok Bridge), which connects the park, is a charming feature. Although I couldn't find the exact year it was built, it seems to be an older structure that was renovated and renamed.
IpGok Reservoir is quite large, with cliffs covered in pine forests on one side and a mix of broadleaf and coniferous trees on the other. The view from the Rainbow Bridge is breathtaking.
Walking along the well-maintained paths of IpGok National Park, I noticed that even my mother, who usually has difficulty walking, managed to enjoy the stroll. We spotted young bamboo groves and beautiful red acacia flowers along the way, surrounded by the vibrant energy of spring.
IpGok National Park features various facilities, including rest areas, a multi-purpose sports field, and walking trails, making it a perfect place for families, friends, or couples to enjoy nature together.
The park's artificial waterfalls operate only on weekends and holidays from April to October, so we missed them during our visit.
As we strolled through the lush greenery, I couldn't help but feel rejuvenated by the vibrant spring atmosphere. If you’re looking for a delightful place to walk, IpGok National Park is definitely worth a visit!
Source :https://blog.naver.com/arahaman/224267070031
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