Exploring the Beauty of Hamanchun
14th SNS Reporter Choi Hong-dae
Hamanchun
- Address: 1313-111 Geomam-ri, Gaya-eup, Hamangun, Gyeongsangnam-do
Sometimes, a place has two names: an official name and a name used by locals. This is the case with the nighttime scenic section of the Hamanchun walking trail, located at the entrance to Hamana-eup. While it's often referred to as the Hamanchun walking trail or the Hamanchun scenic lighting section, many who walk here and the residents simply call it the Milky Way Road.
Hamanchun is a river that flows through Hamangun. The name on the road signs is neat, but the scenery along the river is anything but tidy. With lush grass along the embankment and concrete bridges, the distant mountains and the flowing water showcase the vibrancy of nature. The coexistence of urban and rural landscapes creates a relaxed atmosphere.
Though not an official name, the origin of the Milky Way is evident here. It is said that in the past, the water was so clear that many sweetfish were caught, leading to the name Milky Way, which means a river abundant with sweetfish.
At the entrance of the walking trail, there is a sign indicating a health shortcut. This sign, created by the health center, also includes a guide to the smoking area. The idea here is that exercise should be part of daily life rather than something tied to grand facilities. The path you walk every day has been transformed into a space for exercise. Those who walk this path daily understand that exercise is not limited to the gym.
Walking along the river, you will encounter small gardens where someone has laid down plastic and planted rows of crops. These are people farming along the riverbank. Walkers and farmers share the same space.
While such landscapes are disappearing in rapidly urbanizing areas, Hamangun has preserved this coexistence. The riverbank serves as both a park and a place of livelihood. This is a landscape that embodies the character of Hamangun as a rural complex city.
The name Ara comes from the ancient name of Hamangun. Ara-gaya, one of the six kingdoms of Gaya, is a name from fifteen hundred years ago that is now attached to bicycles. The old is not only found in museums; it is present in bicycle handlebars, information signs at the entrance of the walking trail, and sometimes even in the names of the paths along the river. The old must enter into daily life to truly come alive. You can see the phrase about the city becoming a happier place for its citizens.
As you walk along the path, you will come across a bridge. Beyond the flower-filled railing, the cityscape unfolds. You can see apartments, roads, and the Hamanchun again. The path does not show just one landscape; it encompasses urban and natural elements, old and new, daily life and travel all in one view, without excluding any side.
On one side of the square, bicycles are lined up. They are called Ara-Singsing, public bicycles operated by Hamangun. Next to it is a guide booth shaped like a bicycle, resembling a train station with its elongated design. This shows the attention to detail by Hamangun, and such small decisions change the perception of the city.
The name Milky Way Road is said to come from the nighttime lighting. It is a safe place for walking. At night, the lights on the bridge and the walking path resemble stars, which is how this name came about. While not the official name, a walk along the Hamanchun in June is enjoyable in itself. Walking or exercising in daily life greatly helps relieve stress.
You can rent a bicycle and ride or walk slowly here. Hamanchun does not demand speed. You can gaze at the grass along the riverbank and the distant mountains, with fields, bridges, and squares all connected in one breath. If you want to see how a city creates its own path, just walk along Hamanchun. It contains Hamangun's way of explaining itself. If you see a clear sky, why not step out and take a walk?
Source :https://blog.naver.com/arahaman/224306776113
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