We are in the Bosom of the Mountain – Mt. Gwanggyo , Suwon-si , gyeonggi-do
We spend our days breathing foul air, surrounded by skyscrapers, constantly busy pursuing the tight schedules of the day. If we get our work done, more awaits us. We live like this day by day. We never notice that time is passing, but we realize another day has gone by just like yesterday when we look up at the dark sky at night on our journey home.
So, let's get out of this hectic world and, for just a while, dive into the bosom of nature.
Mt. Gwanggyo (582m), encircling Suwon City, is the main mountain in Suwon. It was originally named Mt. Gwangak, but Taejo Wanggeon in the Goryeo period renamed it Mt. Gwanggyo. It is the border of Suwon, Yongin and Uiwang City, encircling Suwon in the north. This mountain has always played an important role in providing local residents with water because it sits on flat land. Compared to the size of Mt. Baekun nearby, its size is considerable. The ridgelines are gentle. Streams and woods extend out in all directions. This has made it a popular destination for one-day mountain climbing and walking in the woods.
I start today's mountain climb in the early morning to avoid the stifling daytime. At 5am the sky is a mite blue-black, but still dark. I take a route from Sanggwang Bridge last bus stop - Sabangdam - Jeolteoyaksuteo - Eoksaebat - Norumok - Shirubong - Toggijae - Sabangdam - Sanggwang Bridge last bus stop. On the way to Sabangdam, there is a foot-pressure therapy path to the left and a stream on the right.
All is silent. But the wriggling of living things will soon begin. On the way to Jeolteoyaksuteo, having passed Sabangdam, I see a blue sky where it had been dark only moments ago and hear birds chirping. I am more receptive to birds' singing in the early morning than later in the day. A wind from the woods feels a little chilly but I'm already wet with sweat on the way to Jeolteoyaksuteo. The sight of people who arrived earlier than I, stretching their bodies on the wooden stairs of Yaksuteo comes into view. A married couple reveals that they have been coming here for 15 years to escape and to drink the cool, clear water. This makes me look at their faces more clearly again. I take a rest for a while, drinking a cup of water. The water is so cool and fresh that all the dirt of the city seems to be washed away.
Saying goodbye to the couple, I continue my walk to the ridgeline around the top where there is Eoksae. Mt. Gwanggyo is mainly made up of earth rather than rocks. Small rocks are used as stairs so there's no difficulty climbing the mountain using these rocks. When sweat begins to trickle down, I find that I’ve already arrived at the Eoksae area. It is said that there had been a lot of Eoksae, but now little Eoksae remains here. I change my direction to Tongsindae diverting from the first trail for a while. Walking about 800m, I reach a huge rock by Tongsindae. The view from the rock is better than from the top of the mountain. Mt. Gwanak, Mt. Bukhan and Mt. Cheonggye are in the north while Mt. Yongmun in Yangpyeong is in the distance. The clouds hanging around the mountains are beautiful. The married couple says that this time the view is the most beautiful they have ever seen. It's possible to see Suwon City in the south and even the west coast if the weather is good. But today, the west coast is not visible due to clouds. You might not move after seeing the beauty of the mountains with sunbeams pouring down through rifts in the beautiful clouds.
I return to the first trail leading to Norumok. Due to the gentle trails, you may easily see marathon runners. When arriving at Norumok, you can rest in a log house, so catch your breath here. The number of people increases close to the summit, Sirubong. Some people have come from their workplace as a group, while one man has come here with his puppy. People on the top are taking photos, looking around the mountain and having snacks. I think it was wise to leave home early in the morning. The air is fresher and my mind becomes clearer. The sensation of being on a mountain comes to me anew.
After seeing mountains in the distance and appreciating the beauty of nature, you can go back to daily life with your mind renewed. It is the feeling of being pure and recharged for tomorrow and the future.
I take the Toggijae-to-Sabangdam trail for my descent. The distance from Sirubong to Toggijae is about 0.9 km and the trail is not rough. There are wooden stairs which stretch 200m from Toggijae to Sabangdam. You can take a phytoncide shower along the trail. Saying hello to passersby is no longer awkward, and the appearances of the people who are out in nature seem more vigorous and beautiful, but I don't know why. I have a bowl of cool naengmyeon at the Sanggwang bus stop, ready to return to my daily life. Sitting there, I observe many people who are preparing to climb the mountain and I pray for their safety. I go back to my daily life again. I make up my mind to revisit here from time to time to take new energy from nature, say hello to people passing me with an open mind and make a new resolution for my future on the top of the mountain.
< Mt. Gwanggyo climbing trails >
Trail 1
Gyeonggi University - Hyeongjaebong - Shirubong - Jijidae (10.2km 4 hours)
Trail 2
Munamgol - Baekyeonyaksuteo - Hyeongjaebong - Shirubong (3.4km 2 hours)
Trail 3
Yangji Farm - Toggijae - Shirubong - Tongsindae - Jijidae (6.4km 3 hours)
Trail 4
The last bus stop - Jeolteoyaksuteo - Eoksae area - Shirubong (6.2km 3 hours)
Trail 5
Cheongryeonam - Tongsindae - Eoksae area - Shirubong (6.9km 3 hours)
Trail 6
Jijidae - Tongsindae - Eoksae area - Shirubong (4.3km 2.5 hours)
< Information >
Contact +82-31-229-2064 (the Management Office)
Website : www.gwanggyosan.com
< How to go >
Address : Sanggwanggyo-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Car : Gyeongbu Express Way Shingal IC, Yeongdong Express Way Dongsuwon IC or Buksuwon IC - Gyeonggi University
< Public tranportation >
Take bus #13 at the Suwon Station and get off at the last stop
take a bus heading to Bohunwon at the Suwon Station and get off at Gyeonggi University bus stop
< Sightseeing nearby >
Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Suwon City Tour Bus, Wolhwawon, Suwon Worldcup Stadium, Mulhyanggi Barden, Doksanseong Semadae
< Contact >
Suwon City Culture and Tour Department +82-31-228-2068
24 Hour Tour Info. Call +82-1330 Mobile +82-31-1330
the source-http://english.ethankyou.co.kr/travel/columnist/columnistList.jsp
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