Flower Palace Opens

In the first week of April, two travel itineraries for the west and south coasts of the peninsula will be guided as follows, for the sake of the readers who cannot get the suitable travel itineraries for the holidays.

--Have you ever been to Sunwoon Temple?

To the south, via the west coast expressway, our first destination is the Maryangpo, where the Juggumi Festival will be held on April 9. Juggumi is a small squid shaped fish, attaining its peak season around April. Chunjangdae and Wonhasong beach near Maryangpo are also good travel sites to visit. Those places reminds us of the east coast.

When you pass through Gunsan and Buan through the west coast expressway, one can see Gochang, where the camellia blooms welcome its historical temple, and Sunwoon and Youngkwang, the hometowns of dried yellow corvina. Youngkwang’s Baeksu beachside road is a fantastic sunset drive. Follow the second national road to make for Suncheon from Mokpo. Our travel course is from the End Land Haenam to Chongja village in Gangjin, to the tea village of Bosung, to the beautiful women’s hometown of Suncheon, to Jiri Mountain’s origin, Gurye, and to Chunhyang’s village of Namwon. When one tries to make for Gangjin by departing from Haenam, there is a fantastic road to take, the 77th local road.

In Gangjin, let us visit the “first scenic spot in the south,” Dasanchodang, and Baekryun Temple at Mandeok Mountain, which is connected with Dasanchodang and with a mountain path. Baekryun Temple’s tea-stall at Sundawon will offer pine tea or green tea to allow you to enjoy the calm of a spring afternoon.

Our next destination is Bosung after Jangheung. Daehandaup’s tea fields are located on the way via the 18th national road to the south. The splendid promenade, which is well harmonized with spring, is located in the cryptomeria woods. After Bulkyo, there is Suncheon. Nakaneupsong’s traditional village and Sunam Temple at Jokye Mountain to visit.

At the Suengju Interchange, one can join in the Honam expressway. Get off the expressway at the Sukok Interchange to follow the 18th national road along the Bosung River to visit Taean Temple in Goksung. Stone steps with inscribed Buddhist incantations and beautiful mountain scenery are well harmonized with the temple.

After visiting Taean Temple, let us head for Gurye via the 17th, 18th, and 19th national roads by the Sumjin River. The small village next to Sumjin River, Hwanggimoa (www.hwanggi.com), is a good place to visit. It is a artisan’s room managed by a yellow earth plasterer, Yoo Suk, that gives forth a traditional ambience of yellow earth dyeing. Other places to see include Sansuyu village and Jiri Mountain hot spring resort in Gurye. On the way back to Seoul, take the Jungbu Expressway, the easiest road to reach through Namwon and Jangsu.

--Ssanggye Temple-Jinhae: A Chorus of Cherry Blossoms

In Jinhae, when the navy festival is at its zenith with cherry blossoms in full bloom, one can visit Ssanggye Temple where cheery blossoms bloom at right along the left side of the road for about three kilometers. On the way to Jinhae, Busan’s Jagalchi Market and, on the way to Ssanggye Temple, the village that provided the drama setting for “Toji” are places worthy of a visit.

Through the Jagalchi Market in Hadan and the second national road over the Nakdong River, let us make for Jinhae. The nighttime scenery of cherry blossoms is much more beautiful than in the day. One can lodge in Changwon. The opening time of Navy Academy and Navy Operational Command ceremonies is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

After visiting Jinhae, let us go to Hadong by using Namhae Expressway. To visit Ssanggye Temple, one can utilize the 19th national road, which is next to the Sumjin River, by getting off the expressway at the Hadong Interchange. The traditional house of Choi in the drama setting of “Toji” can be reached on the way to Ssanggye Temple. Through Namwon, one can take the Jungbu Expressway to return to Seoul.

Seung-Ha Cho summer@donga.com