8 WONDERS OF DANYANG (DANYANG PALGYEONG)

These natural "wonders" have long been renowned and have inspired poets and writers. The philosopher Toegye visiting the region did not hesitate to say that they were more beautiful than the 8 wonders of Xiaoxiang in China. They're pretty far apart. Gudambong and Oksunbong first of all, are cliffs overlooking the lake (we pass in front of them by ferry); the first one looks like a turtle and the second one like hundreds of bamboos. Sangseon-am, Jungseon-am and Haseon-am are 3 rock formations on the edge of a pretty stream, in a valley of Woraksan (south of Danyang, by road 575). 4 km east of Jungseon-am by road 708, lies Sain-am, a cliff on the edge of the torrent. North-east of Danyang, 3 km on the lake, the 3 peaks of Dodamsambong come out of the water. You will certainly have seen a photograph of these rocks that form a landscape of printmaking. One of them has a pavilion, and Jeong Do-jeon, a nobleman from Joseon, is said to have retired there. These 3 rocks are supposed to represent the husband, the wife and the concubine. Higher up on the bank is Seongmun, "the stone gate", a rock arch overlooking the valley. A small boat allows to go to these 2 wonders (except in winter or when the water level is too low). A small ferry also makes the crossing between the 2 banks, a way to take a closer look at the rocks. For the other wonders, city buses make the connection.