If there is one thing you should do in Suwon, it’s taking a hike on the mighty city wall.
That wall surrounding the inner, old city is called Hwaseong Fortress. The nearly 6km long way on the top of the wall offers a stunning view on the city and the history of it. Let’s go for a walk…
A beautiful day for a hike in nature. The Jangtaesan Recreational Forest just south of Daejeon is perfect for such a ‚Forest Adventure‘. Various hiking paths and facilities like tree top walks, view tower or suspension bridge invites for exploring the nature there. But it wouldn’t be called ‚recreational forest‘ without having a picnic area under the trees with relaxing chairs and coffee facilities.
While in Daejeon i visited the Hanbat arboretum too. It’s situated just behind the Daejeon Museum Of Art, which i skipped due the lack of time. The sunny day let me stroll rather trough the park, although it was bit too early for flowers. At least i had a calm and peaceful atmosphere within and could collect some more impressions.
At the outskirt of Daejeon lies a hidden gem: The Uam Historical Park.
Uam Historical Park, situated in the eastern part of Daejeon, is both a cultural heritage site and a park. It was once the place where Uam Song Siyeol (1607-1689), a scholar and government official during the Joseon dynasty, conducted his research and educational activities. The traditional houses established during his time and the relics left by Song Siyeol are still preserved, and visitors can view these artifacts at the historic museum. The park also features a pond within its premises.
On my way back from Mt. Palgongosan i noticed a sign saying ‚Bullo-Dong ancient tombs`. I got curious about it, and since it was still time before dusk, i decided to get out of the bus spontaneously.
A board on the edge of this hilly site explains there are about 210 tombs from the fifth or sixth century. The atmosphere was pretty calm when i walked trough the hilly landscape. There were hardly any people. In silence i looked over to the city and enjoyed the scenery. Only when i got closer to a prominent tree at the top of a hill, another photographer approached. It turned out to be a student from the nearby university of Daegu. We had a chat when he showed me beautiful photos he made after rain, when all the hills were covered in lush green grass. I must come definitely back on another time of the year.
On my visit at the Dongwhasa temple near Daegu i noticed a small cabin car going up into the area of Mt. Palgongsan. Spontanously decision was made to take a ride uphill. When i asked for a hiking trail back, they told me there’s one, but might be rather difficult. However, the view from the cafe on the top is beautiful. I got a coffee there and had an interesting talk with Momo, who was a visitor from Thailand. The way down wasn’t as difficult or even dangerous as i’m told, but beautifully lonely and with pretty views over the mountain forests. I truly enjoyed it, but made too many selfies 😉
Near the city of Daegu, settled on the foot of Mt. Palgongsan, is the beautiful temple complex of Dhongwasa. It’s surrounded by lush forest with small streams and nice walk ways trough nature.
The first temple dates back around 1500 years ago. Nowadays are existing older buildings beside new houses and temples with huge statues and figures. Among them are also some figures from African animals. No idea they just like them here too or there’s maybe a deeper meaning about it. More clearly seems the meaning of angry looking guards at the entrance and the calm Buddha inside the complex.
In Busan outskirt lies the most beautiful Buddhist temple of South Korea, as they stated themself : Haedong Yonggungsa.
At the edge of a rocky coast line lies this big temple complex. Many corners and niches in buildings but also between rocks with statues and holy shrines. Worshippers come to pray, to be thankfully for success or begging for a good luck in a healthy and wealthy future. But also non-believers get stunned by its beauty and the rich cultural heritage it hosts. And then there is still the undeniable hunger for good signs, which makes us humans too. So, i was too tempted to try my luck by throwing a lucky coin into a several meters away stone bowl. And hit it at my second attempt. The future will show…
„Busan is Good“ is stated at the main station. To check this statement i decided to join a day tour group with a guide to reach the bit further places too.
After the participants got collect from their hotels, a drive over the Gwangandaegyo, also known as Diamont Bridge, brought us to Haeundae District.
First highlight was the APEC house, where meetings of the ‚Asian-Pacific-Economic-Cooperation‘ are held, as the tour guide proudly explained. It is indeed a impressive building in a round shape, settled at the bay with beautiful view. From there it’s just a short, wonderful stroll along the coast to the Haeundae Beach, which i visited just the day before (check my prior post).
That stroll gave us first opportunity to learn more about the tour participants and our guide. And of course the first selfies and tourist photos are taken as well.
more are coming. stay tuned…
Just when i arrived Busan i bought a bus ticket to the popular Haeunde Beach with it’s famous beach train. I didn’t take a ride in one of these colorful capsules, but took a walk along the train route.
Later on i took a streched beach walk among many other weekend visitors on the beach. Just to collect some more impressions from the beach life.
rene bauer photography 