Winter pictures of Seoul

After couple of holidays of Seol (Korean lunar New Year´s Day), I walked the Namtaeryeong old trail. A book, which I read few years ago, recommended this trail for good walking, so I have wanted to walk this trail. So I walked it today.

 

 

This monument says 'Namtaeryeong'. It is located between Seoul and Gwacheon city.

 

 

There is a monument at the entrance of Namtaeryeong old trail. It also says 'Namtaeryeong old trail' and it's origin and history.

 

 

The origin of Namtaeryeong:

 

Namtaeryeong old trail was only way to Samnam (3 southern provinces; Chungcheongdo, Jeollado, Gyeongsangdo) from Hanyang (old name of Seoul).

From here, people walked to southern provinces through Suwon and Anseong. In other way, people walked this pass to Sandangdong, Dongjakdong, Heukseokdong, and then they cross the Hangang (Han river) on ships to Hanyang at Noddle Naru (Noryangjin).

But originally, this pass was called "Yeowugogae" (a pass of a fox). When the King Cheongjo, who was a great king of Joseon dynasty, lived 1752 - 1800, went to the tomb of Sadosaeja, who was father of the King Cheongjo, Chenongjo asked the name of this pass to his official. Mr. Byeon, who was an official of Gwacjeon, answered that this pass was "Namtaeryeong", because he thought "Yeowugogae" was a vulgar tongue. "Namtaeryeong" means the first big pass from Hanyang to southern provinces. This is the legend about the origin of "Namtaeryeong".

 

 

 

Most of old trail was lost, so I could walk on very short trail today.

 

 

Steps to Gwacheon...

 

 

Gwacheonru.

 

 

An information of Gwacheonru

 

 

 

The entrance to the Namtaeryeong old trail. This picture was taken from Gwacheon side.

 

 

 

Short and quiet walk way

 

 

Trees are very photogenic.

 

 

 

 

All these pictures are taken with 20D and EF 35mm F1.4.  B&W mode Contrast +1, Sharpness +2, Filter effect: Ye

When I went to Olympic park to take pictures of a cool tree (COOL NAMU), I took these photos of beautiful sunset.

 

 

 

At the last Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day), I visited Mt. Mani in Ganghwa Island.

I could see the Gaecheonjeol ceremony by good luck. That ceremony is extraordinary thing, so I post some pictures of it.

This picture was taken from below Chamseongdan (the altar).


This is Chamseongdan. Lots of hikers were waiting for the ceremony.


They were preparing the religious service. People who wear the traditional costumes are from Sungkyunkwan (an education institute established in 1398) and local assembly.


This is south view of Ganghwa Island from the near Chamseongdan.



The seven Seonnyeo (Korean nymph) came downstairs. Someone said that they were chosen from Gangwha Women's High School every year. They seemed to have practice the ceremony very much.




A helicopter from MBC. It seemed to be here for broadcasting. ^^





The seven Seonnyeo stood in just fromt of me fortunately~. ^^




Now, here comes a helicopter from KBS. ^^;;


The seven Seonnyeo began to walk upstairs.




They seemed to practice this ceremony very much. They went upstairs with very soft steps. ~ ^^




They showed us a beautiful dance with round fans.


Threr was a event of the sacred fire. ~ ^^;; I hope you have good luck and enjoy good health from now on.




At last, a helicopter from SBS came here.







After the official ceremony, people went upstairs to see Chamseongdan at close hand.


The legned says that Chamseongdan was built by the age of Dangun. But it was repaired and maintained at the age of Joseon Dynasty and Republic of Korea. I was exited when I realized that my ancestors had took care of this place for the thousand years.


Wow. The secret of Seonnyeo is a helicopter. They may had riden on this helicopter from the bottom to the top of this mountain. ~ ^^




Chanseongdan is normally a restricted area. But there are special days when vistors can enter Chamseongdan. One is Gaecheonjeol (3rd October) and the New Year's Day (31th December and 1st January).

The top area of Chamseongdan is quite small, it may be 10 meters by 10 meters.

As there a lots of visitors in opening days, you have to be there very early in the morning if you want to visit.




Bonus !!

A hellicopter from MBC has an automatic TV camera system on its side.

KBS has an automatic TV camera system on its bottom.

But a camera man of SBS shoud hold TV camera on his shoulder. So sad. :-)

[Japanese version]

As I listened to the weather casting from TV, I worried about the weather when I decided to go to Mt. Seorak for a tracking and taking photos of autumn woods. But I decided to go because it might be the last chance to go to Mt. Seorak in this year. Because Mt. Seorak is noted for the glorious tints of its autumn foliage.

Fortunately, the weather was VERY NICE today. ^^;;

I post some of pictures here. Later, I will try to put some more pictures.







And, I took the sun rising.


[Japanese]