Bongnae Valley
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LocationGunmak-gil Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- CategoryTour/ Natural Environment
- Korean봉래 구곡
- Chinese蓬萊九曲
- FieldGeography / Natural Geography
- Contents TypePlace Name / Name of Natural Place
- AreaGunmak-gil Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- LocationGunmak-gil Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Definition
- A valley located in Junggye-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do.
- Origin of the Name
- Byeonsan Mountain, also known as Bongnaesan Mountain, is one of three main mountains in the Honam area (southwestern region of Korea), along with Bangjangsan Mountain in Gochang and Duseungsan Mountain in Gobu. The area is famous for nine magnificent scenic sights located along Bongnaegugok Valley, which refers to the entire valley area whose water originates from the Sinseonsaem Spring at Sinseondae Terrace in Byeonsanbando National Park, and flows towards Jikso Falls and Haechang. The inscription “Bongnaegugok” can be seen on a large rock at the fifth of the nine sights, Bongnaegok, which refers to the nine valleys in the area.
- Natural Environment
- Bongnaegugok Valley is said to be the valley with the most magnificent landscape in Inner Byeonsan. Its water originates from the Sinseonsaem Spring at Sinseondae Terrace, joins the waters flowing from Mangpodae and Bunchodae at the village of Daeso, which sits on a basin situated 150 meters above sea level, runs through the nine valleys, joins the Baekcheon Stream, and finally flows into the West Sea. Notably, there are numerous waterfalls and linns (plunge pools) located along the Jiksocheon Stream.
- Current Status
- The water of Bongnaegugk Valley originates from the Jiksocheon Stream (which rises from Sinseonbong Peak in the south if the Byeonsan Peninsula) and passes through the area’s nine scenic sights. The nine scenic sights, which stretch for some 20 kilometers along Bongnaegugk Valley, include (from no.1 to no. 9) Daeso Linn, which is located in the village of Daeso; Jikso Falls; Bunokdam Linn; Seonnyeotang Linn; Bongnaegok, where an inscription by Kim Seok-gon (1874-1948, from Taein) is carved on a submerged rock; Geumgangso Linn; Yeongji Pond; Baekcheon Stream, which is said to have one hundred branch streams; and Amji Pond. However, the construction of Buan Dam in 1996 submerged the entire downstream area, completely effacing all trace of Yeongji Pond, Baekcheon Stream, and Amji Pond.
- See Also