Walk Along the Water Path
Namgang River, the Lifeline for the City of Jinju
Jinju, a City Resembling Namgang River
Green leaves start to sprout by the river and flowers rain over lakes. Spring is back earlier in Jinju than in other parts of the country. While savoring the sights and sounds of spring, I saw scenes of warm sunlight during the day and colorful lighting at night that unfolded along a water path, and I tried to keep my eyes on them as long as I could. The gently caressing morning breeze made my heart flutter, and the warm sunlight of the day left me feeling cozy and relaxed. The evening air sets in over the glittering water of Namgang River, and the night air around the river smells romantic and enticing. Now, the city of Jinju has changed into its spring outfit woven with red camellias and yellow forsythias.
Text & photos by Si-mok Lee (travel writer)
Jinyangho Lake
Jinyangho Lake is an artificial lake formed in the process of constructing Namgang Dam. Located where Gyeonghogang River and Deokcheongang River meet, the lake boasts of a fabulous landscape with many things to see and enjoy in the vicinity, including the Namgang Dam Water Culture Museum , a zoo, the Jinyangho Lake Observatory, the Jinju-si Traditional Art Center , and the Jinju Traditional Bullfighting Stadium, making it one of the major tourist attractions in Jinju. Cherry blossoms in spring make it particularly worthwhile to visit the dam and nearby areas.
Stroll along the Lakes and Bask in the Warm Spring Sunlight
A friend asked me once, “Is there a particular word that awakens your need to go on a trip?” I instantly said, “Green.” To me, the color green symbolizes the vibrant energy of young green leaves that begin to sprout. Looking at these baby leaves growing gives me a feeling of awe and wonder for what Mother Nature never fails to do for us each spring. Jinju is one of the best places where you can feel the unique sense of energy and vitality that the color green can create for you more vividly and evidently than in other places. Namgang River flows through the city, with Jinyangho Lake glittering like a jewel at one end of the city. The eye-pleasing landscape unfolds each step of the way as you walk along the lake.
People say that spring comes from the earth and autumn comes from the sky. If you watch a river or a lake closely enough, however, you will realize that some of the earliest signs of spring can be found by the water and are particularly shiny and enchanting. The same is also true in Jinju. Spring sets in first at Namgang River and marches on all the way through to Jinyangho Lake. The waterfront filled with the colors of spring is now part of the space where Jinju citizens live and work. With many scenic attractions concentrated along the river, Jinju is now known as a city of loyalty and art.
My journey started from Jinyangho Lake. Namgang River originates from Jirisan Mountain and Deogyusan Mountain and runs as a river before it scales up its size, changing its name to Jinyangho Lake. Looking down from the Namgang Dam Water Culture Museum and Jinyangho Lake Observatory, you can get a panoramic view of the entire Jinyangho Lake.
On a sunny day, the reflection of the mountain makes the lake water look green rather than blue. As spring progresses, pink flower petals will fall gently on the surface of the water. Walking along Jinyangho Lake on a spring day means you will walk on a green trail under the spectacular cherry blossoms.
If you choose a trail that starts at the entrance of the lake and leads to the boarding platform in Guidok-dong or the zoo and the water culture museum, you will encounter better cherry blossom spots and historic sites. The area around the boarding platform is particularly worth visiting as the combination of the green water of Jinyangho Lake and pink cherry blossoms creates a strikingly beautiful scenery.
Namgang River
Walking trails stretch from south to north along Namgang River. If you want to appreciate the beauty of Jinyangho Lake and Namgang River from multiple different angles during your walk, choose the course that runs from the Namgang Dam Water Culture Museum through the Wetland Eco Park, Namgang River Bridge, Forest of Hamo, waterfront trail, Mulbitnaru resting area (Manjin Dock), Namgaram Park, Jinju Bridge, Jinjuseong Fortress (Chokseoknaru Dock), and Namgang Music Water Fountain to Jinyangho Lake Observatory. Namgang Bridge and Jinju Bridge connect the northern and southern sides of the city. Around March, a ship named Kim Shi-min starts to run in Namgang River. Onboard the cruise ship, you will be able to enjoy all the scenic views of Namgang River better.
Warm Sunlight Lands on Your Shoulders
In spring, your steps become brisker. With the nice and pleasant temperature and humidity, you feel lighter and the greenery abounds around you, shining warm sunlight upon your heart as well as your body. In spring, you find yourself looking around more often, amazed by the changing landscape while taking a walk as a warm spring breeze stirs up a sense of elation. Budding willow leaves get bigger and thicker and kicks of mallards get louder. Wild flowers grow and start to bloom at the borders between water and land, hastening the arrival of spring. It feels warm and nice as the spring sunlight lands upon your shoulders gently and quietly. Walking along Namgang River, you will likely be able to discover and appreciate the sights and sounds of spring as well as become aware of changes taking place in your own mind. After continuing up and down along a low hill, the road finally meets a flat land where the water stream escapes the lake and becomes a river again. Now the road meets an area of green willows, passes a tall rock cliff, and reaches a dense bamboo forest. Across Jinjuseong Fortress over Namgang River is the bamboo forest of Namgaram Park, one of the best scenic views in Jinju. Each time the wind blows, the bamboo trees sound like a pencil being sharpened by a knife. It is a great spot to sit empty-minded and watch the bamboo trees move in the wind. On a warm, sunny day, take a walk along the trail and roll out a picnic mat on the grass by the river, and you will be able to see the surface of the river shine and the bamboo trees dance to the wind. The soothing and refreshing scenery will give you a much-needed getaway from the hectic daily routine, and you might want to lose track of time for a while as your battery is being charged.
▲ The bamboo forest by the river across Jinjuseong Fortress. You can feel the energy of the forest as you take a leisurely stroll on the trail that runs through the thick bamboo forest.
Jinjuseong Fortress
As one of the best tourist attractions, Jinjseong Fortress has three must-see components: Chokseoknu (reconstructed) known as one of the 3 best nugak (pavilion) built in the Joseon period; Euiam, a rock from which Nongae embraced a Japanese general and jumped into the water with him to drown; and Jinju National Museum. Taking a walk around the fortress is highly recommended.
Don’t Miss out on a Romantic Spring Night
After a long walk along the river in the warm sunlight in the middle of the day, forgetting about life’s worries, shadows began to get long quickly. The vibrant color of green was taken over by other charming colors of the river, one of which is the color of the sunset around Jinjuseong Fortress. Built at a low cliff on the bank of Namgang River at the end of the Goryeo period, the 1000-year old earthen fortress was later rebuilt into a stone fortress. People will probably associate Jinjuseong Fortress with the Japanese Invasion of 1592. They will also remember two major historical figures in connection with the fortress: General Si-min Kim and Martyr Nongae. These two individuals fought the war in their own way and sacrificed their lives to help save the country. General Kim made major contributions in the Jinjuseong Fortress Battle, one of the three major battles fought during the Japanese Invasion of 1592, and died a heroic death at the battlefield. Nongae, a geisha, was forced to entertain the victorious Japanese generals at Chokseoknu Pavilion. During the party, Nongae led one of the Japanese generals to the cliffside, embraced him tightly, and jumped off the cliff with him into the water to drown.
After the sun goes down, Namgang River presents a whole new nightscape. Now, the sunlight is replaced by artificial lights in various colors that create a romantic atmosphere. The balmy air, warm breeze, and beautiful glow of the evening sunlight come together and warm your heart, knowing that the long and cold winter has finally given way to spring. Romance is back in the air on a warm spring evening.
▼ Jinju Namgang Yudeung (lantern) Festival, Jinju’s signature festival.
