수자원공사 웹진 물, 자연 그리고 사람

• Jeongnamjin Observatory

  • Address 242-58, Jeongnamjinjae-an-ro, Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do
  • Opening hours 09:00~20:00, Closed on Mondays
  • Phone 061-867-0399

  The Landscape Unfolds like a Panorama in Jangheung!

  Jeongnamjin Observatory, one of the key landmarks in Jangheung, is located due south of Gwanghwamun Gate in Seoul. So you can get a full view of the southern part of Korea from the observatory. On the way to the observatory is Unification Square, where you will be greeted by cool spouts of water erupting from a water fountain shaped like the Korean Peninsula. He square also contains a large sculpture titled “Yiullieo” that symbolizes the “round-shaped ocean” as seen from Jeongnamjin. At sunrise and sunset, the red glow emitted by the sun forms a natural backdrop for the sculpture, creating a magnificent vista.
  Now, let’s go inside the observatory. The highlight of the ten-story observatory is obviously the observation deck on the top floor, from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of Jangheung’s landscape through its broad glass window. Benches are available at different spots on the floor so you can sit and rest while enjoying the view of the ocean. Before you leave the observatory, you should take a closer look at Jeongnamjin through the telescopes set up in four different locations. And when you are done with ocean-viewing, why not go down one floor to have a tall glass of iced coffee in the café. The entire building, except for the observatory itself and the café, is currently being remodeled, and is due to reopen at the end of the year. The ocean in Jangheung is silent although the wind makes gentle waves. How about clearing your mind of mental clutter and noise by dumping them into the silent ocean before heading back home, hopefully with a new-found peace of mind? The silent comfort that Jangheung gives will surely lighten your heart.

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• Munhwadang

  • Address 7-1, Jangheung-ro, Jangheung-eup, Jangheung-gun Jeollanam-do
  • Opening hours 09:00~21:00
  • Phone 061-863-6666
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The 80-Year-Old Bookstore

There are only two bookstores in Jangheung and one of them is Munhwadang, which mirrors the history of Jangheung in many ways. The bookstore opened exactly 80 years ago in 1944, when Korea was still under Japanese colonial rule and books were a rare commodity. Ever since its opening, the bookstore has served as a neighborhood library for locals with limited access to books, and has never been closed for even a single day. When you enter the bookstore, you can smell the scent of long years from the books on the shelves. The store has survived for so long because all three generations of the owner’s family, including the founder, Choi In-chang, and the current owner, Choi Gyeong-seok, and his wife are avid readers and book lovers.
Munhwadang is a scaled-down version of a major bookstore with a broad spectrum of genres and types of books. The space in the bookstore is divided into two halves: one filled with books for general readers and the other with reference books and study materials for students. The store also has a large collection of picture books and hobby books, and all the best sellers published recently.
If you are at a loss as to which book to choose from this ocean of books, it might be a good idea to seek some advice. The Choi couple chose Wan-suh Park as their favorite author, while their list of favorite books includes Walden; or Life in the Woods and Aloha, My Motherswill go on and on, clearly showing how passionate they are about reading. Although today’s book market is dominated by giant online bookstores, major bookstores and book cafes, Munhwadang has faithfully remained a neighborhood bookstore at a time when such places are rapidly declining in number across the country. The bookstore continues to write a part of Jangheung’s history as it serves the local community not only as a bookstore but also as a local library.