Likely to Revisit

A Memory of a Lush Green Day

Danyang

On a dazzlingly green day, I couldn’t help but recall poet Jeong-ju Seo’s verse: "On days so brightly green, let us long for the ones we miss."
Danyang’s vivid greenery brought this verse to mind.

📝Text and    📷Photos by. novelist Jae-hyeon Park

Danyanggang Cliff Walkway

A Cliff of Calmness

A wooden deck path is common, but one clinging to a cliff was a first. A “Jando” refers to a plank walkway built like a shelf on the side of a cliff. Surprisingly, it feels less dizzying than expected, and the gentle breeze flowing around makes me feel rather relaxed. Perhaps it's Namhangang River running right in front of me, exuding a leisurely calm as if listening to the sound of my footsteps. As I walk, countless shades of green greet me. Each type of tree welcomes me with its own hue, fragrance, and slight sway. Reflections on the water’s surface resemble a flawless decalcomania—like a hamburger with the salad and bun reversed. No one walks quickly here. Everyone becomes a slow traveler, fully soaking in the serenity of Danyang’s green.

Nearby, you’ll find Mancheonha Skywalk and Suyanggae Prehistoric Museum, both of which are definitely worth visiting.

Guinsa Temple

The Beauty Seen Through Spaces in Between

If a foreigner asks me to recommend just one truly unique temple in Korea, I would choose this one. Unlike most traditional temples made of single-story wooden buildings, Guinsa consists of over 50 multi-story concrete structures. It’s located on a steep, narrow mountain path, and just reaching the top feels like a pilgrimage. But as you climb, the temple’s beauty unfolds consecutively again and again. That beauty lies in spaces in between. Like a gift that only the narrow paths can offer, glimpses of trees between buildings and eaves of other buildings between pillars linger more deeply in the mind than anything seen from the front of the buildings. When you finally reach Daejosajeon, the main hall at the summit, look down. The view of rooftops nestled between mountain ridges softens every difficult moment along the journey.

You have to park your car in the lot and take the shuttle bus to the temple’s entrance. The shuttle is free and the parking fee is 3,000 won.

Gosu Cave

No Moment is as Palpable as Now

I expected a typical cave with some stalactites and stalagmites. But what I found was an entirely different world. It is vast and magnificent as if crafted by beings from a distant planet. In truth, it's not distant in space but in time. People of the prehistoric era once used this place as a dwelling. With that faint image in mind, I carefully observe the artworks sculpted by time and water over eons. I find myself asking childlike questions again: How does that long rock hang from the ceiling like that? And then, another thought crosses my mind. These formations grow a little each day, which means the way they look right now—what I see at this exact moment—might never be seen again. This is their only moment, just like our days are. That makes them all the more precious, doesn't it?

The cave stays at a steady 15°C (59°F) year-round—cool in summer, warm in winter. It takes about 40 minutes to walk through all of the accessible paths.

Namhangang River

A Smile in the Sky

Gliding through the sky might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but in Danyang, it’s very real. This scenic town is considered a paragliding haven with 80% of its land covered in mountains and ideal weather conditions for paragliding. The moment you take flight, a gasp escapes—first from the thrill of the experience itself, and then again from the breathtaking landscape below. What catches your eye most is the cool, winding curve of Namhangang River, wrapping around the town in a gentle U-shape. Always mirroring the color of the sky, the river quickly feels familiar. The small city nestled within its embrace looks charming and compact as if built out of toy blocks. Simply watching the paragliders float overhead from the launch site brings a smile to your face. Their wings, stretched taut in the air, resemble the curve of a smiling eye.

Most paragliding companies are located in Doosan Village, where you’ll also find cafés. You can enjoy coffee while taking in the sweeping panoramic views.
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