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Daegeumsan Mountain |
2009-03-31 |
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Myeongdong-ri Yeoncho-myeon Geoje-si Gyeongsangnam-do
Azalea festival harmonized with the South Sea
The Azalea tree (Rhododendron mucronulatum, Jindallae in Korean), a kind of deciduous broad-leaf shrub, grows naturally in the wild all over the fields and mountains throughout the Korean peninsula and grows well in groups on sunny mountainsides. Unlike most other trees that take root easily in fertile soil, azalea trees bloom more beautifully in barren soil that carries strong acidic factors. Azalea flowers usually bloom in a cluster of three to five blossoms and are tinted light pink with a violet tone, each with the shape of a funnel composed of five petals. The pink flowers bloom before their leaves come out and look very attractive. Along the southern coast area, azalea flowers begin to bloom from early April but they fully bloom near the end of April in the middle inland area.
The Azalea flower is sometimes called Chamkkot in Korean. While the inedible royal azalea (Rhododendron Schlippenbachii, Cheoljjuk in Korean) is called Gaekkot (dog flower), azalea flowers have been called Chamkkot (true flower), and they are edible. However, in contrast to these common names, the Chamkkot trees that grow on Halla Mountain feature a kind of royal azalea that is different from common azaleas, and the white flower Gaekkot that blooms in midsummer is quite different from the royal azalea and belongs to the Asteraceae plant category. It is also an annually blooming plant, not like azaleas that bloom multiple times per year.
There are many mountains in Korea that are famous for their azalea flower bushes, but only a few spots have wonderful azalea vistas harmonized with a vast ocean view. Let’s now explore Geojedo Island, one of those few wonderful spots by the sea!
Fashionable satin-like Daegeumsan Mountain
The nearly 388 square kilometer wide Geojedo Island is the second largest island in Korea next to the largest, Jejudo Island. This island was connected to the mainland in 1971 by the construction of Geojedaegyo Bridge. As the island is large, it has many mountains and valleys. The representative mountains of this island include Gyeryongsan Mountain (555 meters above sea level), which has the same name as Gyeryongsan Mountain in Chucheongnam-do, Garasan Mountain (585 meters above sea level), Nojasan Mountain (565 meters above sea level), Sanbangsan Mountain (507 meters above sea level), Bukbyeongsan Mountain (465 meters above sea level), Guksabong Mountain (462 meters above sea level) and Baekamsan Mountain (493 meters above sea level).
Although lower than these mountains, Daegeumsan Mountain (437.5 meters above sea level) is also a well-known mountain on Geojedo Island. Daegeumsan Mountain used to have the Chinese characters Dae (大: big) and Geum (金: gold) in its original name, as there are gold and silver mines inside the mountain that were excavated during the ancient Silla Kingdom era. Then, from the mid Joseon Kingdom period, its Chinese name was changed to another Daegeumsan (大錦山: big satin mountain), owing to the mountain’s satin-like attractiveness.
Daegeumsan Mountain has two outstanding attractions. One is the wonderful vista of the South Sea viewed from the mountain, and the other is the pink and crimson red carpets of azalea blossoms that cover the mountainside every spring. The “Daegeumsan Azalea Festival” has been held every early April since 1997, cheerfully welcoming an increasing number of springtime visitors every year. Usually, azaleas bloom in full in early April on Daegeumsan Mountain, but they are likely to come out from late March this year due to the abnormal warm climate changes recently.
Crane Island, Isudo, lying under the azalea flower beds
Daegeumsan Mountain is located among Myeongdong-ri Yeoncho-myeon, Daegeum-ri, Sibang-ri and Oepo-ri Jangmok-myeon in Geoje-si. Most hikers and tourists start from Myeongdong-ri. As one hour is enough to hike from Myeongsang Village at Myeongdong-ri to Daegeumsan Mountain, even the tourists who do not like to hike along the mountain trails can easily hike up to this mountain. The red carpet waves of azalea blossoms that are spread extensively from the summit to the north look like a fantastic flower garden in a heavenly land.
What's still more attractive, the silver white sand fields of Heungnam Beach are found by the azure blue South Sea to the east, and a strangely-shaped islet floats in the sea not far from the beach. The official name of the islet is "Isudo Islet," but villagers here call it "Crane Islet." The shape of the islet on a map looks just like a flying crane, and if you view the islet from Daegeumsan Mountain, you will realize the local name of the islet is very suitable. What's even more interesting is the fact that the islet looks like a crane holding a fish in its long bill when the tide is low. The pink and red azalea flower beds and silvery white beach, blue ocean and the mystical shape of the Crane Islet -- this harmonious vista is presented wonderfully on the remote wild mountainside by the South Sea. Where can people find such wonderful scenery except at Daegeumsan Mountain by the South Sea? |
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