8 Vistas of Yeoju

The 8 Visatas of Yeoju are the spectacular sites that boast magnificent views of the Namhangang River.

• 1st Vista Silleuk Sunset Bell
  • The evening bell resonating through Silleuksa Temple
  • Silleuksa Temple is located in Cheonsong-ri, Yeoju-si, and is a traditional temple that sits on the southern banks of Bongmisan Mountain where the slopes draw a low and slow curve. In front of the temple is a branch of the Namhangang River also known as the “Yeogang River” that flows elegantly, offering a spectacular view from the temple. There have been claims that this temple was founded by Wonhyo, a great Buddhist monk during the reign of King Jinpyeong in Silla; however, there is no evidence to prove such an argument.
  • The temple’s name, “Silleuk,” is told to be from a legend in which a mysterious Maitreya (or Naong or Indang) drove away the dragon demon that caused harm to humans using a strange bridle.
  • It seems the temple became famous around the end of the Goryeo dynasty, and Naong passed away here in 1376 (2nd year of King U). In 1469 (1st year of King Yejong) during the Joseon dynasty, King Sejong’s tomb that had been situated in Daemosan Mountain, Gwangju, was moved to Yeoju-gun. This event led to the name of the temple being changed to Boeunsa Temple and serving the role of the grave temple of King Sejong.
• 2nd Vista Ma Am Fishing Lights
  • Lighting up the way for the fishing boats at the riverside in front of Ma Am
  • The cliff rock right below Yeongwollu, Sang-ri, Yeoju-si, is a historical site that has been called “Ma Am” for a considerable amount of time. The Min Family from Yeoheung, one of the leading houses in Yeoju, regards the area as a sacred place because they believe their founding father was born from a hole in Ma Am. Also, legends say that the town’s name was changed to Hwangryeo-hyeon after yellow and black dragon demons appeared from the blue waves below Ma Am rock during Kin Gyeongdoek’s rule in Silla. These stories show that the historical site is enough to represent Yeoju
  • The rock’s plain surface was chosen to be written with the big letters of “Ma Am” vertically so that merchants passing by on their ships could realize where they were in an instance. However, the rock has been neglected to the point that strands on weed are growing around the area. The letters “Lee In-eung,” and “Siwol Gak” have been identified at the upper and left parts of the Ma Am rock. Also, the letters “Sin Hyeon-tae” have been identified from another rock to the right. However, further research is unavailable as the area is geologically unapproachable. Considering the circumstances, the letters are speculated to have been written in the late Joseon era.
• 3rd Vista Hakdong Evening Smoke
  • The smoke of cooking evening meals in Hak-dong across the river
  • Hak-dong is divided into two areas: one in Ohak-ri, and the other in Hyeonam-ri. The region got its name from having many cranes (cranes are called “hak” in Korean) that came to rest.
• 4th Vista Setting Sail in Yeontan
  • The scene of sailboats returning home at the rapids of the river
  • In front of Yangdo Island is a flow of Jebiul - Jebi Rapids - Yeonjatan Stream. In the past, the area was known as one of th Eight Vistas of Yeoju due to its fast current, and it is where the Jebi Rapids Battle occurred during the Japanese Invasion of 1592.
• 5th Vista Yangseom Island’s Geese Fall
  • The scene of geese landing on Yangseom Island
  • Yangdo Island is located in the middle of the Hangang River at the lower town of Ha-ri. The island was used as a pasture for livestock in the Joseon dynasty and later became known as Yangseom Island because sheep (Yang in Korean) grew on its lands. It was initially called Beolseom, which changed to Beodeunseom, then to Beodleseom, until finally settling with the current name.
• 6th Vista Tall Forests of Palsu
  • The landscape of a rich forest reflecting on the water at the riverside of Ohak-ri
  • Paldae Forest (Bada Forest, Buk Forest, Pada Forest, Paldaesu) is located in front of Suchon, Hyeonam-ri, which is a town beside the Namhangang River. The forest said to look like the sea for being around 2.75km long, and is one of the Eight Vistas of Yeoju. The area was deforested and turned into an agricultural area during King Jeongjo’s reign.
• 7th Vista Cuckoo of the Two Tombs
  • cry of cuckoos at Yeongneung Royal Tombs
  • Yeongneung (Historic Site No. 195) is the grave of King Sejong in Wangdae-ri, Sejongdaewang-myeon. This is where King Sejong the Great, the fourth king of Joseon, and his consort, Queen Soheon, are buried together. In 1496, the 1st year of King Yejong’s reign, the waterway of the Hangang River was used to move the tomb to Bukseongsan Mountain at the west of Yeoju.
  • Nyeongneung is the tomb of King Hyojong (r.1649-1659), 17th king of the Joseon dynasty, and his wife, Queen Inseon (1618-1674). When he died in 1659, King Hyojong was buried at the west of Geonwolleung Royal Tomb. As cracks appeared on stone sculptures, however, his tomb was moved to Hongje-dong at the east of Nyeongneung due to concerns on rainwater slipping inside.
• 8th Vista Passing Rain in Pasa
  • The scene of summer monsoon passing Pasaseong Fortress
  • Pasaseong Fortress (Historic Site No. 251) is a stone mountain fortress built in the era of the Three Kingdoms, constructed along the ridges going southwest from the peak of Pasasan Mountain (230.5 m). The site stands on the border of Cheonseo-ri, Dasin-myeon, Yeoju-si and Sangjapo-ri, Gaegun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun. The total perimeter of the fortress wall is 935.5 m, and its current tallest point stands at 6.25 m. The fortress was used from the Three Kingdoms Age to the Joseon dynasty.