Historical Attraction

Ch'ongpung Relics Area
With the developed waterborne traffic of Namhan River, Chongpung was the primary site of traditional commercial operations. However, with the construction of Chungju Dam, many cultural properties had to be relocated so as not to be sunk under the water. Chongpung Cultural Heritage Park was established as a small folk village, where all the cultural remains of Chongpung area were rearranged.

Inside the park, Hanbyok-ru, Standing Statue of Stone Buddha, Tohwa-ri Old House, and Ungchong-gak stand against the backdrop of Chungju Lake. Every spring, a cherry blossom festival is held here. Various events take place during the festival, such as traditional sporting events and a cherry blossom photo contest. At the local food tasting corner, people can try the traditional flavor of Chongpung.

Kongsansong
Kongsan wasoriginally a low mountain 110 meters above sea level and t he Kumkang river flowed around it. With this natural setting, Kongsan fortress was built as a defense from enemy attack.

Kongsan fortress has Yongeun temple, Kongbukru, which is the north gate of the fortress, a pond which was made in the Baekjae period, and many relics. Kongsansong, a representative castle of the Paekche era(A.D.234∼660), was built to protect Kongju, capital of Ungjinsong of Paekche. It was moved from Hnasansong in the first year(475) of the King Munju.

This castle Housed an upright government for 63years until it was moved to Puyo in the 16th year of King Song, which is located on a ridgeline of 110m above sea level with the Kumgang river flowing from the north as a natural barrier. It consists of a rectangle shape of about 800m from east to west and about 400m from north to south.

There is a parabola shape piled up along the valley and ridge line. Originally the castle was made of clay, but it was rebuilt of mostly stones under the Kings Sonjo(1567-1608) and Injo(1623-1649) of the Chosun era. Kongsansong was an important region strategcally for Kanghwa and Kwangju making it ideal for housing a military and rations inside the castle as recorded in 'T'aegrigi', a historical book.

Yunjunggoga
Yun Ch'ung was a scholar who lived during the Chosun period under the reign of Sukjong(1674∼1720). His pen name was Myong-che and the title granted by the king was Munsong.

He learned the doctrines of Chucha from Kim chip and Song Shi-yol and was especially well educated in the doctrine of etiquette. The King offered many governmental positions to him but he refused all of them and focused his efforts on educating the younger generation.

For this reason he was known as 'Paekuijongsung' meaning 'honest official'. Yubongyongtang, the building where he taught his pupils and 11 relics that were discovered in his home have been designated as important folk properties. Yunch'ungkotaek is located on the southern part of Nosongsan Mountain, in Kyoch'on-ri Nosong-myon Nonsan. The original house where he lived was located in Yubong. It is said that he lived there until 1681. In the early 18th century he moved to the present location. The house had a large yard in front of adetached building used as a reception room. It also had a big pond and a well. There are no walls or barriers within the house and trees and flowers created a snug atmosphere. A squared pond spreads out in front of the Hyanggyo, a school.

Ch'ilbaekuich'ong
Toyotomi Hideyoshi(a ruler of Japan in the 16th century) unified Japan during the confusing 16th century. Then, he planned to invade Chosun while he reigned over unified Japan. So, on April 15 in 1592, Japan started to attack Pusan, Tongrae located in the southern part of Korea and continued to progress to the north.

Finally, they occupied Hanyang(Seoul, at present), the capital city of Chosun only 15 days after aggression. Then they went on conquering P'yongyangsong fortress in June. During this war, Chosun militaries were consecutively defeated and the whole nation was destroyed and looted by the Japanese invaders. At that time, volunteer troops began to organize military units. The troops were composed of various social ranks. The representative figure among volunteers from the Ch'ungch'ong-do area was Cho Hon, who was a typical Confucian scholar. After organizing his troops in Okch'on, he regained Ch'ongjusong fortress from the enemy.

On August 18, his troops defeated over 15,000 Japanese soldiers three times but he died a glorious death during the final battle. Through this bloody battle, the Japanese experienced great damage and had no choice but to retreat from the Cholla area to the Kyongsang area. Four days after this battle, his followers made a tomb for 700 dead volunteer troops including the leader, Cho Hon and named it Chilbaek uich'ong.