Refreshing Summer Escape: Deung-eok Valley
Hello, this is Kim Soon-jeom from Ulsan Nuri.
How are you spending your summer this year?
If you are struggling with the heat, I recommend Deung-eok Valley in Uljin.
This summer feels particularly hot, and I recalled the coolness of Deung-eok Valley I visited last year.
After about 20 minutes in the water, I felt goosebumps on my arms and a chill creeping in. Is that an exaggeration?
This valley flows from the base of the Yeongnam Alps, winding through dense forests and rocky crevices, providing cold and clear water year-round.
I visited this place last year because someone in my family tends to feel overheated. That person absolutely loved it.
Let’s take a moment to explore the origin of the name Deung-eok. There are theories suggesting it comes from 'deungari' meaning 'lump' or from 'deung' meaning 'to ascend' combined with 'eok' meaning 'mouth' or 'entrance.' The latter interpretation suggests a village at the foot of a mountain.
Later, as it developed into a tourist area, the natural scenery of Deung-eok was compared to the Swiss Alps, leading to its renaming as Deung-eok Alps.
A few days ago, I visited the site and inquired about the ongoing valley regulations. The owner assured me there was no connection.
Restaurants around Deung-eok Valley were busy preparing for summer by renovating their floors.
Looking up at the flowing waters of Sinbul Mountain Valley feels refreshing just to think about, doesn’t it?
I remember Deung-eok Valley being crowded with people at the peak of summer last year, filled with laughter from families and smiles from children.
The left side of the path to Deung-eok Valley features a traditional earthenware jar stand, a rare sight these days.
Fields of rice so green they almost seem blue look incredibly fresh.
Nearby is a memorial for independence activist Jeong Yong-deuk, who was born on July 28, 1885, in the Deung-eok area.
On April 2, 1919, he participated in the independence movement in Ulsan. He was arrested by Japanese police and sentenced to 90 lashes for violating the Security Law.
He passed away on January 7, 1932, and was posthumously awarded a presidential citation in 2010.
On my way back from Deung-eok Valley, I passed through Mudoong, where I saw steep cliffs, reminiscent of the Bangudae Petroglyphs.
I also encountered houses that still carry an 'old' charm.
There’s a sign for an ancient tree in Mangsung-ri.
As I ventured further, I saw a familiar name associated with a farming alumni association, but I resisted the urge to go inside.
This is the Taehwa River viewed from Mangsung Bridge. I took this photo around 3 PM, and the bamboo grove by the river looked refreshing.
How about cooling off this summer at Deung-eok Valley, a place to remember for next year?
Source :https://blog.naver.com/ulsan_nuri/224363552095
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