The Korea Herald, 17 March 2009
Andong City epitomizes Korean philosophy deeply rooted in Confucianism and Buddhism. The city, located in North Gyeongsang Province, has a reputation as the best preserved ancient metropolis, and has numerous temples, traditional academic houses, festivals and local delicacies to fill the curious appetite of travelers.
Andong faces Youngyang and Cheongsong to the East, Yecheon to the West, Euiseong to the South and Youngju and Bonghwa to the North.
The city is the largest in North Gyeongsang Province.
Through the dynasties of Silla, Goryeo and Joseon, traditional culture prospered in Andong.
It is one of few places in the world where Confucian practices are still directly passed down to descendents to this day, as well as being a center of education.
The list of Andong-s main cultural assets includes its Andong Hahoe Village and Dosan Confucian Academy that is dubbed the heartland of Korea-s Confucian culture.
There are currently 250 tangible and intangible national assets as well as folk plays handed down from generation to generation.
At Hahoe Folk Village, festivals reprise such rituals as mask dance and farm music, as well as "seonyujul," the Korean version of fireworks.
Dosanbyeolsi, a state examination conducted during the Joseon Dynasty, is reenacted by bringing together some 300 Korean studies experts from around the world.
Sights of stiff-necked scholars are easy to find, as are performers wearing traditional masks ready for a dance performance for travelers.
Andong is a place worth visiting to recapture the old Korea.
Confucian academies
Andong is considered the "cradle of learning," housing the largest number of Confucian academies.
Andong was home to many noted scholars, including Taegye Lee Hwang and Seoae Ryu Seong-ryeong.
At present, 26 of them remain, showcasing the traditional bi-annual rituals every spring and summer. They include Dosan Confucian School, Nongun-jeongsa Dormitory, Kwangmyeongsil Library, Yangjindang House and Byeongsan Confucian Academy.
The most significant one is Dosan Confucian Academy, which inherits the spirit and lifestyle of aristocrats, who believed justice and good manners are key factors in life.
Lee Hwang (1501-1570) was a scholar and a civil minister during the middle years of the Joseon Dynasty. He led the scholastic movements in the Gyeongsang area and was a strong rival against the students of Lee Yulgok. Lee Hwang devoted his life to raising his successors and delving into studies.
In 1584, King Seonjo (1567-1608) gave orders to build Dosan Academy in memory of Lee Hwang.
Hahoe Folk Village
Another popular destination, and perhaps the most famous one, is Andong-s Hahoe Folk Village. Nestled in the arms of the Nakdong River, the village offers unrivaled scenery. The village was used by the Pungsanryu clan and has been preserved since the Joseon Dynasty. Some say from a bird-s-eye view, the village resembles a lotus flower floating on the water.
The village remains as it looked in the Joseon Dynasty and is still lived in by the descendants of Joseon-s natural law scholar Seoae Ryu Seong-ryeong. Other habitants include clansmen of Ahns from Gwangju and Heos of Gimhae (Ahn and Heo are Korean surnames).
Dirt roads as well as rough fences and traditional tiled houses make one feel as through they have gone back in time.
International attention
The value of Andong has brought the city attention from the international community, not to mention being one of the must-visit destinations for foreign dignitaries visiting Korea.
In 1999, Queen Elizabeth II visited, touring around Hahoe Folk Village and the old houses of aristocrats and seeing the process of making kimchi and gochujang (red pepper paste). In honoring the queen for her 73th birthday, Andong also presented her with a special dinner table filled with Korean delicacies for which she reportedly remarked, "Very good! Wonderful!," raising her glass for a toast.
On Oct. 27, 2004, Andong joined the 65-member League of World Historical Cities, proving itself to harbor long history and deep traditional and cultural values.
Andong also successfully hosted in 2005 the third World Assembly of the International Organization of Folk Arts. In 2006, Andong established the International Mask Arts and Culture Organization to continue and foster the culture of masks that is a universal culture.
Mecca of Buddhism
Andong is also a mecca of Buddhism and plays a vital role in Korea-s religious and spiritual history. Buddhism of the Andong region focuses on sublimating an ideal community by using nature as itself, as is shown in the architecture of the temples that incorporate lines of nature.
The most famous is Bongjeongsa Temple. According to myth, Monk Euisang of Silla-s King Munmu flew a paper-made phoenix into the air, and decided on the site where the bird nestled to build the Bongjeongsa Temple on.
The temple houses Korea-s oldest wooden-made architecture Geukrakjeon Hall that is designated National Treasure No. 15. Other Buddhism-related sites include Daeungjeon Hall, Cheongdeung Cave, Gaemoksa Temple, Gwangheungsa Temple, Icheon-dong Buddha, Yongdamsa Temple, Sinse-dong seven-story brick pagoda and Jotap-dong five-story brick pagoda.
Nature and leisure
Andong is bordered by Mount Taebaek to the East and Mount Noryeong to the Northeast. The city is abundant with green lakes and Nakdong River flows through the center.
Andong Lake is the third largest in Korea and one can boat along and even enjoy fishing.
Gilancheon Stream in the meantime boasts beautiful mountain views and cliff edges along the stream.
Leisure activities are available, including a rafting course along Nakdong River flowing down along Mount Cheongryang valley. Other activities include boating, water skiing and peanut and banana boats.
Andong also boasts hot springs and other types of recreational accommodation, including Hakgasan Spa that is located southeast of Mount Haksa, and Mount Gyemyeong recreational forest located 530-meters above the sea level. It accommodates housing facilities, swimming pool, camping sites, campfire sites and more.
For information on traveling Andong, visit www.andong.go.kr or www.tourandong.com
How to get there
By car from Seoul, get on Gyeongbu expressway and take the North Sangju interchange and head to Yecheon and then to Andong. It takes about two hours and 30 minutes.
By train from Seoul, catch one from Cheongnyangni station. It takes four hours to reach Andong (Korea Railroad Cooperation 1544-7788). From Busan, catch a train at Bujeon Station (051-809-7788).
By bus from Seoul, a direct route is available at Dong Seoul Terminal in Gabyeon Station and takes three hours (02-446-8000).
Contacts:
l Andong Tourism Information Center (054) 856-3013
l Gyeongbuk (North Gyeongsang) Tourism Information Center (054) 852-6800
al Hahoe Village Tourist Information Center (054) 852-3588
l Dosan Confucian Academy Management Office (054) 856-1073
l Andong Folk Museum (054) 840-6547
By Lee Joo-hee
No comments:
Post a Comment