Mungyeongsaejae Pass

Mungyeongsaejae Pass is an official government road opened in 1414, the fourteenth year of King Taejong of Joseon. It is the most famous section of the Yeongnam Daero, the great road linking the Yeongnam region with the Gihoe region, and represents the old roads of the Joseon period. It is recorded as "Chojeom" in the Sejong sillok jiriji (the geographical appendix to the Veritable Records of King Sejong) and as "Joryeong" in the Dongguk yeoji seungnam, and within the Joseon-period road network of Yeongnam it served as the main route over the Baekdudaegan mountain range, dividing Chungcheong-do (the Hangang River basin) from Gyeongsang-do (the Nakdonggang River basin). Along Mungyeongsaejae Pass, major defence facilities survive well, including three gates - Juheulgwan (the first gate), Jogokgwan (the second gate) and Joryeonggwan (the third gate) - and the site of a won, a state-run wayside inn, together with pavilions, the sites of old taverns, a Village Guardian Shrine and various stone monuments. As the route travelled by Gyeongsang-do scholars on their way to sit the state examinations, it is also the setting for numerous folk tales, giving it great historical and folkloric value. It has outstanding scenic value, with the varied and beautiful vegetation of Juheulsan Mountain and Joryeongsan Mountain, and, along the old road, valleys, waterfalls and forest paths. Various experience programmes related to the old road, such as "walking the old road" and "re-enacting the journey to the state examinations," are held every year, making it an excellent resource through which people today can enjoy the culture of the Joseon-period old road and the culture of its scholars.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Scenic Site · 명승