Hwajeokyeon, Pocheon
Hwajeokyeon is one of the eight scenic spots of Yeongpyeong, featuring a 13-meter-tall granite rock that rises above a pond. The name "Hwajeokyeon" comes from its resemblance to a stack of straw sheaves piled in the middle of the pond. In Korean, Hwajeokyeon is called "Byotgariso," meaning "a pond that looks like a stack of straw sheaves," using the characters " hwa" for straw, "jeok" for stack, and "yeon" for pond. The granite rock stands tall where the Hantangang River swirls, resembling a stack of straw, and has thus earned its name. Many legends are associated with Hwajeokyeon.
One such legend tells the story of an old farmer who, after three years of drought with no rain, sat by the pond lamenting his fate. The farmer, in despair, cried out, "How can the crops wither and die when there's so much water here? Even the dragon seems to have been sleeping for three years, oblivious to our plight!" Suddenly, the waters of Hwajeokyeon surged, and the head of a dragon emerged. The farmer was so shocked that he nearly fainted, but the dragon, after thrashing its tail, ascended to the sky. That night, rain began to fall, bringing a bountiful harvest.
Hwajeokyeon, with its distinctive appearance, is steeped in many such legends related to agriculture, a vital part of traditional Korean society. During the late Joseon Dynasty, Hwajeokyeon became the site for state-sponsored rituals, including the gughaeng giuje, a rain invocation ceremony held during severe droughts. Records of these ceremonies appear in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty. In addition, renowned scholars and artists such as Park Sedang, Park Soon, Hong Yangho, Lee Hang-ro, Lee Byung-yeon, and others wrote ancient poems (gosimun) and created true-view landscape paintings (silgyeong sansuhwa) that depict Hwajeokyeon, adding to its historical and cultural significance. Hwajeokyeon has been designated as a Scenic Site of National Cultural Heritage
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Address
Jail-ri, Yeongbuk-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (Geopark Visitor Center - 67 Sajeong-ri, Gwanin-myeon)
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Contact
+82-31-538-3129
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Visiting Hours
Open year-round
(Visitor Center: 11:00 - 16:00 on weekends and holidays)
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Stamp
Exploration Information Center
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Admission Fee
Free
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Website
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Directions
Take Intercity Bus No. 3001-1 from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal → Get off at ‘Sajeong-ri. In front of the Division’ Bus Stop → Walk for 48 minutes or take a 6-minute taxi ride
