From olden times, many Koreans sing the praises of the beauty of Gangwon Province in writings and paintings. Among the best travel essays on the subject is one called, Gwandong byeolgok written by Jungcheol.

After Jungcheol traveled to Mt.Geumgang and saw the eight views of Gangwon Province, he described the beauty of Gangwon Province as a fairyland and the Creator’s most beautiful place.

Geographically, Gangwon Province is separated into two regions: the western side and the eastern side, divided by the border of Baekdudaegan Mountain Range. In the western area, there are many mountains and in the eastern area the land meets the East Sea, and its territory is narrow and small. Because of the challenging environment, Koreans who live in those regions in this province have to rely on eking out a living in barren mountains and on wild seas. However, they have developed their own distinctive culture, one which has the beauty of simplicity and rusticity as they have adjusted to life in their tough natural environment.

The National Folk Museum of Korea (NFMK) and the Ganwon Province together present this special exhibition, “A Scenic Excursion to Gangwon Province” as a project of the Year of Gangwon Folk Culture and in the basis of the academic research of Gangwon Province done by the NFMK in 2013.

This exhibition aims at allowing visitors to explore the beauty of Gangwon Province and its distinctive culture. We hope you learn more about Gangwon Province and, moreover, that you will feel refreshed by your experience in seeing this exhibition!

Part I. Crossing Auraji and Climbing Daegwallyeong
A traveler crosses Auraji, where two rivers merge and flow together, and climbs Daegwallyeong road. There are long, green furrows on the mountainside and a shingle-roofed house in the dense forest. While climbing up the hillside, the traveler arrives soon in front of the shingle-roofed house; an old man with deep wrinkles greets him. There are housewares made from wood everywhere inside and outside of the house. These housewares are made by hand out of rough wood and each one has its specific use.

Part II. From Daegwallyeong to Gangneung
In Daegwallyeong Ridge a ritual ceremony is being held at the shrine, where the villagers have gathered to receive God’s blessing in the Gangneung Donoje Festival. The gathering catches the traveler’s eye, and he stops walking to observe the ceremony for a while. He senses that the spirit of God comes close to him. There are many worshipers and spectators waiting for the start of the Gangneung Donoje Festival in the Gangneung region. After the ritual ceremony, there will be a number of games such as Nanjang-pan, Nori-pan, Gut-pan. The traveler sees a peddler with a lot of goods on his back, an old couple carrying their canes, some children following adults, and other travelers from different regions. Finally, the God is brought from Daegwallyeong Ridge and all sorts of Gods get together to enjoy the festival themselves.

Part III. Beautiful Impression of Gwandong Land
As Lee Joong Hwan, a literary scholar in the Joseon Dynasty, wrote that “Gwandong’s landscape is the best thing in the nation.” and Jungcheol is quoted as saying, “the Creator’s most beautiful place and a fairyland” about the land of Gwandong in the east beyond Daegwallyeong.
Everyone who sees Mt. Geumgang and the eight views of Gwandong sings the praises of its beautiful nature. One can say further that it is a place of exceptional loveliness wherever one goes and whatever one sees.

Epilogue: Watching the Sunrise over the Sea
With the sunrise over the sea, fishing boats come in to the dock where there are crowds of fishermen’s wives and customers to buy today’s fresh fish. Just stand there and breathe the fresh sea air…and let it replenish your energy!!