Crafting a trip just for you...
One moment — walking above the clouds...
“The legend behind Gongju's name: a she-bear of Gomanaru on the Geum River lived with a woodcutter and bore his children, but when he crossed the river and left, she threw herself into the water with her cubs — and people built the Ungsindan shrine to soothe her spirit. A one-day course asking about waiting and leaving, at the water's edge of Gomanaru. 9 missions across the Hanok Village, Gongju National Museum, the Tomb of King Muryeong, the Gomanaru pine grove, Gongsanseong Fortress, Geumgang Singwan Park, the Jemincheon alleys, chestnut desserts, and Sanseong Market.”
6 spots total. Take them in any order.
How many are going?
You pay after you finish getting ready
See every spot in this course at a glance. Tap a colored pin to read the one-line intro.
First, choose a role. At every stop, whoever suits that place steps forward and opens the story. When you arrive, a character from the folktale speaks to you. Answer the quiz and finish the mission to win back a shard. Collect them all, and you close the story at the final place.
Long ago, in the land of Gongju, a big bear lived in a cave on Yeonmisan Mountain. The bear caught a man who was gathering firewood by the river, shut him up in the cave on Yeonmisan, and lived with him. The man could not escape, and as the years went by, two sweet cubs were born. Feeling sure that he would no longer run away, the bear stopped blocking the mouth of the cave. While the bear was out hunting, the man slipped out of the cave and fled to the river. The bear ran to the riverbank with her two cubs and howled for him to come back. The man turned away and crossed the river. The bear fell into the river with her cubs and died. After that, people called that ferry crossing Gomnaru — that is, "Gomanaru" — and the town's name changed from Gomju to Gongju. People also built an altar there to comfort the bear's spirit. "Goma" is an old word meaning bear. The one you will meet today is that very bear, Goma. Goma never got to see the man who left her again. Today, you, the traveler who has come here, will do in her place the things Goma could never do that day.
Starting point — walk slowly through the hanok village lanes and recall one house you once shared with someone.
Wander the gallery slowly and stop before the stone bear. Then choose the one feeling closest to your heart right now. There is no right or wrong — today, you are the answer.
Boss spot — the very site of the legend. Walk through the pine grove to the shrine, or to where the Geum River opens up, and capture in one photo "one thing you let cross to the far bank."
The final spot — close the course with one warm bowl at Sanseong Market: gukbap, kalguksu, or sujebi. In front of the bowl, write one line about the scene from today that will stay with you longest.
Walk the fortress wall to where the Geum River shows itself best. Then recall the direction you have watched the longest in your life.
Walk slowly through the park and Mireu Island, then choose the one face of the Geum River closest to you right now. There is no right or wrong.