A charming reservoir where past and present meet is catching the eyes of visitors.
Tucked into Myeoncheon-myeon, Dangjin, in South Chungcheong Province, Goljeongji (骨井池) is more than a simple pond — it’s a site layered with history. During his tenure as county magistrate from 1797 to 1800, Park Ji-won (pen name Yeonam) restored a once-neglected pool and transformed it into an irrigation system to water the surrounding fields.
At the pond’s center stands the pavilion Geon-gon Il-cho-jeong (乾坤一草亭), a thatch-roofed structure whose name evokes a tiny shelter between heaven and earth. Park linked it to the shore with a stone bridge, and it became a favorite spot for scholars to trade poems and debate ideas.
The lotuses at Goljeongji swell to roughly 25 cm (about 9.8 inches) across. Mostly pristine white blooms give the pond a pure, noble feel, while scattered pink flowers add a soft, romantic contrast. They cluster so densely around Geon-gon Il-cho-jeong that the scene feels like stepping into a Joseon-era landscape painting.
Lotuses typically peak from mid-July to early August. Since the flowers close their petals in the afternoon, plan an early-morning visit to see them fully open and at their most vivid.
Don’t miss Goljeongji in spring. Cherry trees planted around the reservoir arch their branches over the water, creating a dreamy tableau. In South Chungcheong, blossoms usually start in early April; this year, officials expect peak bloom between the 5th and 12th of next month, making that window ideal for a visit. At night, dramatic lighting bathed over the pavilion and blossoms creates an unforgettable nocturnal scene.
There’s a public parking lot near Goljeongji. If it’s full, consider parking at the nearby Myeoncheon Administrative Welfare Center or inside Myeoncheon Eupseong and walking—both are about a 5- to 10-minute stroll. The site is also very easy to reach by car, roughly a 3-minute drive from the Myeoncheon interchange on the Dangjin–Daejeon Expressway.
By public transit, take a city bus bound for Myeoncheon (routes such as 810 or 811) from Dangjin Bus Terminal and get off at the Myeoncheon stop.
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