The place where the Yangjae Stream originated from Gwanak Mountain and Cheonggye Mountain flows and meets Tancheon is Hakyeoul. The name of the Joseon Dynasty is ‘Haktan (鶴 灘)’, which means the price the crane (hak) played.

I remembered the surroundings of the time, as I had lived near Hakyeom about 25 years ago. I wasn't aware of it because it was a place that I pass often, so I suddenly thought, 'When did this change?

crane...

After passing through Hakyeoul Station and entering the Metasequoia Road, the scenery in memory begins to revive. Metasequoia trees are planted along Yangjaecheonro for about 30 years. It's not an exact memory, but it was about a few years since I planted the trees when I first passed this road. It was not planted all at once, but it seems to have been planted over several times by dividing the section. At first, I thought it was strange to see straight, thin trees lined up. I didn't even know what a metasequoia tree was, and I didn't even think it was pretty when I saw it straight out.

At the time, it was a time when apartments were in full swing in either Daechi-dong or Gaepo-dong, but the square buildings and trees were not in harmony and dimmed. At least it looked like that to my eyes. By the way, is the power of the years great? Thirty years have passed, and the thin, unsightly trees grow thick and rich, and they blend well with the surrounding landscape. The trees have grown to be balanced without losing the strength of the apartment village.

In particular, the trees near Yeongdong 4 and 3 after Yeongdong 5 are very worth seeing. The metasequoia of this section has a more abundant male shape and a thick base. Even among the trees, even the Dogok-dong residential complex, which soared into the sky next to it, is not visible.

If you leave Garosu-gil for a while and descend to Yangjaecheon, you will meet a completely different landscape. Although the yellow color of the withered vegetation at the end of winter is unfortunate, it is a willow tree lined by the riverside, a mallard swimming on the water, and I want to see if it fits in the middle of Seoul. The huge building that rises above Metasequoia over the embankment feels like a mirage. It is a scene where the word ‘Sangjeonbyehae’ is a perfect match.

Hagiya This area belonged to Gwangju-gun, Gyeonggi-do until the end of the Joseon Dynasty. As the city center in Seoul expanded, it was transferred to the Yeongdong branch, and in 1975, it was reorganized to Gangnam-gu, and Yangjaecheon was renovated, a road was created, and metasequoia was planted. In a short time, the change was enormous.

Metasequoia lined up on either side of the road as you pass through Yeongdong 3rd Bridge is planted on one side of Yangjaecheon. Instead, cafes with their own personalities on the other side face each other, facing each other. It is called 'Wine Street'. More than 20 bistros & wine bars add another atmosphere to Metasequoia Garosugil.

'Crossby', the oldest bar due to the excitement of wine streets, has maintained its place for 14 years. Places such as 'Ciel' and 'Miette' are also good for taking a break from tired steps. During the day, you can take out coffee and drinks and enjoy the leisurely sitting on the Yangjaecheon promenade or bench across the street.

Male and female students are keen to learn skateboarding skills at the basketball court and playground under Yeongdong 2nd Bridge, passing by Gangnam-daero. It runs well, falls, and screams by hitting the shin at the edge of the protruding skateboard, but still laughs vigorously and tries a new technique again.

In addition to the Yeongdong 2 Bridge, various sports equipment and amenities are provided under the bridges of the bridges over Yangjae Stream. There is a sledding area near Yeongdong 4 Bridge, so children can barely get tired of ice. However, this winter, because of the cold, the ice melted early, so it seems to be closed earlier than usual. On a sledding ground with a lot of water, a banner is hanging from the spring to turning it into a rice field and using it as a rice planting learning field.

If you cross the stone bridge over Yangjaecheon River under Yeongdong Bridge 2, you will meet the Yangjae Citizen's Forest. Yangjae Citizen's Forest is a place to stay and rest if it is a resting place along the trail and bicycle path created along the Yangjae Stream. As it is still at the end of winter, you can only see yellow dry grass and bare trees, but soon spring will turn into a place full of greenness and richness.

There is a swimming pool adjacent to Yangjaecheon, and it is large enough to operate volleyball and tennis courts as well as an outdoor barbecue in summer. However, Yangjae Citizen's Forest is not just a resting place. Located in the middle of the forest, Maeheon Memorial Hall is a place honoring the doctor of Maeheon Yun Bong-gil. I think that the spirit of Dr. Yun, who threw himself in the lunchbox and hungry for the death of a country craving for independence during the Japanese colonial period, resembles the metasequoia's weather.

Yangjae Citizen's Forest and Gyeongbu Expressway are located opposite Yangjaecheon River, on the other side of Umyeon-dong. Here too, metasequoia grows in the forest. Take a walk in the Metasequoia forest for a moment and enjoy the freshness of the city.

30 years after metasequoia trees were planted on this road, what will it look like after 30 years? I remember how the neighbors tried to revive the tree when a metasequoia tree on Garosu-gil died of unknown cause. With that intention, you may be able to meet the larger metasequoia forest in 30 years.

Gangnam Tourism Information Center 02-3445-0111

kr.tour.gangnam.go.kr
Seocho-gu Office 02-2155-6114

www.seocho.go.kr
Yangjae Citizen's Forest 02-575-3895

1.Access

* Self-driving

Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu ~ Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu

* public transport

Get off at Maebong Station on Subway Line 3, use local bus 141, 640 or direct bus 9414

2. Restaurants around

Potai: Vietnamese Rice Noodles / 12 Dosan-daero 13-gil, Gangnam-gu / 02-3443-7060

http://www.photai.com/

Oops: Sashimi, Sushi / 21 Seolleung-ro 145-gil, Gangnam-gu / 02-548-7766

US : Hanjeongsik / 18, Eonju-ro 154-gil, Gangnam-gu / 02-3442-2288

3.Accommodation

Manhattan: 13-11, Teheran-ro 37-gil, Gangnam-gu / 02-567-0659

Max Hotel: 6-11, Teheran-ro 33-gil, Gangnam-gu / 02-558-3180

http://cafe.moga.co.kr/yeoksam-max/

Hotel Richmond: 170 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu / 02-562-2151

※ The above information was created in February 2014, and may be changed later, so please check before you travel.
※ Information, such as text, photos, and videos used in this article, is copyrighted by the Korea Tourism Organization, and unauthorized use of the article is prohibited.