Three Meals a Day Course in Mungyeong that Stimulates the Appetite | Travel Course | Staypick

This pass over the ridgeline of Joryeongsan in the Baekdu Daegan has long been the highest and most difficult peak on the Yeongnam road connecting the Han River and Nakdong River basins, serving as a vital point for socio-cultural, economic exchange, and national defense. Saejae (鳥嶺) is said to mean ‘a pass so steep that even birds find it hard to fly over’ or ‘new pass’ (새, 新). The area is renowned for its outstanding natural scenery, historic sites, legends, and folk songs. After the Imjin War, three checkpoints (Juhulkwan, Jogokgwan, and Joryeonggwan) were established at Mungyeong Saejae as a national defense fortress. The inn site Wonteo and Gyoguijeong site, where the old and new Gyeongsang provincial governors exchanged official seals, were reconstructed in 1999. There remains a Korean inscription stone warning of forest fires, erected long ago. The site is steeped in history, including various legends, the Imjin War, General Shin Rip, the Donghak Peasant Revolution, and the righteous armies. This area was designated a provincial park in 1981 for preservation. Cultural resources such as Hyeguksa Chungnyeolbi, Joryeongwonji, Donghwawonji, and natural attractions like Suok Waterfall, Yeogung Waterfall, Palwang Waterfall, and Yeongcheon Mineral Springs form part of the scenery. It is also connected with Suanbo Hot Springs, Mungyeong Hot Springs, Mungyeong Ceramic Site, Bongamsa Temple on Heiyang Mountain, and Seonyudong Valley, attracting many tourists. Plant species observed here are categorized by habitat into wetland herb fields, ecological wetlands, ecological ponds, dry herb fields, and wildflower gardens, creating a natural ecological park and ecological maze park for eco-learning and ecotourism visitors. The Korean Broadcasting System built a filming site on February 23, 2000, in Yongsagol behind the first gate of Mungyeong Saejae to produce historical drama series set in the Goryeo period. Mungyeong Saejae's Joryeongsan and Juhulsan resemble the Songaksan Mountain of Kaesong, the Goryeo capital, and the well-preserved old road makes it highly suitable for historical drama filming. It has served as the main filming location for KBS grand dramas such as Taejo Wang Geon, Morning of Empire, The Age of Warriors, Dae Jo Yeong, and King Sejong, and films including Scandal and Romantic Assassin, providing many attractions and entertainment for visitors.

Saejae Halmaejip, opened in 1973 inside Mungyeongsaejae First Gate Juhulkwan, is a restaurant with over 50 years of tradition, now run by the second generation. It won the grand prize at the local food taste contest. This specialty restaurant serves grilled pork marinated in gochujang (red chili paste) and doenjang (soybean paste) made by the grandmother's homemade recipe. The pork, called yakdoldwaeji, comes from pigs fed with feed mixed with a medicinal stone called Geojeongseok, giving it a chewier texture and health benefits compared to regular pork. Geojeongseok is found only in the Mungyeong area, making this unique pork exclusive to this region. Additionally, Korean dishes such as grilled deodeok root and pajeon (green onion pancake) are also available.

패러글라이딩이란, 체중 이동 등으로 인력에 의해 조종되며 자체 중량이 50KG 이하인 활공기를 인력 활공기라 하는데 여기에는 행글라이더와 패러글라이더가 속한다. 그 중에서도 패러글라이딩은 항공스포츠 중에서도 역사가 제일 짧으면서도 현재 가장 인기있는 인력 활공기이다. 주위에 주흘산, 조령산, 성주봉 등 백두대간 명산들이 둘러싸고 있어 활공시 최상의 경관과 쾌감을 느낄 수 있으며, 활공과 함께 당일 관광 코스로는 문경온천, 문경새재, 태조왕건 촬영장, 전통도예지, 석탄박물관, 문경팔경 등 다양한 명소가 있다.

Mungyeong General Hot Spring was designated as a hot spring district by Gyeongsangbuk-do at the end of 1995 and opened on March 24, 2001. It supplies calcium bicarbonate spring water, which erupts between granite and limestone layers at a depth of 900m, and alkaline hot spring water, which emerges from granite layers at a depth of 750m. The calcium bicarbonate spring water, with its ocher color, is effective for chronic diseases such as rheumatism, chronic dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, and heart disease. The alkaline hot spring water is known to promote healing of chronic wounds, enhance respiratory function, and aid recovery after illness. It is the nation's only complex health hot spring where visitors can enjoy two types of hot springs with a single admission. It is a good place to relieve fatigue and relax after visiting nearby attractions such as Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park, Mungyeong Coal Museum, Daeyasan Yongchu Valley, Seonyudong Valley, Mungyeong Hang-gliding Field, and the Taejo Wang Geon filming site.

Heungdeok Banjeom, a typical rural Chinese restaurant located in a corner of Mungyeong city, has a modest exterior, but the menu offerings are not simple. The jajangmyeon, made with mild black bean paste, meat, onions, and aged pumpkin, is popular, but the jjambbong topped with plenty of crab and mussels is the signature dish. Although the menu is affordably priced, portions are generous, usually served in double size, making it very popular. While specializing in Chinese cuisine, it also offers Korean beef ox head soup and boiled pork slices.