Goseokjeong, Cheorwon

Site details

Goseokjeong, one of the nine scenic spots of Cheorwon, is a granite rock formation located within the Hantangang River gorge in Jangheung-ri, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon-gun. In the middle of the Hantangang River, a massive rock, approximately 10 meters high, rises sharply, with clear water flowing around it on both sides. The pavilion, built during the reign of King Jinpyeong of Silla, and the surrounding valley are collectively known as Goseokjeong. It is said that King Jinpyeong of Silla and King Chungsuk of Goryeo visited and enjoyed this spot. It became even more famous as the base of operations for Im Kkeokjeong, a folk hero during the Joseon Dynasty. Goseokjeong is particularly notable as the best place to observe the unconformity where the granite bedrock is overlain by basalt within the Hantangang River gorge. The area is of high value as an important geological and geomorphological learning site, where one can observe the landscape before the formation of the basalt lava plateau and the fact that basaltic lava flowed over the bedrock to form the lava plateau. This formation was exposed to the surface over a long period of time, and between approximately 540,000 and 120,000 years ago, it was covered by basalt lava from volcanic activity. The area was later exposed again as the Hantangang River eroded the lava, creating a new waterway. Photo Credit: Cheorwon-gun Cultural Tourism Portal.