Travel to Yeongcheon
By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter
Yeongcheon ― Blazing autumn foliage has passed away, and much of the land is now home to lone, thin trees that has shed its leaves.
So perhaps its time to travel to the city where there are more stars that dot the night sky, the city of Yeongcheon in North Gyeongsang Province. Surrounded by Mount Bohyeon, which is an outreach from Taebaek mountain rage and Mount Palgong of Daegu, Yeongcheon is unusually blessed with stars. Not surprisingly, there is Mount Bohyeon Observatory here, one of the nation's three top observatories. There, every August, a Mount Bohyeon Starlight Festival is held, attracting students to experience the wonders of the universe.
Yeongcheon is also famous for its variety of herbs. Its low hills yield herbs that are hard to found in the highlands.
Drive along the No. 69 national highway, and once can view the beautiful picture that the multipurpose Yeongcheon dam, with its 64-meter-high, 9,640 ton reservoir capacity can make. In spring, cherry blossoms come in ful bloom along the 15-kilometer long road alongside the dam, inviting lovers and families to take a stroll down it.
It has herbs that are well known to cure paralysis, and its herbal markets accounts for 30 percent of the nation's entire herbal market. Evey October, the city hosts the Yeongcheon Herb Medicine Festival, which lures tourists from around the nation with its theme of travel.
There is also Cyan Art Center, a former school building that has been turned into a museum that features works of famous artists. It's also a favorite destination for school children for field trips. ON display now is a special exhibit titled "Expanding Folk Painting" which will run through Dec. 30.
On the 2nd of every month, a five-day mart opens in Yeongcheon. Along with Yangnyeong and Andong marts, its listed as one of the top three traditional outdoor marts in the larger southeast Gyeongsang region. In particular, Yeongcheon outdoor market is famous for its one alley that sells steamed pork and beef meat.
For more information on Yeongcheon, visit www. Yc.go. kr or call 054) 330-6062.