Tracing the Footsteps of King Danjong — A Historical Journey Through Yeongwol, Korea
Hello, this is Jiro.
Recently, a movie called “The Man Who Lives with the King” has been gaining huge attention in Korea.
Today, I’d like to introduce Yeongwol, located in Gangwon Province, based on the historical story of King Danjong of the Joseon Dynasty — the king who was later exiled there.
Stay tuned and take a look below!
Where am I to go now?
— From the film 'The King's Warden' —
Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province
In 1457 (the 3rd year of King Sejo’s reign), King Danjong was dethroned by his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang, and exiled to Cheongnyeongpo, Yeongwol, after being demoted to Nosangun.
Yeongwol Seopdari Bridge -> Cheongnyeongpo -> Gwanpungheon Pavilion -> Yeongwol Jangneung Royal Tomb -> Nakhwaam Rock -> Minchungsa Shrine -> Yeongwol Travel Information
Address: 262-7 Pyeongchanggang-ro, Jucheon-myeon, Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province
Operating Period: Late October – Late May
The first place that received King Danjong upon his exile to Yeongwol.
In 1698 (King Sukjong’s 24th year), after Danjong was restored, officials visiting Jangneung Royal Tomb were helped by local residents who built Seopdari bridges to cross the Jucheon River safely.
This tradition later became the “Seopdari-building” folk activity and continues today.
Cheongnyeongpo
Address: 133 Cheongnyeongpo-ro, Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province
Opening Hours: 09:00–18:00 (Last admission 17:00)
*Please check the official page for details.
The site of King Danjong’s exile.
Cheongnyeongpo is surrounded by a river on three sides—east, south, and north—
with cliffs to the west and a pine forest within.
Here, isolated from the outside world, visitors can reflect on King Danjong’s loneliness.
Gwanpungheon
Address: 61 Jungang-ro, Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province
The place that marks the final moments of King Danjong.
Due to the risk of flooding at Cheongnyeongpo, his residence was moved to Gwanpungheon.
That same year, only four months into exile, on lunar October 24, Danjong accepted the poison ordered by King Sejo and passed away at Gwanpungheon at the age of 17.
“Jagyu” refers to a cuckoo known for its sorrowful cry.
While staying at Gwanpungheon, King Danjong compared his fate to the cuckoo and wrote the sorrowful “Jagyu Poem,”
which led to the name “Jagyu-ru.”
It is located on the east side of Gwanpungheon.
Yeongwol Jangneung Royal Tomb
Address: 190 Danjong-ro, Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province
Opening Hours: 09:00–18:00 (Last admission 17:00)
*Please check the official page for details / Large parking area available
“Anyone who collects the body of Nosangun will have three generations executed.”
After King Danjong’s death, his body was thrown into the Donggang River.
Fearing retaliation, no one dared to retrieve it, but local official Eom Heung-do recovered the body and buried it in secret.
His tomb is also located within Jangneung, along with the Danjong History Hall (indoor), which presents Danjong’s life.
The site is not large and requires little physical effort to explore, making it a quiet and well-preserved landmark of Yeongwol.
Nakhwaam Rock and Geumgangjeong Pavilion
Address: 136 Geumganggongwon-gil, Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province
After King Danjong’s death, the court ladies and attendants who served him threw themselves from Nakhwaam into the Geumgang River.
Their sacrifice was likened to falling flowers, leading to the name “Nakhwaam” (Falling Flower Rock).
Above Nakhwaam, overlooking the Geumgang River, stands Geumgangjeong Pavilion, located within Geumgang Park.
Minchungsa Shrine
Address: 136 Geumganggongwon-gil, Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province
After King Danjong, who lived in exile in Yeongwol, passed away,
six court ladies who had served him threw themselves from Nakhwaam the next day, following him in death.
Minchungsa Shrine was built to honor and comfort their spirits in 1742.
Sites requiring admission fees
Cheongnyeongpo
Opening Hours 09:00–18:00 (Last admission 17:00)
Closed Mondays and on Lunar New Year and Chuseok (holiday day only)
Tourist Information Center (Cultural Guided Tour 10:00–17:00)
+82-33-374-1317
Admission
Adults 3,000 KRW | Youth & Military 2,500 KRW | Children 2,000 KRW
Seniors (65+) 1,000 KRW
Jangneung
Opening Hours 09:00–18:00 (Last admission 17:00)
Closed Mondays and on Lunar New Year and Chuseok (holiday day only)
Tourist Information Center (Cultural Guided Tour 10:00–17:00)
+82-33-374-4215
Admission
Adults 2,000 KRW | Youth & Military 1,500 KRW | Children 1,000 KRW
Seniors (65+) Free
Yeongwol Travel Information
1) Yeongwol Tourist Taxi
(Supported by Yeongwol County)
Reservation via
Naver or Phone call
3 Regional Travel Routes
Customizable Route
Rates (KRW)
3 hrs 40,000 | 5 hrs 70,000
8 hrs 100,000 | Extra hour 10,000
2) Yeongwol Travel Lounge
(Traveler Rest Stop)
Opening Hours: 09:00~18:00
Location: Yeongwol Station
Free luggage storage, phone charging available
Public Wi-Fi, tourist information brochures available
3) Cheongnyeongpowon Light Garden Night Opening
Opening Hours: 13:00~21:00 (Last admission 20:00)
Closed on the last Monday of each month
Location: Dongseogang Garden, Cheongnyeongpowon
Free Admission
Free Parking Available
References & Sources
Text & Commentary
Yeongwol County Tourism Guidebook
(Yeongwol Seopdari, Cheongnyeongpo, Gwanpungheon, Jagyuru, Nakhwaam, Geumgangjeong)
Korea Heritage Portal (Minchungsa)
Photos
Yeongwol Seopdari: Yeongwol County Office
Cheongnyeongpo: Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province
Gwanpungheon: The Academy of Korean Studies
Jangneung: Korea Heritage Portal
Jagyuru: Korea Heritage Portal
Minchungsa: Korea Heritage Portal
Nakhwaam: Celsus Cooperative
Geumgangjeong: Korea Heritage Portal
Content Reference
Jang Hang-jun (2026), The Man Who Lives with the King (Film),
Onda Works, BA Entertainment
So far, we’ve explored Yeongwol in Gangwon Province through the historical story of King Danjong. What did you think?
If you travel to Yeongwol while following the historical traces of King Danjong, you may experience the place in a completely different and deeper way.
If you enjoyed reading about Yeongwol, I also highly recommend watching the movie “The Man Who Lives with the King.”
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