Gwanggyo Column Gwanggyo Reservoir Loop Trail: A Cool Path to Walk Through the Summer Heat

Even after the final summer heat period had passed, it was still sweltering.

I was heading to my regular restaurant on the Gwanggyo Mountain Trail, a barley rice restaurant called Ja-seon Nongwon. This establishment is listed in Suwon City's selection of "100 Best Restaurants in Suwon." The dish I particularly enjoy here is cheonggukjang. After mixing barley rice with various seasoned greens and vegetables and eating it with cheonggukjang, I clearly feel my body appreciating it.

The homemade makgeolli from Hyudong Mak also stimulates the appetite, but lately I only have a little due to concerns about blood sugar spikes.

As always, I walked.

The sunlight was scorching and the air was full of humidity.

I found myself missing the weather of Kunming (Gongming) and Lijiang (Lychang) in China, which I had visited from August 6 to 10 for the Hwaseong Research Society's summer overseas field study.

These cities are at high altitude. With elevation similar to Mount Baekdu, they always have spring-like weather. That is why Kunming is also called the "City of Spring," or "Chunseong (春城)."

Slightly higher regions reach 3,500 meters, and the viewing platform at Bingchuan Park on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which we were able to climb, reaches as high as 4,680 meters.

I climbed in light early autumn clothing and thought I would freeze to death. With thin oxygen, I experienced dizziness—it was high altitude sickness that I had only heard about. I had to use oxygen bottles frequently.

Although only a section, I also walked the Tea-Horse Road. It is a path I have always dreamed about. Walking with the majestic and beautiful Jade Dragon Snow Mountain at my fingertips, overlooking the thousand-meter cliff of Hodo Gorge. The scenery was so unrealistic I wondered if this was the immortal realm.

I am not sure if I can return there, and I worry whether my physical strength will hold up, but if I have the opportunity later, I would like to walk this path again. I want to walk over the mountain to Shangri-La.

I stopped reminiscing and began walking the Gwanggyo Reservoir boardwalk trail again.

As I have mentioned through this column before, my favorite trails are the course along the Hwaseong fortress wall and the Gwanggyo Reservoir loop trail in Hagwanggyo.

In particular, Gwanggyo Maru-gil, the cherry tree path of Gwanggyo Reservoir, has a connection with me.

I participated in planting the cherry trees created on the approximately 1.5-kilometer boardwalk.

It was during the tree-planting ceremony "Planting One Million Trees of Life" on March 23, 2000, during the tenure of former Mayor Shim Jae-deok, who has since passed away.

I still vividly remember planting trees with Mayor Shim back then. The trees I planted then had a diameter of about 10 centimeters, but now they have grown as thick as an adult's waist, with lush branches.

Mayor Shim told those who participated in the tree-planting work at that time:

"Although this looks unimpressive now, in just 10 years this place will become a famous landmark in Suwon, and an enormous number of citizens and tourists will flock here to see the cherry blossoms."

Mayor Shim's words were accurate. When spring arrives, this place is crowded with visitors eager to view the blossoms.

Mayor Shim launched a toilet culture movement, attracted the World Cup, and had Hwaseong registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He restored Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, revitalized Suwon Stream and Seohho, and his keen insight extended to the cherry tree planting project at Gwanggyo Reservoir.

This summer, due to extreme heat, I was not able to walk this trail often.

And it had been quite a while since I returned to Gwanggyo Maru-gil.

It is truly wonderful. The vigorously grown trees have created refreshing shade throughout the entire trail.

The water's shimmer of the lake and the shadow of the mountains across the way refreshed my eyes, tired from writing. Along the walking path, rest areas are provided at various points, and small gardens have been created so there is never a dull moment. Rather, it is a pity that the trail ends so soon.

Moreover, one can hear an orchestra of cicadas rarely heard in the city—shim-mae-mi, sseu-reum-mae-mi, ae-mae-mi, mal-mae-mi, and others.

If you wish to walk further under the cool shade, cross the small suspension bridge at the upper part of the reservoir and enter the mountain trail.

The scenery here is first-rate. While the Sanmagi Old Road in Goesan County, North Chungcheong Province is also lovely, the landscape of the Gwanggyo Reservoir mountain trail is equally impressive if you have the inclination to visit anytime.

The trail is made enjoyable by wooden boardwalks (jandos) created throughout to let you experience both the mountain and lake atmosphere simultaneously. Although called a mountain trail, it is not rugged, so you can walk comfortably in regular sneakers without hiking boots and light clothing.

Now summer is drawing to a close. Yet the sunlight is still hot.

I recommend experiencing summer's transition toward autumn on the Gwanggyo Reservoir loop trail.