It was a very cold winter that we were waiting for the arrival of Spring. As soon as we entered March, the Winter that seemed to be never-ending was finally gone. Even the frog woke up from its hibernation. Around this time of the year, we surely think about flowers. Maehwa, or known as Plum Blossom, that announces the arrival of Sring. Of course, maehwa came to visit us this year too.
In this post, we will bring you to visit Maehwa Mountain at Ara Waterway, Incheon, a great place to enjoy Spring.
The spring flower blooms a little later in Incheon compared to Seoul. While the maehwa are in full bloom on the streets in Seoul, but the Maehwa Mountain at Ara Waterway has just bloomed when we visited this place. By the end of the week, the Ara Waterway will be filled with the scent of spring and maehwa will be in full bloom.
Maehwa Mountain at Ara Waterway is about 20 mins walk from AREX Geomam Station Exit 2 or 3. The Ara Waterway starts from Sicheon-naru Dock, which is just 5 mins walk from Geomam Station, so it is good to enjoy the scenery while you take a walk.
For your information, the Sicheon-naru dock is a place for cruise ships and boats on the Ara Waterway.
When you walk from Sicheon-naru Dock to Maehwa Mountain, you will see a signboard that has the word "100-year forest" written on it. After 100 years, this forest became a cruise shape playground where children can enjoy playing and running around.
After passing the cruise shaped playground, you will arrive at the Maehwa Mountain. At Maehwa Mountain, there is a garden with the theme of Maehwa (Plum Blossoms)! You can enjoy the plum blossoms with the view of traditional walls, pavilion and pottery, like how the scholars loved it.
Upon entering the entrance of Maehwa Mountain, you will see the plum blossoms trees and bamboo trees that form a forest.
One of the things that will attract your attention the most at Maehwa Mountain is the stone monument inscribed in Korean with "birthplace of Geomyeo Yoo Hui-kang". He was one of the famous calligrapher from Sicheon-dong, Incheon, after the Kim Jeong-Hui.
In 1968, he collapsed due to high blood pressure and suffered paralysis of his right half body. After putting much efforts, he wrote with his left hand and held an exhibition in 1971. He is a great calligrapher who overcame his mental and physical disabilities and succeeded in making a comeback as "Jwa Suseo (left hand calligraphy)". You can read about the life and works of Mr Yoo Hui-Kang that are displayed on the wall at Incheon Subway Line 2 Geomam Station.
The pavilion named "Kkeotmaru" is the meeting point of Geomam-dong and Sicheon-dong in Seo-gu, Incheon. As the mountain in front of the village was filled with sansuyu (cornus fruit) and azalea, it was known as "flower mountain" during the Joseon Dynasty.
How about reading the poem of "Ddeulmaehwa" as you enjoy the beautiful scenery of plum blossoms?
This is a good place for a pleasant walk in Spring as you can feel the warm spring breeze and enjoy beautiful plum blossoms all over the place.
After passing the Bullomun Gate at Maehwa Mountain, you will arrive at the backyard where they keep the pottery. The onggi pots were used to store plum blossoms, which are the fruits of plum trees, but they don't use it anymore now.
We visited this place around end of March. It was chilly in the morning and evening so we had to wear a coat, but we could already feel that Spring was approaching.
Note: Please remember to wear a mask and follow COVID-19 preventive guidelines when you visit places in Seoul.
[Information about Ara Waterway Maehwa Mountain]
1. Getting There: Get off at AREX Geomam Station Exit 1, walk 20 mins
2. Address: 59-1 Sicheon-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon
