An ancient ginkgo tree at Ungok Seowon in Wangsin-ri, Gyeongju. [North Gyeongsang Province Cultural Tourism Corporation]
An ancient ginkgo tree at Ungok Seowon in Wangsin-ri, Gyeongju. [North Gyeongsang Province Cultural Tourism Corporation]

The North Gyeongsang Province Cultural Tourism Corporation announced Sunday that it has selected nine ancient ginkgo trees across the province as October destinations for its "Discovering North Gyeongsang Through Photos" travel series, highlighting spots ideal for soaking in the colors of autumn.

The nine sites are: the ancient ginkgo at Ungok Seowon in Wangsin-ri, Gyeongju; a natural monument ginkgo in Nongso-ri, Gumi; the ginkgo at Seoseokji Garden in Yeondang-ri, Yeongyang; the "Hwansaengmok" ginkgo in Dugok-ri, Sangju; a natural monument ginkgo in Joryong-ri, Gimcheon; the ginkgo at Sosu Seowon in Naejuk-ri, Yeongju; the ginkgo at Imgo Seowon in Yanghang-ri, Yeongcheon; a natural monument ginkgo in Yonggye-ri, Andong; and a natural monument ginkgo at Jeokcheonsa Temple in Won-ri, Cheongdo.

The ancient ginkgo at Ungok Seowon in Wangsin-ri, Gyeongju — estimated at around 370 years old, standing 30 meters tall with a trunk circumference of 6 meters — is one of the city's signature autumn landmarks, its broad branches spreading warmly over the tranquil Confucian academy.

The natural monument ginkgo in Nongso-ri, Gumi, is roughly 400 years old and 25 meters tall, its branches stretching in all four directions as if cradling the entire village beneath a canopy of sky.

The ginkgo at Seoseokji Garden in Yeondang-ri, Yeongyang is approximately 440 years old and casts 429 square meters of shade over Seoseokji, one of Korea's most celebrated traditional gardens, laid out during the reign of King Gwanghaegun of the Joseon Dynasty.

An ancient ginkgo tree designated as a natural monument at Jeokcheonsa Temple in Won-ri, Cheongdo. [North Gyeongsang Province Cultural Tourism Corporation]
An ancient ginkgo tree designated as a natural monument at Jeokcheonsa Temple in Won-ri, Cheongdo. [North Gyeongsang Province Cultural Tourism Corporation]

The ginkgo in Dugok-ri, Sangju, known locally as "Hwansaengmok," is 470 years old and 15 meters tall; villagers call it a "tree of virtue" for its abundant fruit. The natural monument ginkgo in Joryong-ri, Gimcheon, stands in the rear garden of Seomgye Seowon and is a specimen roughly 600 years old and 28 meters tall.

At Sosu Seowon in Naejuk-ri, Yeongju, two ginkgo trees estimated at around 500 years old stand side by side — a 21-meter male tree rising proudly amid a pine forest, and a 25-meter female tree perched on a hillside above Jukkye Stream, the pair facing each other as if in quiet conversation.

The ginkgo at Imgo Seowon in Yanghang-ri, Yeongcheon is about 500 years old and 30 meters tall, planted in memory of the Goryeo loyalist scholar Jeong Mong-ju. The natural monument ginkgo in Yonggye-ri, Andong — designated in 1966 — is a majestic giant reaching 31 meters in height with a girth of 13.67 meters and an estimated age of 700 years.

The natural monument ginkgo at Jeokcheonsa Temple in Won-ri, Cheongdo, stands approximately 840 years old and 29 meters tall, keeping solemn watch over the temple grounds, which date to the Silla period.

Kim Nam-il, president of the North Gyeongsang Province Cultural Tourism Corporation, said he hoped visitors would "shake off the fatigue of daily life and create lasting, healthy memories" at the province's diverse ginkgo sites, each carrying centuries of history and stories.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com