Walking through Okcheon’s Old Town Mural Village in the Footsteps of Jeong Ji-yong’s “Nostalgia”
Okcheon Old Town Mural Village is an open village where murals inspired by the works of poet Jeong Ji-yong line the everyday alleys of Hagye-ri, where he was born. You can also visit Jeong Ji-yong’s Birthplace, the Literature Museum, and a small stream, but as this is a residential area, visitors should tour quietly and be considerate of pedestrians and residents.
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Meeting Okcheon’s Old Center in Hagyeri
Okcheon Gueup Mural Village is located in the area of Hagyeri, Okcheon-eup, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. “Gueup” is a proper noun used by local residents to refer to Okcheon’s old center, encompassing present-day Jukhyang-ri, Sanggye-ri, Hagae-ri, Gyodong-ri, and part of Munjeong-ri.
The mural village is in Hagyeri, where poet Jeong Ji-yong was born. Jeong Ji-yong is known as the poet of “Nostalgia,” and the village murals visualize his works, linking the history of everyday alleys with literature.
Finding Lines from Jeong Ji-yong’s Poems in the Always-Open Alleys
The village is open year-round, with no regular closing days. Admission is also free, so rather than being a tourist attraction where visitors buy tickets at a separate booth and enter a particular building, it is more like a place to walk through narrow alleys in a residential neighborhood and look at the walls.
The walls feature paintings based on the works of poet Jeong Ji-yong, and lines from his poems are also included in the murals. Since the alleys are described as narrow and charming, it is better to alternate between reading the text and looking at the pictures instead of passing through quickly.
How to Connect the Stream, Birthplace, and Literary Museum in One Route
A small stream reminiscent of “Nostalgia” runs through the village, and Jeong Ji-yong’s birthplace and Jeong Ji-yong Literary Museum are located at its center. Instead of viewing only the murals and leaving, visitors can follow the stream through the alleys and then continue to the birthplace and literary museum.
Jeong Ji-yong’s birthplace is listed as a nearby attraction approximately 0.3 km from Gueup Mural Village. However, the recommended time for viewing the entire village has not been confirmed, so it is safer to adjust the schedule according to whether you also visit the birthplace and literary museum rather than assuming a fixed number of minutes.
From Okcheon Bus Terminal to Gueupsamgeori Bus Stop
Visitors using public transportation can take a bus operating from Okcheon Bus Terminal in Okcheon-gun and set Gueupsamgeori Bus Stop as their destination. Gueupsamgeori is approximately 238 m from the village, and the stop number is 30076.
A total of 15 routes are listed at Gueupsamgeori. Regular buses 201, 202, 221, 222, 231, and 232 are shown as departing from Okcheon Bus Terminal and returning to Okcheon Bus Terminal. Route 302 is also listed as serving the same stop, so check both the vehicle’s destination and the bus stop name.
Using Dongan and Dongan-ri Bus Stops as Alternatives
In addition to Gueupsamgeori, Dongan Bus Stop is approximately 238 m from the village, and its stop number is 30077. A total of seven routes are listed at Dongan Bus Stop, so it can be compared with Gueupsamgeori depending on the bus direction.
Dongan-ri Bus Stop is approximately 263 m away, with stop number 30078, and seven routes are also listed there. All three stops are close to the village, but bus intervals have not been confirmed. Visitors from outside the area should therefore check the departure time of the next bus at the terminal before setting out.
Free Parking at the Village Entrance and Near the Literary Museum
Parking is indicated as available, and use of a public parking lot is recommended. The exact number of spaces and official parking fees have not been confirmed, but parking lots at the village entrance and near Jeong Ji-yong Literary Museum can be used, with some parking information describing them as free.
The mural alleys are places where residents actually live. Rather than driving deep into the alleys, park in a lot and walk in. When taking photographs, be careful not to include the interiors of homes or residents’ private lives in the frame.
Alley Conditions to Know Before Visiting with a Wheelchair or Stroller
In terms of accessibility, the main entrance has a step, and there are reportedly no accessible restrooms or wheelchair-accessible elevators. There are also no designated accessible parking spaces, and wheelchair and stroller rental services are not provided.
Because of the narrow alleys and steps, wheelchair or stroller users should discuss accessible sections with their companions in advance. Information about English guidance, audio guides, photography restrictions, and cash-only payment has not been confirmed, so visitors should prepare based on the free outdoor viewing experience described here.
A Half-Day Gueup Route Connecting the Confucian School and Birthplace
Near Gueup Mural Village, Okcheon Hyanggyo is approximately 0.7 km away, while Okcheon Yuk Young-soo’s Birthplace and Gyodong Reservoir are each approximately 0.8 km away. By first visiting Jeong Ji-yong’s birthplace, about 0.3 km from the village, and then choosing among these nearby places, visitors can explore literature, history, and village scenery within one area.
If you expand the route slightly, Okcheon Cathedral is approximately 1.3 km away, and Okcheon Prehistoric Park is approximately 2.5 km away as a nearby attraction. The Jiyong Festival is held here every year, so during the event period the normally quiet residential alleys may differ from the busier festival site with more visitors.
Contact Information and Official Guidance Needed Before Visiting
Gueup Mural Village is open at all times, has no closing days, and is free to enter. The information and inquiry telephone number is 043-730-3413, and the official Okcheon County Culture and Tourism website is https://oc.go.kr/tour/index.do.
A road-name address and a separate official website for the facility itself have not been confirmed. Administratively, the location is Hagyeri, Okcheon-eup, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. On site, use Jeong Ji-yong’s birthplace and literary museum as reference points, and the key is to view the area quietly without disturbing residents.
Before You Go
- Address
- Area of Hagyeri, Okcheon-eup, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
- Hours
- Open at all times
- Closed
- Open year-round
- Admission
- Free
- Phone
- 043-730-3413
- Official site
- https://oc.go.kr/tour/index.do
- Transport
- Gueupsamgeori Bus Stop, approximately 238 m away, stop number 30076, routes 201, 202, 221, 222, 231, 232, and 302, among others; Dongan Bus Stop, approximately 238 m away, stop number 30077; Dongan-ri Bus Stop, approximately 263 m away, stop number 30078
- Parking
- Parking available; public parking lot recommended; parking lots at the village entrance and near Jeong Ji-yong Literary Museum available, described as free
- Accessibility
- No accessible restroom, wheelchair-accessible elevator, designated accessible parking, wheelchair rental, or stroller rental; step at the main entrance
The information above is based on the time of writing. Check the official guidance again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
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Yuk Young-soo's BirthplaceVisit the birthplace of Madam Yuk Young-soo and explore modern Korean daily life and history. -
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Okcheonhyanggyo Confucian SchoolExplore Daeseongjeon and Myeongnyundang, educational facilities for Confucian studies during the Joseon Dynasty.
Food & Dining 3
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