Samunjin Naruteo 사문진 나루터 in western Daegu used to be a famous river dock at the Nakdong Riverside along with its attached Jumak 주막 referring to the old tavern. The Nakdong river has been the major traffic route since Shilla dynasty(57~935). Trade with Japan was booming along this route as well. Samun in Samunjin means Buddhist monks, Jin a dock. A story passed down through generations tells that there were many Buddhist temples around here. The monks were likely to cross the river by ferry, it can be easily understood why this place got the name. The above photo shows the scenery of Nakdong river in front of Samunjin about 50 years ago.
The photo taken at the Han riverside in Seoul by an American, William F. Sands(1874~1946) in 1896 shows the typical scene of river dock at that time. In March 1900, Richard H. Sidebotham(1874~1908), an American missionary got off the ferry at Samujin. The ferry he got off loaded a piano being brought from America, which is historically the first piano to be introduced into Korea. Porters were joined to carry the piano from here to the American's residence in downtown. Locals having seen it first in their life were curious about what that strange thing is like. Then they named it a ghost box 귀신통 because some weird and unusual sounds came from it.
The photo taken by an American missionary depicts the scene of porters carrying the piano. The network of railroad and automobile has been built up since Korea began to be modernized, and many river docks including Samunjin were closed. During the colonial period, Japanese built an amusement park at the site of the hill overlooking Samunjin and the nearby area.
This scene is the overview of Hwawon amusement park and Samunjin river dock during the colonial period. Hwawon 화원 is the name of the town nearby. A couple of decades after independence from Japan, this park had been one of the most visited destinations by people living in Daegu. However, the number of visitors has been decreased since people owned their private cars. Seemed like its flourishing period remained as an old story.
A new bridge linking Hwawon park and Dasan 다산, a remote village across the river was built in 1993, which has changed Dasan villagers' lifestyle a lot in the past years.
A new bridge linking Hwawon park and Dasan 다산, a remote village across the river was built in 1993, which has changed Dasan villagers' lifestyle a lot in the past years.
Last year, Dalseong county managing this area finally decided to renovate and restore Samunjin and Jumak in an efforts to attract local people and tourists again. A year later, Samunjin river dock and Jumak were reopened in summer. Jumak consists of some thatched-roof cottages. Some flat wooden benches are put into the front yard. People have fun drinking rice wine and tasting traditional dishes cooked instantly. A ferry and a small cruiser are operated on regular. Once again Samunjin river dock and Jumak start being packed with people. It is hard to find empty seats at Jumak on weekends.
Autumn has also come to Samunjin and Jumak. When autumn, the best season of the year is deepening, on weekends people prefer to going out to feel the typical autumn scenery and cool weather. Last Sunday afternoon, it rained suddenly several times, while the sun shone. The weather was so fickle. The yellow gingko leaves were falling on the wet road in front of Jumak gate. Photos were taken outside Jumak. A rainbow hung in the sky over southern Hwawon after the rainfall stopped.
