Yeoju Yanghwa Naru

Yanghwa Naru is a ferry from the Joseon Dynasty that connects Yanghwa-dong, Naeyang-ri, Neungseo-myeon, Yeoju-si with Chohyeon-ri, Daesin-myeon. Bicycle paths and walking trails are well established along the riverside, making it a great place for a walk with a beautiful view of the Namhan River. The name Yanghwa means 'willow flower,' derived from the abundance of willows along the riverbank; it was also called Naeyang Naru after the region of Naeyang-ri that owned the ferry boat. Yeoju, bordering the Namhan River, has been a hub of water transportation connecting Hanyang, Gangwon-do, and Chungcheong-do since ancient times, with about 12 ferries facilitating active exchange of goods and people. In the past, the Namhan River was bustling with rafts used by loggers traveling from Yeongwol and Jeongseon in Gangwon-do to Seoul, barter boats and sailboats that carried salt upstream to exchange for beans or tobacco, and Hwangpo sailboats serving as passenger ships for the common people. In particular, Yanghwa Naru was a key route to the cattle market at Goksujang in Icheon. Cattle were mainly loaded onto the ferry at Yanghwa Naru from parts of Neungseo-myeon and Heungcheon-myeon in Yeoju, as well as Baeksa-myeon and Bubeop-eup in Icheon-si to travel to Goksujang, but traces of this are now hard to find. The Yeoju Yeogang-gil Trail Course 6, Wangteo Ssal-gil, a riverside theme trail in Yeoju, includes Yanghwa Naru. The ferry site has no remaining traces, making it difficult to locate. However, since Yanghwa Naru is included in the Yeogang-gil course and a stamp has been installed nearby, it is recommended to use the Yeogang-gil app for GPS guidance. Following the riverside bicycle path, there is a stone marker inscribed with 'Yanghwa Narutteo' along with two stone monuments. There are no separate facilities such as parking or restrooms, and the area is entirely rice paddies and fields, limiting direct access from village roads to the riverside.