Consider this: Gayang Station gate 2 is more than just a subway exit. It’s a portal to a neighborhood rich with history and culture. Today, we explore the hidden gems surrounding Gayang Station gate 2.
Gayang Station is on Line 9 of the Seoul Subway. It’s near the Gayang Bridge. The area around Gayang Station is known as a great place for families. Apartment towers and commercial buildings line the streets. These structures are clean, tidy, and relatively new.
But Gayang has surprises. Not far from Gayang Station gate 2, you can find tributes to Heo Jun. He was a famous physician from the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Heo Jun was born here. He wrote his major treatise on Korean medicine here. He also spent his final days here.
From Gayang Station gate 2, head towards Heo Jun Theme Street. It celebrates the medicine man in multiple languages. You’ll see granite benches with images of plants Heo Jun used. These benches list the plant’s name and health properties. Bamboo is celebrated for its benefits. It can help with blood pressure management and diabetes prevention.
The “Story of Heo Jun” highlights his life. He entered the royal medical center. He cured the prince’s smallpox. He also wrote his famous book. Metal fencing shows illustrations of these key moments. A statue of Heo Jun stands with a book in one hand. He reaches out to offer help with the other. Stone cylinders share bits of his medical advice. Some advice seems odd today like “Comb your hair and tap on your face often.”
The street also focuses on Donguibogam. This is Heo Jun’s renowned medical treatise. UNESCO recognized it for its contribution to medicine. It influenced medical practice in Korea, China, and Japan. Panels display excerpts and images from the book. Another installation celebrates the book’s recognition by UNESCO.
Near Gayang Station gate 2, the Heo Jun Museum is a must-see. It was built in 2005. The museum is informative. It covers Heo’s biography and medical practices of his time. You’ll find medical texts and clothing worn by physicians. The museum also highlights female medical assistants.
Heo Jun faced difficulties despite his talents. He was exiled from the capital. During exile, he wrote Donguibogam. The book covered internal medicine, acupuncture, and herbal remedies.
The museum also shows how medicine was practiced in Heo’s day. There are exhibits about medicinal herbs. Tools for gathering herbs are on display. You can see kettles for boiling infusions. Traditional Chinese medicine chests are present. A scale layout of the royal hospital is also there.
From the museum, a rooftop garden offers views. An herb garden grows plants Heo Jun likely used. Nearby, find Heoga Rock. It’s the birthplace of Heo Jun’s ancestor. A cave in the rock is big enough to walk into.
Just north of the rock is Guam Neighborhood Park. It also pays tribute to Heo Jun. A statue shows him tending to a sick patient. The central plaza has a cartoon image of Heo. The park also has a pond.
Across from the park, a walkway leads to Han River Park. Though narrow, it offers biking and walking paths.
So, as we stand here at Gayang Station gate 2, remember the stories. Remember Heo Jun’s legacy. This isn’t just a station. It’s a gateway to history.