A day in search of the twin fragrance trees of Suncheon Cheonjaam

#DomesticTravel

A Day in Search of the Twin Fragrant Trees at Cheonjaam Hermitage in Suncheon —

Accustomed to the sea breezes of Yeosu, today I ventured deep into the mountains.
My destination was Songgwangsa Temple in Suncheon, Cheonjaam Hermitage, hidden within its inner sanctuary.

And to discover the twin fragrance trees rooted beside it, and encounter Korea's oldest juniper tree.

The sky alternated between cloudy and clear, and the air above the path was strangely calm. As I entered the mountains, the world began to whisper quietly.

The sounds of rocks, earth, wind, and fallen leaves seemed to silence my inner voice.

I rode along the winding path for a long time until I reached Cheonjaam Hermitage. Finally, I encountered two juniper trees. One stood leaning to the right, the other to the left. Like old friends, or like a silent teacher and student.

They grew from different roots, entangled their branches, and became one, enduring together for hundreds of years.

Designated Natural Monument No. 88, they are approximately 800 years old. They breathe longer than humans and remember the wind and sunlight.

I couldn't feel their texture with my hands, but I could feel them with my heart. The curved trunk, the rough bark, and the silent resonance of the branches reaching toward the sky—they were imbued with time, waiting, and unspoken love.

On my way back, I kept looking back. The sight of those trees, their embrace, remained unforgettable.

Today, I learned from the two juniper trees the meaning of enduring time, embracing silence, and standing with others.