Seonim Bridge Explained

Hangul:선임교
Hanja:仙臨僑
Rr:Seonimgyo
Mr:Sŏnimkyo

Seonim Bridge (선임교) is an arch bridge on Jeju Island over Cheonjeyeon Waterfall that has seven nymphs carved on both sides.[1] [2] It crosses from east to west over the stream between the second and third tiers of Cheonjeyeon waterfall.[3] The bridge is also called Chilseonyeogyo (칠선녀교) or Seven Nymphs Bridge.[2] The nymphs symbolize the Korean legend of the descent of seven beautiful nymphs from heaven at night.[1] Seonimgyo Bridge is the first bridge with Ojakgyo (오작교) design in the region.[4] It was completed in 1984, and cost the Korea Tourism Organization about 400 million won to construct.[5] There is a fee for tourists who use the bridge.[5] There are 100 guard rails and 34 stone lanterns which light up at night.[4] On the bridge's steel columns, there are 14 nymphs, 7 on each side with each nymph about 20 m in length.[3] All the nymphs are playing their own musical instruments.[4]

Seonim Bridge is 128m (420feet) in length, 78m (256feet) in height, 4m (13feet) in width, and 230 tons in weight.[3] [5]

It is a tourist attraction on Jeju-do.[5] The bridge connects Cheonjeyeon with the Jungmun Tourist Complex,[3] [2] and is intended for pedestrian use.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee. Frommer's South Korea. 7 June 2011. 24 May 2010. Frommer's. 978-0-470-59154-3. 401.
  2. Web site: Cheonjeyeon Falls . 8 June 2011 .
  3. Web site: Tourism Facilities . 7 June 2011 .
  4. Web site: 선임교 . 7 June 2011 .
  5. News: 건너든 말든 이용료는 내시오 . 한라일보 . 4 September 2007 . 8 June 2011.