Seungdong Presbyterian Church was designated Tangible Cultural Asset No. 130 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on April 6, 2001. Originally known as “Gondanggol Church,” the church was established by Samuel Foreman Moore (1860-1906) in 1893. In those days, the church was known as a “baekjeong church” since it primarily drew Korea’s social underdogs such baekjeong (the butchers), the untouchable class of Joseon society. Following a number of relocations and name changes (called “Gondanggol,” “Jungang,” and finally “Seungdong”) the church was moved to its current location in Insadong. After Moore died in 1906, Charles Allen Clark became the pastor of the church and Mongyang Yuh Woon-hyung, a key figure in the political history of Joseon, became active in the church. The church was attended by many other activists as well. In fact, the large student demonstration that took place during the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919 was organized by a group of young church members. The church once again made its mark on history with the establishment of the Joseon Theological Seminary in 1939. Seungdong Church (B1-2F) covers a total of 660 square meters. No record has been found on its architect or builder, but the building is said to have been one of the more magnificent buildings in the area before its beauty was obscured by newer structures.

The Iksan Ipjeomni Ancient Tombs are a group of ancient Baekje-era tumuli located 100m above sea level on the northeast brow of Chilmokjae Hill in Ipjeom-ri, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do. The burial ground covers an area of more than 18,520 square meters and is officially listed as Historical Site No. 347. To date, a total of eight tumuli have been excavated, all of which are chamber tombs. Surprisingly enough, the tombs were first discovered in 1986 by a high school student. While digging for arrowroot, a young man from a local high school found some pieces of gold that resembled a hat. He quickly notified the authorities and it was soon discovered that the pieces of gold were in fact valuable ancient artifacts. An emergency excavation was conducted and the eight tumuli were uncovered, but unfortunately all of the tumuli except Tomb No. 1 had been severely damaged. Tomb No. 1, which is still in relatively good condition, boasts an entrance measuring an impressive 16m in x_height and 2m in x_width. Inside the tombs archaeologists found valuable relics from the Baekje Dynasty including earthenware, jewelry (a gilt-bronze hat, gold earrings, glass beads, etc.), harnesses and ironware. Given the shapes and the types of the pieces found, historians estimate that the tumuli were built in the 5th century. Since the gilt-bronze hat is similar in shape to those found in Japan, experts believe that there was an active exchange between the Baekje people and the people of Japan.

Baeksasil Valley in Seoul is a historic site (Baekseokdongcheon, Famous Site No. 36) that rests amid untouched natural surroundings. The valley is a habitat to a diverse amount of animals, including salamanders, frogs, minnows, and crayfish. There are also wild boar sitings from time to time so be careful. The preservation value of this area is especially high as the valley is home to a large colony of salamanders, which are indicator species of the clean water and a protected wildlife species of Seoul. Baeksasil Valley is a tucked away treasure in the bustling city. The path along the area’s thick forest and natural valleys provides an excellent getaway. Since the area is a habitat to several protected species, visitors are asked to refrain from dipping their feet in the valley’s waters while exploring the scenery. The entrance to the valley is located past the Sanmotungi Café.

문수사는 전북 고창과 전남 장성과의 사이에 놓여 있는 문수산(621m)중턱에 자리 잡고 있다. 고수면소재지에서 고수도요지를 지나 위로 올라가면 조산 저수지가 나오고, 왼쪽 골짜기를 타고 6km 정도 비포장길을 오르면 울울창창 숲이 우거진 산등 서향으로 문수사가 있다. 물이 맑고 숲이 좋은데도 인적이 드물어 오염이 전혀 되지 않은 곳이다. 신라의 명승 자장율사가 당나라로 건너가 청량산에서 기도를 거듭한 끝에 문수보살의 가르침을 받고 귀국한 후, 우연히 이곳을 지나다가 산세가 당나라 청량산과 흡사하여 문수산에 있는 굴속에서 며칠간 기도하자 역시 문수보살이 나타나므로 이곳에 절을 지었다고 전하나, 지어진 시기는 확실치 않다. 지방유형문화재 제51호인 대웅전과 52호인 문수전이 있으며 기타 명부전, 한산전 등이 남아 있다. 대웅전은 소규모의 건물로 맞배지붕이 특이하다. 우거진 녹음 사이로 계곡 물과 가을 단풍이 천년 고찰과 잘 어우러져 보는 이의 발길을 잡는다. 수령 100~400여 년 된 단풍나무 수십 주가 군락을 이루고 있다. 고창 은사리 단풍나무숲은 문수산 입구에서부터 중턱에 자리한 문수사 입구까지의 진입도로 약 80m 좌우측 일대에 수령 100년에서 400년으로 추정되는 단풍나무 500여 그루가 자생하고 있는 숲이므로 2005년 천연기념물 제463호로 지정되었다. * 관람최적시기 : 가을(단풍)

Kim Yun-sik was born on this site on January 16, 1903 as the first-born of two sons and three daughters. Under the pen name Yeongnang, he was active in literature until his death on September 29, 1950. Among the 80 poems he published, more than 60 were written in this place where he lived a life resisting Japanese imperialism and refusing to change his name to a Japanese name. After he moved to Seoul in 1948, his birthplace was resold several times, but the county of Gangjin-gun bought it in 1985 to restore it to its original state with a thatched-roof. The site features many of the poet’s writing materials and the site has a small well, camellia trees, jangdokdae (a platform where large clay pots used for storing food are kept), persimmon trees, and a peony garden.

Seomjingang River flows through the canyon gathering people to form a village. The field is where the new life springs as rice and barley grows. Pyeongsari field is one of the largest field boasting a size of 2,743,801 ㎡.

Upon finishing his thousand-day prayers in Mount Gyeryongsan in June 1980, Monk Deoksan came down to the site of an old temple in Noseong-myeon, Hwagok-ri and built Jijangjeongsa. The upper part of the current Daeungjeon Hall had once been the main hall of the Jijangam Hermitage and was originally about 33 square meters. The Daeungjeon Hall was later expanded to its current size. In 1990, an auditorium hall was built to offer services to children and teenagers. The building is currently used to accommodate after-school classes for Seonjae Preschool. The temple is open for praying meditation and also has a charnel house. The temple and its followers are loyally devoted to the practice of Buddhism in its purest form.

Manyeonsa Temple is known to have been built in 1208, the fourth year of King Heejong’s (r. 1204-1211) reign during the Goryeo Dynasty. It is said that Manyeonsa Temple was constructed by Great Monk Manyeon after he dreamt of 16 nahans, Buddha’s disciples, preparing to build a temple to preserve Buddha’s statue when taking a short nap during his journey back to Songwangsa Temple in Jogyesan Mountain from Wonhyosa Temple in Mudeungsan Mountain. When he awoke from his nap, he noticed that snow had completely covered his nearby surroundings except for the exact spot where he lied down, which remained so warm that snow had melted and steam was rising from the ground. He then settled in the area by building a dugout where he continued to practice asceticism and later built Manyeonsa Temple. The temple was partially destroyed during the Korean War (1950) and restoration efforts were made in 1978.