Travel/Culture List

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.

Opened in 1969, Wido Beach is known as an excellent swimming beach. It is sheltered by the surrounding mountains and the water is clear and fairly shallow. This makes it very popular among families seeking a relaxing vacation.

Changwon Cyclodrome is Korea’s first cyclodrome to open in all weather conditions. There are generally three types of cycle races: Belodrome races; road races; and MTB. Ever since the Sydney Olympics, bicycle racing was designated as a formal event of the Olympics, included in the track event. It is a scientific leisure sport applying the contestant’s physical and mental conditions. There are seven contestants, racing each other for a total of six rounds.

Home to many ancient porcelain kiln sites, the Geumsa Gamagol Village is often referred to as "the town of porcelain". According to the Sejong Chronicles, grayish blue-powdered celadon and white porcelain were produced and supplied to the royal palaces. Today, traces of porcelain chips and kiln sites can be found throughout the village. Also, the village offers pottery experience programs, as well as seasonal activities involving farming and sulfur hot springs.

In Hwaamsa Temple in Yesan, you can find the urn carrying the remains of Chusa (Kim Jeong-Hui), renowned scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. Chusa was born in Yesan and his birthplace (his parent’s house) and Chusa Gotaek (his house) are located nearby. Hwaamsa Temple was constructed by Chusa’s great-grandfather, Kim Han-Sin, who was related by marriage to royalty. If you visit the Hwaamsa Temple, you might not feel like you’re in a temple at first, since the Yosachae (monk’s living quarters) are located at the temple entrance. After you go past the monk’s living area, you’ll see the temple and the spot where Chusa’s remains are held. The temple is very tidy and silent, which might be because it is where the female monks train.