Chungcheongnam-do(Boryeong-si)


Chungcheongnam-do(Dangjin-si)

'Solmeo' gets its name from a small cluster of pine trees. The first Korean priest, Saint Kim Dae-gun Andrea was born here on August 21, 1821 and continued to live until he was seven to escape from persecution by following his grandfather to Handeok-dong, Yongin (Golmaemashil). Furthermore, it is where four generations of ancestors such as his great-grandfather Kim Jin-hu (martyred in 1814), great uncle Kim Han-hyun (1816), father Kim Jae-jun (1839), and priest Kim Dae-gun himself (martyred in 1846) lived.He was chosen as a theological student in Golmaemashil and studied in Macao. In 1846, he was ordained as priest by Bishop Ferréol in Shanghai, Kim Ga Hang Cathedral. After his return to Korea, he worked in Yongin until September 1846 when he was tried, executed and died a martyr when he was only 26. Pope Johannes Paulus II appointed him a saint during his visit to Korea in May 1984. In Solmoe, Priest Kim Dae-gun’s statue and a memorial stands underneath the pine trees and his remains are placed inside the nearby cathedral.


Chungcheongnam-do(Yesan-gun)

Imjonseong Fortress (also known as Daeheungsanseong Fortress) is located at the top of Bongsusan Mountain between Yesan-gun and Hongseong-gun in Chungcheongnam-do. This stone fortress was designed as a place to launch attacks against enemies. One of the ways in which those in the fortress fended off intruders was to unleash the water from the giant fortress well and let it gush down the mountain towards the oncoming forces. The fortress wall is about 2.5m high and 3.5m wide and has a ditch 7-8 meters that runs alongside the southern wall. Compared with other Korean fortresses, Imjonseong Fortress is higher and about 2 meters thicker. It is the largest fortress of the Baekje Kingdom and has become the subject of much research. History shows that the fortress was the central hub of the Restoration Movement of the Baekje Kingdom (18 BC - 660 AD). In the 20th year of the reign of King Uija (Baekje Dynasty), the kingdom was defeated by the united forces of the Silla Kingdom and the Tang Dynasty (currently, China). Boksin (a cousin of King Uisa), a monk, and Heukchisangji stayed at the fortress for three years while trying to return the king to power. As you walk along the winding trail, you’ll be able to see Daeryeonsa Temple and as you continue to the top, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of Oseosan, Baekwolsan, and Gayasan mountains. Those who come to the fortress from Masa-ri, Gwangsi-myeon, can drive and park their car in the parking lot located right below the fortress.  


Chungcheongnam-do(Seocheon-gun)


Chungcheongnam-do(Seosan-si)

Ganworam is a small hermitage located in Ganwoldo-ri, Buseok-myeon, Soesan-si, Chungcheongnam-do. Ganworam Hermitage was created by the Great Monk Muhak, the monk to King Taejo (Seong-Gye Lee) of the Joseon Dynasty. The name of the hermitage is directly tied with Muhak himself as it is said Muhak became enlightened while meditating under the moon (“wol” means moon in Korean) at the hermitage. At low tide, the Ganworam Hermitage is connected to shore via a natural walkway, but at high tide, the walkway is submerged and the hermitage becomes an island. At night time in particular the hermitage and its surrounding islets create a breathtaking view as the moonlit reflects off the sea.


Chungcheongnam-do(Buyeo-gun)

Operated by the Korea Ginseng Corporation, the Korea Ginseng Factory makes high quality Korean ginseng. Visitors can learn all about Korean ginseng, the process of making red ginseng from ginseng and how to spot a good ginseng when shopping. The Ginseng Museum (about 250 pyeong, 826.45 ㎡) will allow visitors a chance to learn about the history of ginseng, method of cultivating ginseng, processing ginseng, ginseng industry, company’s history and more. After the tour, visitors will be well educated on the very particular, meticulous, and strickly managed production methods of red ginseng.


Chungcheongnam-do(Yesan-gun)

‘Dongheon’ refers to the administrative building or headquarters for the top city official of the Joseon Dynasty. This tile-roofed house measures six Kans* (14.4 meters) on the front, two Kans (or 4.8 meters) on the side and is 3.3 meters in x_height. Records carved on its gate show that the wooden house was constructed in 1407. The house, which is characteristic of late Joseon Dynasty architecture, was once used as Daeheung-myeon Office, but was dismantled and restored to its original appearance in 1979.*Kan: ancient building area measurement unit corresponding to the space between two columns


Chungcheongnam-do(Cheongyang-gun)


Chungcheongnam-do(Geumsan-gun)

Located on the southeastern slope of Jinaksan Mountain (732 meters), about six kilometers away from Geumsan-eup, Boseoksa Temple was founded by the great Buddhist monk Jogu Daesa in 866 (12th year of King Heongang) during the Silla Kingdom. The temple’s name Boseoksa (boseok meaning ‘jewelry’) comes from the statue of Buddha in the temple that was cast from gold found in the mountain facing the temple.The temple is comprised of Daeungjeon Hall, Euiseongak Shrine and Sansingak Shrine. Close to the temple grounds are 12 stunning waterfalls. You can also see a 1,100 year-old gingko tree (natural monument no. 365) or take a pleasant stroll along a 300 meter long fir tree road. .*Euiseongak ShrineEuiseongak Shrine stands in front of the Daeungjeon Hall, which is where the great monk Yeonggyu Daesa, who also served as a monk soldier, practiced Buddhism. He traveled back and forth between Boseoksa Temple and Gapsa Temple at Mt. Gyeryongsan in Gongju while devoting himself to spiritual enlightenment. When the Imjin War (Japanese invasions of Korea, 1592-1598) broke out, he gathered monk soldiers to join forces with the voluntary civil soldiers and lost his life with 700 other patriotic soldiers as they fought to drive out the enemy at Geumsan. He is known to have contributed greatly to each and every fight with his exceptional bravery and courage.


Chungcheongnam-do(Seocheon-gun)