Daegu(Dong-gu)

Palgongsan Natural Park is locates close to Palgongsan Mountain, one of the larger mountains in the Taebaek mountain range. Palgongsan Mountain is located 20km northeast from downtown Daegu, where Nakdonggang River and Geumhogang River meet. The mountain has three peaks in a row: Birobong Peak in the center and Dongbong (aka ‘Mitabong,’ 1,155m) and Seobong (aka ‘Samseongbong,’ 1,150m) on each side. The park (30.593㎢ in size) is within the administrative district of Dong-gu, Daegu and has four towns along its border including Yeongcheon-si, Gyeongsan-si, and Chilgok-gun. A number of Buddhist temples including Donghwasa, the headquarters of the 9th Buddhist Parish, are located in the area. The park has numerous rocks and valleys and is carpeted with azaleas in the spring. In the autumn many visitors flock to the park to admire the falls leaves on the trees lining the 16.3km-long roadway that runs through the park. With vibrant green leaves in spring and a delicate snowscape in the winter, Palgongsan Mountain is an attractive destination for visitors throughout the year.


Jeollanam-do(Gwangyang-si)


Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si)

Nabawi Catholic Church is located in Hwasan-ri, Mangseong-myeon in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do Province and is known as the oldest surviving catholic church in the Jeolla-do region. The church was built in 1906 to commemorate the return of priest Kim Dae-geon in 1845 (Joseon Dynasty) after he was ordained in Shanghai, China. Inside the church stand two monuments: one built in 1954 to honor Joseph Vermorel (French missionary, 1860-1937) and one built in 1955 to honor priest and martyr Kim Dae-geon. Considered the most significant catholic relic of the Jeolla-do region, the church is sought out by large numbers of Catholic visitors each year.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

Situated on Sabulsan Mountain, the temple is a beautiful building, rich in history. The name of the mountain on which the temple was built was originally called Gongdeoksan, but was later known as Sabulsan. The name, Sabulsan, (meaning “Four Buddhas”) comes from the legend of the Silla Period in which a large stone shrouded with red silk and etched with four faces of Buddha mysteriously descended upon the mountain. Upon hearing the news of this miraculous event, the king at the time (King Jinpyeong) immediately visited the spot and had the temple built next to the sacred stone. The temple was partially destroyed by fire in the summer of 1922, but was restored in 1927 thanks to the efforts of Monks Uiun, Chwiwol, and Deoksan. In January 1958, the temple once again suffered fire damage, leaving only a few buildings (Geukrakjeon, Myeongbujeon, and Sansingak) untouched. Monks Daehyu, Seolwol, and Jeongam helped to restore the temple and the temple has remained well-preserved ever since.


Chungcheongnam-do(Asan-si)

Surrounded by lush wildlife Bonggoksa Temple is located alongside the northeast valley in Bongsusan Mountain in Namdan, Songak-myeon. Both Daeeungjeon and Hyanggakjeon sit facing east, and to the north, is the large Yosache (residence for Buddhist monks). Behind the residence, an area has been leveled down for a restroom and storehouse. And Samseongak (a building where three saints are worshipped) is situated on top of the mound to the south of the temple. Although Samseongak was constructed in recent years, both Daeungjeon and Yosache are identified in the restored record that was found by Buddhist monk, Seobong in 1891. The temple has gained renown for being the place where Saint Mangong attained his Buddhist awakening and recited Odoseong, the zen poetry in July, 1895.


Jeollabuk-do(Gimje-si)

Seongmoam, a temple of the Jogye Order, is located on Yuangsan Mountain in Mangyeong-myeon, Gimje-si. The temple is the final resting place of the mother of Jinmuk Daesa, a great Buddhist monk from the Jeonbuk region. Jinmuk believed that a person’s love and respect for Buddha is not that much different from the love and respect one has for his or her parents. As an expression of this philosophy, Jinmuk had his mother’s remains enshrined at the temple after she died at Mujasoncheonnyeonhyanghwajiji. A neat little line of stone lamps leads visitors up from the parking lot to the temple grounds, revealing the well-attended grave of Jinmuk Daesa’s mother to the left. The temple is very unique in that it is the only one to house a caretaker’s office (Gosiraejoen Hall) that is responsible for maintaining the grave site. It is said that prayers made to Seongmo (the holy mother) while visiting the temple will come true. Throughout the entire year, throngs of people journey to the temple to pay their respects and earnestly ask the holy mother to grant them their deepest desires.


Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si)

Sungnimsa Temple is one of the major temples of the Iksan area and is believed by some to have been built along with Geumsansa Temple by monk Jinpyo Yulsa during the reign of King Gyeongdeok (King of Silla, 742-764). Others believe that the temple was established by the monk Haengyeo Seonsa during the first year of King Chungmok of the Goryeo Dynasty (1345). Historians do know for a fact however that the temple was burnt down during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasion of Korea, 1592-1598), leaving only Bogwangjeon Hall. Later, in 1697 (the 23rd year of King Sukjong of the Joseon Dynasty) Wuhwaru Pavilion and Yeongwonjeon Hall were reconstructed followed by Nahanjeon Hall.Sungnimsa Temple was named after the mountain and temple where Bodhi-Dharma practiced his meditation. Bodhi-Dharma, a great monk from the south of India, practiced seated Zen meditation for 9 years at the Sorimsa Temple located deep in Sungsan Mountain in China. In his honor, Sungnimsa Temple (a Buddhist temple of the same sect) was named after the mountain (‘Sung’) and the temple (‘Rim’ or ‘Nim’) where the Dharma lived.


Jeollanam-do(Mokpo-si)

Nojeokbong Peak is marked by a large boulder on Yudalsan Mountain overlooking Mokpo. This peak was used during the Imjin War (1592-1598) by Admiral Yi Sun-shin to win a victory without fighting. Men made of straw were placed throughout the mountain to create the appearance of a larger force, causing the invading Japanese navy to flee.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu)

Tancheon Stream originates in Yongin-si, flowing through Seongnam-si and finally into the Hangang River. The stream is under the jurisdiction of the local government and has a 302㎢ drainage area and stretches 35.6km in length. Roughly 25km is located in the heart of Seongnam-si.