Located on the foot of Mt. Dongrisan, Taeansa Temple was built by three monks during the reign of the Silla King, Gyeongdeok (742). Afterwards, monk Hyecheol constructed a large temple with 132 rooms during Koryeo Taejo’s reign, which was established as a central seminary of the Mt. Dongrisan area. In the precincts there are four treasures, including Hyecheolguksa Sari Pagoda (national treasure no. 273), Gwangjaseonsa Pagoda (national treasure 274) and Neungpagak (regional tangible asset no. 82) which are worth seeing. However, it was badly damaged during the Korean War and had been refurbished since then. An invigorating valley and a shady nook can be reached just 1.8km from the entrance of the temple. It is a popular trail during the fall, with its bright maple leaves.
Samtan Art Mine, an art complex transformed from an abandoned mine!
“Samtan” refers to Samcheok Tanjwa, which was a major coal mine in Korea, and today the name “Art Mine” derived from the term ”coal mine”. Opened in 1965, the coal mine once flourished as the mecca of the industrial age but later declined and was closed in October 2001. Today, both the dynamic and poignant history of the mine are still reflected in the art space.
Samtan Art Mine exhibits over 100,000 art works collected from 150 countries from around the world. The art complex also runs artist sponsorship programs. The harmony between the art installations and the interior, which still maintains elements of the former coal mine, creates a unique atmosphere that cannot be found elsewhere. With lots to see and the availability of many special programs, Samtan Art Mine is an unique experience and great photo spot for tourists.
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.
Unmunsan Recreational Forest (운문산자연휴양림) in Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk-do is located at the foot of Mt. Unmunsan (1,188m, elevation) which is also called ‘Mt. Hogeosan.’ Because it is surrounded by taller mountains (more than 1,000 meters above sea level) such as Mt. Munboksan (1,014m) and Mt. Gajisan (1,240m), and it is a great place to spend time in summer.
Yongmi Falls (20m) and Byeokgyesu Valley, in which the waters flow across the sandless rock bed, are famous locales in the forest. Located in a thick broadleaf forest, inhabited by many diverse species such as Korean mountain camellia, Unmunsan Recreational Forest offers lush greenery in summer, beautiful foliage in autumn, and cozy, splendid snowscapes along with the Yongmi Ice Wall in winter. In Unmunryeong, located 2.5km to the east, you can watch the spectacular sunrise above the Donghae Sea (East Sea, 동해).
Woljeongni Station (Iron Triangle Battlefield) is the last stop before reaching the DMZ. With the sign "The iron horse wants to run again," there stand remains of a train that was used to make frequent trips to North Korea. Located at the spot where the fiercest battle was held during the Korean War, this train marks the partition line of the Korean peninsula. These days Woljeongni Station is under the control of the Cheorwon-gun Office and hundreds of thousands of people visit this unique tourist area every year.
The 1,200-meter-high Cheongtaesan Mountain is a mountain where planted and naturally growing trees flourish in harmony, creating dense forests that provide a habitat for woodland creatures. In the summer, the forest is a convenient stopover for vacationers headed for the East Coast and both children and adults can enjoy learning about the local ecology at the Forest Education Facility.
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.
Waryong Recreational Forest is a clean natural resort created by clearing a portion of a lush forest near the source of Geumgang River at an elevation of 650-1,200m. The trees and valleys with clear water make the place an excellent home for animals and wild flowers. The place also has a swimming pool, a water sled park for children, hiking trails and forest paths.
Pocheon Valley, located in Gacheon-myeon, Seongju-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is approximately 7 km long. This place used to be a learning place for scholars of Seongju in the old days. Eungwa Lee Wonjo, who was the civil minister during the late Joseon period and a great scholar of those days, used to live at the upper stream in Mangwijong Pavilion (만귀정). Mangwijong gives the valley a more outstanding atmosphere.
Pocheon Valley is well-known for its crystal-clear waters flowing through the woods.
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