Close to Baegun Lake is a Buddhist temple that was famous for the udumbara flower, a rarity that blooms on Buddhist statues. It is the Cheonggyesa Temple (청계사) of Cheonggyesan Mountain (청계산). Built during the Silla Kingdom, the temple offers many sights, including the Cheonggyesa Temple Monument, geungnakbojeon (Hall of Paradise), the bell tower, samseonggak (shrine for three spirits), jijangjeon (Ksitigarbha Hall), three temple dormitory buildings, including the Sugak, and gamnoji pond where there is spring water that never dries up. Among the many things to see, visitors should not miss a glimpse of the Bronze Bell of Cheonggyesa Temple and the Wood Printing Block in Cheonggyesa Temple. Created in the 27th year of the reign of King Sukjong (1701) of the Joseon Dynasty, the Bronze Bell has been designated as a national treasure, and is adorned with elaborate patterns, such as the bosanghwamun (floral pattern), four images of Buddha holding a lotus flower stem, and two dragons.
Cheokpanam Hermitage was initially built in 673 by a monk named Wonhyo, whose legend is still passed down, and was restored in 1938 by another monk named Gyeongheo. Nestled inside the forest on Bulgwangsan Mountain, the hermitage offers a splendid view of the its surroundings. It is located nearby Jangansa Temple, also built by Wonhyo.
Pungam Reservoir was originally built in 1956 for agriculture, but was turned into a park in 1999 as part of the pilot program for developing parks nationwide. It is a popular resting area featuring traditional pavilions and wooden bridges.
At the foot of Woraksan Mountain lies Songgye Valley in Jecheon. Here, crystal-clear waters flow through the rocks scattered througout the valley. From here, visitors can see Worak Yeongbong Peak, Jayeondae, Wolgwang Falls, Haksodae, Mangpodae, Sugyeongdae, Pallangso, and many more.
The city of Bupyeong is surrounded by Gyeyangsan Mountain, Cheolmasan Mountain,
and Manwolsan Mountain, which all form a basin-shaped area in the center. Bupyeong
slowly began to establish itself as a city after the opening of Gyeongin railway
and the U.S. Army base established right after the Korean War.Sinteuri Park
in Bupyeong 4(sa)-dong neighborhood is equipped with outdoor recreational facilities
including a soccer field, tennis court, badminton court, children’s playground,
walking trail, and water fountain, spanning an impressive 58,594㎡. It also
has a library with 1,500 seats, and a floor area of 7,869㎡. The park serves
as a main recreational area for Bupyeong-area residents.
Located five kilometers northwest of Cheorwon-gun Office, Sundam (순담계곡) is one of the most beautiful valleys among the branches of the Hantangang River (한탄강). It offers diverse views of fascinating rock-formations, steep cliffs and ponds. The valley is filled with abundant water, trimmed by rare naturally white sand. Also, the stream behind the valley attracts many rafters each year.
Hani Lavender Farm was opened on a 33,000㎡ plot of land in 2006 by Ha Deok-ho, the "lavendar missionary." Mr. Ha originally operated an herb shop in Gyeonggi-do but moved to Goseong to grown his own lavendar for use in products. The area of the farm has the ideal condition for lavender to grow.
Birosa is a temple located at the southern foot of Birobong, the highest peak of Sobaeksan Mountain. It was founded by revered Buddhist monk Uisang Daesa in the 20th year of King Munmu’s reign (680 A.D.) during the Silla Kingdom. The temple’s Buddha statue and the flagpole supports reveal the long history of this ancient temple.
To the left of the entrance to Birosa Temple stand a pair of flagpole supports that are official called Yeongju Samgadong Dangganjiju. The 4.8 meter-high flagpole supports facing each other have a meticulous structure. Inside the temple precincts is Jingongdaesa Bobeoptapbi, a stele with a stone turtle base erected in honor of the great monk Jingong Daesa.
The temple enshrines the Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha statues, which were created during the Silla Kingdom in the late 9th century. Both of these Buddha statues realistically depict the human form, and show similar characteristics, which reveal that they were crafted by the same artisan. Preserving such valuable cultural heritages, Birosa Temple also has a serene view of Birobong Peak on Sobaeksan Mountain.
* Major cultural properties: Yeongpung Birosa Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha Statues (Treasure No. 997), Yeongju Samgadong Dangganjiju (Provincial Tangible Cultural Property No. 7)
Joryeongsan Mountain divides Mungyeong (Gyeongsangbuk-do) and Goesan (Chungcheongbuk-do), and is situated at the far end of Baekdudaegan (the mountain range connecting Baekdusan and Jirisan). The mountain is picturesque with its surroundings of dense forest, steep rocky areas, strangely shaped peaks and old trees. It has a grand scale of mountain ridge and high altitude. However, as the hiking trail starts at 529m on Ihwaryeong, it is not that tough. Nearby locations include Sinseongbong Peak and Mapaebong Peak, as well as Joryeongsan Recreational Forest.
Palgongsan Mountain (1,192m in elevation), in the outlying reaches of the Taebaek Range, stands sentinel over the spot where the Nakdonggang and Geumhogang Rivers converge. In the past, Palgongsan Mountain was regarded as a sacred mountain because it resembles the shape of the Three Buddhas. This mountain has magnificent granite formations at higher elevations, and the beautiful valleys, seamlessly interwoven with rock formations and thick forests, make for a spectacular view.
Palgongsan Mountain borders Gyeongsan, Yeongcheon, Gunwi-gun and Chilgok-gun in the north and surrounds Daegu metropolitan city in the south. With Birobong Peak in the middle, it extends to Dongbong Peak – Gwanbong Peak (Gatbawi Stone Buddha) in the east and Seobong Peak – Gasan Fortress in the west (20km long). It also offers many beautiful trails.
At Gunwi-gun (Palgongsan Provincial Park), you can find a Grotto of the Three Buddhas and Ingaksa Temple. This park reflects the glory of Korean Buddhist culture, containing numerous statues of the Medicine Buddha.