Below Seongheungsanseong Fortress (built
in 501 during the Baekje Kingdom) in Buyeo is an ancient temple called Daejosa
(great bird temple). Inside the temple grounds stands a giant standing stone
Buddha statue looking toward the east. The temple, which was founded during
the 5th year of the Baekje Kingdom, has an interesting legend behind its
origin. According to the
legend, an old monk fell asleep after praying under a large rock on the slopes
of Seongheungsan Mountain. In his dream, a large bird with a golden glow
flew in from the west and sat on the rock where Daejosa currently
stands. While the bird continuoulsy flapped its wings, a ray of light shone
on the rock and it was there that the statue of Avalokitasvara Bodhisattva appeared.
The old monk had the same dream at the same time for many days. He recounted
his dream to the seongju (castle lord), who then reported it to King Seong of
Baekje. The king interpreted the dream as a sign that it was the right time to move
the capital of Baekje to Sabi (now Buyeo) and ordered the construction of a large temple at the location that
appeared in the dream. The temple was so big that even at a hurried pace, it
would still took 10 years to build. Workers had to work day and night and every time
the workers felt tired, birds would come singing to brighten up the atmosphere so that the workers can forget the fatigue and continue working. Hence,
the temple was completed after only five years. Because of the
golden bird, the temple was named Daejosa, literally meaning 'great bird temple.
The rock on which Avalokitasvara Bodhisattva appeared in the dream was turned into a stone statue
of a Buddha. This standing stone Maitreya Bodhisattva statue is a fine work
of sculpture which, along with the stone Bodhisattva of Gwanchoksa Temple (Treasure No.218),
is representative of the early Gorye period.In front of Wontongbojeon Hall (a hall enshrining Avalokitasvara Bodhisattva)
stands a pagoda. In the old days, the stone pagoda used to have only the cover
stones but as the pagoda body stones were found, the pagoda structure was restored
in 1975. This pagoda is assumed to have been built in the early days of the Goryeo
Kingdom.
The Julpo Natural Ecological Park is a quiet park in the southernmost end of Buan. The park naturally turned into an ecological marshland after an embankment was built 15 years ago to protect the surrounding low-land areas from inundation. The embankment allowed reeds to overgrow and a freshwater wetland to be formed.
The total surface area of the park is 163 acres, with a 40-kilometer long reed field, wild flower bed, and a ginkgo forest path. In the fall, the views of golden reeds and yellow ginkgo trees are splendid. The Julpoman Foreshore near the park was designated a Ramsar wetland in January 2010. The foreshore offers a habitat for 50 or so bird species, salt plants, and wetland animals. Also, there is a large colony of Suaeda japonica, which turns stunningly red in early autumn. This is also a filming site of the Korean drama ‘Lovers in Prague’.
Jangnyeongsan Mountain is noted for its beautiful scenery embracing pine trees, maple trees, and broadleaf trees. It is popular in the fall due to its stunning autumn foliage. Geumcheon Valley flows through the Natural Forest where there are accommodation facilities including an outdoor swimming pool. Yongamsa Temple houses Ssangseoktap (Tangible Cultural Asset No. 3 of Chungcheonbuk-do) and a Standing Rock-carved Buddha (Tangible Cultural Asset No. 8 of Chungcheongbuk-do) is near the temple ground.
The Gongju Folk Drama Museum is a special museum in which a variety of Korean folk arts can be experienced. The dolls, masks and musical instruments that are used in folk dramas, shamanism-related resources and conventional farming implements are on display, nestled in a small, cozy pine grove (9,398㎡).
On Saturdays and Sundays, visitors can participate in a mask making program or watch a puppet show. In spring (before and after mid-March, lunar calendar), the Gyeryongsan Sansinje Ritual is practiced near Mt. Gyeryongsan. During the ritual, local festivals are also held. In fall (the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of every October), the Asian Monodrama Festival is held at a museum theater and outdoor performance stage. During this festival, visitors can watch historic and contemporary Asian monodramas.
Namwon
Recreational Forest (남원자연휴양림) is located at the base of Chonbuk Namwon <Cheonhwangsan Mountain>. Since there are
over 3558300ft²of Korean pine trees that are about twenty to thirty years old,
one will breathe the pure, fresh air while following the 4km mountain path.
Within this recreation forest there are promenades, a swimming pool, ancient
traditional sweating rooms, sport massage rooms, a golf range, restaurants,
traditional teahouses, and other subsidiary facilities such as lodging condos.
Reservation and/or inquiries can be made by phone or via the homepage.
Bonghwang Natural Forest is located on Ulgungsan Mountain (398m) in Chungju. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, Bonghwang Natural Forest offers cool, yet cozy environment. The forest is comprised mainly of oaks, pines, larches, and chestnuts trees. Its gentle slopes offer an easy hike, suitable for family visitors with small children. A small stream winds through the valley at the forest entrance, and there is also an auto camping site. There are many attractions nearby including Wolaksan National Park, Chungjuho Lake, Suanbo Spa, Neungam Spa, and Tangeumdae Pavilion, which makes it a great place for family or group visitors.Facilities inside Bonghwang Natural Forest include a water pool for children and a survival game ground. Visitors can learn to distinguish quality chestnuts at the 5ha of chestnut tree forest near the lodging building for group visitors. The nearby Chungju Goguryeo Astronomical Phenomena Exploratorium provides a memorable opportunity to observe the stars on clear nights.
Situated in Subi-myeon in Yeongyang County, Geommasan Natural Recreation Forest abounds with phytoncide given off by the trees. This is a place where visitors can engage themselves in programs to discipline the mind and body. The forest offers accommodation facilities, a place for observing indigenous plants, tent sites, outdoor decks, hiking trails, and various other convenience facilities.
Seomjingang River, one of the four major rivers in Korea, starts from Imsil and Sunchang. It merges with several bodies of water in Gokseong-gun, Gurye and Hadong before flowing into the South Sea.In Gokseong-gun, Seomjingang River is also known as Sunjagang River. It flows about 36km through the region, and is abundant in different types of fish. A number of big and small valleys throughout the length of the river provide fantastic views and relaxation spots all year round. Also, Riverside Festival and Seomjingang Literature Forum are held every summer to offer fun summer activities along the river.
A great sunrise and sunset spot, Doripo Park is situated in Doripo on the northwestern end of Haejebando Peninsula, which forms the boundary between Muan-gun, Yeonggwang-gun, and Hampyeong-gun Counties. The long sandy beach and the dense pine tree grove offer a nice environment for sunbathing.
A little farther down from the sandy beach, is the Doripo Port. The port protrudes towards the sea, so people can view the sunrise from there. On the other side of the port towards Chilsan Sea, people can also view beautiful sunset glows. Just like other famous sunrise spots on the West Coast, Doripo watches the sun rise from the sea in Hampyeong in the winter and from the mountain in Yeonggwang in the summer. Every year, a special sunrise event is held on the first day of the New Year.
Another attraction of Doripo is fishing for sea bream and sea bass in Chilsan Sea, which nearby Yeonggwang-gun and Hampyeong-gun Counties. A total of 639 relics from the Goryeo Era have been found in the area, including historical relics like blue celadon bowls unearthed in October 1995, resulting in the area being designated a Historical Site no. 395 of Jeollanam-do. Nearby, tourist sites include Bongdaesan Mountain (195 meters) and Wongapsa Temple.
Located just 4km away from Hwacheon-eup, Ddansan Mountain is nestled between Paroho Lake and the entrance to Peace Dam, making it appear more like an island floating on the water rather than a mountain.
This small island-like mountain offers an interesting and unique setting and the cooling effect of the mountain's shadow on the water creates a more relaxed resting area.
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