Yeongguksa Temple - Yeongdong 영국사(영동)

Nestled at the foot of Cheontaesan Mountain, which has an altitude of 714.7m, in the southernmost part of Chungcheongbuk-do, as well as at the boundary with Chungcheongnam-do, Yeongguksa Temple is located in the area of Yeongdong-gun.

In the southern part of Cheontaesan Mountain, Local Road No. 68, stretching from west to east, connects Jewon-myeon, Geumsan-gun and Gagok-ri, Yeongdong-gun. The scenery along the road is quite beautiful as well. The road meets Local Road No. 501 where Hotancheon Stream meets Geumgang River. Along this road, you will find a sign for Yeongguksa Temple and Cheontaesan Mountain. The parking lot can be seen at the base of Cheontaesan Mountain after making a left turn at this sign. From the parking lot, visitors can start trekking along the valley in order to reach the mountain.

Streams through the valleys such as Jinju Falls, Samdan Falls (previously, Yongchu Falls), Samsinbawi Rock flow through rocks and cliffs and create picturesque scenery. Also, carved poems and writings can be found on the cliffs. While going up along the trekking path, a wide basin will unfold, where Yeongguksa Temple is situated with beautiful surroundings. Samdan Falls, meaning three layered waterfall, was made by the water flowing out of two valleys, and can be seen at the edge of this basin.

If going up along the valley, one can see the road to Yeongguksa Temple, which is located in a broad plain amidst the deep forest of the mountain.

The time of construction is not clearly known but it is said to have been built around the late Silla period, during the time of King Seonjong. The temple prospered when the State Preceptor Wongak, who completed the Cheontae, one of Buddhist orders from Daegak Guksa Uicheon, came to the temple in the middle of the Goryeo Period. It continued to flourish until the early Joseon era and then took a dive due to the rule of anti-Buddhism. Despite the situation at the time, the temple's reputation as one of the noted temples remained.

However, the situation much worse in the early twentith century, so much so that it was almost closed. The temple was reconstructed by Jubongjosa Monk in 1934. As of now, the temple contains various treasures including the Stele for State Preceptor Wongak, Stupa of Yeongguksa Temple, Three-story Stone Pagoda of Yeongguksa Temple, Three-story Stone Pagoda at Mangtapbong Peak of Yeongguksa Temple. In addition, Bell-shaped Stupa and Round-shaped Stupa, regional tangible cultural assets, are situated in the temple site. Standing structures are Daeungjeon Hall (main temple), yosa (a temple dormitory for Buddhist monks), sansingak shrine and pavilions, as well as Gyewolam Temple, a small attached temple.